12/05/2025
I wish I had better news.
While things can be better for 5-year-old Oaklee Slaton of Albertville, AL, she’s still smiling.
5 years after she received a new heart.
Weeks after her body decided it would reject the heart she received in 2020.
Oaklee was born on July 20, 2020.
She was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a potentially deadly condition that occurs when the heart is not fully developed.
“Oaklee had open heart surgery 3 days after she was born,” Oaklee’s mom Alexis told me.
Oakley fought hard- at the age off 33 days, an ECMO machine kept her alive.
It was clear Oaklee needed a new heart.
Oaklee received that heart 5 months after she was born.
The date was December 12th, 2020.
Oaklee Slaton grew into a beautiful, creative young child.
Her parents Trent and Alexis watched Oaklee grasp life.
Until last December, years after Oaklee received her new heart.
I checked in with Alexis last night, and the news could have been better.
“We’re still in rejection,” she said.
“We hope to have a heart cath in a few weeks and get more answers.”
Until then, Oaklee will continue to do her thing.
She will love Moana and anything Disney.
She will love music and dance and singer Brandon Lake.
And she will love her baby brother Carson and her parents Trent and Alexis.
Let’s send our best to Oaklee.
Let’s pray she pulls through.
Let’s root for the 5-year-old from Albertville. 🙏
*Thanks to Alexis Atchley for the pictures.