It's Been Awhile!

Yes, it has been awhile! Just thought I’d drop in to let everyone know that I’m doing well. I’m on my Spring Break right now! Yay! Unfortunately, I do have to study for one class because I have two tests in the class next week! Ugh! I’ve been taking it easy so far these past couple of days. I watched the movie “The Time Travelers Wife” the other day and I thought it was a great movie; of course it is a girly movie hehe. I really want to read the book now, but that will have to wait till this summer. I’ve been hanging out with my boyfriend and just relaxing! Health wise, I’ve been doing alright. I’ve been having some bad back pain due to my scoliosis lately, but other than that I’ve been doing ok. Nothing I can’t handle or haven’t dealt with before. I also have a cold which sucks, but things could be worse.

On another note: Last night I had a dream that I was standing infront of a bunch of pregnant moms, teaching them about CHDs, heart failure symptoms, pulse ox tests as well as telling Precious Cora's Story & mine. I woke up 2hrs ago (went to bed late) and had this all in my head, wow what a dream! One mom in the dream said that why learn about CHDs, sounds like a death sentence & I scream at her LOL. So yea thought I'd share.


This leads me to just throw out something that has been on my mind to all you CHD parents as a reminder:

-The BEST thing you can do for your CHDer is treat them like a child without health issues as much as possible! Think POSITIVE about their future! There is a GOOD chance that they will grow up! And even if they don't, knowing that they LIVED as normal as possible will mean the world! So DON'T dwell all the time! It's GOOD to step back from the CHD world sometimes and LIVE! CHDers ARE MUCH MORE THEN THEIR CHD! Focus more on their personality, their smile, their laugh, their talents, their inspiration and not the fact that their future is unknown. Have HOPE and remember God is with you, so LIVE! It's AWESOME to spread CHD Awareness and have a tight bond with the CHD community, but just remember too much a good thing can make you go nuts and have those bad thoughts creep in... so take breaks! Also, remember to teach your CHDer how to LISTEN to their body as they are the ones that know their limitations, no one else!

**You may not agree with me on these thoughts, but I've been a CHDer for 22yrs. and I thought I'd share how I feel. Take it or leave it, I just care so much about ALL CHDers and felt like I needed to share! =D I know alot of you already do these things, but I like to remind people because life can get pretty crazy! (I forget to think POSTIVE sometimes too... I always need reminders)**



*HELP ME: I'm trying to get tabs on the top of my blog, but having some trouble. Anyone can offer some tips for me that would be awesome! =D I'm not exactly great at computer or blog stuff! Thanks!*

SHARE YOUR CHD STORY:
Go to Stef's blog (Logan's Mom) at http://whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-ready.html to read about how YOU can help spread CHD Awareness and maybe even be in a CHD Documentary!!

Ok, that's about it for right now. Thank You ALL so much for the messages of support and much heard prayers!! It always means the world to me!!

With LOTS of Hope, Love, and Faith,

♥

Been Busy! Quick Update!

Well, there is only two and half more weeks left in my college semester, then I get a much needed three week break from school. I've been busy, busy, busy! Thanksgiving was wonderful! I got to see my niece, Lily, for the first time since her birth in early October! She is getting so big already! I'll have to post pictures when I get them uploaded... I'm so behind on uploading pictures, I'll have to do a post on pictures during break.

I've been doing well (like I said, busy! lol), I'm staying healthy... haven't been sick yet this winter (holding my breathe lol). I've been having alot of anxiety lately (along with stress);I was diagnosised with anxiety disorder about two years ago... which wasn't surprising to me as I've always been a worry wart plus 85% of CHDer will experience/have depression and/or an anxiety disorder in their lifetime... sadly, that statistic is not surprising to me. Anyways, it is not easy to control the anxiety as sometimes you don't have control over the feelings! It can be really fusterating for me and I don't like the feelings. I can usually control it and most of the time I'm fine, but then out of know where it sneaks up on me... I've had a few times where the anxiety was so bad it turned into a panic attack (haven't had one in months though), which are not fun. So, I've been dealing with lots of unknown and known anxiety lately. I'm doing ok today though.

I continue to thank God for the positives in my life and to help guide me through the negatives. My amazing boyfriend, Chris, and I's 1st Anniversary of dating is on Monday! I can't believe how fast, yet slow, the year went. I will post a small update all about my boyfriend soon! ♥

Before closing, I would like to ask for a few prayers:

1) My mom is having minor surgery on Monday morning. That is all I'd like to say about it right now. She is nervous and so am I. Please, pray everything turns out ok and God gives her strength at this time. She has wonderful support from her finance so she should be just fine.

2.) CHD kiddo, Logan, is a precious little guy whose parents got some not so good news at his cardiology appointment a day or two ago. He may be facing a third open heart surgery soon than later. Please, pray for Logan and his family (Hang in there Stef!). You can offer support at there blog: http://www.whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com/

3.) CHD kiddo, Derrick, another precious little guy is facing a second open heart surgery soon. Please, pray for Derrick and his family. They can use support as well: http://www.carolinacarters.blogspot.com/

THANK YOU!!!

That's all I've got right now... if you haven't and you have time please check out my recent post How Congenital Heart Defects is My Life. It will be featured on Steve's, an adult Tricuspid Atresia Survivor, blog carnival about Surgeries on Dec. 13.

Also, I have a firstgiving site to try and raise money to a wonderful nonprofit Organization called
Hypoplastic Right Hearts so they are able to fund there Hearts United 2 Conference in Texas in Sprin/Summer next year... I would love to go and reaching my goal would help: http://www.firstgiving.com/laurenceleskey also a 20yr. old named Jessi with Tricuspid Atresia has never met anyone with her CHD (or CHD in general) and really wants to go too. She also has a firstgiving site: http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicagoffard. Please, check out the sites, but you ARE NOT OBLIATED to give money!!! I'm just sharing information with all of you! Please, don't feel like you have to give something, I KNOW how bad the ecomony is right now! Thank You!!! =D

Sending you ALL LOTS of WARM **Heart Hugs** and prayers. As always, "Thank You" for all the wonderful support! I'm ending the post with a recent picture of my niece, Liliana, courtesy of my future sister-in-law Ashley (love the pictures she takes of my niece!).

Isn't my niece, Lily, just adorable? =D

With LOTS of Hope, Love, and Faith,
♥