Jordan’s Unstoppable Heart: Thriving After Surgery to Repair a Heart Defect

Jordan Lilly runs the bases during his baseball games with unvarnished enthusiasm. 

“He never shows any signs of wearing down,” said his mom, Bethany Michelle.  

The seven-year-old has been playing baseball since he was just three years old, despite a heart condition that could have limited him. 

“People never realize he had something wrong with his heart,” said Bethany.  

In the days after he was born, a nurse noticed Jordan was looking blue. He was quickly transported to Manning Family Children's. Jordan was born with a congenital heart defect. 

“I was shocked,” said Bethany. “It happened so fast. It was overwhelming.” 

Jordan was diagnosed with tricuspid valve dysplasia, a condition where the valve on the right side of his heart doesn’t function properly. As a result, the right ventricle has to work harder and pump faster to maintain adequate blood flow in the right direction. While some children with this condition require immediate surgery, Jordan was stabilized with medication, allowing his care team to wait until he was older and stronger before considering surgery.  

Jordan would spend the next several years being closely monitored by a cardiologist closer to his home. In June 2024, Jordan underwent open-heart surgery to repair the valve. 

The heart surgery team made sure to break down all the medical jargon so we could fully understand what would be happening,” said Bethany. “We felt really prepared.” 

Jordan’s mother says they also felt extremely well supported by the staff. 

“The nursing staff was always trying to uplift us. The Child Life specialist took the time to get to know our family and did things to make Jordan smile, like drawing a Pokémon on the door. All the little things helped him get through the day.”  

Jordan was discharged from Manning Family Children’s several days later.  

“It’s a recovery you’d have to see to believe,” said Bethany. “He was hiding behind the sofa with a nerf gun in no time.” 

Jordan will continue to have six-month checkups with his pediatric cardiologist closer to home, but his mom says he’s excited to return to school, and, of course, baseball.  

“I would have never looked at him when he was born and thought he’d be playing baseball down the line.  People don’t realize how far he’s come since he acts so normally now.”  

Bethany offers this advice to other parents facing a similar situation. 

“Stay positive. Just think of how much better they will be on the other side.” 

For more information about the expert pediatric cardiology care at Manning Family Children’s, visit https://www.manningchildrens.org/services/heart-center/ 

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About Manning Family Children’s: 

Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 14 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildren’s.org.