I've never lied, I don't think I am cut out to be a heart mom. I was/am terrified of it. I am in awe of the wee little heroes and their mommies that have walked that mile and come out the other side AMAZINGLY stronger. My dearest online sisters knew my fear for Jadon's heart, especially with his size being so very small.
Here are the facts on heart defects and Down syndrome. "Abnormalities of the cardiovascular system are common in Down syndrome. Approximately half of all infants born with Down syndrome have a heart defect. Many of these defects have serious implications and it is important to understand them and how they may affect the child so that appropriate medical may be provided" (NDSS website).
I know how blessed we are to have not been in the half of children born with defects, but, I also want to acknowledge our blessing does NOT mean those children/families battling defects aren't blessed. They are, there are lessons to be learned through those challenges, lessons God did not have in store for me apparently.
I am ok with that, I am more than grateful for that. I give praise to HIM for that. I don't mind learnin' but I am grateful that is something I may never know about.
My sister, Cathy, is a heart mom---Lily is a warrior. My sister, Penny, is a heart mom---Wyatt is a warrior. My sister, Deanna, is a heart mom---Ragen is a warrior. My sister, Anna, is a heart mom---Ellie is a warrior. My sister, Julie, is a heart mom---Kai is a warrior and she will be doing it AGAIN when Peter comes home. I am in awe of her!!!
I have many more "sisters" who are heart moms....I bow to you, you have my utmost love and respect! But today, I am thankful I am not a heart mom.
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)
4 comments:
I never would have thought that I was cut out to be a "heart mom" either. Turns out, I'm one heck of a lot stronger than I ever thought that I could be. :)
That being said, I am extremely happy for you that you don't have to be one. I personally wish that NO ONE ever had to go through the fear and uncertainty of handing your life over to someone else who has the power to save it or not ever again.
Love seeing your babies on facebook! :)
So, so happy for you! Wise words about heart moms being blessed, too. Eon had a funky heart defect that needed surgical repair, but not OHS. That was scary enough for me!
So happy it's one club I don't have to welcome you too!! I remember everything about the day I handed Danny over to the surgeon. Our yearly cardio visits bring me back to the scared helpless Momma who sat there so many years ago and worried herself sick. But, we are on the other side of surgery and try and help those who must come after us. I'm so glad today, you won't be one of them. Hugs!!!!
I am rejoicing with you! We just got done doing appointments for our baby on the way, and a structurally sound heart was my number one prayer. While I know that I could have done OHS again, it's so nice not to have that hanging over us or you!
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