Saying Goodbye

For the Past 5 years I have been working at the LDS Business College. I started out there as the receptionist and was promoted to the Housing Representative and then the Housing Supervisor. I cant even begin to explain my fond affections towards this place. I have learned some amazing things and met some amazing people. I have gained stronger work skills and have improved my work ethnic. I have worked with some of the most inspired and brilliant minds that I have ever come across and I have made some life long friends. Today is my last day here at the college. To be honest I am not ready for this to be my last day. As I pack up my office and give final training and instruction to my students employee and others who will be taking over my job till they find a replacement. It takes pretty much all I have not to burst into tears. I know that the Lord wants James and I in Cedar City. I know that we are following his guidance and instruction. But as much as I know this, it doesn't make it any less difficult. But i will leave today knowing that I was able to be apart of something great. even if it was a short 5 years only. I helped to establish the housing office when one didn't even exist before I was placed in that department. I have helped students, parents, families and single mothers. I have had the great opportunity to be in the presence of apostles of the Lord and to even dine with them. I have very fond memories of the College and hope that maybe someday I might be able to return. So here's to a wonderful experience and hope to the future. Wish us luck! :)

Contest Winners

First off I wanted to apologize. I tried to send a post via text yesterday but it didn't work out so well. I was sick and wasn't around internet, so I was unable to post the winners. Again i apologize for my tardiness. Well everyone the time you have been waiting for the announcing of the winners. After I announce the winners if you could leave a comment with your address or email it to me at kabby17 (at) yahoo (dot) com so I can get these wonderful gifts mailed off to you.  Thanks to random.org I was able to assign everyone's name a number (again you could have your name in the drawing up to 3 times) and then Random.org chose our winners so the winner of the Lego keychain is....

TERRA GREGORY!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TERRA!

next we have the winner for this cute watch. And the winner is...

NICOLE CASEY!!!! CONGRATULATIONS NICOLE!

next we have the winner of the Sterling Silver and Diamond necklace. Which goes to...

 DIANE KOWALIK!!!! CONGRATULATIONS DIANA!

As soon as I get your address I can get these wonderful prizes sent to you. Congratulations again ladies and Thanks again to everyone for participating and helping to make the 3rd annual CHD Awareness Week such a success!

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentines Day! Happy CHD Awareness Day! Basically...HAPPY HEART DAY!!!
Well today marks the last day of my CHD Awareness Posts but you can continue to learn more about CHD on the websites I have posted from as well as many many more. The contest will end tonight at Midnight so there is still time to enter if you haven't. Just go HERE to learn how. Before I get into answering everyone's questions I wanted to send out a big ol' THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this another successful CHD Awareness Week here at Our Corner. I really look forward to hosting this every year. It helps me feel that I even though it's small I can do my part. We had some wonderful questions asked this year, so lets get started. :)

"What CHD does Abby have?" Abby has what's called TOF (Tetrology of Fallot)
"Tetralogy of Fallot involves four heart defects:

• A large ventricular septal defect (VSD)
• Pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) stenosis
• Right ventricular hypertrophy (hi-PER-tro-fe)
• An overriding aorta"

She's also had other problems due to her CHD, one  of them is her severe scoliosis in her back that they are trying to debate on a good time to fix.

"What did you know about heart defects before Abby was born?" Honestly, absolutely nothing. I married Abby's uncle when she was 6 years old and I heard about her CHD from her mother, grandmother as well as my husband. I heard her story and talked about it with them but I didn't think it was something to still be concerned about...till her 2nd open heart surgery.

"When did you decided to take action by spreading CHD Awareness?" In 2009 I started to do a little but not much. That's when I first found out that CHD Awareness Week was Feb7th -14th. It wasn't till 2010 that I had the idea to host a CHD Awareness Week on my blog.

