Search This Blog

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sparkly Heart Birthday #2

Dear Gabriella,

My precious daughter... Today marks 2 years since we got the call that changed the lives of so many, and saved yours. After waiting 97 days for your strong sparkly new heart, I grieved for the pain another mother was feeling somewhere in the country, and handed you off to the surgeons trusting they would return you to me a stronger version of yourself. Not only did they deliver on that, but they handed me a little person with a future. To see the achievements you have made over the last 731 days is nothing short of a miracle. You have allowed me to see everything with beauty and purpose. Nothing is impossible and every moment is a chance for a miracle. You have done more than survive, you have lived, and you inspire me to do the same.

I wouldn't have traded a single second of time or ounce of energy I put into fighting alongside you from the moment we discovered a problem until the moment I type this letter. The sleepless nights and levels of intense stress, the fights with insurance and pharmacies, challenging doctors and nurses, the research and education on your conditions and medications, the miles driven and dollars spent... never will I regret it or wish to change any of it. I'd proudly give my life for you and your little brother at any moment, and I can only hope you can look back and say you know I would because I did.

I do not know what the future holds for you, for me, for our family or for whatever God may throw our way. But I want you to know, my little princess, that being given the blessing of waking up every day and knowing God let me keep you is more than I ever deserved as your mother.

I love you forever and always,

your Momma

May 13, 2012

4 comments:

George Schroeder (Christopher's Dad) said...

We are thanking God along with y'all today!

Fleak Family said...

Hi my name is Tabitha, I found your blog through another heart Mom's but your family's story struck me as my 21 month old daughter is in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant and she too suffered a (right) MCA stroke from her Berlin heart that she is currently on. Your daughter looks like she is doing wonderful and just wanted to say thanks for sharing as she gives us such hope and encouragement as we too fight the battle against congenital heart disease!

Katherine said...

Your little girl is so blessed to have such a wonderful momma.

Claudia at Lashes and Beard said...

This is a beautiful letter. I'm so glad she's doing well!

When I saw the date you posted this, I realized it was the exact day I gave birth to my son, Isaiah. Isaiah has complex congenital heart disease (ASD, VSD, pulmonary atresia, single ventricle). He's going in for his first open-heart surgery in the next 2-4 months, but while he was in the NICU after being born, we met another heart family. Their daughter, like yours, also has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is currently awaiting a heart transplant - she's 4 months old, and I know her mom (Jen) would love to hear from another heart mom who's been through the transplant process. If you'd like to read more about their story, or contact Jen, their website is www.HannahMaeNeedsAHeart.com.

Blessings to you and your beautiful family! You will definitely be in our prayers.

Claudia at www.LashesAndBeard.com