In the early morning hours of May 3, 1999, I was in and out the bathroom. Mike eventually told me it might be easier if I just took my pillow in there with me. At 3:30 am, I told Mike that I thought my water broke, but since David wasn't due for another month, I figured I would call the doctors office when they opened. I told Mike to take the truck rather than take the Vanpool, just in case. My labor pains felt more like cramps than labor pains and were 20 minutes apart. By 7:30 am, it dawned on me to call the hospital. I got Kayla ready for daycare and checked myself into the hospital at 9:00 am.

David Anthony Mundt, arrived at 11:20 am, weighing 6LB 12 oz. He was quite purple, enough to make both Mike and I silently wonder, "Whose kid is that!" Mike and the doctor said David came out with a death grip on the umbilical cord. David was given a clean bill of health and we were left to bond in our room. We had a peaceful night, except for David's case of loud hiccups. The next morning the nurses woke me for my blood tests and wheeled David away for his tests and to be circumcised. As I was eating my breakfast, the doctor came in, sat down on the other bed and turned the TV off. At the moment, I didn't think anything of this, but now know, this is not a good sign!

David and his PC, May 2000

Suddenly, we were thrown into a world we never knew existed, the world of Congenital Heart Defects. The doctor would not circumcise David due to a very loud heart murmur. I was told to call Mike and to take David to Mary Bridge Children's hospital for evaluation. The doctor said he would call them and let them know we were coming. This news was hard to believe. Mike's dad had just had a heart attack and 7 way by-pass surgery two weeks earlier. By the time Mike arrived at the hospital, we were told that Mary Bridge was sending a crew out to transport David. They had already taken an x-ray and determined that his heart was round, not the normal shape.

David was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot, which consists of four defects, on his second day. In August of 1999, David had his CATH and it was determined that his heart and his body were ready for open heart surgery. David turned 5 month old, four days after his complete repair surgery. September 28th marks the 2 year anniversary of this remarkable repair. We are so grateful for his doctors and for the advances in technology that have allowed us to know and love this special little boy. While we will always worry and wonder just what the future holds, there are many "life lessons" that we have learned and continue to learn every day. The biggest lesson....Life is too short to be negative and sweat the small stuff!

Here is a poem that I wrote while David was in the NICU

Today you changed my life.
You came to me so early
Eager to see you and you to see me.
You are my baby boy
wrapped up,
My heart is filled with joy.
Today you changed my life
Our family has now become four
I couldn't ask God for more.
You slept beside me peacefully
Adjusting to your world~so new
The night we made it through.
Today you changed my life
My handsome little boy
They took you away at seven
A heart murmur I was told.
The room began to feel so cold...
Away you went~ without a kiss
Or a hand to hold.
Hours Passed before we saw you
Machines all hooked up and more.
How could this tiny miracle
Be given this to endure?
One free hand grasped my finger,
In my eyes, the tears did linger.
Finally, a kiss upon your cheek
This is not a time
For me to be weak.
Today you changed my life.
You are my little boy.
A special Angel sent my way
Reminding me that life
is changing every day.
We have a small hurdle,
But you are strong, I know.
And this is the path on which
God wants us to go.
For God gave me the chance
To love a special little boy~
With Angels watching from above...
Your life shall be filled with Joy!
Today you changed my life
And only for the better
You are my little Angel
And nothing could be sweeter.
Today you changed my life
And, for this, I know~
God would not give me a battle
that I couldn't handle...
And I am not alone.
Today you changed my life
And I love you for it.

Chris

Copyright (c) Chris-2001

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