Living life to the fullest
Gita Fulwiler has always embraced life with purpose, positivity and persistence. A self-described people person, she spent her career thriving in the fast-paced restaurant industry. Now retired, she stays active through travel, music, visual and performing arts, and quality time with her family. Her home is always filled with community and creativity, whether she’s hosting loved ones or enjoying the arts with her husband.
“I believe in putting my best foot forward and giving it my all, personally and professionally,” she says. “Even in challenging times, I try to stay pragmatic and positive. I’m grateful for the life I’ve been blessed with.”
In June 2023, she began feeling unusually fatigued and winded, and even simple activities started to feel difficult. Gita knew something wasn’t right, and she was determined to find out what was going on. After seeing several doctors and undergoing initial tests, she was eventually referred to UC Davis Health. Known for its expertise in complex heart conditions and leading-edge technology, it was where Gita began to understand what was happening and start the journey toward feeling like herself again.
A life-changing discovery
Gita underwent a CT scan and other advanced imaging, including 3D virtual reality (VR) modeling, an emerging technology that offers providers a new way to visualize complex anatomy. This leading-edge diagnostic approach helped Gita’s care team better understand her unique heart structure and treatment plan. During these evaluations, she discovered she had a rare congenital heart defect known as atrial septal defect (ASD) with partial anomalous venous return (PAPVR). This was an especially surprising discovery after living many years without knowing.
Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Gita met with Dr. Frank Ing, chief of pediatric cardiology at UC Davis Health. Though he typically treats children, Dr. Ing specializes in congenital heart conditions, making him a strong fit for Gita’s case.
“Learning that I had a congenital heart defect came as a complete shock,” Gita says. “It made me question everything: how long had it been there, why now, and what would this mean for my future? It was a very emotional time. I’m usually someone who stays calm under pressure, but this news was heavy. I had to really lean into my support system and my belief that everything happens for a reason.”
During her evaluation, Dr. Ing discovered that several of Gita’s pulmonary veins, the vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart, were not positioned or functioning normally. Some veins were too high to be redirected to the correct heart chamber, while others had the potential to be rerouted successfully. The challenge was to repair the defect in a way that allowed blood to flow normally without causing obstruction.
“Dr. Ing sat with me for a long time, sharing a great amount of detail on how he could treat my condition,” shared Gita. “He showed me diagrams and walked me through the whole process.”
In addition to his clinical expertise, Gita was struck by Dr. Ing’s calm, thoughtful presence.
“He didn’t rush anything. He was methodical, compassionate, and very thorough. I could tell he wasn’t just looking at my case as a checklist, he was really invested in doing what was best for me.”—Gita
Meet Gita’s cardiologist, Dr. Frank Ing
Teamwork and technology
To prepare for Gita’s procedure, the UC Davis Health care team built on the detailed images gathered during her diagnostic evaluations by using VR modeling to map her heart anatomy with pinpoint precision. By exploring her anatomy through a VR headset, her heart specialists gained invaluable insights that enabled a highly personalized, minimally invasive treatment.
During the procedure, Dr. Ing used a minimally invasive catheter-based approach guided by VR imaging to precisely implant a specialized covered stent. This technique closed the defect and restored proper blood flow from the pulmonary veins to the heart. Less strain on the heart and surrounding tissues allowed for a quicker recovery than with open-heart surgery.
“My quality of life was really declining before my procedure,” Gita shared. “I now feel like myself again and so appreciative to Dr. Ing and his entire team for helping me feel this way.”
Living fully once more
Since recovering, Gita has been able to resume many of the things she loves most: traveling, spending time with loved ones, and being active again. She treasures the ability to fully engage in these moments without feeling limited by her health. Her journey has also inspired her to raise awareness about congenital heart conditions, encouraging others to listen to their bodies and seek care when something feels off. Gita expresses deep gratitude for the compassionate, expert care she received at UC Davis Health, crediting it with giving her a new lease on life.
“Words cannot fully capture how much Dr. Ing’s work has meant to me and my loved ones,” she says. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have had him as my doctor, and I want him to know the profound impact he has had on my life.”