Born on December 23, 2023, Dallas “Dally” Watts was the ultimate Christmas gift to her parents, Madalyn and Cameron, and her then 1-year-old brother, Kolton. Now 9 months old, Madalyn lovingly describes her daughter as a "spicy" little girl with the personality of a teenager.
"She’s very opinionated and likes things done her way," Madalyn says. "But she’s also incredibly cuddly when she wants to be!
Dally's fiery spirit kicked in early on when she was diagnosed with a life-altering condition. At only 6 weeks old, Madalyn noticed her daughter breathing rapidly and rushed her to the emergency room. After an electrocardiogram (EKG) and X-ray, doctors delivered devastating news: Dally’s heart was enlarged. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that meant her heart was failing, and a heart transplant would be her only option for survival.
“When we heard that Dally would need a heart transplant, I thought to myself, there’s no chance we will be able to bring her home,” Madalyn says.
Knowing she would need a higher level of care, Dally was transferred to the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, ranked among the top 10 Best Children's Hospitals for cardiology & heart surgery in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Dally worked with a dedicated team of experts, including Dr. Gonzalo Wallis, division chief of pediatric cardiology at Levine Children’s.
In the thick of it
Immediately following her diagnosis, Dally faced a whirlwind of medical challenges. While waiting for a heart transplant, she needed the support of a mechanical heart to stay alive. This device, called a VAD (Ventricular Assist Device), took over the crucial work of her heart’s ventricles, pumping blood to ensure her organs received the circulation they desperately needed. Without this life-saving technology, her heart wouldn't be able to continue working on its own and, fortunately for Dally, Levine Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in the region to have this technology.
But before the VAD surgery, Dally’s condition took a dangerous turn. Madalyn says Dally's heart stopped twice in the cardiac catheterization lab, and she had to be placed on a ventilator for several days.
“Cameron and I are new parents, but we matured very quickly while Dally was in the hospital,” Madalyn says. “We spent every moment with her because we didn’t know how much time we had with her.”
On March 11, Dally underwent surgery to implant the mechanical heart. While the device helped sustain her organs, her little body endured additional complications, including seizures, a stroke, and a rare condition called diabetes insipidus, which made it difficult for her to manage fluids. Through each hurdle, Dally fought on, relying on a ventilator multiple times.
A few weeks after the VAD surgery, Dally’s strength began to return. She was able to come off the ventilator, and despite a few feeding issues, Madalyn says they were able to see glimpses of their little girl.
“She had tons of physical therapy, speech therapy, music therapy and so much more that really helped her thrive despite her circumstances,” Madalyn says. “She had a lot of favorite shows, including Peppa Pig, Bluey, and Usher’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl.”
“We have a heart”
On July 17, four months after her VAD surgery, the moment they had been waiting for arrived. Madalyn recalls the transplant team entering the room as she lay groggily in her daughter’s hospital room.
“I was half-asleep when they asked if I slept okay,” Madalyn says. “I mumbled something, and then they said, ‘Would it make it better if I told you we have a heart?’ I closed my eyes and laid my head back down on the pillow. I thought I was dreaming. The day we had hoped for, for over 150 days, had finally come!”
The next day, Dally received her new heart. And just over a month later, Madalyn and Cameron experienced a moment they once thought was impossible—they brought their baby girl home.
“Life has been amazing and hectic, but a good kind of hectic…we wouldn’t change it for anything. We have our daughter, and that’s what matters most!”
Next steps
Now approaching her first birthday, Dally continues to have regular checkups to monitor her progress with her new heart. She currently uses a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) for feeding and takes a variety of medications, but her parents are hopeful that she’ll soon be able to eat on her own.
“Our next goals are to be able to reduce her medications and for her to no longer need the feeding tube,” Madalyn says.
Looking back on the more than six months they spent in the hospital, Madalyn reflects on the profound connections they made during that time.
“We wouldn’t want to relive it, but the people we met have become like family,” she says. “The doctors, surgeons, nurses, staff, and volunteers at Levine Children’s have been such a blessing. I trust them with my kids’ lives.”
As for Dally’s future, the possibilities seem endless. Madalyn hopes that one day her daughter might be inspired to work in pediatric cardiac care, a field where her personal experience could bring comfort to other young heart warriors.
“I think she could offer a different kind of care, to show kids that they can do it, too,” Madalyn says. “But mostly, I just want her to be kind. Life is too short not to be.”
We’re rooting for you, Dally! May your spirit remain as strong as your new heartbeat.
See more lives that have been changed by Levine Children's.
