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On May 4, 2009, Josh and I discovered that our soon to be little girl, due on August 25th, would be born with a CHD known as HLHS (hypo-plastic left heart syndrome). Upon hearing "something is wrong with your baby's heart" our lives changed completely. Our little Ruth Elizabeth was brought into this world on August 18, 2009. She was delivered via c-section and rushed immediately from Barnes to Childrens' Hospital for a cardiac cath intervention. Her arial septum was reopened and a week later, Ruthie underwent her first open heart surgery, the Norwood. Unfortunately, Ruthie was not able to survive on her Norwood heart and the Glenn procedure would not work for her. Ruthie was placed on the heart transplant list Feb.3, 2010. After waiting in SLCH, Ruthie received a new heart on July 5, 2010. We are so humbly blessed to receive this gift of life. We now are on the road to recovery. We have had our ups and downs. We have become SLCH regulars due to countless hospital stays and ER visits. We are learning how to manage life outside of SLCH and with another little girl. Now that we have two children, we are learning the about being a heart FAMILY.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

One WHOLE year in the "world"

Today marks Ruthie's discharged from Children's Hospital. It seems almost unbelievable that it has already been a year. Yet, it almost seems longer. What a weird feeling.

One year ago,



Ruthie couldn't sit by herself.
Ruthie couldn't eat AT ALL by mouth.
Ruthie was on 11 different medicines.
Ruthie was on continuous feeds.
Ruthie had to be "vested" for a respiratory treatment every 8 hours.
Ruthie needed a breathing treatment every 12 hours.
Ruthie was a fragile little girl... but PINK and ALIVE!

Today,



Ruthie is not only sitting up, but pulling to sit, pulling to standing, cruising furniture and evening walking one- handed.
Ruthie is now eating EVERYTHING by mouth AND is learning how to self feed!
Ruthie takes 3 medicines every day.
Ruthie eats 3 meals and 2 snacks and drinks milk out of a sippy cup.
Ruthie no longer requires any "vest" or breathing treatments.
Ruthie is a STRONG little girl with a bit of attitude!

And yes, Ruthie is still PINK!!!!


What a wonderful year!
A WHOLE year of living at home and experiencing "normal" life.

Thank you for all who have shared in our journey.
From doctors to heart buddies to our prayer warriors.
Not to forget the nurses! the specialists! the therapists!
And of course, our heart angel and his/her family. YOUR gift gave us LIFE. You are one MAJOR reason we are able to be at home and be healthy!

Last but not least, thank you to our families and friends.
You gave us strength and hope and now we love sharing with you...
Life outside of Children's!
Heart Hugs from on

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Happy 1 year at home, Ruthie! What a year you have had! I am so happy for you and your sweet parents. God bless!

    ReplyDelete

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