Another walk to remember . . .

We had a great time ... again! This time we were actually on time (I know, I know hard to believe for our family.)

We first met the other "Mended Little Hearts" at the Survivor tent, where Claira was given a red heart to identify her as a survivor (Mom got one too, because ... well, I was Mom!).

Alot of the kiddos there had repaired hearts, just like Claira. A few still were waiting for more procedures and even additional surgeries, like Ethan who is expected to have his third (and hopefully final) surgery next month.

It was so amazing to feel the support and understanding from so many different people. Many of the people there were simply trying to make a new, healthy start.

We wore our shirts with pride and made signs to let everyone know who we were walking for. I have a challenge for all you friends and family out there ... we want to have a huge group of "little survivor" supporters next year for the 2009 Heart Walk! Oh, don't you worry ... I won't let you forget. It's great exercise too!

T-shirt Order Deadline

Many of you have already ordered and I'm thrilled! For those of you who are interested in a shirt, I will need your information by Thursday ... that's tomorrow folks. I'm sorry about the rush, unfortunately the Heart Walk is just around the corner and we need to give our printer time to make them. If any of you ever need shirts for a project or a team, I would highly recommend this company. Jamie, my contact, is donating the cost of printing ... which is what allows us to give so much to the American Heart Association. Thank you Jamie!

American Heart Association Heart Walk

It's time again for the annual AHA Heart Walk. Last year's walk (what I call a Walk to Remember) was a healing experience as our family was preparing for Claira's surgery. Kaylee and T.J. gave up an chance to compete with their band in a city-wide contest, so that they could walk with us. Many of you reached out to our family and came to walk, donated to the Heart Walk website or donated to AHA by purchasing t-shirts ("Bless Her Heart").
We plan to continue participating in this event as long as possible. While Claira is repaired and healthy, many other children struggle with numerous surgeries. I believe there will come a time, through research funded by organizations like AHA, when children like Clayton will require only one surgery because of medical advancements. The medical community has already achieved so much, but there is so much more to learn.
If you would like to help Claira reach her fundraising goal, you can go to her American Heart Association Donation page ... or you can choose to purchase a t-shirt for $10.00, and we will give the remainder to AHA. The shirts are pink with brown baseball sleeves ... the print, in sports style, reads "SURVIVOR" with "Team Claira" underneath. Last year we sold over 100 shirts, and was able to donate over $500.00! The staff at Roosa Elementary wore the shirts on the day of her surgery to show our family their support. If you would like to order a shirt, please E-mail your request to eastmanpartyof7@yahoo.com. (I need to place the order the first week of April).

Meet Clayton . . .

Clayton is a precious little guy that has already survived 2 major heart surgeries, with 1 more to go. He has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, where the left side of the heart (the hardest working part) is underdeveloped. Years ago this was a death sentence, but with medical advances this little guy is thriving and looks beautiful!

We met Clayton and his mother last week in Oklahoma City after our "photo op" with the Governor and other Mended Little Hearts members. In the brief time that we visited, I knew this family was special. Clayton has an older brother named Colin who was born with the same defect in 2004. He spent 7 1/2 months of his little life in the hospital, and went through 4 surgeries. Colin passed away at 8 months of age, as his little body couldn't recover from the many surgeries.

I have felt such a connection with Clayton's Mom; she too wants to someday become a nurse to help children such as ours. Clayton has a website, click here if you want to read more about this amazing family.

Mended Little Hearts Group

Finally, a Tulsa chapter for Mended Little Hearts! Mended Little Hearts is a national organization that is dedicated to "connect families in crisis with others who have survived the shock of learning a child has a heart defect/heart disease, navigated the maze of medical decisions and procedures and mapped out a plan for the future." Our family is excited to be a part of this newly formed support group. I have already found comfort in visiting with other Moms who understand the fears and the need to over-protect that goes with these experiences. If you know a family that could benefit from their help, click here to get contact information.
Tom, Claira and I will be traveling to Oklahoma City next Tuesday where we will join other Mended Little Hearts for a picture with Governor Henry who just recently named February 7-14 "CHD Awareness Week".

Happy Hearts Day!

I have hope that someday...
When my son understands...
I'll sit him on my lap... and then...
He'll ask me of God's plans...
In my sweetest daydream...
He'll lift his shirt up high...
And ask mom am I different?
And then he'll ask me... why?
I'll get the chance to share with him...
The long journey before...
And tell him that he's very brave...
And God has plans in store...
I'll tell him of the battles...
That children like him face...
And how we must remember...
To always lean on grace.
That I have learned of courage...
Through the lives of those we've known...
And I am ever certain that...
We never walk alone.
That everyday's a miracle...
And life is to be treasured...
That hope and faith have brought us through...
And these things can't be measured.
That other's are in heaven now...
(Their live's tend to remind me)
That even when I run away...
Somehow...son...God will find me.
And when life seems too hard to bear...
(And signs become easy to miss)
Brave little souls seemed to whisper...
Have faith...you'll get through this...
Some might say...your heart's not strong...
And there are some things you'll just never do...
But...you can do most anything...
That you put your mind to.

I have hope that someday...
You'll do the same as me...
Your child will come running...then...
You'll set him on your knee...
And lift your shirt...for the hundredth time...
When your child says tell me again...
Tell me about your special heart...
And all of the the places you've been...
Tell me about the heart hero's...
The one's that they just couldn't save...
And how your mommy told you that...
They were so very brave.
I imagine that you'll smile then...
(As you smile all the time)
Then hold your child closely...
And say...Once upon a time...

Mother's can wish for such things...
They help the heart to cope...
Perhaps...it's even possible...
With faith and love and hope.

New "Mickey" button

Please use caution before you scroll down ... the following image may be sensitive to young viewers.

Claira's Mic-Key button was removed by divine intervention ... okay, okay ... it was yanked out (accidentally!) by her big sister Madalyn. She was pulling her out of the crib and because she's a little short she had to slide her over the railing. Pop! It came out! Immediately after they both fell to the floor and Claira started crying. Her Dad ran in to check on them both but had no idea the tube was gone ... we all thought she was crying because she hit her head on the floor! Hours later it was discovered when I was getting her ready for bed. While gracefully fighting a severe meltdown I called the surgeon and he said ... (you can look at the picture now)



Let's leave it out! Yes folks you heard me ... no more Mic-Key button, no more tube! In fact after her last visit with the cardiologist she has no significant heart issues whatsoever! Oh happy day!