CHD Awareness Week....

In honor of CHD awareness week (February 7-14 2010) let's talk about what CHD really means.

Having a baby is the best time in any family's life. But, what happens when that precious baby that you have is born with a heart defect?

Ryan Sue Sweeney 8 lbs. 7.4 oz. 20 inches

This means that your life is turned upside down. A huge amount of emotions go through your mind all at once, and you're left wondering what to do next. Will my baby live? Will my baby die? What exactly does this mean for my child?

It means life will be drastically DIFFERENT.

LIFE will turn upside down and everything changes. Having a CHD child means having a "new normal."

Ryan and mommy (almost 5 months old)

CHD means family coming together in serious times of need to be there for eachother as your child grows and thrives.

Ryan-8 months

Having a child with a heart defect affects the whole family. Parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. Everyone travels on this journey TOGETHER.

Ryan and her "Bubba"-10 months old

Having a child with heart disease means wondering if birthday's will come? Every birthday that comes is a HUGE celebration. The feeling of your child making it another year is unlike any other feeling.

Ryan's first birthday!!

The "new normal" becomes hospital visits and stays. It often involves wondering when your child's next surgery will be instead of when they will walk or ride a bike.

Ryan and mommy-before consultation for first surgery

Hospitals become your new home away from home. And some kids, spend more time in a hospital bed then their own bed at home.

Ryan-January 9, 2009-cardiac cath and balloon dilation

Having a child with heart disease, means surgical procedures not going as planned. It means more invasive things are to come. It means your child going through things you NEVER wanted for them or for yourself.

It means family time becomes more special than ever.

Ryan and Jay (daddy)-Summer 2009

Being the mother of a CHD child has changed my life FOREVER. I have support from people that I've never even met. I never knew anything about this disease until my daughter was diagnosed at one month of age. I've never been so grateful in my life. Every day with Ryan is more special than the last. She is my LIFE. She is my CHD SURVIVOR!!!

Ryan swinging at the park-Summer 2009

Ryan's 2nd birthday-December 13, 2009