Jessica - 11/28/00 02:18:45
My Email:frankenstein@penn.com
Comments:
Dear Beth,
I know that it must be hard for you to lose something so precious to you and just by looking at the pictures and listening to your story i can tell that he was extra special...I am 20 years old and have a 9 month old son he is healthy as an ox and i thank god for that every day however it does get rather hard doing it all on my own and knowing that there is no one there for me to lean on and there is no one for Devin (my son) to call daddy. Hearing your story has made me hold my head high and know that no matter what happens in this world my son is the most important thing to me and with out help and with out support as long as we are together and we love each other everything will be ok so i thank you Beth and want you to know that your story has been an inspiration to me
~Jessica
janine - 11/16/00 17:51:36
My Email:jshefte@juno.com
Comments:
God bless you ,you and your beautiful son will always be in my prayers. I have a son who will be 15 in May. He was born with PDA, subaortic stenosis,vsd and coarctation of the aorta. He was diagnosed at 5mos.,and as a result of the long wait, has pulmon
ry hypertension. You are so right, God has given parents like us a gift in these children-not a burden like many people think.
Elissa Balcueva-Ulit - 11/11/00 04:31:29
My Email:lissalowe@hotmail.com
Comments:
Peace to you. I'm greatly touched by your story. I'm also a mother of an 11 month old baby girl who has atwin sister. Her name is Gabrielle Liana and she had undergone two surgeries since she was a week old to correct coarctation of the aorta. She is doin
well, though smaller by her age due to feeding problems because of a reflux. Reading your son's story gives me the strenght to hang on. Indeed I feel so blessed to be the mom of Gabrielle. Take care and God bless.
Jessica Clore - 10/16/00 23:14:42
My Email:jrclore@hotmail.com
Comments:
hi! I'm a high school senior. I'm 17 years old. I had to do a report on congenital heart disease and that i how i found this website. It was very interesting and sad! It help in my report because you said what you had to go through and what happened
ith you son. Thank you very much for making this web site. And I'm very sorry for the loss of your son.
hannah - 10/14/00 10:25:16
My Email:lil_h_nz@yahoo.co.uk
Comments:
hi i read you story and cried it touched me like nothing else because i am a 15 yr old who was born with a conjenital heart defect and have had many operations including open heart surgery to anyone else who has a heart problem and is reading this please
e brave.during my life i have gone thru alot seeing my family get hurt and my phyical pain but i wouldnt change anything for the world i have grown up alot stronger and i dont take life for granted.:) if you would lik eto talk please email me
connie - 10/06/00 03:43:16
My Email:csh@sunnetworks.net
Comments:
BETH,YOUR STORY TOUCHED MY HEART.MY NEICE WAS BORN WITH A CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE.SHE HAS GONE THROUGH SO MUCH.CAUGHT SPINAL MENINGITIS AND LOST HER HEARING.HAS HAD NUMEROUS TESTS DONE ON HER HEART.ON JULY 18,2000 WENT THRU HER 2ND "OPEN HEART SURGERY".V
LVE REPLACEMENT AND REDO SOMETHINGS FROM SURGERY BEFORE. SHE IS DOING VERY WELL, SURGEONS WHERE EVEN SURPRISED HOW WELL IT WENT. SHE ALSO WAS GIVEN A 50/50 CHANCE. HER NAME IS TARRA AND JULY 14TH SHE TURNED 11. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU...MY LITTLE SISTER
AS CHOSEN BY GOD TO BE HER MOTHER. I AM SO PROUD OF HER, SHE (JACKIE)HAS BEEN SO STRONG (MOST OF THE TIME). I TRY TO BE THERE FOR HER WHEN SHE GETS DOWN, THEN I COME HOME AND JUST CRY.BUT I KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN AND WHATEVER IT IS, HE WILL GIVE US THE
TRENGTH TO MAKE IT.I KNOW WITHOUT GOD THEY WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR. THE POWER OF PRAYER IS AWESOME, ISN'T IT. I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS AND SHARE YOUR STORY WITH MY SISTER.GOD BLESS YOU! CONNIE
Karen Rutledge - 09/09/00 07:19:21
My Email:louise@neonet.bc.ca
Comments:
I am truely sorry for your loss,my heart goes out to you.I have a daughter that was born with two holes in her heart.I thank God for looking after her so well. she"s going on 6 this month and so far she has been a very healthy girl.I have met quit a few f
milies in ower journies. I agree we can all be thankful for mondern day medicine.
jess - 08/29/00 01:59:42
My Email:sexy_jessie.com.au
Comments:
very good
angela roadcap - 08/24/00 02:55:02
My Email:alroadcap@hotmail.com
Comments:
I am the mother of a 2 year old with a complex congenital heart defectand completly understand the fears and concerns you faced. I am very sorry for the loss you have suffered, your son looked like he was a very beutiful person.
melissa - 08/19/00 00:41:52
My Email:mbreeze@c4.com
Comments:
the web page is very touching. I have a 5 year old little boy who was born with double inlet left ventricle with a vsd. 2 heart surgeries and a pace maker later he is doing better but is still very small for his age. he is the light of my life and i also
elieve that god doesn't give us more than we can handle and i thank him for trusting me to take care of this little miracle angel.
