The BIG heart check up

The appt. started out fun playing with the train table...Having fun before the echo with her rubber glove balloon! (Great idea Sandy)Screaming through the whole echo! I felt so bad...Get these wires off of me!! Look at that ticked off face!Cool stethoscope Dr. C!Dr. C loving my Madison!

Madison had her annual heart check-up and it went pretty well. She screamed through the echo and EKG but she didn't move. She was so freaked out that she didn't move, which was good. But I know it was still really hard for the echo tech to do his job with her screaming for the full 30 minute echo!! I kept saying sorry and he said not to worry because she was the best one of the day! Dr. C came in after reviewing the images and said her heart looked GREAT! I was so relieved! She said everything is looking as it should. Her pulmonary veins were a little small like they were last year but they ARE growing. Last year at her appointment her PV was barely even leaking but this time it was leaking a little bit more. Last year Dr. C didn't think she would ever need another surgery but has changed her mind this year. Madison will need a PVR (Pulmonary Valve Replacement) in her teens. This is pretty standard for TOF kids, so it was not a shock. BUT her heart looked good and the great news is.....we don't need another check until she is 3!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING! We are very happy!

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We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Pediatric Cardiologist....Dr. C is the best doctor EVER! She is so caring and loving. She lets Madison sit on her lap and play with her chart. She always hugs on her and makes Madison feel so comfortable. She is so smart and I completely trust her. Her entire staff is amazing! They try SO hard to make the kids feel as comfortable and happy as possible. My mom got her a mug from Hallmark that said "Taking care of hearts is my business", so I gave that to her at our appointment. She loved it! (Good idea for all you hearts moms to give to your PC's)

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A BIG THANK YOU to my mother-in-law, Sandy for coming with me to this appointment. I was beside myself nervous about it and she made me feel better. She is a nurse in the cath lab and she is very knowledgeable when it comes to the heart. It is a relief to have her with us! I love you Sandy!! Thanks!

Donate Life

My best friend, Nicole, passed away unexpectedly over two years ago. Her husband and family donated her organs. Her is part of her Gift of Life Letter...

Nicole

April 12, 2008

Each year the lives of thousands of men, women and children
are saved or greatly improved through the miracle of transplantation.
The true heroes behind this miracle are the donors who gave the Gift of Life
and the families who made it possible.

Nicole died a hero.

She saved the lives of six people through her donation of seven organs.

Her right kidney went to a 17 year old girl.
Her left kidney to a 54 year old man. (A perfect match)
Her heart was transplanted into a 51 year old man
Her liver went to a 55 year old man.
Her pancreas to a 51 year old lady.
Both of her lungs were transplanted into a 24 year old young lady.
All the recipients continue to do well.

Nicole has left this life a better place,
giving a new beginning, renewed hope,
and a second chance at life to complete strangers.

You can be assured that these generous gifts
will never be forgotten by the patients and their families.

We hope the news of these precious gifts brings you
and your family comfort and peace at this time.

Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someone's world by being a donor. It's about living. It's about Life. Information came from Donate Life America.

FACTS:

Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation."

STASTICS:

Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors.

*More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

*Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

*An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

*In 2009, there were 8,021 deceased organ donors and 6,610 living organ donors resulting in 28,465 organ transplants.

*Last year, more than 42,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.

*According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

*90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor."

New blog to follow...CICI's DIY

Feeling creative? Go check out my sisters friend, Christy's Do it yourself blog (CICI's DIY). She makes the most beautiful jewelry, headbands, hair clips, brooches and some home decor. She is so talented! Her blog is a showcase of all of her creations and she has some DIY how to tutorials. She made Madison and I matching headbands (picture below). We LOVE them! We are probably going to wear them in our family pictures this summer. Check her out and follow her blog for some fabulous ideas!

CICI's DIY

Some of her creations

Our custom headbands that we LOVE!

Busy bees!

We have been Busy lately...Here are some pics from our recent adventures...

Madi and the Bunny Rabbit

We celebrated Skylars 2nd birthday. Skylar is my best friend Nicoles' daughter. It was a blessing to get Madison and Skylar together but it was also hard because I thought of "what could have been." They are only 6 months apart and I know Nicole and I would be having SO MUCH FUN with our baby girls. I miss my best friend so much!

Besties like thier moms!

"Can we please go outside?!"

Beautiful Skylar Nicole

Silly Girl hanging out in the baby seat!

Madison got her first hair cut by her Great-Grandma Nana! She also had her first sucker and LOVED it! She didn't mind having her hair cut but she did not keep her head still. My poor Nana was sweating by the time she was done. She did a great job though!

BEFORE

AFTER!

We have been playing dress up!

And having lots of playdates!

Playdate with cousins, Carly and Landon!

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I have been keeping busy too...work, mommyhood and BOWS!

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I hope all you wonderful mothers have a great Mothers Day!