WEAR RED, 2015 version!





HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN

AND THE NUMBER THREE KILLER OF MEN!!!

CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AFFECT 1 in 100 babies born.  1 in 100 babies affected make it the NUMBER 1 birth defect for babies!!!  Congenital Heart Disease Awareness week is February 7th thru 14th.  So, in honor of William, I wanted to share a little about the impact of heart disease on everyone.  And, I wanted you all to be encouraged to WEAR RED!!!

William Howard Cunningham was that 1 in 100.  During his short little life, we have learned so much about congenital heart defects and the impact that they have on these babies (who grow into big kids and adults).  The impact of congenital heart defects is huge.  1 in 100 babies are affected and so are their families (immediate and extended), communities, healthcare providers, hospitals and their staffs.  The list could go on and on detailing who is affected by Congenital Heart Defects.

After having a baby with a CHD, I have a slightly higher risk of having another baby with a CHD.  2% instead of everyone's 1% chance.  So, we have taken every precaution with this pregnancy to check Baby C#4 (BABY BEAN)'s Heart.  2 fetal echos done, 2  meetings with the cardiologist.  AND, GREAT RESULTS.  We are truly blessed with a healthy heart that has 4 pulmonary veins in the right place, 4 chambers, all major vessels in the right place.  William Howard Cunningham has protected his baby brother/sister.  Thank God for our amazing Red-Headed Angel!!

 

2 days after his second open heart surgery.

William's story has reached so many people, but he was just one baby with a broken heart.  Chris and I met so many others with the same story just a different defect and different outcome.  Each baby's story is different yet the same.  Babies born with heart defects endure numerous exams, many hospital stays, many surgeries or procedures.  And, so did our precious Will.

In the past, heart disease awareness was something that I thought about at work but never much at home.  However, 2012 changed our lives forever.  HEART DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH is A HUGE FOCUS in our home.  We are WEARING RED and telling our boy's story. 

We are also thinking about our family members who have been affected by heart disease from Chris's Grandpa Miller (or Great Papa Miller to Mackenzie and Carson) to Grandma Miller (because a Stroke is a form of heart disease) to my Grandma PeeWee.  She was the picture of a time bomb waiting to go off (high blood pressure, high stress, 1 1/2 pack a day cigarette habit) when it did last February.  At the age of 84, she went from uncontrolled high blood pressure (not really uncontrolled if you ask her) to QUADRUPLE BYPASS.  And, then came cardiac rehab (that EXERCISE word) and she came out of it all shining brighter than ever and CIGARETTE free (mostly).

When Chris and I started talking about heart defects after William's diagnosis last May, I began to think about how many other babies I know or knew have had heart defects.  I thought of my friend Brooke who had a PDA closure as an infant and now is a mother of two little boys.  I thought of Kinlee, my friend Tera's daughter, who had a septal defect and is now a beautiful, sassy 15 year old.  I thought of Kennison, my friend Jamie's daughter, who has an arrythmia, but struggles daily to bring it to other's attention.  I think of the sweet girl whose heart races and no one knows most of the time.  I think of the procedure that she will likely need for the arrythmia to go away! I thought of the first baby I detected a murmur on in the ER who went have open heart surgery a week later and is now a wild 9 year old boy.  I thought of Jacob, my friend Stephanie's son, who also had TAPVR and is a growing 12 year old now.

And, I think of Harlie, a baby who I met in the PICU, whose defect is so very different from Will's but whose story of detection is eerily the same.  I think of Audrey, my cousin.  She and William were the two babies born in the Pierce family this year...and, they both had/have heart defects.  Audrey has a bicupsid aortic valve and a small septal defect.  My cousin, Sally (Audrey's mom) and I never dreamed to know or learn as much about pediatric cardiology as we have this year.  You see, we are both nurses, and have learned a few things about heart disease in adults but not pediatrics.  Pediatric Cardiology is new game for us.  But, we both embraced this time to learn to know what is best for our HEART KIDDOS!!!  I think of Kayden whose mom we met at Ronnie's House.  Kayden and Will were quite the pair for the PICU nurses.  Those boys were HIGH maintenance at times.  I think of Ella and her family.  I think of the Dwyers who I have now gotten to meet in person who have had 2 kiddos have heart surgery.  I think of Ryder, whose parents we never officially met, and his long stay in the PICU.  And, now, we also think of the Congenital Heart Defect Families.  This is an amazing group of families who have the same story as us but with all different endings.  Check out their Facebook page Congenital Heart Defect Families or their website: www.chdfamilies.org

My boy tube free---only lasted a few minutes, but this is a reminder that Congenital Heart Defects aren't seen on the outside.  Unless, you get to catch a view of the cool scar on his chest!!  This picture makes this momma tear up.  It was the one on his funeral program...and, I just found this onesie when going through baby clothes.  Man, I miss this little boy!!!

Another tube free pic!  Looks like a healthy baby, huh??  Perfection, if you ask us.  He is so calm.

Please think of William this month.  But, also think of the other babies like him who are no longer with us on Earth.  Think of the babies here on Earth who are fighting the fight of their life each and everyday.  But, also think of how your life has been touched by heart disease.  And, WEAR RED this month to honor those affected by heart disease.

WEARING RED IN FEBRUARY---"THAT WAS EASY!"

Once again, our family will be participating in the HeartWalk in May.  What an amazing thing to see people of all ages come together to support Heart Disease.  It is a year long fight.  Be ready for the soliciting of money--all of the monies Will's Strong-Willed Warriors raises goes to Congenital Heart Defect Research in the Midwest!

