Sometime after 2 pm October 29, 2008 Phil and I were being told that our beautiful 10 week old daughter had a broken heart. I can only imagine it is like being hit with a flash grenade. Suddenly the world stops, you lose all your bearings, you are forced to immediately regroup and figure out how to survive.
But we didn't just survive, WE THRIVED!! Most importantly we did not do it alone. The doctors for what seamed like hours educated us about what it meant to be a heart family. Madelynn would have Open Heart Surgery the next morning and we were trying to process it all. When I hear about a newly diagnosed family, the flashbacks of my own journey take a front seat for a few days. When the opportunity arises I always want to help a new diagnosed family. I want them to know there is life after a CHD diagnosis and they are not alone.
We were lucky enough to have family especially my dad. As soon as he could he came to the hospital. He asked a lot of questions from me after we talked to the team who would ultimately save Madelynn's life. To be honest it was the best thing he could have done. For me to share and repeat the things the doctors had just told us helped me manage what was happening. He would ask me questions I should have asked Madelynn's medical staff. It truly helped understand, build my own list of questions to further understand what was about to happen. This is always one of the tips or things I offer to help families with. Do they understand what is happening? What don't they understand? I am no medical expert but thanks to my dad I have learned how to help ask questions or create a list for the medical experts to solve.
Although medical experts solved a lot of issues and family helped process it, a best friend just makes the world better. Seven years ago this evening my best friend called from Florida and we talked until my phone died, I plugged it up and we talked some more. I know we talked about Madelynn's upcoming journey. Since she is a nurse she helped me understand some of the things I was going to ask the doctor. Most of all she was just there. She is the one person for almost 30 years that always makes my world right again. She is just a special kind of wonderful that I am truly lucky to call her friend. In about three weeks my world will be right again because I will be engulfed in one of her hugs, humor and family.
A CHD diagnosis is terrifying, something I would never wish on even my worst enemy but is is survivable and life does go on. It might not turn out like you envision but it worth every tear, tense moment, horrible day and ounce of fear you carry in your soul. My life changed forever October 29, 2008 but is was all part of the plan and I am a better person because of it.
I love my heart warrior with every ounce of my being and am truly grateful for the journey. Love you Peanut!!
TTFN~
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