Today is a very special day to me. On this day 8 years ago I gave birth to my oldest son Matthew. He was born with a full head of hair so handsome, had all his fingers and toes and as far as I could see perfect in every way. Within hours of his birth we found out that his little body was far from perfect, he was missing the whole left side of his heart. (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) We were told the road ahead would be a long one, and had three options. Hold our baby in our arms and let him peacefully pass away, free from pain of years of surgery. or we could try to get him a heart transplant, but most likely his heart would fail before a match would be found. Or send him to another state, for his 1st of many heart surgery’s ( that he only had 30% chance of living thru).
At 3 days old my tiny son, was in total heart failure and not a candidate for surgery, but after pleading with our surgeon to at least try Matthew had his first open heart surgery. He beat the odds and made it…. He spend months in the hospital in 3 different states. I came to love many other heart families, we shared in each others joys and heart ache. I watched many of them loose their sweet little ones. At that point we started to celebrate each day, week, and month Matthew made it realizing that each day was gift. Over the next three years our lives were dedicated to keeping him well enough for his next surgery. He was tube feed for almost 3 years, he did not go out into the general public in a effort to keep him well. We never knew what the next day would bring, after 14 heart surgery’s he has been stable and healthy the last 4 years. We still have issues come up, and every night I pray for his tiny heart to be strong, and for another day with my sweet little boy.
I was so young and had no idea how to be the Mom to a special needs child. The last 8 years have not always been easy, but have been well worth it and filled with joy. I have become a better person, more compassionate, I have learned to remember what is truly important in this life…..Family. So on this day I once again thank the Lord for eight wonderful years with a little boy who has filled my life with happiness.
This is a photo taken of his heart, during his last surgery.
He has always been a great example to me, of keeping a smile on your face and finding joy even when times are hard.
What a blessing!
Awe what a handsome boy!! Glad you fought for him! Here’s to many more wonderful birthdays together!!!
Happy Birthday Matthew! God must have great plans for you!
What a sweet post! He is lucky to have you as his mother!
Happy Birthday to your sweet little angel! He is a little blessing! All of you enjoy this special day together! Congrats to you and your husband on your newest little blessing that is on the way too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, you have so much to be thankful for! God bless you all!
Happy Birthday Matthew! (a day late).
Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your story, it moved me to tears. God Bless you and your family.
Happy Birthday Matthew!! My little guy is getting ready for his first heart surgery and your story is so inspirational! Thank you for sharing your story and giving the rest of us heart moms hope.
Happy Birthday Matthew. I was so touched by your story I started to cry. You, your husband, and Matthew are so strong for going through all of this. I wish the best for him in life.
Happy Birthday to your Matthew!
Oh I forgot I was going to ask if you have heard of Paul Cardell. I was following his blog for awhile. He titles it Living for Eden here is the link.
http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/
He just recently got his heart transplant.
He is a pianist. Anyway he is amazing and always so positive if you ever have a minute you should check out his blog.
He has a touching heart surgery picture on his site by a Christian artist Nathan Greene, it shows the sergeons working on a someone’s heart with Christ looking over their shoulder guiding them.
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing and agree with Jen, thank you for the reminder. Iknow to be thankful for my kids and health but we have always had good health so I do take it forgranted and I need to not. I have three under 5 and being a monther has been so challenging for me, I know it is for every mom. Thanks for reminding me to love my crazy kids more. All of you who have been through things like this are amazing and I look up to you all for that, Amy B you are amazing too I am sure! I will count my blessings a little more, thank you.
Oh Sarah … this touched me so much! Just seeing that photo of you and your first baby in the hospital reminded me of how lucky we are to have healthy kids. I cannot imagine the fear that you had. Your son is gorgeous…and God is SO GOOD! Celebrate this day…awesome!! Thank you for sharing!
happy birthday Matthew!! (today is also one of my nephews’ birthday and I got the gift of a new niece this eventing, too!)
I find that it is hard to remember to be thankful each and every day that our kids wake up breathing when they don’t have any medical problems, so your story is just another reminder of how precious life is and what a blessing our children are to us. Each and every day with them is truly a gift from God and I just feel awful when I think how much I take for granted in that area. Thank you for reminding me that today was a gift and tomorrow will be, too.
Thank you for not giving up! Your faith is inspiring! What a great Mom!
Happy Birthday to you sweet precious baby boy! what a fighter! and many wishes for lots and lots more of wonderful birthdays!!
Happy Birthday Matthew! Have some cake for me
Happy Birthday Matthew!
Happy happy birthday to Matthew! What a strong young man he already is! Heavenly Father has big plans for you! Thank you for sharing your story with me. We ALL have alot to be thankful for each and every day, not just on Thanksgiving! Bless you and your family.
Happy Birthday Matthew. Sending warm wishes for many more!!!
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I thank you for sharing that. I am a new mom and although my little one is healthy and strong you have reminded me to STILL cherish everyday… HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW and congrats! May you have so many more years and eternity
Thanks for all you do.
Happy birthday!!
his story & your faith made me cry! i’m so glad he was strong enough to make it!
Happy Birthday! He is a living proof that miracles do happen!
Happy Birthday Matthew!!
