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Friday, July 10, 2009
One year ago today
One year ago today was the day I received a call that there was a heart for AnnaSophia. For three weeks, it was the moment we had been waiting for. AnnaSophia was so sick, she was at severe risk for sudden cardiac death. I had just finished eating dinner at Ronald McDonald House, and had returned to our room to prepare AnnaSophia for bed. My phone rang and it was Dee Dee with transplant. I couldn't believe that the moment had come. I was so thankful, but also scared to death. There was no turning back. She needed a good heart, and she would surely die if she didn't receive one.
As I waited nervously in the CICU with AnnaSophia for Steve to arrive, my thoughts turned to the family on the other end of this transplant. I told Steve that we needed to pray for this family, because I couldn't imagine what circumstances led up to someone elses child dying. We were thankful for the hope that we now had for our daughter, but at the same time, very cognizant of the pain that this other family was experiencing.
As we celebrate AnnaSophia's one year heart anniversary, the one word that describes how Steve and I feel is thankful. The experiences of this past year have changed us. I take pictures of the children like crazy now. (You probably wouldn't know by the fact that I still haven't figured out how to post slideshows to our blog.) I am thankful for everyday that our family has together. Steve reminded me tonight of how many little things remind him of AnnaSophia around our home: the smudge on our mirror where AnnaSophia was kissing herself, the cheerios she put down our bedroom vent, the Barney DVD case she was carrying around after dinner. These are simple little things, but so extremely precious to us. The funeral we attended yesterday reminded us that we really don't know how much time we will have with her. She has been given a second chance at life, because of a selfless decision that the Hibbert family made. Everyday is a gift, and we feel extremely blessed and grateful as we remember our journey of the past year.
Mary and Steve
As I waited nervously in the CICU with AnnaSophia for Steve to arrive, my thoughts turned to the family on the other end of this transplant. I told Steve that we needed to pray for this family, because I couldn't imagine what circumstances led up to someone elses child dying. We were thankful for the hope that we now had for our daughter, but at the same time, very cognizant of the pain that this other family was experiencing.
As we celebrate AnnaSophia's one year heart anniversary, the one word that describes how Steve and I feel is thankful. The experiences of this past year have changed us. I take pictures of the children like crazy now. (You probably wouldn't know by the fact that I still haven't figured out how to post slideshows to our blog.) I am thankful for everyday that our family has together. Steve reminded me tonight of how many little things remind him of AnnaSophia around our home: the smudge on our mirror where AnnaSophia was kissing herself, the cheerios she put down our bedroom vent, the Barney DVD case she was carrying around after dinner. These are simple little things, but so extremely precious to us. The funeral we attended yesterday reminded us that we really don't know how much time we will have with her. She has been given a second chance at life, because of a selfless decision that the Hibbert family made. Everyday is a gift, and we feel extremely blessed and grateful as we remember our journey of the past year.
Mary and Steve
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Today marks the anniversary of the Hibbert family's life changing forever. It was one year ago today that Mason choked, and his family was left with little hope for his future. Through their grief, they made a courageous decision to donate his organs so that others may live. We have prayed tirelessly for this wonderful family that the Lord would bring comfort and peace to them. Last week, they were blessed with the birth of their new baby girl, Abby Sophia. God is good, and we pray that they will continue to heal and find hope and peace for their family's future.
Tomorrow, our family will celebrate Christian Sorenson's life and grieve his passing. Christian's parents were so encouraging to us during such a difficult period of time in our life. This time last year, AnnaSophia was deathly sick. She was in such a fragile state of health that I could barely sleep, for fear that she would pass away while I was sleeping. Her heart was so weak, that she could not eat without sweating profusely and vomiting. She was on oxygen, a Milrinone pump to keep her heart functioning, and everyday was a miracle that she was alive.
Last year, little Christian was full of life, with bright eyes and a smile that could light up an entire room. When I met him, he was laughing, playing and running around the waiting room of Children's Hospital. He easily put a smile on Ethan and Emily's faces, when they were so scared for their sister's life. The light of Jesus shone through this precious little boy.
Things change so quickly in such a short period of time. Please pray for these precious families, that they will find the divine comfort of our Lord during these difficult times. Pastor Matt of Calvary Chapel Aurora passed along information about Christian's funeral. For those of you that would like to be there, but are unable, his funeral will be telecast live on the Calvary Chapel Aurora website at http://www.calvaryaurora.org/ and click on "watch service live".
Mary
Tomorrow, our family will celebrate Christian Sorenson's life and grieve his passing. Christian's parents were so encouraging to us during such a difficult period of time in our life. This time last year, AnnaSophia was deathly sick. She was in such a fragile state of health that I could barely sleep, for fear that she would pass away while I was sleeping. Her heart was so weak, that she could not eat without sweating profusely and vomiting. She was on oxygen, a Milrinone pump to keep her heart functioning, and everyday was a miracle that she was alive.
