Love for Lakewood softball powers player's return weeks after open heart surgery
HEBRON — It was the most meaningful walk Madee Osborn has ever taken.
Despite doctors and nurses snapping at her to leave in a wheelchair, Osborn walked out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital just three days after undergoing open heart surgery. Less than two months later, the Lakewood senior was back on the softball diamond where taking a walk has a different meaning.
“They initially anticipated I wouldn’t be back for the season at all,” Osborn said. “I am one of those people that likes to prove people wrong. Anybody that tells me no, I tell them no.”
Osborn made her debut April 27 for an at-bat against Bishop Watterson and played six more games, completing a shortened senior softball season for the Lancers last Friday, one that did not seem possible just two months ago. Osborn had hopes of earning a starting spot, but she instead was watching throughout the winter as her teammates prepared for the spring.
“What got me thinking is my best friend from when I was little (Jackson Vanest) passed away from cancer (in 2021). That made me determined to play this season for him,” Osborn said. “I just pushed myself to work hard. I got to thinking, ‘I could be in a lot worse situations. I’m still here.’ I pushed myself to get to where I need to be.”
Osborn passed out and hit her head while at a family gathering in September. She passed out again a short time later, and her heart rate began spiking and plummeting without a moment’s notice.
Osborn, who was born eight weeks premature, was diagnosed with atrial septal defect, a congenital heart defect, by pediatric cardiologist Dr. Marc Lee. She quit physical activity in December after nearly passing out again, but she continued to show up for every winter softball workout.
“My dad cut me off," Osborn said. "I was at the gym when they were there. I was here at the field when they were here. A lot of people wouldn’t have came, but I came to every practice, every game.”
“When we heard the news, it was devastating,” Lakewood coach Jon Griffith added. “It was probably super trying for her just to sit back and watch. There is nothing you can do about it until she had her surgery.”
Dr. Patrick McConnell performed surgery on Osborn on March 2 and discovered 12 holes in the heart.
Osborn’s initial best-case scenario was resuming physical activity eight weeks later.
“I was dreaming since I was 5 years old to play on this field with my teammates,” Osborn said. “Finding out that I wouldn’t be able to just broke my heart."
Osborn, however, was cleared for cardio April 13 and beat the eight-week mark back on the diamond.
“It was very hard (early in the season)," Osborn said. "A lot of times I went home in tears because I just wanted to be out there.”
Osborn is a homegrown Lancer, spending her youth softball career at Canal Park. As she looked at the names recognizing Lakewood’s many All-Ohioans, she particularly noted Courtney Vierstra and Brenna Brownfield, stars of the back-to-back Division II state champions in 2016 and ‘17, as her idols.
When Osborn returned to the field, she did not just wave to the crowd and take a swing. She was a contributor down the stretch for the Lancers, recording two hits and four RBIs in a 15-1 victory against Utica on May 6.
“It was probably the highlight of the season to be able to put her in a lineup and then see her get out there and perform," Griffith said.
The Lancers' Division III postseason run ended early as they fell 3-1 at Liberty Union last Wednesday. They had two Licking County League games to make up, and Osborn had a hit in each one, driving in a run on senior night last Thursday during an 11-5 victory against Northridge.
"It was very sad that we lost (to Liberty Union), but I am glad I lost with this team. They are my favorite,” she said.
Osborn will play for the M.O.V. Pride this summer, staying primarily in central Ohio to allow her family and friends to attend games and tournaments and finish out what has been a big part of her childhood.
Physical therapy had long been on Osborn’s radar as a potential career, but she now plans to pursue nursing at Muskingum University. The last eight months have been a traumatic experience Osborn hopes to use in a positive way with a long, full healthy life ahead.
“I want to be a pediatric nurse because I want to help kids that are going through similar situations,” she said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Madee Osborn plays for Lakewood softball after open heart surgery
