MercyOne When Erik and Megan McGee think about their journey as a family, they see it as a story shaped by love, resilience and the compassionate care they received at MercyOne.
High school sweethearts, Erik and Megan always imagined building a life together, and today, that life includes their three children: Myles, age 7, and twins Hazel and Luca, age 5. With Myles heading into second grade and the twins excitedly preparing for kindergarten, the McGee household is full of laughter, activity and personality.
Each child shines in their own way. Luca is constantly on the move, whether he’s shooting hoops, swinging a golf club, building with LEGOs or diving into his fascination with dinosaurs. Hazel, the family’s “girly girl,” loves dance, dressing up and spending time with her Barbies. And Myles? He’s a devoted Disney fan, especially when it comes to Mickey Mouse. This summer marks his fourth trip to Disney, a place that holds a special kind of magic for him.
Each child has also spent time at MercyOne.
On May 12, 2019, Myles was admitted to MercyOne for atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) surgery, an open-heart procedure used to close holes in the walls of the heart and repair the valves. On May 13, he underwent surgery to address his mitral valve. The procedure was lifesaving—but the days that followed brought unexpected challenges.
On May 16, Myles experienced a seizure. Thankfully, it caused no lasting damage, but doctors kept him longer for monitoring. Shortly after, he developed MRSA in his surgical incision, requiring another trip to the procedure room and additional care.
What was expected to be a shorter stay turned into nearly three weeks at MercyOne. Myles remained in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until June 3.
Yet through it all, Erik and Megan never felt alone.
During their time at MercyOne, the McGee family found comfort not only in the medical care but in the small, meaningful gestures that made a difficult time a little easier.
The Ronald McDonald House once again became a refuge, offering home-cooked meals, a place to rest and the simple luxury of changing clothes nearby.
“People at MercyOne were great,” Megan shared. “We loved getting the home-cooked meals, and they even had Girl Scout cookies at the time.”
One of the most treasured moments from Myles’ hospital stay was creating something lasting out of a life-changing experience. Myles received a special wooden chair, which the family painted together with his name and the date of his surgery.
“We take his picture with his chair every year on his surgery anniversary,” Megan said.
Faith also played a role in their healing. Megan remembers visiting the chapel and placing prayer requests, a simple act that brought peace during uncertain days.
“I remember putting in prayer requests at the chapel, which was super comforting,” she shared.
In 2020, when Megan was pregnant with the twins, she was admitted to MercyOne with preeclampsia at 35 weeks. Hazel and Luca were delivered via C-section, both weighing over 6 pounds. While Hazel was able to go home early, Luca needed extra monitoring in the NICU after having episodes where he would hold his breath for extended periods.
For eight days, the family leaned on MercyOne’s care while Luca grew stronger. The Ronald McDonald House, conveniently located in the same building, became a place of comfort. Because it was during COVID, Megan and Erik couldn’t bring Hazel back to the NICU, but the Ronald McDonald House gave them a space to stay close with both their babies during a difficult time.
The family finally returned home with both twins healthy.
Today, Myles is doing great. He continues to have annual check-ups and takes medication to support his heart, but he’s back to being a joyful, Disney-loving kid. His life, and his future, are possible because of the care he received.
“MercyOne brought us our babies,” Megan said. “Without the surgery, Myles probably wouldn’t be with us. We’re so grateful for the care our family received. It is such a great facility; there was always someone to help us. Everyone was so accommodating during such a hard time.”
The McGee family’s story is one of resilience, gratitude and community. From the Cardiac ICU, to the NICU, and from moments of fear to celebrations of healing, MercyOne stood beside them every step of the way.
Today, as Myles prepares for another Disney adventure and the twins get ready for kindergarten, their lives are a testament to the power of compassionate care.