Nicole Allen - 08/08/00 04:22:12
My Email:wandor@uswest.net
Comments:
My daughter was born with several defects and I have yet to find one name for them all. She's my angel. She also is going in on Friday, Aug. 11 for a pacemaker. She has only had one surgery since she was born and I am thankful for that. But now she ha
developed a heart block that requires the pacer. God Bless.
Donna - 08/03/00 15:52:44
My Email:dweydig@hotmail.com
Comments:
I am very sorry about your son. My son has many heart defects. You were blessed and chosen to have such a special child. There is a pain that only people who are going through this can understand.
JENNIFER QUEK - 07/18/00 00:52:15
My Email:JQME@MAXIS.NET.MY
Comments:
I HAVE A CHILD WITH CHD TOO. IT IS LIKE GOING THROUGH HELL AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE. I LOVE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH IF IT IS FINE WITH YOU.
Kati Gulyas - 07/15/00 13:00:45
My Email:kgkati@hotmail.com
Comments:
I'm a mother of a 3 year old beautiful little girl, Claudia,who has a CHD, too.We had gone through 3 operations in Hungary, where we live. Now she is all right, but we don't know what will happen in the future.I'm very optimistic, and I can understand you
what you feel.I would like to get in connection with those, who have CHD.Please feel free to write me!to all of you, we must never forget we are not alone!God bless all of us!
Take care!Kisses:Kati from Hungary
jack - 07/12/00 22:26:25
My Email:cwbyht66@yahoo.com
Comments:
Good luck to you. I am a survior of a congenital heart defect. I had surgery 33 years ago. I will be 40 next year. There is hope!
Alese Stroud - 07/05/00 19:06:56
My URL:http://www.thestroudgroup.com
My Email:alese@earthlink.net
Comments:
Please know you are not alone. My daughter was also born with something termed a ventricular septal defect. She is now a beautiful, vivacious 23 year old. The doctors were not able to close the original hole successfully, so she had had three "valve jo
s" so far. There are many challenges for all involved. As I am sure you know by now, health insurance and puberty are significant for these young people. Good luck !!!!
Anne McGregot - 06/21/00 09:31:16
My Email:aamcgregor@optusnet.com.au
Comments:
I also had a daughter who was born with major heart defects. Her name was Patricia, I lost her when she was 14 in 1997. Your web page is beautiful done, which brings out the things that mum's have to go through with such a special child. I hope you are d
ing really well. regards Anne.
Barb Welchlin - 06/20/00 20:32:35
My URL:http://www.
My Email:welchlin@chandler.k12.az.us
Comments:
I was greatly moved by your courage to share your story. My thoughts & prayers are with you as I know God is using this difficult time to be of comfort & support to others who are experiencing the same circumstances as you. God Bless You!
Lynn - 06/06/00 00:12:50
My Email:frattwin@hotmail.com
Comments:
I was touched by your story of Matthew. I also know what you went through. I have a daughter who was born with double inlet left ventricle, levotransposition of the great arteries, and coarctation of the aorta. I found out when I was in my seventh mont
of pregnancy that I was going to have a baby with heart problems (severe) and probably would not survive the birth. On January 31, 1992, by cesearan section my daughter was born. She survived the birth. She undergone 5 heart surgeries by the time she tu
ned 1 and 1/2 years old. We almost lost her a few times, but she is certainly a fighter. She is now 8 years old and still going strong. I also questioned why God gave me a child with this many problems, and I also realized he would not give me more tha
I can't handle. I realized she was my special child from God. Thank you for your story, it helps more than you know.
Melanie Krambeer - 05/18/00 20:40:04
My Email:rmkram@means.net
Comments:
Dear Beth, I'm so sorry about your son. I cried when i read your page. I have a 5 year old son that had a heart transplant at 5 months of age. He is doing well so far. In a few days he will be having a biopsy to check for Coronary Artery Disease. I'd love
to keep chatting to you in the future, for as you know it's kind of hard to find other families in the same situation. Thank You, Melanie Krambeer.
stacey morris - 05/17/00 15:32:39
My Email:shifent@bellsouth.net
Comments:
I myself have a child with a heart problem. He has tretrology of fallot. He diagnosed when he was born. He had his surgery when he was 3 months old.Right now he is fine, but he will need another operation when he is 10. His pulmanary valve is blocked, so
e will need a valve transplant. He is now 3 years old and is very active and always going. I think it is great when you hear the stories of other parents that have gone through about the same thing that you have. I love hearing the good positive stories t
at can give you hope. My son Zackary is aware of what he has gone through and I just thank God each and every day that he is as healthy as he is. God bless all of the other parents out there that have gone through or is about to go through an ordeal like
e have.
