Bridging the distance

Saving lives is second nature for Lisa and Corey Stone. By profession, Lisa, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Baylor University Medical Center, and Corey, a firefighter and paramedic in Garland, have dedicated much of their time and resources to helping others. But they never expected to be on the receiving end of the specialized care they provide every day.

Overwhelming news

At 18 weeks gestation, Lisa looked forward to the birth of her third child. Dr. Kevin Magee, a perinatologist at Baylor University Medical Center, performed a routine sonogram. What he found shocked Lisa. The baby's heart had several problems — tricuspid atresia, Transposition of the Great Vessels and coarctation of the aorta.

"We were devastated," Lisa said. "It was a hard couple of months waiting for Lia to be born."

Dr. Magee referred Lisa to Children's where Dr. Matthew Lemler, a cardiologist at Children's and associate professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, followed Lisa throughout her pregnancy.

Thinking outside the box

Dr. Magee and Mary Beth Mauer, senior director of The Heart Center at Children's, knew delivery day would be difficult for everyone involved, especially Lisa who would have to recover from her c-section at one hospital while her baby was immediately transported to Children's for specialized care.

They decided a web camera would be helpful to bridge the distance between mom and baby. Soon after, plans for a virtual crib were in full force. Discussions took place on many levels at Children's to coordinate the virtual crib experience.

"The Heart Center thrives on being cutting edge so this type of project was right up our alley," said Constantine Kokolis, technology group manager in The Heart Center at Children's.

Two hours after Lia's birth, an ambulance brought Lia to Children's, where Corey stayed by her side.

A closer connection

Lisa recovered at Baylor while visitors began pouring in at Children's to get a peek at Lia.

Kokolis set up the camera on both ends and stayed with Lia while Lisa watched family and friends shower her with love.           

"It made a really bad night much better," Lisa said. "It was fun to see Lia and communicate with loved ones through instant messenger."

Lisa was discharged the next day, and she joined Corey and Lia at Children's. Days later, Dr. Joseph Forbess, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children's and associate professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UT Southwestern, performed surgery on Lia's heart. At 4 months old, Lia continues on the road to recovery. She recently underwent another surgery and will need one more at age 3.

"Lia is right on track in every way," Lisa said. "She is very active, but she's always content just watching her two older brothers play."

"It was such a joy for everyone to interact with Lisa via the virtual crib, and I must admit that it was a wonderfully positive experience for me as well," Kokolis said.

Tags: Web Camera , Heart Center , Heart