Happy Hearts

On April 4, 2007, Maggie Jane was born and changed my life forever.  Maggie surprised us a couple days after her birth when we learned that she was born with a double inlet left ventricle, transposition of the greater arteries, and an interrupted aortic arch.  These 3 severe heart defects can all be classified under Hypo-Plastic Right Heart Syndrome.  She had her first life saving surgery, the Norwood (slightly modified) on April 10, 2007 and came home exactly a week later.  Her second heart surgery, The Glenn, was on Sept. 20, 2007 and she came home 4 days later.  Her third and hopefully final surgery, was August 20, 2009 and she came home 1 week later.  We have been tremendously blessed with how well Maggie has sailed through these surgeries.  With the exception of some severe reflux and some pleural efffusions following her Fontan, Maggie has thrived.  Now that her Fontan is complete, she is as pink as ever and except for her special scar, noone knows anything is wrong with our sweet girl.

Maggie Jane's personality is quite hard to explain.  I've been pondering it a lot lately as I sit back and enjoy watching her live.  The only way I can explain it is that she is full of life.  She enjoys every second of every minute of every day.  She takes what comes and she conquers it.  She doesn't let her 1/2 a heart stop her from doing anything.  Our family is so blessed to have Maggie in it and we have all been forever changed because of her. 

I will not tell you that every part of this journey has been easy.  In fact, most of it has been very difficult.  It is not what I ever expected my life to be.  However, I am now and forever will be a "Heart Mom" and we are a "Heart Family".  Maggie's heart problems will affect her the most, but they have changed and will continue to change us as a family.  Ryan is a "Heart Dad", I'm a "Heart Mom", and Trent and Evangeline are "Heart Siblings".  God has chosen Maggie and our family to tell His story of love, power, mercy, grace, and healing.  This is the life God has chosen for us so we are learning to be happy and content with life as it is. 

We are a family of 5, with Happy Hearts. 

(If you would like to read Maggie's story from the beginning, scroll down to the categories and select "Maggie Jane")

Comments

[Sarah H.]

I like it!

I heard a great quote the other day. It was atcually the first line of a movie. It said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." So true!

[Jenn]

Hi,
I found your blog thru a link on another. I haven't read through, but I did see the "Glenn" photo. Does Maggie have HLHS? I have a 4 week old daughter with HLHS, so we are in the begining of it all. Your pictures of your daughter give me hope for a "normal" life at some point. If you get a chance, please email me at jtousey(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks!

[Joy Kimble]

Hi, I found your blog on Gracie's carepage. What a amazing family. My daughter has hlhs, she is 21mo. old. This is such a wonderful story of your life here. I would love for you to visit us at carepages.com under the name sillyjilly07. God bless you and your family. JOY

[Shannon Mason]

Thank you so much for stopping by our family blog and leaving a comment (I know many times people visit but don't reach out)! I too love meeting new 'heart' families. Even though we have made it past the surgery stage, where a lot of the families I follow are still a couple of years away, I love being able to give them hope that one day their life will be 'normal'. Again thanks for reaching out and I look forward to reading and learning more about Maggie and your family. Best wishes...

Shannon Mason
http://masonfamilyupdate.blogspot.com/
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/CarlieMichelle

[Katie Allred]

I'm so glad you stopped by our blog and commented! I, too, love meeting other heart families! Your Maggie is a picture of health and a real cutie. It's always so great to hear of "older" heart kiddos (with defects similar to Maddie's) doing so well :) Very encouraging! Again, thanks for commenting and I'm going to add Maggie to our heart friends so I can follow along with her journey! Happy New Year to your sweet family!
Love,
Katie (Maddie's mom, HRHS)

[mandy]

Thank you for commenting on Evie's blog. We always are encouraged "meeting" other heart families. Blogging is a wonderful support group. These precious sweet-hearts have become so dear to me and your darling Maggie has definitely found a special place in my heart. I so appreciate your perspective on God's plan being beyond our grand plans sometimes. He has taught us so much through Evie and I wouldnt trade it for a "healthy" baby. Would love to keep up with eachother!

[Amy Phelan]

Thanks for stopping by Audrey's blog and watching our progress. We hope that Maggie's goes just as well, an will pray for that result. It was nice to be in a room next to Jenn and Charolotte. It's so nice to share friends.
Amy Phelan

[Bethany]

Faith,
Thanks so much for always leaving comments on my blog. I've had a hard time putting two and two together and figuring out where your blog is... anyway, I've figured it out and I'm glad I know now.

I feel the same way about being a "heart mom." It's just really neat to be in this community of people who totally understand one another, regardless of the defect.

I hope Maggie Jane is doing well.
-Bethany

[megan]

someone just sent me the link to your blog! I will be praying for you guys. I just found out my baby boy has heart defects. I'm 27 weeks pregnant and he will be underdoing some same surgeries as Maggie.