 

The American Heart Association has so many facts that tell everyone why they should care about heart disease.  www.heart.org  Check it out---so much info in one place.

Welcome back, Sara!!

I have been absent from the blogging world for FAR too long!  And, I'm back!  So much has happened since almost a year ago when I blogged last. 

THE CUNNINGHAM HAPPENINGS!

1. We have horses....and sheep.  I am NO farm girl nor have I ever been one.  But, these animals are making me experience a whole new realm.  From burning the lot to building fence to purchasing electric fence to hauling water to breaking ice.  The list goes on and on.  But, the bond our family has developed over chores is beyond measure.  I, even, like one of the big, scary beasts (oh, I mean horses).  Oscar even knows that I have a soft spot for him--it usually involves a little neck rub or peppermint candy!  Tornado is learning how to be a good boy at Erin's house right now.  I can't wait for my girl to be able to enjoy this black and white beauty in a way other than just a lead rope.  Mackenzie has been smitten with Tornado from the first time she saw his picture.  But, as many may know, HORSES AREN'T CHEAP!  So, we got into the sheep business.  Last year at the fair, Kenzie showed her two lambs, Sugar and Spice.  And, after the fair, she and her dad purchased 2 more ewe lambs, now named Evie (Everything) and Nice.  Sheep are crazy creatures.  They truly follow their shepherd (Chris and Mackenzie) wherever they may go.  They also get into some crazy escaping shenanigans.  We shall see how they do at the fair this year--and Mackenzie is going to learn some economics when she has to buy and then sell her market lamb.




2. JUDD--all I can say is his name.  We have taken to animals in this house.  In May, Mackenzie, Carson, and I surprised Chris with a new bird dog puppy.  Judd is a German Shorthaired Pointer.  What a cutie he was!  And, he may have earned the title of the Best Puppy Ever.  Sometimes, this title gets suspended for puppy behaviors.  But, he has been a great addition to our family.  He loves to run, play, and after some work this summer at the lake, swim.  The kids have so much fun with Judd.  And, I kind of think Chris likes him when he goes bird hunting.  Our other bird dogs are 13 years old now--they just can't keep up anymore.  But, don't tell Nina that as she escaped from her padlocked chain again today.  HOUDINA!!






3. BULL SHOALS LAKE.  What a place.  We decided that last year instead of a big family vacation we were going to use our camper on multiple occasions.  What a treat.  We did take one whole week at the lake, but we also took many weekend trips.  It was indeed just what we all needed.  A little getaway without being too far.  A place to call our own--even if the camper has a tiny little kitchen.  We enjoyed countless days on the water--some with friends and family and some with just us (and Judd!).  We made the trip to Branson to Silver Dollar City.  If you have a family, this is the best family park.  Always clean, always friendly.  And, a step back in time.






4. SCHOOL.  Preschool graduation.  Where did his time at Apple Garden go?  For those that don't know, Apple Garden is amazing.  We have been blessed by wonderful in-home settings for Mackenzie and Carson when they were little.  Apple Garden was like home for Carson--and the rest of the Cunninghams with preschool in a daycare center setting.  KINDERGARTEN--what?  Yep, our boy ventured off to "real" school this year.  And, Mackenzie is now in 3rd grade.  She has grown so much physically but academically as well.  Her daddy likes to call her a NERD.  But, the apple didn't fall from this tree.  She might be her momma in so many ways.  Watch out, world!  Just ask Mackenzie for her not impressed face!




5. WORLD SERIES!!  I know it doesn't seem to be a big deal.  But, to our family, it was so much fun.  We got to go to GAME 6.  What a cool experience.  Let's hope that we don't wait another 29 years to go back to a BLUE OCTOBER.  We love our Royals!




CUNNINGHAM FIVE BECOMES CUNNINGHAM FIVE PLUS ONE:
BABY BEAN!  I saved the best happening for now.  Baby Bean is due to arrive April 29th if not a few days before.  This pregnancy was a bit of a shock to the Cunningham Family.  After losing William, we never expected our family to grow again.  We are ever so excited.  Losing a child is a pain like no other.  We all still ache for William each and every day.  This ache will never go away.  There are days that it is faded a little and other days when the ache is all too consuming.  But, as I have stated before, HOPE and FEAR are 2 totally separate things that cannot co exist.  We are choosing HOPE.  This baby brings a new HOPE--not a replacement one to our family.  For all of you who want to know, it is a baby!  We have never found out what we are having before delivery.  The pure joy of hearing the doctor announce "It's a Girl." "Mackenzie has a Baby Brother" "Mackenzie and Carson have a new Baby Brother" is like no other joy.  So, you all have to wait until we hear the fantabulous Dr. John announce to us and then to Mackenzie and Carson what our family has been blessed with in April.  So, stay tuned.  All bets are a go.  Many of you know that pregnancy and Sara do not always get along.  But, I truly feel pretty good.  I still throw up daily but have only been in the hospital 24 hours with this pregnancy.  And, this is an amazing gift from God.  I feel great--can't seem to gain much weight.  But, the baby is so healthy.  And.....drumroll, HAS A HEALTHY HEART.  Hearing that the echo pictures were perfect was like an ultimate breath of fresh air.  Baby Bean is growing like crazy and his/her big brother, William, has helped to make sure that his/her heart is PERFECT!  What a great angel we have on our side.


I can't get any pictures to load....keep checking!  Hopefully, I can get them to add.  Grrr!!