EMM@ SMITH - 05/11/00 18:08:26
Comments:
Tina Frakes - 05/01/00 07:01:50
My Email:willard-tina@grapevine.net
Comments:
Iam sorry about your loss.We have a daughter who has truncus arterois.Lynette had her first surgery when she was only a week old.She will have to have two more surgery's before she is an adult.She is almost 13 months old now,and she is a very healthy chil
. Thank You for letting your site stay on.Take care and GOD Bless You.
Mary - 03/31/00 00:03:20
My Email:cal@interfree.it
Comments:
I always feel your same fear for myself
Sandy Pace - 03/13/00 15:45:36
My Email:SPace7239@Juno.com
Comments:
I, myself, was the mother of a child with a heart disease. My daughter, Aimee Marie, had an A/V canal. She was born with this. We were told of her heart condition when she was just 6 hours old. I did not know while I was pregnant with her that she had
this heart problem or also Down syndrome. She was a mama's baby. Her dad and I split up a week before she came home from the hospital. Her heart medical problems scared him off. He didn't want to take care of his responsibility. I took care of her fo
the 4 months that she was out of the hospital before she became an angel June 6, 1997. She was born on Jan. 13, 1997. She will be in my heart always. I will never forget this special little angel. Sandy
AYSEGÜL SÜNBÜL - 03/11/00 16:56:10
Comments:
I'am very sad to learn about your chýld.I wýsh that the other mothers would have the problems lýke you had.I hope he will be better soon.
A.Saddique - 03/08/00 12:40:49
My Email:a_saddique@hotmail.com
Comments:
I was very moved by your story and I am so sorry that you had to go through all that but Allah gave you the power to move on and to live with your memories. I am also a heart patient, I have had two operation and an on medication for the rest of my life a
d I thank Allah for giving me life. Your son is a safe place and you will see him again. I pray that you have the power to carry on with your life and remember your son in the best way possible. Good luck for the furture and I think you have alot of coura
e for writing your story and showing others that they are not alone and remeber you are also not alone.
A.Saddique
darine - 03/03/00 10:30:18
My Email:darine_jo@yahoo.com
Comments:
hi
i`m a muslim girl and i`m really very sorry about your loss,i wish you will have the courage to continue your life,but be sure that your son is in heaven INSHA`ALLAH , in our religion when something like this happenes to anyone that means that God is test
ng them ,you must pass the test and be sure that you WILL see him again in heaven in the afterlife.. i do`nt know if you beleive in what i`m saying , but what i`m sure of that my religion really gives me the power to go on,because i always feel that God i
with me.. i hope you will feel the same way..all of us is going to die ,death just have causes..and you suffered a lot ,God knows that, and he will reward you for that because he is fair,he did not create the world to have fun,everything have reasons.
God be beside you in your ordeal.
Angie Brodmerkle - 02/21/00 19:17:23
My Email:angieroy@bossig.com
Comments:
my daughter was also born with PDA and VSA, ASD Pulmonary Stenosis and Transpoiston of the Greater Arteries. I remember feeling so alone and still feel so alone. We pray to God everyday our daughter will grow to be a beautiful women. Right now she is 4
years old and thriving. Angie
Erin - 02/15/00 15:43:04
My Email:BinkySul@aol.com
Comments:
how sad...my prayers are with you...may you find comfort
Rita Barker - 02/15/00 06:14:10
Comments:
came across your very moving story, I have a son named Matthew who also has CHD. I feel your pain.
Melissa O'Neil - 02/14/00 02:50:06
My Email:melissa72766@eritter.net
Comments:
Hi Beth, I am sad that your son is not here on Earth, but he is in a much better place now. I know that you are still sad, and for that I have sorrow also. My daughter will be 10 on feb.18. She had an Echo test that came back showing an atrial septal defe
t.We will go to the dr on feb,15 for more info. I am hoping and praying for good news to deal with her special heart. No, Beth, you're not alone . There are many mothers out here also scared of any outcome. May God watch over you and bless you. Melissa
Crystal Patton - 02/13/00 16:30:53
Comments:
This story is very useful in helping me detemine some facts about heart disease.
wendy - 02/11/00 06:56:29
My Email:beezo@xtra.co.nz
Comments:
came across your story, very saddened by this, keep strong. our 16 year old daughter has tricuspid atresia and has two surgeries and we are uncertain what the future holds. she is very healthy at present and we have also been very honest with her about he
condition. we just live life and let her enjoy her life. she is a lovely person and very caring of others. thank you for sharing your story, i think this is very important for other families with heart children
Brenda Martens - 02/10/00 20:42:21
Comments:
My brother died about roughly two years ago from this disease so I kinda know how you feel.
