Merry Christmas

The kids have opened their presents. We had monkey bread for breakfast - everyone's favorite. The kids bundled up and ventured out into the snow and soon came back into the house complaining of how cold they were. We've enjoyed the morning, but I can't help but think of the little one that we're missing today - sweet baby Mav. He's having his first Christmas in Heaven. It must be so much more beautiful than even our white Christmas here. There are so many others with their little heart warriors sitting in the PICU's, CICU's and NICU's today praying that their children will get better. I remember that vividly. I've been updating the blog this morning as the kids are playing - why? Because it's important to me to DO SOMETHING to help the CHD community. I've often thought back to the day Mav was born and wondered, "Would anything have been different if we would have saved his cord blood?" I don't know the answer. I asked about it when we were admitted, but the nurse said there would be so much going on in the room that she didn't bring it up to me. I've read a recent study about adult patients that received stem cell transfusions immediately after a heart attack and they didn't require bypass surgery. I wonder if it would have helped his stiff right ventricle... or his kidneys... I seriously think that parents preparing for the birth of a heart baby should consider saving their cord blood. You never know what scientists will come up with next. Here's an interesting article about growing new heart valves. The physician I've been working with went to grand rounds at Children's a couple of weeks ago and this was one of the topics. Here's the link if you're interested - http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/88133/congenital_heart_defect_stem_cells_pg3.html?cat=52

There are some new links to websites at the right hand side of the page for your educational enjoyment. I'll post some pics of our Christmas Later today. Have a blessed day. Love you all - jc