Shortly after ringing in the new year of 1978, Kelli Ann Okubo was born a seemingly healthy baby. However, at 10 months old, Kelli Ann turned blue and needed emergency open-heart surgery to replace a valve. Her physicians discovered she had Tetralogy of Fallot, a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.
The surgery allowed Kelli to have a normal and happy childhood in Kohala on Hawaii Island. However, she knew that her valve would eventually deteriorate and require a lifetime of care.
In 2018, Kelli lost her father in a tragic accident. Four years later in 2022, she became her mother's full-time caregiver.
Unbeknownst to her family and friends, Kelli was putting her own well-being aside to take on new responsibilities. She was fatigued daily, and her health declined so much so that she could barely walk.
Kelli knew she had to get help.
Kelli was seen by Dr. Anne Kemble, a congenital heart specialist on Oahu who referred her to Dr. Andras Bratincsak at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. Dr. Bratincsak and the Kapiolani Cardiac Catheterization Lab team offered Kelli the Harmony Valve procedure, a minimally invasive treatment that would help replace her heart valve.
Although Kelli was initially hesitant about the procedure, the Kapiolani team's compassion and innovative care eased her fears.
Today, Kelli has a renewed sense of confidence knowing she can put her trust in the right team to take care of her throughout her health care journey.
Watch the video below for Kelli Ann's full story and to hear more about this inspiring story of hope.
Published on: November 18, 2024