Brenda Martens - 02/10/00 20:40:32
Comments:
Sissy - 02/06/00 07:39:22
Comments:
Hi All I have took the time to read these storys of your pain. I am very sorry and God Bless you all. And Matthew is now with God and his pain is gone. I have deep sorrow for any child that has to suffer... God Be With You All..... Sissy 02/06/2000
Rebecca Canright - 01/25/00 06:12:18
My Email:becca@avicam.net
Comments:
Hello, I'm also a parent of a child with a congenitive heart disease. Breanna is now 8 mo. old. She had/has the oposite problem your Matthew had. She had a coarchtation of the aortic arch. Her surgery at 3 weeks was both successfull and unsuccessfull.
She is facing another bout in less than a year. I'm sooooo scard but also feel blessed by God to have such a wonderful little girl to love and support. I pray everyday that God heal her and let me have her forever, but also know that he knows whats best
so I will treasure the time I have with her always.
God Bless you- Rebecca Canright
Danielle Oldale - 01/24/00 19:18:20
My Email:frank@prcu.com
Comments:
Enjoyed your page. My son is 4 at has congenital heart disease as well. He is an amazing little boy.
Jayne Wilson - 01/14/00 21:08:01
My Email:dav_j_wilson@hotmail.com
Comments:
A very moving story - very similar to that of our
7 month old baby Alexa - I am going to read "God's
Footprints" in our church to say thank you to those who pray for her. God bless Matthew.
- 01/04/00 17:23:53
Comments:
Don & Judy Searle - 01/01/00 17:52:37
Comments:
Best wishes for the year 2000, Beth. You remind
us of how precious our children are
karen graichen - 12/29/99 20:08:09
My Email:kgraichen@genetics.com
Comments:
I truly understand when you say that God gave you Matthew for a reason, I have always felt the same way about my daughter Megan.
My daughter is 16 years old. She was born with CHD and I strongly believe it was due to the anti-nausea drug Bendectin. The drug was pulled from the market 2 days after I stopped taking it. It was stated that limb defects were the primary cause of defec
s from this drug and heart defects were second. My daughter's defects were characterized as unique by her treating doctors. Fortunately surgery has corrected most of her problems. I would love to hear from any parent who has taken this drug and gave bi
th to children who experienced any birth defects.
Ed - 11/15/99 22:43:26
My Email:knafelc13@uswest.net
Comments:
I am a grandfather of a 6wk. old grandson with "congenically corrected transformation of the great arteries", CHD. We are sure trying to cope with this, but your web page has giving us real insight to what we may have to deal with in the future........tha
k you so much....
Bridgena Finnegan - 11/08/99 22:30:13
Comments:
I had a beautiful son on the 10th July 1999, on the 19th July 1999 my little sunshine became an angel.
efe - 10/27/99 07:49:24
Comments:
efe - 10/27/99 07:48:48
My URL:http://efe elif
My Email:efe
Comments:
Kati Gulyas - 10/23/99 07:36:11
My URL:http://www.hotmail.com
My Email:kgkati@hotmail.com
Comments:
It was a touching story.I know that it is really bad,because I nearly lost my small daughter 1 year ago,now she is 2,5 years old, doing fine, but she had already 3 open heart surgeries.
God bless you!Kati
Ryan Winkelbauer - 10/22/99 19:31:51
My Email:rwinkelb@mail.coler.esu1.k12.ne.us
Comments:
that was a touching story.
mikegaarcia - 10/15/99 00:27:05
Comments:
sorry for what happened
cyndi - 10/12/99 19:02:31
My Email:cynthia@hotmail.com
Comments:
Your story touch my heart. The poem dedicated to him my a classmate was beautiful. May you find peace!!! Cyndi
Markie Brandenburg - 10/07/99 14:49:41
Comments:
Hope you people have a good day!
Scott Swanson - 10/02/99 09:24:06
My URL:http://people.ctwonline.com/~sswanson/
My Email:scott@imsa.edu
Comments:
I can only imagine the inestimable rage you must have felt at the doctors who took down your son's pulmonary artery instead of his PDA... I was shocked numb even reading that. I hope you are doing well in the face of your loss and hope you can find comfo
t and solace in the memories and are able to move forward. Parents are one of the greatest gifts; a CHD patient really relies on the unconditional love of a parent to make it through some days, and you seem to have always had that for him, and that proba
ly made even his dark days managable.
Best of luck and feel free to write.
