On patient's one-year mark at Riley, mom shares positive yet sobering perspective

Greyson Williams has been at Riley since May 27, 2025, about a month before he was listed for a heart transplant. The five-year-old was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome which has required more than one stay at Riley.

"He spent four weeks here before he was able to come home," Jennifer Chaney, Greyson's mom, explained. "He had his second heart surgery when he was six months old and then his third surgery when he was three years old. Over the last two years, he has had four cardiac arrests. So, last year in June is when they decided he needed to have a heart transplant."

Chaney navigates frequent visits to Riley while also managing three other children. She's immensely grateful for the nurturing care Greyson receives at Riley.

"He has done so amazing this past year," Chaney explained. "I couldn't do it without all the amazing staff here and all my family and all my in-laws as well, they've just been so helpful and supportive."

Chaney said Zoe Mendenhall, a unit tech on Riley's 8West, is Greyson's favorite.

"My relationship with Greyson is super special," Mendenhall expressed. "He was admitted here about a week after I started so he's really been my whole Riley experience. I sit with him day in and day out. We've really been able to form a special bond and he means the world to me."

Chaney said Zoe goes above and beyond to care for Greyson. She even tailored t-shirts in a special way that allows him to wear "normal clothes" instead of just hospital gowns.

"She has made shirts for him, just regular t-shirts and she's cut out on the arms and put buttons on them so instead of having a hospital gown, he gets these cute little shirts that are easier to get on and off of him," Chaney explained.

Another favorite on the unit is Maddie Baxter, one of Greyson's nurses. Baxter has cared for Greyson for years.

"I was here as a tech when Greyson was a baby," Baxter explained. "I've come into the role as a nurse now and watching him throughout his last hospital admissions, you've really seen him go from being this scared little kid to growing into this huge personality. He's just the best."

Of course, Chaney cannot wait for the day Greyson is united with the hero heart that will change his life. But until then, she is grateful. She also maintains a sobering outlook.

"It has been like a hard year waiting, but just knowing what has to happen to get the transplant, as long as he's been pretty stable, just knowing that he has been happy and stable, the wait isn't as hard knowing that another parent gets more time with their kiddo," Chaney explained.