In the trenches

So, here's the thing about a Congenital Heart Defect: it is a lifelong illness. When someone you know is affected by this monster, your world can go from horrific, to stable, to terrifying, to somewhat "normal" in just a matter of time. One echo, one EKG, or one chest x-ray can change that status and send you back down the road you never wanted to be on in the first place. I've said it once already, and I'll say it again: our babies are not "fixed" with surgery. Their hearts are repaired to the best of the surgeon's ability, but there will always be extra considerations to be taken in the life of a child with a heart defect.

Fellow heart mom, Amy, wrote an amazing post yesterday about why she is so passionate about CHD awareness. Rightfully so, it has received much applause from the CHD community; she puts into such eloquent words what us moms (and dads) all over this country are fighting for!

I'm fighting so that my own son may one day be freed from the burden of multiple heart surgeries, and the pain that inevitably follows. Like Amy said, it may seem strange that we're all so fired up even though our children are doing relatively well. However, it's not just about them.

I'm also fighting for kids like Andrew, Owen, and Jordyn who are all three undergoing cardiac caths/surgeries TODAY. And, that's the beautiful thing about this community; when it's Ethan's turn, I know they (and all of you) will be fighting for him, too.

Please, take a second to visit the blogs for Andrew, Owen, and Jordyn today. Let them know that they've got lots of people backing them up and cheering them along!

We need your support, and your encouragement, to help us find our way out of these trenches that heart defects have dug for our children.

Will you help?