The 3/4 of my Whole World.....Remember to find Joy in the Journey.......

Five years ago yesterday I was told, "There is NO medical reason Madelynn is alive today. Tomorrow we will be doing open heart surgery to correct her congenital heart defect (CHD). She has an interrupted aortic arch with complications of it's own. She is truly a Miracle."

Phil and I sat in stunned silence.

For 10 weeks our "Peanut" had been living at home with us eating sleeping, pooping, all normal baby things. Had it not been for God's perfect timing and a brilliant former pediatrician, she would have died at home. I am immeasurable grateful daily God chose to save her life than take her from us too soon.

There is NO Experience in life that will ever prepare you, as a parent, to be told your child almost died, still might die and has a long road to recovery. There is no comparison to the feeling of surrendering your child to a doctor hoping with every ounce of your being you will see your child alive again. Even though I have tried with newly CHD diagnosed parents, you can never be prepared for what your child looks like after open heart surgery. NEVER!

I can honestly say I was stunned into silence. I was afraid to touch Madelynn and every alarm on the machines made my own heart skip a beat. It was a long road to recovery filled with lots of tears, shaking my fist and God wanting to know why, savoring the little victories and just being grateful we had another day with her.

Those days have turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and now those months have turned into years. Last year Madelynn's pre-school director told me I needed to enroll Madelynn into kindergarten. I questioned her about this multiple times. She was turning 5 two weeks before school started. But I was assured multiple times she was ready. She is the youngest kindergartener in the school.

Madelynn is reading, identifying high frequency words and spelling them correctly, solving math problems with almost no help from me. The director wasn't lying. Although she does not plot on the growth chart, she has to ride a special seat on the bus, and her clothes for her age are still way too big she is still pretty feisty and taking on the world EVERY DAY!!

As we celebrate the 5 year anniversary of her open heart surgery, I am overjoyed she never gave up and uses ever ounce of her 34 pounds to show she can plow through life just like everyone else.

Happy Heart Day Madelynn!!

Love, Mama

TTFN~