Baby underwent life-saving open-heart surgery

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

MORRISONVILLE -- Sitting at home one night, Rosa Dreslinski heard her baby cry and knew something was seriously wrong.

"We heard her over the monitor, and she just didn't sound right," said the mother of two from Peru. "She just wasn't my baby."

Clammy, pale and gray, young Kolby, who was 1 month old at the time, was rushed to CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh for what would be the start of a series of appointments that would uncover a massive hole in her heart, something that had gone undetected for weeks.

Kolby had been given a clean bill of health at birth, but, her mom said, she began to steadily decline after the late-night scare.

The infant lost her appetite, and her heart would race like a marathon runner.

"Everything was out of the blue, and it was so overwhelming," Dreslinski said.

Soon after, doctors found the hole and a deformed heart valve and told Kolby's worried parents that she had to undergo a life-saving operation as soon as possible.

But the open-heart surgery wasn't scheduled early enough, and the 6-pound infant was rushed to an Albany hospital sooner than expected.

After an eight-hour surgery and several days of recovery, Kolby pulled through. She has been gaining her strength ever since.

"She smiles constantly, and she sleeps so much better now," her mom said.

Smiling and holding his youngest daughter, Kolby's dad, Shawn Rock, said he's thankful his baby is making such a strong recovery.

But the infant's condition has brought weekly doctor appointments, monthly trips to a specialist and rising medical expenses, so the local parents are hoping a benefit this weekend can help with the costs.

From noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, there will be a $5 michigan dinner, live music, bake sale, raffle and children's face painting at Cocktails in Morrisonville to help the local family.