Some people think they know what they want to do when they grow-up; others know for sure. That’s the way it is for Lane Lovett Jr., 25, a third-year medical school student and a member of the Central Arkansas Heart Ball Executive Committee.
Lovett was one of the first babies in Arkansas to have an open-heart surgery involving a new arterial switch. Dr. Ricardo Sotomora and Dr. Stephen Vandevander performed the procedure when Lovett was a week old. In the not-so-distant past a diagnosis of transposition of the great vessels was a death sentence.
“The first thing I can really remember about being a congenital heart defect patient was being embarrassed of my scar,” he said. “I remember not wanting to take my shirt off at pool parties and other outdoor activities. People always asked questions. I had many different responses, from telling the truth, that I was born with a congenital heart defect, to I got stabbed. The latter was always a crowd pleaser.”
He continued, “As far as my heart health was concerned, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until I was 11 years old. I was at summer camp, running up a big hill from the swimming area. I could just barely keep up with my friends; afterwards I noticed it took me forever to recover. I was breathless for a long time. My mom, Angela Lovett, made an appointment with my cardiologist, Dr. Sotomora.
“Dr. Sotomora told me that my shortness of breath was related to my heart and I would need another surgery. My pulmonary artery was too small, a side effect of my open-heart surgery. Stents were needed to allow my pulmonary artery to grow with me. I had stents placed when I was 11 and twice more, with the last procedure at 18 years old.
“Open-heart surgery and stent placements not only allowed me to live but to live well,” Lovett said. “I was able to play and compete in football, track and basketball growing up. I even won a few awards over the years.”
Today, Lovett aspires to be a cardiologist. “The patient becomes the doctor,” he said. “I also manage our family’s heating and air business, Airmasters.”
Lovett said his story wouldn’t be complete without talking about his late father, Lane Lovett Sr. “My father was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy when I was 12 years old. His life was extended because of medical advances and research like defibulators, shock therapy and new drugs,” he said. “Because of medical advances, my father was able to teach me about the family business and to see me graduate from Catholic High and Rhodes College. He was also able to see me start medical school, and he attended my white coat ceremony.
“I am thankful for the time I had with my father and the lifesaving procedures I’ve had,” Lovett said, “but I’m even more grateful to those that support and continue to support medical research through the American Heart Association. From my earliest days I’ve benefited from medical research made possible by donors. My father and my entire family have benefited. Generations of congenital heart defect babies who are growing up have benefited.”
2012 Central Arkansas Heart Ball
Saturday, February 18, 5:30 p.m.
Statehouse Convention Center
Wally Allen Ballroom
Michelle and Hugh McDonald, Heart Ball Chairs
The evening will include an elegant dinner, Sweetheart and honoree presentations, silent and live auctions and dance music by The B Flats. The attire is formal, black tie.