08/20/2025
He’s called “Axell Strong” for a reason. 💪
Last Thanksgiving, Axell came down with a cold. But what started as a cough and runny nose turned into trouble breathing. His parents rushed him to our hospital, where they learned something unexpected: Axell had severe myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart’s muscle.
Axell’s condition was critical. His myocarditis evolved into severe cardiomyopathy and he was placed on the transplant list. In the meantime, he received different treatments to support his heart, including a Berlin pump, ECMO and even a ventilator to help him receive oxygen.
By April, doctors noticed his heart was rapidly improving. Even without the pump, his heart was stable. He was listed as inactive on the transplant list, and by June, Axell returned home. 🫶
The family is overjoyed. Not only because of the incredible care they received at our hospital, but because Axell is finally back home and thriving after such a tough journey.
“He plays with our dogs, visits family and goes on outdoor adventures wherever he can,” said Axell’s parents, Tayler and Tommy. “He’s happy, kind, wild and wonderful—chest scars and all. We call him our little Axell Strong.”