"Besides blogging and facebook, what other ways do you and your family spread CHD Awareness (or raise funds for CHD Charities) throughout the year?" I don't do as much as my sister in law and niece do. Our whole family has red wrist bands that we wear in honor of Abby and I know my husband and I talk to anyone who will listen about CHD and Abby. My sister in law has talked to governing officials both here in Utah and Nation wide. She talked with the Mayor of Ogden and told him about Abby and CHD and now Ogden officially recognizes Feb 7-14th as CHD Awareness Week. Abby loves to sing, she's sign up for fairs, festivals anything she can get her hands on and she usually tells a little of her story either in the program or while she's on stage. She is not shy at all to tell people about her heart condition. Both Abby and Nicole are constantly looking for ways to spread the news and help in whatever way they can. As the Aunt I feel I am a little limited as to what I can do. I feel like not as many people are as open to listening when it isn't your child. But we keep pressing on with little Abby as our inspiration. :)

Thanks again everyone for all the great questions and everyone's support. Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see who the winners of the contest are.

Day of Heart # 7

"The word "congenital" means existing at birth. The terms "congenital heart defect" and "congenital heart disease" are often used to mean the same thing, but "defect" is more accurate.

The heart ailment is a defect or abnormality, not a disease. A defect results when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth. Working with your healthcare team, learn about the different types of congenital heart defects, treatments and tests." taken from HERE
I just wanted to reiterate that CHD effects 1 in every 100 babies born and is the leading cause of death in children. Even more so than childhood cancer. Although a lot cannot be done to prevent an unborn child from getting a CHD you can still help your unborn baby by frequent doctors visits, eating right, not consuming alcoholic beverages or tobacco during pregnancy, and following all your doctors instructions on the do's and don'ts of pregnancy. Also you can talk to you doctor about any concerns you have. Once your baby is born ask for a pulse ox test to be taken. Here in Utah you still have to ask for this procedure to be done. It doesn't hurt your baby and can help detect any early signs of heart problems. There are many CHD parents and survivors that would be willing to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. you can also post a question here at any time and I would love to help as best as I can.

Day of Heart # 6

There are Many different types of Congenital heart Defects that have been diagnosed. Here are a list of a few. You can click on them to learn more about the defect.

Aortic Stenosis Atrial Septal Defect Atrioventricular Canal Defect Bicuspid Aortic Valve Coarctation of the Aorta Complete Congenital Heart Block Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries or Great Vessels Coronary Artery Anomaly DCRV: Double Chamber Right Ventricle Dextrocardia DiGeorge syndrome Double Aortic Arch Double Outlet Right Ventricle Ebstein's Anomaly Eisenmenger's syndrome Endocardial Fibroelastosis Holt-Oram syndrome Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypoplastic Left Heart syndrome Hypoplastic Right Heart syndrome Interupted Aortic Arch Isolated Non-Compaction of Left Ventricular Myocardium

Kawasaki Disease Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Long QT syndrome Major Aorta/Pulmonary Collateral Arteries Marfan syndrome Mitral Valve Prolapse Noonan syndrome Partially Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Patent Ductus Arterious Pulmonary Atresia Pulmonary Stenosis Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Single Ventricle Tetralogy of Fallot Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage or Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Transposition of the Great Arteries or Vessels Tricuspid Atresia Truncus Arteriosis Ventricular Septal Defect Williams syndrome Other syndromes that involve the Heart

P.S. just wanted to remind everyone to enter the CHD Awareness week contest. We have some great prizes this year so check it out entering is easy. :) Click HERE for more details.

Day of Heart #5

I wanted to dedicate this post with a big ol' THANK YOU to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Primary Children's Medical Center. We are so grateful for all they have done to help Abby.