He is a perfect little boy. God made him special just for you and your husband. Continue to enjoy him each day. God bless you.
Happy birthday Matthew!!! What a blessing you are in your family’s lives!!!
Happy Birthday, Matthew! What a beautiful family you have! Thank you for sharing your story and continuing to help my family save!
I am crying over our beautiful and touching post. Thank you for sharing.
You totally got me with this touching and inspiring story of your darling little boy and your family strength, struggles and blessings. This is another reason your site is so wonderful…with all the deals you post daily, I am constantly awed by the beautiful woman you are and how you freely share all this with us. Your family adventures sprinkled in among the deals are wonderful !!! Thank you !
forgot to say…….. that last picture is so funny with the glove on his head. I bet everytime that one gets shown you all remember that day!!
I guess I feel that tiny extra connection to you when I read your story because though we havn’t had that exact problem, our 4 kids sure have brought their fair share of worry to our lives, with the twins being born at 2 lbs each (malcolm was just 1lb 15 oz), at 3 mo. early, and Donald had leukimia at age 2 1/2 and our youngest is Eva and she had SVT, a heart condition where the blood is pumped through an alt. path way……… and she had it as a newborn and relaped at about age 5.
Well never mind my soppy stories, its your special prince’s big day and I hope he has many more to come! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Matthew!! May God continue to bless you and your family every day. My daughter will have to undergo open heart surgery to correct a hole in her heart within the next three years (she’s only 17 months right now). It’s definitely a scary thing for a mom to go through. I hope I can be as strong as you when that time comes.
Happy Birthday Matthew! Your story is amazing. Every day is a gift. Best of luck to you and your family.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful son. You have truly been blessed with him. Your story brought me to tears, as i’m sure it would any mother. Our children are so precious…and my prayers will be with you and your family for many more happy, blessed years together. And thanks for all you do to help out us “freshman” couponers…i can’t wait to get up in the morning and see what you’ve posted.
Thank you for sharing this week story with us! 8 years, amazing…many, many more to come!
Happy Birthday Matthew!! May your day’s be filled with joy and happiness!!! Thank you for sharing with us
I loved that you shared your story, THANK YOU!!! what a great example you are to us. I love your web site I am SO glad that I found it. Thank you for taking your time to do it.
What a sweet birthday for your family, may many more wonderful birthdays be blessed your way!! Happy Birthday, Matthew!
You make me weep. Your son is beautiful–and so is his soul. Happy Birthday, Matthew!
A Very Happy Birthday to little Matthew!
Life is very precious…we are truly in God’s hands.
Happy Birthday, Matthew! Four years ago today, we lost my father-in-law to lung cancer after a two-year battle. It was so sad to think that he would never see his grandchildren and never share in his golden years with my MIL, but I knew he was in pain and he needed to be free of the body that limited him and hurt him so. I like to think that a little bit of him was passed on to everyone who has a birthday on that day, a little bit of his fighting spirit, his passion for life, and his unflagging smile. Happy Birthday, Matthew! We miss you, Glen.
Hope your day of celebrating is special in many ways … your post is touching many lives today! Be encouraged that your sweet 8-year-old and his strong mother are blessing and encouraging others with a story of hope. Thanks for sharing!
Happy birthday to your beautiful son!!!
Thanks for sharing this story with all of us. A special “Happy Birthday!” to you Matthew. Our son, who we waited many years for, is also named Matthew. It’s such a great name!
Blessings to your whole family, and thanks for helping us daddy’s be thrifty as well!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with us. I have a nephew that was born 2 1/2 years ago with the whole frontal lobe of his brain missing. It is so rare that the doctors cannot give my brother and his wife any prognosis for his future. So, it is always nice to hear happy stories. I truly believe God picks special people to take care of his special children and you are one of those special people to God.
Happy Birthday to little Matthew. May the Lord continue to bless him and your family. Our childrens’ are blessings from God and let’s be thankful for every single day that we get to hug and hold them as they make our life complete. I have a 6 yrs old son and he is the light of my life. God Bless.
Thank you so much for sharing. I lost my first born at three weeks old. There is nothing worse than watching your child suffer. I hope for the best for you, Matthew and the rest of your family. Thanks Again!
Your story is very inspiring, and what a trooper Matthew must be! I join the others in wishing him a very happy birthday. Prayers for your family, and thanks for all the help you provide to so many.
Happy Birthday to your son! What a strong mother you are! Well wishes and many many many more Birthdays for your son!
God Bless You and your wonderful family. Happy Birthday Matthew!
Thank you for sharing this story and special day with all of us. Matthew is a true gift from God. With all you have on your plate, you still help the rest of us learn to be Thrifty Moms. You are wonderful and I appreciate you.
What a story! I wish you and your family nothing but the best.
Oh… and Happy Birthday Matthew!
Wow.. I am so inspired by your story. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for over a year now and no luck. Lately I feel so consumed by it, the worrying if I will ever be able to conceive, the heartache I feel when I see others having babies, and the sheer yearning to start our family. Thank you for sharing an inspiring story … it has surely helped me see that remaining optimistic through this rough time is essential and in the end things will come out for the best.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. May God continue to bless your family every day.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful little boy!!!