No Words...Just Tears...God's Love Always!

     We recently just had our Six Month Cardio visit.  What does that consist of you ask?   Well it is a long day of tests, updates, and patients!  Some CHD children have to go weekly, monthly, every six month, or yearly.  My CHD daughter has flip flopped over time.  When Cora was born and finally got to come home our check ups were weekly.  She was on a lot of medication and blood thinners that required her to have tests run weekly.  As Cora grew her appointments leveled out to 3 months, and then more recently to 6 months.

     Having a CHD child you must be prepared for appointments that take three hours instead of 30 minutes.  All the while praying for The Lord to take away your worries  and fears!  My goal is keep Cora's mind off her fears.  Almost being 13 she knows more about her body and what could happen to her than most children will ever have to.  So as her Mom it is my job to keep her calm and not over think the situation.  

     Cora's day usually consists of an EKG, Echocardiogram, X-rays, Oxygen Stats tested, and then a Cardio doctor visit.   After the Cardio check up we sit and wait for everything to be reviewed by her doctors before they come in and let us know what the results are.

     This month's( December) visit was not one of our better ones.  Cora has some irregular heart issues and was decided to be out on a heart monitor for a month or two.  She wasn't real happy knowing she had to wear it all the time, except sleep and showers, but she has adjusted well.  As for emotions, well Cora has her good days and bad.  Right now she says she is just trying to understand.  She is such a trooper, and I completely understand her emotions.  We continue to pray together and cast our worries to The Lord!  Some days well.....there are no words....just tears......knowing we have God's Love always!!

Blessings until next time.

Drena

     

 

The Spirit of The Season!

     The countdown until Christmas is on! Everyone is in a crazy rush to buy presents for all.  Some purchases large, some small....everyone with the same goal......buying buying buying!  Isn't that what makes people happy?  Giving the gift of wants?  Pleasing with the instant gratification and wishes of all our family?   Hummmmm.........Never thought of it that way, huh?

     What about the spirit of the season?  You know....the spirit of Jesus.  The celebration of Jesus' birth, the spirit of hope and miracles.  The Christmas magic!  The joy of simply spending quality time with family, sharing stories and making new memories!  This is the time of season where things are magical, and hearts soar!  People are a little extra generous and kind!  We all tend to make prayers requests in hopes that something a little extra special comes true during this magical season.  So...what is your Christmas wish?

     Well for our family the Christmas prayers have been the same for 12 1/2 years now!  Our Christmas prayer isn't just seasonal but all year through.  It is for all Congenital Heart Defect children to keep fighting their battle believing in Jesus, and know that God will always take care of them!  

     We must all remember and keep faith that the spirit of giving, and healing should be a year round prayer, not just one during the Christmas season.  That Jesus is just a prayer away, and for CHD children they need not just the medical treatment, but prayers of beating and winning the battle!  

     So this season my prayer remains the same, with one additional.....please make your wish and prayers something near and dear to your heart!!  Not something materialist or fading!  There are so many children and adults living with a Congenital Heart Defect that battle each day.  Arming them with a prayer for another day makes more of a difference than you know.  Take it from this CHD Momma, I know first hand that prayers can turn into little kisses from God!

Blessings until next time!

Drena

Finding God's Love!

     Oh boy where do I start?  From the time I understood what love was and how complicated it was I was always very guarded.  I made sure not to get to close to it, or let it consume me.  When I met my husband I let a piece of that wall down.  I thought for the first time I was understanding, accepting, and letting love into my heart.

     Then I let Jesus into my heart and another piece of my wall broke away.  I finally felt what love was and realized I was, and had been, missing out on a lot over the years staying so guarded.  When I thought I had finally reached a pinicale moment accepting love and welcoming it into my mind, heart, and soul, I gave birth to my first daughter!

     Looking at that beautiful baby girl I felt a love completely unknown to me.  I loved her with everything I was, yet terrified at the same time.  I had already known she had a congenital heart defect in utero, and had prepared myself to be a little distant.  But hearing her cry for the first time, and then seeing her beauty......I saw God's Love right before my eyes!

    Sure it is a risk to love!  I know first hand and know I spent a lot of my youth protecting myself from it.  I can tell you I was truly missing out on so much!  With everything in life....if you don't task the risk you may never reap the reward!

    I am so glad God opened my eyes years ago!   Jesus accepted me!  Forgiving me of my foolishness, and helped make me into a better person today!  But most of all, I am so very thankful that with Christ in my heart, I have learned that a Mother's love is something magical and perfect!  I wouldn't change my daughter in anyway!  God knew what he was doing when he made and gave me my Cora! She may not be perfect to most, or meet the norm in society, BUT.......Cora is my perfect!  She makes my heart sing full of love and joy every single day!  Only now have I found God's true love!

Blessings until next time!

Drena

Changing Seasons!

     With the season changing everyone is preparing making sure everyone in their family has coats, hats, warm clothing, and anything else you can think of!   Our household is the same except, there is an underlining concern with every season change.  

     The fall and winter months are the seasons of most concern for most, I'm sure.  Not just the change in temperatures,  but the sickness that start flowing everywhere.  Flus, stomach bugs, colds, fevers, coughs, the list goes on and on!  I am sure if your like most parents you stock up on over the counter medication. You know...just in case!   I wish it was that easy for a parent like me!!

 

     Fall and Winter are the most on edge seasons for me having a CHD child!  For my daughter taking over the counter medicine isn't much of an option.  Since Cora has such a multiple intricate condition, and no immune system, over the counter medications are pretty much out of the question for her.

The fear of a common cold for Cora could become pneumonia very rapidly.  This could then lead to hospitalization and well....you can fill in the blanks from there!  

    We have been blessed to avoid such extreme obstacles, which I strongly feel has contributed to having her on Amoxicllian since birth.  This medicine has helped aide Cora's body in fighting off the little things a person with a immune system would fight off and, not really give it a second thought.  

     Having a child without an immune system is very difficult, and many just don't seem to get it.  I try to be patient with many and smile when they say I am silly.  But knowing a common cold for most could kill my baby is a very very hard pill to swallow, let alone face every single season.

     But I try not to dwell on this fact.  I arm my daughter every morning the best way I can.  I  pray over her and remind her of her risks and what she must do to keep herself as healthy as she can.  Once I send her off I become a Momma prayer warrior all throughout my day!!

     My family loves the snow, and holidays!  We look forward to spending time with friends and family!  But don't think for a second that I'm not doing my homework on what illnesses are "trending", and who has just gotten over what.  I am always looking out for the best interest of my daughter first and foremost, but I have a secret weapon!  I know The Lord will ultimately take care of  my CHD daughter, and all who she encounters!  

Blessings until next time!

Drena