Last year, little Christian was full of life, with bright eyes and a smile that could light up an entire room. When I met him, he was laughing, playing and running around the waiting room of Children's Hospital. He easily put a smile on Ethan and Emily's faces, when they were so scared for their sister's life. The light of Jesus shone through this precious little boy.
Things change so quickly in such a short period of time. Please pray for these precious families, that they will find the divine comfort of our Lord during these difficult times. Pastor Matt of Calvary Chapel Aurora passed along information about Christian's funeral. For those of you that would like to be there, but are unable, his funeral will be telecast live on the Calvary Chapel Aurora website at http://www.calvaryaurora.org/ and click on "watch service live".
Mary
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Life and Death, Hope and Loss
It's been awhile since I've updated our blog. Time has been flying by, and I've fallen behind. I was not prepared for the strong emotions that I have been dealing with this July. June 17th marked the date that AnnaSophia and I arrived in Denver. Four days later, she was officially listed for transplant. I remember all to well how sick AnnaSophia was, and the utter fear and helplessness that we felt. It was an emotional rollercoaster as we watched her get sicker and sicker, and then, out of the blue, we received a call for her transplant. We ached for the loss of the family on the other end, and we waited expectantly and hopefully for our little girl to make it out of the surgery of her lifetime. We marveled at her "pinkness" after surgery, and felt like our hearts were stopping at the same time she arrested later that day. Last July was definitely an emotional time, both good and hard.
This July has proven to be a whirlwind also. We have struggled with the memories of last year, and have felt both joy and pain with the new experiences of this year. This July we celebrate the precious new life that our donor family, the Hibberts, have welcomed into this world. Last year Char and Dave lost their precious son, Mason. This past Tuesday, they welcomed a new baby girl into their family. She is a beautiful, precious little blessing, and we rejoice and celebrate this little angel that they have been blessed with.
The following day a family that we feel very connected to lost their precious son. Little Christian was six years old, and had received a transplant when he was just a baby. His amazing parents, Chad and Deanna, had comforted us many times while we were waiting for AnnaSophia's transplant. They encouraged us, shared scripture, prayed and visited with us. When we felt so scared, they understood the path that we were walking, as they had made the same journey. Last Fall, Christian was diagnosed with Lymphoma, which was a complication from exposure to Esptein Barr Virus (EBV).
Little Christian battled this cancer bravely and with the brightest smile I've ever seen. He loved babies and especially loved AnnaSophia. When I looked at Christian, I saw pure radiance. For a six year old, he had such a pure faith and love of the Lord. When I saw his dad last month, his heart function was about 13%. We were praying for a miracle. We were praying for a drug that might help his function, because he was not able to be relisted for a transplant. Wednesday, Christian went to be with the Lord.
I cannot even explain the grief that Steve and I have experienced for this beautiful family. Even though we know that Christian is no longer suffering and that he has been made whole again in Heaven, the pain that we who have been left behind feel is real and strong. His parents and two sisters have a painful road ahead of them, and we pray for the peace that passes all understanding and comfort for them as they move through this next week.
We will continue to pray for both of these families. The anniversary of Mason's passing is quickly approaching, and we will be praying for the Hibbert family as this time draws near. May the Lord bless them and comfort them as only our Savior is able to do.
Mary
This July has proven to be a whirlwind also. We have struggled with the memories of last year, and have felt both joy and pain with the new experiences of this year. This July we celebrate the precious new life that our donor family, the Hibberts, have welcomed into this world. Last year Char and Dave lost their precious son, Mason. This past Tuesday, they welcomed a new baby girl into their family. She is a beautiful, precious little blessing, and we rejoice and celebrate this little angel that they have been blessed with.
The following day a family that we feel very connected to lost their precious son. Little Christian was six years old, and had received a transplant when he was just a baby. His amazing parents, Chad and Deanna, had comforted us many times while we were waiting for AnnaSophia's transplant. They encouraged us, shared scripture, prayed and visited with us. When we felt so scared, they understood the path that we were walking, as they had made the same journey. Last Fall, Christian was diagnosed with Lymphoma, which was a complication from exposure to Esptein Barr Virus (EBV).
Little Christian battled this cancer bravely and with the brightest smile I've ever seen. He loved babies and especially loved AnnaSophia. When I looked at Christian, I saw pure radiance. For a six year old, he had such a pure faith and love of the Lord. When I saw his dad last month, his heart function was about 13%. We were praying for a miracle. We were praying for a drug that might help his function, because he was not able to be relisted for a transplant. Wednesday, Christian went to be with the Lord.
I cannot even explain the grief that Steve and I have experienced for this beautiful family. Even though we know that Christian is no longer suffering and that he has been made whole again in Heaven, the pain that we who have been left behind feel is real and strong. His parents and two sisters have a painful road ahead of them, and we pray for the peace that passes all understanding and comfort for them as they move through this next week.
We will continue to pray for both of these families. The anniversary of Mason's passing is quickly approaching, and we will be praying for the Hibbert family as this time draws near. May the Lord bless them and comfort them as only our Savior is able to do.
Mary
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