Kasey Sondgeroth - 09/30/99 17:12:37
My Email:kc_2000_17@yahoo.com
Comments:
Hello My name is Kasey Jo Sondgeroth. I am doing a project over a birth defect and my classmates and I were reading what you had to say, we were all very hurt. I have now decided that this is what I am going to do it on. Your son Matthew was born 3 days a
ter me. I am now a senior in high School I live in Seymour Indiana and if you would like to e-mail me you can feel free to.
Thank you for informing me.
I was very touched- Kasey 9-30-99
Ginger Cooley - 09/30/99 03:37:27
My Email:GingCool@aol.com
Comments:
I'm so sorry Mathew lost his battle with the ugly monster CHD. My daughter was also born with a CHD, although not as serious as Mathew's. Please know that I'm glad you told his story. It gives me hope for my own child and others with CHD and your right
God chose you to take care of his angel Mathew and for that you should always feel proud that you obviously did everything you could have possibly done. God bless you!
Stephanie Lawson - 09/26/99 03:30:46
My Email:much_e@swbell.net
Comments:
I have a 11 year old who we just found out has ASD. Almost 2 years ago she had heart surgery for a PDA that they found when I took her in for breathing difficulties. I am really numb by all of this and Shara is very upset. I am trying to figure out if I
want to take her back to the doctors we used last time or if I want to find a new one. I know exactly how you felt and I am sorry. I was looking for information when I found your page.
Russell Shields - 09/13/99 15:16:12
Comments:
Get well soon
Hope that you make it. Hang in there.
emily and misty - 08/26/99 05:22:25
Comments:
very sad. Hope everything works out for you
Claire Davis - 08/25/99 00:11:08
My Email:jdm777@stc.net
Comments:
I'm using this article for a health projet. We are to bring in articles about health and I really wanted to say I'm sorry for you and your family's pain. Let God be with you always!!!
Candice Salmon - 08/24/99 21:48:06
Comments:
Beth, I know how you feel because I have a heart problem. But not as bad as Matthew's. I have had this heart disease sense I was about six years old that I know of at least. But my heart beats way to much than what a normal heart does. And I may have to e
d up having to have transplants and put on pills for the rest of my life. But I know how your son felt because I don't get to a normal kid that can play sports like the rest of 15 and 16 year olds my age. Because if I do I can die if I get to hot or get t
excited or something like that. But I have you and your family in my prayers. And I really feel for you and your family for going through all of those things that all you went through. Thanks for having that story about Matthew.
Elisanna - 08/17/99 19:31:14
My Email:sanna1598@aol.com
Comments:
Hello, I didn't spend time reading your son's story, but not because i wasn't intrested but because i have heard many before his. I am 16 years old and i have had to heart Operations. Once when i was three months and again when i was ten. I am fine now th
ugh. I have learned a lot about my heart and that i am not the only one who goes through what i did. I went to a camp for 7 years for kids who had heart conditions. This has made a big diffenece in my life. I value it more than anything and know that i am
lucky not to be sicker. Depending on where you live and how sick your son is, he might be intrested in coming to Hope With Heart. It can be a life changing experince! I wish you all the best! If you want info about the came you can e-mail me at Sanna1598@
ol.com always-Elisanna
Debi Mahler - 08/12/99 00:28:11
My Email:mahlerco@thegrid.net
Comments:
GOD PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!! Please, my son is serving life in prison because of the Marine Corps. and Balboa and the very same heart condition...they said my son killed my grandson and said that hole was normal. PLEASE, PLEASE, who was your doctor...was C
CALIS involved??? Pleae answer me...PLEASE... if not, who????
amanda williams - 08/10/99 21:49:49
My URL:http://aol.com
My Email:eyeore8166@aol.com
Comments:
I'm so very sorry for your loss...
Jennifer - 08/10/99 18:49:31
My Email:jst@ccp.com
Comments:
Hi. I am a 34 year old female with a congenital heart defect. I have developed more problems as time goes by but am thankful for each day. I appreciate your story. It's hard for me to understand what my parents felt as I was younger and now as I am gett
ng older. I have lived way past the expectancy of my condition and it can't be easy for my parents. Thank you JST.
Jeanne - 08/10/99 18:36:13
My Email:mattcoinc@aol.com
Comments:
Beth,
I am not sure what to say except, Thank you. I also have a Matthew struggling from CHD. He is 13 yrs. old. He has survived many surgeies and caths. He has 2 mechanical valves. As I read your story, I realized how familar your words are. Please know you a
e in my prayers.
MARY PEARCE - 08/04/99 18:33:03
My Email:julzx@hotmail.com
Comments:
We lost our daughter last May after 27tears of struggling with her heart defect but she is always in our thoughts and prayers as we loved her very very much,and it is the emptyness I still feel as all I want is to hold her to ease the pain
Victoria Stokley - 07/26/99 21:03:53
Comments:
I am using your article for a research paper at school... you are very brave, and Matthew is very lucky to have you for a mother
Brian - 07/18/99 21:41:05
Comments:
I couldn't let this day go by without some kind of recognition on this page of what would have been Mathew's 17th birthday. My thoughts are with you this evening.
