HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Chloe Comess is known for lighting up the stage.
From jazz to lyrical to classical ballet, the 10-year-old is passionate about the art of dancing. But her journey has also been considered a miracle.
“Chloe was born with something called HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which meant that literally she only had half a heart,” said Jared Comess, Chloe’s father. “So four days after birth, she had her first open heart surgery.”
Chloe’s early childhood included countless hospital visits and a series of three open-heart surgeries, culminating in what’s called a Fontan procedure. Despite her condition, it never limited her ability on the dance floor.
However, over the last year, Chloe noticed getting through class became challenging.
“Yeah, it was hard because by the end of the day, I didn’t want to do anything but lay down,” Chloe said.
“She was starting to decline at nine years old,” her father said. “And the doctor pulled us into a conference room for the first time.”
“I learned that my heart was failing and I needed a new one,” Chloe said.
“She progressively got a little worse, we decided ultimately to move into the hospital and be listed for the heart transplant,” Jared Comess added.
Chloe underwent a heart transplant in September and spent more than eight weeks recovering at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, away from friends and the classroom.
“Fortunately, she’s doing very well post-transplant,” said Dr. Laura D’Addese, Chloe’s pediatric cardiologist.
Nearly four months later, Chloe is running down hallways and walking on treadmills under D’Addese’s care.
D’Addese, who specializes in heart failure and transplant care, said pre- and post-operative care for children with congenital heart defects will soon be even easier and “life-changing.”
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is preparing to launch a new Fontan Fitness Clinic next month.
“You can imagine, as a parent who has a child with a Fontaine physiology, if they start accruing these problems over the years, we’re not just talking about a visit to the cardiologist every six months,”D’Addese said.
“You’re now having to see GI and nephrology and pulmonology and endocrinology and allergy immunology, and that’s a lot of time away from work,” she added. “It’s a really big burden for families. It’s a lot of additional co-pays for families.”
The clinic will streamline patient care and offer a fitness program for children to stay healthy while waiting for a heart transplant.
“The goal is to have a one-stop shop where you can come for one clinic day, see all of the providers that are involved in your child’s care,” D’Addese said.
“It also gives them a full picture immediately and instantly as if we were living in the hospital,” Jared Comess added.
Meanwhile, Chloe continues to reach new milestones in her recovery.
“She went from what we call 50% energy to 150% energy,” her father said.
“Being more energized is helpful ‘cause you’re able to do a lot more and you won’t get tired throughout all of that,” Chloe said.
She’s back on the dance floor once again, with her sights set on the future.
“It’s like the skies have opened and she is running and jumping and leaping and running a lap in gym. We’re like, in a chapter that’s completely new. We’ve started a new book,” Jared Comess said.
Local 10 invites you to join our mission to raise critical funds for heart education, research and treatment. To learn more and donate, visit the fundraising page of Local 10 anchor Jenise Fernandez.
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