After losing their daughter in 2014 to Late Infantile Batten Disease at the tender age of 8, and then losing their son midterm just 10 months later, Zena’s parents really didn’t think there was much more that could be thrown at them. They were wrong. Shortly after Zena’s birth, she was immediately transferred to Children’s due to her complex congenital heart disease. She has undergone multiple heart surgeries, at 3 days old and later at 4 months old. Zena was also born with an unexpected deformation on her face in addition to her HLHS. The concern that formed around that additional complication sent Zena’s surgeon on a completely different route for repairs to her heart. The surgeries started with Pulmonary Artery banding, and then a Balloon Atrial Septostomy three weeks later. Even with struggling a bit with her feedings, Zelena has proved to be an amazingly strong little girl and is known as Zena the Heart Warrior Princess to most. She has 4 brothers, and 1 sister at home. The Extra Step assisted Zena’s family with their medical expenses.