Ray - 06/21/99 23:36:42
Comments:
Hi, I'm ray and I'm 14 teen.I feel your pain too! I have some heart problems too. I only have half a heart. I have had lots of surgery, Not as bad as your son, but enough to make it painful to do some things.If you ever need anything the best way to go
s god. He never seys anything but you always know what he says And the help. He has got me trough some tough times. Well I have to go now best of wishes to you,
Ray land - 06/21/99 23:26:49
Comments:
I feel your pain too! I have some heart problems too. Not as bad, but enough to make it painful to do some things.
ROSIE OLIVAREZ - 06/20/99 02:08:01
Comments:
TARA HOWELL - 05/20/99 18:27:28
Comments:
BETH, I'M SORRY I DID NOT REALIZE MATTHEW HAD PASSED AWAY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
TARA HOWELL - 05/20/99 18:23:55
Comments:
BETH, I'M SORRY I DID NOT REALIZE MATTHEW HAD PASSED AWAY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
TARA HOWELL - 05/20/99 16:54:26
Comments:
YOUR STORY TOUCHED ME VERY CLOSE. I WAS BORN WITH A SINGLE VENTRICLE (ONLY HALF A HEART) I HAVE HAD FIVE OPEN HEART SURGERIES ALL OF THEM FOR VAVLE REPLACEMENT. SINCE MY SURGERIES I HAVE DEVELOPED AN ABNORMAL HEART RYTHM, I HAVE TO TAKE MEDICINE AND I HAV
A PACE MAKER. SOMETIMES MY HEART WOULD BEAT 18 BEATS A MINUTE THE NEXT IT WOULD BE 200. I'M DOING REALLY GOOD. DOCTORS TOLD MY PARENTS I WOULD NOT LIVE TO BE A TEENAGER. I'M 24 THEY ALSO SAID MY ACTIVITIES WOULD BE LIMITED. I JUST FINISHED UP MY REIGHN A
MISS. NASCAR WINSTON CUP FOR NASCAR RACING. I KNOW IN THE FUTURE I'LL HAVE TO HAVE MORE SURGERIES. I GUES ITS JUST A FACT OF LIFE FOR US HEART PATIENTS. DOCTORS ARE SMART, BUT THEY CAN'T ALWAYS PREDICT WHAT WILL HAPPEN. TO THEM I'M SUPPOSE TO BE DEAD! a
! I GUES I SHOWED THEM AND SO WILL YOUR SON. MY MOTHER AND FATHER WERE ONLY 17 WHEN I WAS BORN AND HAD A HARD TIME DEALING WITH MY SICKNESS. I WAS VERY SICK FOR A LONG TIME, THEY WERE PRACTICALLY KIDS WHEN I WAS BORN, BUT THEY ALWAYS KEPT MY SPIRTS UP. TH
Y NEVER LET ME SEE THEM UPSET OR HURT OVER ANYTHING THE DOCTORS TOLD THEM. I THINK THAT IS WHAT EVERY CHILD NEEDS THAT GOES THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB WITH HIM, HE'S A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY. JUST ALWAYS KEEP HI
SPIRIT AND MIND UP. ITS AMAZING HOW THAT ALONE CAN HEAL A PERSON. PLEASE CALL ME. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, AND I KNOW MY MOTHER WOULD LOVE TO TALK WITH YOU AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. (704)593-9855 WORK NUMBER! THANKS AND GOOD LUCK!
rebecca allen - 05/18/99 11:58:40
My Email:becky_130@hotmail.com
Comments:
I'm 14 years old and i don't know much about this kind of thing. but when i read this story it touched me deeply and i can't imagine how if would feel to be put in the place. but the one thing i can promise is no matter what that boy will grow strong ever
day by the love and surport of his family. bye becky
Angela - 05/12/99 11:26:14
Comments:
Yesterday, i read your storey at school, and sighned this book. Now, i am at home. Last night i thought about your storey, and relized how easy it is to lose someone. My sister has a hole in her heart. Fortunately, it is a very small one and poses no grea
threat, but instead had made her alot smaller and weaker then kids her age. For this i am thankfull. These children are no different from us, if it does anyhting, they are made more special. My friend has several large holes in her heart. She is a close
riend, but i didnt even relize she had a defect untill her mother told my mum. It made me relize i was lucky to have her as a friend. she is a fighter, just like your Mathew was, and still is. Thankyou
Kasey Staines - 05/12/99 05:33:18
Comments:
I am 15 years of age. My grandmother died 3 years ago from pneumonia which I personally think resulted from her having Alzheimers for the past 4 years. During the final few years of my Grandma's life, I hated going to visit her. Not because I didn't love
er and want to be with her, but because it hurt me so much that she didn't know who I was, did not know I was her favourite grandaughter. When she didn't have alzheimers, she was so full of life, so active. But when her life got taken by the disease, she
ecame a virtual recluse. My mother was always upset cos her dad had died years before, and to her it felt as if she had noone left. I really really loved my granmother, she was my favourite of all of my 4 grandparents. Thankyou for your story, the emotion
you are going through reflect mine very much. Thankyou.
