September 19th, 1981

I was 2 years, 9 months and some odd days old. I was just a few months shy of my 3rd birthday, which was my Golden Birthday.

In light of what is going on in Stellan's life I have been thinking alot about my surgery.

I was born with a hole in my heart. I was a very sick premie...infant...toddler until my VSD was repaired on September 19th 1981.

Little Man is the age I was when my mom had to watch the nurses wheel me into an operating room where they opened my chest stopped my heart (on purpose) and repaired the hole. My mom was there when I was wheeled back into my room. My mom has told me bits and pieces of that day to me. How she would be by my side and then run to the bathroom to get sick because it was so much to see me so gray with so many machines hooked up to me. Also the fact she had 3 other children at home that needed to be taken care off.

No child should have to go through this. No mom should have to see their child go through this. I look at Little Man and can't even imagine the thought of him being so sick, hooked up to machines, and not knowing what the future holds.

Could I be as strong as my mom? As strong as MckMama? To sit next to my childs bed praying to God that it be me lying there and not my child. Praying that the next time the doctors come in it is with good news and a possible drug that will cure everything. That the decisions that have to be made are the right ones, without a doubt.

Not only does a parent have to worry about the health of their child but also the costs of the hospital stay. When I was in college I found my old medical bills from my surgery. With the help from a coworker who's husband just had bypass surgery a few months prior I did a paper on the increased cost in the healthcare industry. It wasn't pretty. Please if you feel compelled go to MckMama's blog and donate to help relieve some of the costs. This is one thing they don't need to worry about.

I am proud to say I am a part of the 'Zipper Club'. I where my scar with pride. I went through a lot and did it with the help of God. I pray Stellan doesn't have to join this club. He is one strong little man and God has proven to be by his side. Continue to pray for him and his family.