By Sara Toner
I stepped into the role of being a heart mom not knowing where it would take me. I didnt entirely understand the meaning of CHD, and why there were so many subcategories that fit under it.
My son Tyler was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) when I was six months pregnant, and I didnt have an option to stop and think about it. His cardiologist wanted to send me to Boston to have surgery on his heart while he was still in the womb, but our days were limited.
Just eight days after we found out about his heart condition, we were on a plane to Boston to put my and my sons lives in the hands of some of the best doctors in the country. We hit the ground running and havent looked back.
With the surgery in Boston a success, we now have a baby boy who has significantly less problems, but problems nonetheless. At seven months old, hes gone through a number of surgeries and procedures, and of course there will always be a risk that he needs more.
If theres anything Ive learned as a heart mom so far, its that you need to take things day by day and minute by minute. I cherish the moments Im watching him learn something new, and I catch myself gasping with delight finding out he gained another pound! I havent gone a single day since Tyler was born without thinking about the what-ifs. But I also havent gone a single day without seeing his beautiful smile, hearing his contagious laughter or watching him grow into the amazing person he is becoming.
Heart patients are truly the most spectacular humans I have ever met, and its because of their inspiring will to fight through everything and defy all odds. There are a lot of things you gain from being in the life of a heart warrior, whether its the memories, advice or inspiration. The thing Ive taken away from this experience so far, and I hope that most have as well, is that although you may not have asked to be a heart patient, or parent, it is bestowed upon the strongest and most resilient people. I wouldnt be who I am today if not for my son.
Sara Toner was born in Las Vegas, NV, and is now a resident of Spokane, Washington. She was blessed with her beautiful baby boy, Tyler, in spring of 2018. She learned about Mended Little Hearts when she reached out to them for support after finding out about her sons heart condition. MLH has touched her life more than she ever expected. She is now an MLH volunteer, and hopes that she can help someone through a difficult and confusing time like MLH did for her.
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