Kasey Staines - 05/12/99 05:11:56
Comments:
I read this story yesterday but had to come back because I could not forget. I really wish I could have met Mathew, he sounds like he could have taught me a lot. My thoughts and sympathy are with you, his parents, your strength amazes me profoundly. Thank
ou so much for bringing Mathew's story to us
- 05/12/99 04:44:30
Comments:
- 05/11/99 03:06:19
Comments:
Mathew's story really touched me. He sounds like a brave person, a real role model.
Angela, Australia
- 05/11/99 03:04:25
Comments:
Mathew sounds like a brave fighter, I would have loved to have met him. My deepest sympathy and sorrow to his parents. The poems were beautiful. God bless you.
Kasey Staines, Australia
Stephanie - 05/10/99 07:01:40
My Email:tallyho@cyberhighway.net
Comments:
Beth, I was looking for a Mother's Day poem and came across your web page. It caught my attention, not because I have a child with CHD, but because my mother-in-law did. My husband had an older brother who died in 1964, at the age of 13. This brother h
d had several open heart surgeries and my dear mother-in-law was told he was "cured". Well...he died one afternoon on the playground at school. My m-i-l still cries when we talk about him. It's been 35 years...I'm ashamed to say that I used to be impat
ent with her, but now that I am a mother I can not fathom the loss she, and you, have endured. This web page is a beautiful tribute to Mathew AND the courage and sacrificial love of mothers (and fathers) for their children! I hope you had a blessed Mo
her's Day...Thank you for sharing. Stephanie
Tracy Greathouse - 04/27/99 17:19:53
My Email:tracygre@toolcity.net
Comments:
What a great son you had. Cherish all the memories that you have and know that he is in heaven with Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Helping to take care of all the other little children that God has called home. You are a special mother and always will be.
Leanna Davis - 04/26/99 19:23:28
My Email:Leanna.Davis@painewebber.com
Comments:
It was very hard to read about Matthew, but I'm glad I did. He sounds like a very outstanding young man. My daughter Alyssa of two months passed away May 24, 1998. I'm greatful for the two months I had to spend with her, and still miss her with all my hea
t. She passed of the same condition. I'm so greatful that you had the heart to tell about Matthew. Thank You.
kelly - 04/21/99 17:20:04
Comments:
i just read your story of your wonderful son mathew.icannot put in to words how sorry i am for your great lose.my daughter has congenital heart disease and know your feelings of helplessness.
she is 5 yrs old, has had three open heart surgeries and several catherizations.she is dong well now but there is always worries that you wouldn't have with a "normal" child.
when we found out about her heart condition,she had to have surgery on the second day of her life.
i prayed to god if he was to take her from us do it now as i could not bear to love a child for a limited amount of time.thank god he did not take her because she has been a blessing to us.
you had mathew for fifteen yrs and he must have been a blessing to you.
Rachel - 04/21/99 03:40:36
Comments:
My twin sister, Carrie died 19 years ago when we were 3 months old from Congenital heart disease. No one ever talked about her or it, and I finally decided to look it up. Thanks for the info, and remember, God works in mysterious ways.
- 04/21/99 03:39:21
Comments:
Megan Penrose - 04/10/99 18:24:32
Comments:
I was very touched by Mathew's story. I am sorry about your loss. I found your website because I am doing a report on Ventricular Septal Defect and I am planning on using Mathew's story for part of it.
Aud-eli Steinkjer - 03/28/99 19:46:11
My Email:j-stein@online.no
Comments:
Thank you for this page - and for leaving it on.
We have a 2-year-old girl with AV-defect and
pulmonary artheriosus. It´s good to hear that life
goes on.
Sheree' - 03/24/99 02:45:49
My Email:poohgirlhog@yahoo.com
Comments:
Hi. I want to say something but I'm not sure what. Your story touched me and scared me. I myself (as far as I know) do not have any Heart Problems but my father does. The doctors have no idea what is wrong with me and after reading your sons story it show
d me how much I care about my father. Thank you.
