This month is bittersweet for us.
I LOVE Valentines, pink & red, hearts, etc., but hearts also have many meanings for us now.
On February 11th, 2010, we found out Cohen had a broken heart. Talk about the month of hearts.
Last February, I spent praying that Knox & Sloane would not have broken hearts, as we waited to find out.
So, not only will we always acknowledge fun and cute lovey dovey stuff, we will also think about heart disease. We will always think about how our world came crashing down one February morning, just a few days before Valentine's Day.
So, this February, I know it's a fun season, but I ask you to think about how heart disease is the number one killer of women (American Heart Association.) It kills more than all cancers combined and think of how awful cancer is.
Think about how congenital heart defects are the number one cause of birth defect related deaths (The Children's Heart Foundation.)
Think about how you know someone or know someone that knows someone, who has essentially, died from a broken heart
I plan to do several posts throughout the month as this is something I feel strongly about. I feel strongly about it all the time, but I've made effort not to let it take over my blog. With February being awareness month, I do plan to touch on it several times.
I also have several people who wanted to do fundraisers and give a portion of their small business profits to iPods from Cohen. I will be posting about those as well. We plan to have the iPod Touches ready for Children's by Cohen's second birthday, in June. Brent and I have been setting money aside for them as well.
Our local heart walk is April 21st this year. Last year it was amazing to see all the people in our town show up to support their loved ones or friends, including Cohen :) I didn't realize those picture kinda make me cry now until I just looked at them again. #hormonalforlife much. ha
February 7th-14th is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. More info here.
For those unsure, congenital basically means that it existed at birth or before birth. So, while many people die from heart disease, often times it wasn't a disease they were born with. Congenital heart defects are something that many, many babies are born with. We found out at about 22 weeks that Cohen had congenital heart defects. Thankfully, my OB detected something wasn't right and sent us for an echocardiogram. I honestly think all pregnancies should include an ECHO, but that's another topic for another day.
I know that not all of my readers have been effected by these things, but at some point, you might be.
It's very real and frankly, it sucks.
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22 comments :):
Beautiful Angel Baby. I never knew so many babies were born with broken hearts until I had one. I totally agree with the ECHO being done in pregnancy. We had no idea Jordis had anything wrong with his heart until about 5 hours after birth. Love to you guys during this month of hearts.
Sweet angel is watching over all of you!!
My daughter was born with AVSD in September of '10, and we had no prior knowledge of it. I had to tell my husband over the phone in Afghanistan our baby needed heart surgery. Thanks be to God, she is a perfectly healthy almost 18 month old, but I still struggle with the "whys", even now.
Thank you for making this post. Next pregnancy will definitely include an ECHO.
Ever since finding your blog last year I have always prayed for Cohen and now Knox and Sloane...thank you so much for spreading the word and sharing Megan :-)
Thinking of you and your hubby, Megan. Your beautiful sweet Cohen is watching over your entire family, helping to keep you all healthy!
I'll definitely help to spread the word, I'll be sure to link this post on my blog so that other's can help raise awareness and contribute to the cause.
xox
You've done such a good job making sure your blog is well rounded, so don't feel bad for one second posting about hearts more than usual this month! I know that Cohen is on your mind a LOT more than you let on via the blog and I hope that all of your readers support you in posting a few times about his and other little "hearts" this month. Not one of us readers can say our own heart wasn't a little (or a LOT) broken on your behalf as you faced the most difficult situation I could ever imagine as a parent two years ago.
Thanks also for widening the scope by including heart disease and women. As a woman whose grandma died of heart disease, and whose uncle died suddenly at age 21 of an unknown (until after he died) congenital heart defect, I am probably more aware than most of the affects of heart disease on women. I think it's important for other women to become more aware, especially since it's not nearly as hot of a topic as breast cancer, other cancers, etc.
I got your email and was going to reply, but I'll just say it here. I'm glad you agreed w/ my comment the other day. I felt a little snarky in saying it, but I was getting a little heated as I read some of the other comments that day. And as someone who has sat on both sides of the dr. office receptionist's desk, I just had to let out my angst! I totally didn't think about it at the time, but you and Brent might be sharing a car right now since he was rear-ended(??) and that contributes even more to why you were unexpectedly late. Heaven forbid someone be understanding in that situation!!
Love your blog, look forward to it every day; I don't say that enough, but I want you to know!
how do I co tribute to this ipods for Cohen- he's a special angel and a memory that will never fade. Email me with info
Are you taking donations for the iPods for Cohen? I would love to donate!
I remember driving by the baseball field last year during the walk and seeing all of the people. It gave me chills! I would love to walk some day!
We're celebrating CHD awareness too (have you seen the Pinterest board Ruth put together?) . . . praying that a hard month for you will be full of unexpected joys!
I agree with Bethany when she says your blog is very well rounded & to not worry that you want to post several heart posts this month. Go for it! I can't wait to read them + I'm glad you're raising awareness. Those statistics shocked me!
I look forward to reading your blog everyday! Thank you for posting about this. I think and pray about your family often.
That last picture of you two standing over Cohen and holding his hand gets to me even more now. I do that with Ben and I know he will one day come home. I don't know how you did what you did. Your strength really brings tears to my eyes as I now have a glimpse of having an ill child and how hard it is. I look forward to your posts this month and admire your courage.
That picture takes my breathe away everytime i see it.
That picture brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. What a precious angel baby boy you have! Thank you for helping educate people around the world. I think of baby Cohen, you & your family often.
Is there a way that I can donate for iPods for Cohen?
Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family!!! I think it is fabulous that you spread awareness about heart disease and congenital defects!! Cohen is watching over his Mommy and Daddy and beautiful brother and sister especially during this difficult month!
It is wonderful that you are turning your sorrow around this month into awareness to help save others!
My brother was born with congenital heart defects and had open heart surgery at 8 days old, then at 10 years old, and tomorrow he is having what should be his final open heart surgery at 17 years old. This one is a true bypass due to the way the heart has formed.
He is a stronger than anyone I know but I would be less than truthful if I said I wasn't scared to death.
These defects are all very different and affect everyone and their families differently. It is truly scary how man deaths occur from heart related issues, many of which can be prevented. I know not all can, but if it can I say why not do what you can:)
Your sweet Cohen has and is still making such a difference! The twins have quite the big brother to look up to!
Prayers for your sweet family this month and years to come. I too appreciate you bringing awareness!
Totally understand why you're doing this sweetie, and I think anything you can do to raise awareness is a great thing!
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Thanks for spreading the word. I love your blog and love hearing stories and seeing pics of all your babies! You blog about hearts as much as you want!
Love all the sweet pictures of baby Cohen! Will think of you all during this month every time I see a heart!
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