Time out with T.O. – The rest of the story

Legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey was famous for telling people, “the rest of the story.”

Today, I want to finish a story I started in July 2008.

It involved my grandson, Johnny Raynor, who was born with a major congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries (TGA).

Tom O’Connor

As I recounted, Johnny’s only hope for survival was an open-heart surgery performed 12 days after he was born.

Thankfully, Johnny came through surgery in good shape and made a rapid recovery.

About a month after his surgery, I wrote a UNMC Today story that received more response from readers than any story I’ve ever written.

For many, however, I suspect there was some concern that Johnny would ever lead a normal life.

Now — 16 months later — I’m happy to report that Johnny is the picture of health.

Other than the thin scar that runs down his sternum, you would have absolutely no idea that Johnny’s life had such a traumatic start.

He is all boy. He is already hooked on football, which he calls “huh-huh-hike.”

Golf and football with Johnny Tom O’Connor’s grandson, Johnny Raynor, shows off his golf skills and football knowledge in the video above. Raynor — who is now 18-months-old — underwent open heart surgery when he was 12-days-old to fix a congenital heart defect.

His golf game is already better than mine. Not saying much, but come on, he’s only 18 months old.

He’s an expert in demolition. Everywhere he goes, he leaves behind a path of destruction. If you don’t want him to do something, he will.

Earlier this year, I attended a campus presentation featuring UNMC doctors involved in a creative writing course.

I was encouraged by the comments of one of the presenters — Lydia Kang, M.D., a UNMC internist.

She shared a poem about the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. It was based on the many hours she had spent there when her oldest child, Benjamin, had his TGA surgery eight years ago.

Dr. Kang recognized that TGA is a serious problem. But, unlike some other congenital heart defects, she said, “It is usually one surgery and done.”

I caught up with Dr. Kang afterwards to tell her about Johnny and find out more about her son. She said Benjamin is “incredibly bright” and that he appears to be “gifted in science.” His TGA “has never been an impediment.”

Sounds like a great kid with a bright future. Sounds just like Johnny.

And now — as Paul Harvey would say — you know the rest of the story.