News : Olivia Spencer 'thriving' after recent heart procedure

Olivia Spencer is doing very well after her most recent heart procedure.

A few weeks after a troubling phone call informed her that her daughter, Olivia Spencer, was turning blue at school, Olivia’s mom, Kendra, said Vinton’s most famous young heart patient is now thriving.

Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Olivia has lived all of her six years with basically half of a heart. She has already survived a stroke and several surgeries, and faces the prospect of more procedures as she and her heart continue to grow and as doctors look for new ways to manage the rare condition.

The call from Central Lutheran School a few weeks ago was a reminder of Olivia’s constant struggle. Doctors in Iowa City believed that having the flu was a contributing factor on that day. Later, doctors would schedule a cardiac catheterization procedure, which took place last Thursday. Kendra and Olivia’s dad, Steve, made the trip to the Mayo Clinic to be with Olivia. She was home by the weekend.

Her left pulmonary artery was small, so they inserted a stent to open it up, Kendra explains.

Kendra says the procedure went as well as possible. At one point during her hospital stay, Olivia’s oxygen saturation measured at 99 percent – a level much higher than before for her.

“She is mid 90's consistently now. She was 78-84%. The oxygen in her liver was only 22%. 2nd lowest they've ever seen,” says Kendra. “We didn't realize how bad she was. We knew she was a bit blue, but the doctors thought she was very blue. I guess we were just used to it.”

Shirt sales continue

A frequent spokesperson for area American Heart Association events and fund-raisers, Olivia is now selling shirts. Designed by Kendra, a professional photographer, the shirts show a camera and read “Love for Liv – Capture Life.”

The shirts come in several colors – pink, teal, orange and mint green. T-shirts are $17; sweatshirts, $25. Those who already have a shirt they want imprinted can also have that done. For ordering information, contact Kendra at KLM479@gmail.com