Day of Heart #4

Every CHD Awareness Week I like to share Abby's story. Usually I will take 2 or 3 days to do this. However since I am limited on time this year (7 days of Heart rather than 14) and have an update on Abby that is going to take up a whole post. I still would like you to read more about her though so to read about Abby's 1st Open Heart Surgery when she was 6 months old please click HERE. to read about her 2nd Open Heart Surgery please click HERE. This is Abby's story about her surgery's from her Mother Nicole Wardell. Don't forget to grab a box of tissues before reading. :) The story I am about to tell is my own. So it's an Abby update through her Aunts eyes. :)
In 2010 Abby had her 2nd Open Heart Surgery, it brought about a lot of mixed emotions of both good and bad. Because of her CHD she also had severe scoliosis caused by her defect. A year after her Open Heart Surgery the doctors told Abby that she was going to have to have back surgery to fix her scoliosis. So As October approached we were all preparing ourselves to do what we could to help out the family while Abby had her surgery. At the last minute Abby's heart doctor called and wanted to double check her heart to make sure it was up for the surgery. On the day of that appointment none of us realized as we woke up that day that this doctor had just saved Abby's life by requesting to take a second look. At the appointment they discovered that Abby's left ventricle was only working at 15% and that even though you could never tell Abby was in heart failure. James and I got a call later that day with the news and we were told that Abby was admitted into the hospital. I was able to get a hold of Nikki and Abby through facebook. I found out that Abby was BORED! She didn't feel sick, look sick or act sick. Even the doctors where baffled. Every time they went in to see her they would ask where the little girl was that was sick. Abby would respond "oh yeah, I think that's suppose to be me." :) I wasn't able to help out as much as I would have liked this time around. I had recently found out I was pregnant and James, myself and my in laws where a worried about if I would lose this baby too. So I got "grounded" if you could call it that. :) But I did get to visit Abby in the hospital while she was there and I got to bring her some stuff to help with her boredom. The Doctors continued to run test after test to figure out what was going on. Her left ventricle went down to working at 13% and had everyone really worried. Abby stayed in the hospital for almost a week while Dr.'s tried to figure out what was going on, why she wasn't showing symptoms of heart failure and what they were doing to do. Eventually they sent Abby home with a bulky defibrillator to shock her heart if it stopped. Abby wasn't to keen on having to wear this but she was happy to finally get out of the hospital and go home. After that it was appointment after appointment, test after test. till finally they decided to actually put a defibrillator in Abby's chest so she wouldn't have to wear the vest anymore. They also decided to try and add a pacemaker. All of this was while she was going through tests, Dr.'s appointment's with all her doctors she was familiar with as well as a whole slew of new doctors. All were deciding things like Should they put Abby on the Heart transplant list, was the pacemaker going to help and of course the postponed back surgery that still needed attention as well. the surgery to add the defibrillator went well with the exception of the pacemaker. Abby's veins are to small so they couldn't add the pacemaker with the defibrillator. So she continued with her (pretty much) weekly appointments while they monitored her new defibrillator and her heart and still where debating about whether Abby should go on the heart transplant list. Abby got a small break at Christmas time which she was able to spend enjoying her time with family and friends. But it was decided to have Abby go through another surgery to add the pacemaker. the date was set for after New Years. Again arrangements were made and Abby went in for another surgery. Later that day I got a call from Dad saying that the surgery went as "textbook" Abby was in and out a lot quicker than anyone had anticipated and she was doing great. James got to go to the hospital to see Abby. I was sick and couldn't go see her. But by the time I was over my nasty flu bug, Abby was home and happy. After more appointments and tests. The doctors have decided to wait to put Abby on the heart transplant list. She is still being monitored by doctors and family and that is pretty much where we stand with 2 huge questions looming over our heads. Will Abby be put on the heart transplant list or will this pacemaker do the trick for awhile? And When will Abby have to have the surgery to fix her back?

Day of Heart #3

It may surprise you who you have seen on the big screen, in the Olympics, on your favorite sports team, in your favorite band, etc. That has a CHD or has a child with a CHD. As a 12 year old living with CHD sometimes Abby cant do what some of the other kids can. She has to take breaks to catch her breath when running around with her brothers or playing outdoor games with family. If she gets to excited and worked up while playing video games she has to sit back for awhile and calm down. And when Abby's energy is spent no matter where she is she will find a place to curl up and sleep. Despite all this Abby reamains the ball of energy and spunk that we have always known and loved. She doesn't let her CHD define who she is but always keeps pressing forward till she gets what she wants. I know a lot of these people bring hope to Abby who someday wants to star on Broadway, sing a chart topping song and just all around be famous and have everyone know her name. :)

