Brownie Bites: RAISE a glass to CHD AWARENESS

A Mother's Perspective by Stephanie Husted

You passed me in the shopping mall...
(You read my faded tee)
You tapped me on the shoulder...
Then asked..."What's a CHD?"

I could quote terminology...
There's stats that I could give...
But I would rather share with you...
A mother's perspective.

What is it like to have a child with a CHD?

It’s Lasix,aspirin,Captopril…
It’s wondering…Lord what’s your will?…
It’s monitors and oxygen tanks…
It’s a constant reminder to always give thanks…

It’s feeding tubes, calories, needed weight gain…
It’s the drama of eating…and yes it’s insane!
It’s the first time I held him…(I’d waited so long)
It’s knowing that I need to help him grow strong…

It’s making a hospital home for awhile…
It’s seeing my reward in every smile.
It’s checking his sats as the feeding pump’s beeping…
It’s knowing that there is just no time for sleeping…

It’s caths, x-rays and boo boos to kiss…
It’s normalcy I sometimes miss…
It’s asking do his nails look blue?
It’s cringing inside at what he’s been through.

It’s dozens of calls to his pediatrician…
(She knows me by name…I’m a mom on a mission)
It’s winters homebound…and hand sanitizer…
It’s knowing this journey has made me much wiser.

It’s watching him sleeping…
his breathing is steady…
It’s surgery day and I’ll never be ready.
It’s handing him over…( I’m still not prepared…)

It’s knowing that his heart must be repaired…
It’s waiting for news on that long stressful day…
It’s …praying…it’s hoping…that he’ll be okay.
It’s the wonderful friends with whom I’ve connected…

It’s the bond that we share…it was so unexpected…
It’s that long faded scar down my child’s small chest…
It’s touching it gently and knowing we’re blessed…
It’s watching him chasing a small butterfly…

It’s the moment I realized I’ve stopped asking why?
It’s the snowflakes that fall on a cold winter’s day…
(They remind me of those who aren’t with us today)
It’s a brave little boy who loved Thomas the train…

Or a special heart bear…or a frog in the rain….
It’s the need to remember we’re all in this plight….
It’s their lives that remind us we still need to fight!
It’s in pushing ahead amidst every sorrow…
It is finding the strength to have hope for tomorrow

Friday, January 29, 2010

RAISE a glass to CHD AWARENESS

What: Fundraiser/Awareness Event

When: Saturday, Feb 6th from 5pm-9pm

Where: Andiamo-Novi/The Dirty Martini Lounge

Who: EVERYONE interested in helping support families affected by CHD in the Metro Detroit area

Why: to help us raise awareness about CHD; to help us kick of the start of CHD Awareness Week in Michigan; to help raise funds to help families in the area affected by CHD; to have fun with friends, family and IMH; to enjoy all the tasty food Andiamo has to offer, plus great samples of wine and other beverages; to bid on some FAB-U-LOUS silent auction items!

How:
$40/person ($50 at the door and subject to availability).
Please send checks payable to It's My Heart-Metro Detroit to:
PO Box 1636
Royal Oak, MI
48068
or email metrodetroit@itsmyheart.org for information on how to pay online

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

2 comments:

Shay said...: I just found your site and I love it. I am a heart mom to a 11 month little girl. From one heart mom to another Hi.; January 30, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Unknown said...: I'm in northern Indiana, wish I were just a little closer so I could make it! One day, maybe I can travel for a meeting and to meet fellow CHD parents and their warriors. xoxo Kristine; January 31, 2010 at 12:59 PM