Shana Summers

Shana Summers has been a huge inspiration to me while preparing for Augusta. Her great attitude and great sense of humor during near death situations has left me with a different outlook on life. My favorite quote from her is, “Life is short so don’t go crazy over stupid stuff-it’s not worth it.”

Shana played div. 1 soccer and then tackled biking. It’s amazing she reached the level she did with her heart, lung, and liver conditions. It’s actually amazing when anyone reaches that level.

Shana had holes in her heart including a huge Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). She had a closure device put in for the ASD which then had to be removed because part of the device was sticking into her aortic valve causing atrial erosion. The atrial septum was patched with a Gortex patch. Post open heart surgery Shana tore her pec because her sternum is non-union wired together. Eventually, after all the other hoopla is finished, she will have to have her chest plated and screwed back together.

After the ASD was patched, doctors found that Shana had another CHD, a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). There was also a genetic condition of the liver and lungs present that was not allowing oxygenated blood to be used. She had AVMs in her liver which were creating “dilitations” in her lungs allowing blood to flow through her lungs without being oxygenated. An Arterio- Venous Malformation (AVM) is (the way I understand it) an area of no capillaries and capillaries are what help us use our blood.

Currently Shana is taking a Chemo drug (Avastin) to help repair lung function. The drug has caused her to lose 14 lbs off of her already small frame. Her liver is much better, but her lungs are worse. After these problems are taken care of she will have to have an ablation for an arrhythmia (fast or irregular heartbeat) the ASD repair caused to get her heartbeat back to normal.

She is still taking things out one at a time. She’s a fighter and she’s working her way up the ladder!