Zac Lutter

Zac Lutter was born 22nd February 1997, third child to Rob and Maureen and a brother for Jan (4½) and Tim (3).  When Zac was born there were seven things wrong with his heart.  "We did not know what a heart child was and thought that heart conditions were only an older person’s disease, but we learnt very quickly not only what it was but how to live with a heart child," says Zac's Mum Maureen. "And so the roller coaster ride began."

Zac’s heart conditions were; a VSD (hole in the heart), no pulmonary artery, no valve to take oxygen to the lungs, as well as transposition of the great arteries. The other faults were minor in comparison.

Zac was flown by air ambulance in an incubator from Hawke's Bay to Greenlane Hospital.  He had his first surgery at six days old. From there Rob and Maureen were told that the best outcome was for Zac to get to three years old before the next operation to save his life.

Says Maureen, "We were in and out of hospital all the time and when we did stay at home the nurse would have to visit everyday - without this care we would have had to live in the hospital the whole time."

Zac made it to 18 months old before his next operation. A Sennings/ Rastelli combined surgical procedure was undertaken, a procedure that had never been attempted before in New Zealand. Lucky for Zac, Allan Kerr was his surgeon and went for it.  After months in hospital and many complications along the way Zac pulled through.

Firstly the hole, (VSD) was repaired and then all of the arteries were placed in a way to allow the heart to be used in the right way, a conduit with a valve was attached, but because of all the scarring Zac needed a pacemaker implanted and the diaphragm was damaged making one of the lungs smaller.  He depended on oxygen for months after the surgery.  Thien at four years old Zac's pacemaker was replaced, then at seven years old open heart surgery for a new conduit and valve for the pulmonary artery replacement.

The last surgery Zac had was for a new pacemaker in 2005 with altogether 10 surgical procedures over the years so far. Zac will have his next open heart surgery this year.  He will also need further operations/treatments.

"Zac has always enjoyed life to the full and made the most of every day with real spirit and attitude," says Maureen.  Zac has been proud to be part of the Heart Children Heart Rider Team, a team of heart children who take on the 5km Heart Ride at the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.  Zac is a member of Heart Children's Zipper Kids Club and has loved attending Camp Brave Heart, @Heart's camp for children aged 8-12 years.  Now Zac's 13 he can attend Camp Teen Beat, Heart Children's camp for teenagers aged 13 -1 6 years.  Have fun Zac.