Famous People with a Congenital Heart Defect

• Shaun White – Olympic Snowboarder (Tetralogy of Fallot)
• Mark “Fight Shark” Miller – MMA Fighter/Kickboxer (Aortic Stenosis)
• Joe Strummer(21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002) – Clash front man, passed away due to undiagnosed CHD at 50.
• John Glascock(2 May 1951 – 17 November 1979) – base guitarist, Jethro Tull. Died at 28 from CHD complications.
• Max Page - Child Actor and Darth Vader in VW Superbowl Ad (Tetralogy of Fallot)
• Tedy Bruschi – Former Patriots linebacker and ESPN Commentator (Atrial Septal Defect)
• John Ritter(September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) – Actor, passed away due to undiagnosed Congenital Heart Defect
• Paul Cardall – Pianist, Complex CHD/Heart Transplant (Paul has a great CHD Blog at http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com)
• Brian Littrell – Member of the Backstreet Boys (Ventricular Septal Defect)

Famous Heart Parents with CHD Kids

• Bret Baier – Fox New Anchor (Son with d-transposition of the great vessels)
• Sylvester Stallone – Actor (Daughter with Ventricular Septal Defect)
• Katherine Heigl– Actress (Daughter with CHD)
• Matt Hammitt – Lead Singer of Sanctus Real (Son with hypoplastic left heart syndrome)
• Senator Ron Johnson – Junior Senator (Republican) from Wisconsin (Daughter with Transposition of the Great Arteries)
• Roger Rosenblatt – an American journalist, author, playwright and teacher. His book Making Toast, details losing his daughter Amy to an undiagnosed/asymptomatic CHD and the aftermath of her death.
• Tom Riles – Warm Up Entertainer for the Ellen show (Daughter with CHD)
• Charles Tillman – Chicago Bears (Daughter with Cardiomyopathy)

Day of Heart #2

So what is a Congenital Heart Defect (also known as CHD)? The American Heart Association explains it as...

"A normal heart has valves, arteries and chambers that carry the blood in a circulatory pattern: body-heart-lungs-heart-body. When all chambers and valves work correctly, the blood is pumped through the heart, to the lungs for oxygen, back the heart and out to the body for delivery of oxygen. When valves, chambers, arteries and veins are malformed, this circulation pattern can be impaired. Congenital heart defects are malformations that are present at birth. They may or may not have a disruptive effect on a person's circulatory system.

Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart present at birth. They result when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception and often before the mother is aware that she is pregnant. Defects range in severity from simple problems, such as "holes" between chambers of the heart, to very severe malformations, such as complete absence of one or more chambers or valves.

Having a congenital heart defect can also increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions.

Associated Conditions

Having a congenital heart defect can increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions.

• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Arrhythmias
• Infective Endocarditis
• Anticoagulation
• Congestive Heart Failure. "

You can read more from this article here. CHD affects 1 in 100 babies born. Not a lot is known why a CHD forms or how it can be prevented but there have been numerous medical advances to help save the lives of children born with a CHD. Our Abby is a true miracle girl. She constantly inspires her family to live each day to the fullest and to see the beauty and good in all things. And in her words "staying awesome in everything!" CHD may not be able to be prevented but it can definitely be fought and overcome.

Day of Heart #1

To start off our CHD Awareness Week. I wanted to direct your attention to the petition on the right hand side of my blog. Signing this will help pass a bill mandating pulse ox testing on all newborn screening in Utah hospitals. Why do we need this?
"1 in every 100 babies are born with CHD...well 1 out of 100 seems pretty small right? Well I googled how many babies are born in a day.First in the U.S. I checked a few different websites but got the same answer. So, how many babies? There are 11,000! That’s in 1 day in the U.S. alone. (Website) 11 babies born in the U.S. are born with CHD. I wanted to go further than that so I googled How many babies were born every day in the world. Again I checked a few different sites and they all had roughly the same number. Approximately 490,000 babies are born throughout the world in a single day. Now if I did my math right (which I might not have) that means that approximately 4,900 babies are born throughout the world in a single day with CHD. (Website) Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect and are the number one cause of death from birth defects during the first year of life. Nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart disease in the United States each year as die from all forms of childhood cancers combined. (Website)"
This is a post I did from last years CHD Awareness week. Every year many infants die due to undetected heart defects. Pulse ox testing is very simple and can help detect CHD in a newborn early on so that doctors can take the action that is needed to save the newborns life. To help make pulse ox testing mandatory in the state of Utah please click on the link to the left and sign the petition.