Yasmin Rajpar - 03/16/99 14:25:24
My Email:yazzi925@aol.com
Comments:
Hi, my name is yasmin Rajpar!I am a freshman! we are studying heart disease in my biology calss, and as i was researching heart disease over the internat, i came across your son's story. His story really touched me. My thoughts and prayers are with you! G
d Bless!
Randi - 03/16/99 14:24:17
Comments:
Hi,I am a freshmen and I am studieing heart disease and I feel that Matt's story is one of great courage and strength!I never knew how sad heart disease could be and I never could understand it until now that I have heard his story!It really touched me an
I just want you to know that you guys are all in my prayers now that I have heard this story and I am sure that Matt is the perfect little angel just like you would want him to be!Continue to stay strong!
- 03/16/99 14:19:59
Comments:
This page is great!Matt is a great little boy, very strong!
- 03/16/99 14:19:17
Comments:
rohema horak - 03/16/99 10:46:18
My Email:rhorak@mho.net
Comments:
Thank you. We lost our little Robin in l960 at age
4.(intra-ventricular-septal defect they called a hole in the heart back then]. We took solace in knowing that they learned more from his surgery and others in his child -cardiac unit (there were many} to help them save or prolong the life of future child
en. God bless you and the angels! Rohema & Francis Horak
linda brown - 03/14/99 04:01:58
My Email:bbbljb@caveland.net
Comments:
The poem is so very good I love it very much. I have a grandchild with 2 holes in his heart he is 3 months old. He is a baby doll and I love him so much. linda
Mary Costello - 03/12/99 19:39:02
My Email:shawee@mobiletel .com
Comments:
I lost a daughter at 15 months old of the same disease,it's so hard to see achild go through such a rough time the pain in which you cant take away your story is so touching and I can remember so many things that happened to our family.Good luck with your
family remember God is watching over you. My prayers are with ya'll.
Patti - 03/03/99 04:56:55
My Email:bguarino@flash.net
Comments:
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a 5yr old daughter with chd. She had repairs at 5 months, so far all is well. We never forget how close we came to losing this little joy of our lives.
Our prayers are with you.
sherry - 03/02/99 16:39:18
My Email:springtulips@pcinetwork.com
Comments:
Hi. it's me again. I would like to know if there are any childern that have congential heart diease that would like to converse with my son.Sometimes i think he feels like he is the only child with this. Please respond. We live in a very small town and he
is probably the only child in the school with a heart problem that i am aware of.I am also interested if other families that have childern with transposition have seen problems with the coronary arteries. I am concerned that this is the future problem wit
this type of surgery. My child havd surgery at childern's in chicage in 1986. I feel very strongly for you parents of small infants that are going thru this. I've been there and see childern not do as well as my son has.But on the other hand i've seen ch
ldern do alot better. Please repsond if your child has this heart defect and let me know how he/she if doing,where you had correction,and any complications. thanks
sherry - 03/02/99 16:27:08
My Email:springtupils@pcinetwoek.com
Comments:
My child is 12 now. He was born with transposition of the great vessels and had a switch at 3 weeks old. He did well until he was 9 at then one of his coronary arteries kinked. He then had a by-pass. He is doing well now. But i also have not had a good su
port system,and havespend many years with fears,frustrations,and anger at all of this.It is difficult for people who have never experienced a sick child to understand.I get frustrated when i hear parents talk about a minor hospitalization or for example a
friend of mine was devastated that her child needed eye glasses!!!My child has been able to participate in sports with limitation,which i am so lucky.But again it is upseting and sometimes i feel jealous that he can not do the things that so
many other childern can do.I worry about his future.He may have to have more surgery. His second surgery was more difficult than the first one because I had to explain it to him and he wasvery scared and upset.After the surgery when hewas going for a foll
w up visit he was crying
beacuse he thought that he was going to have another surgery. I would like to converse with others who have the same problems and feeling.
It is heartbreaking and a constant thought in your mind.The thought of there problem never really leaves your mind.
sherry - 03/02/99 16:15:35
My Email:springtupils@pcinetwoek.com
Comments:
adam forde - 02/23/99 16:30:02
Comments:
kim lundquist - 02/21/99 22:44:25
Comments:
I MYSELF WAS BORN WITH WHAT DOCTORS CALLED A HOLE IN MY HEART OR A HEART MURMUR. IWAS THEN 2YRS OLD WHEN DIAGNOSED. I AM NOW 24 AND I AM HAVING SOME PROBLEMS MY PARENTS WERE TOLD THAT I WOULD GROW OUT OF THIS AND NOW I AM FINDING THAT I DID NOT. MY DOCTO
ALSO IN 1995 KNOWING OF MY HEART CONDITION PUT ME ON PHEN-PHEN FOR A WEIGHT PROBLEM. NOW MY PROBLEM HAS GOTTON SUBSTANUALLY WORSE. MY DEAPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
kim lundquist - 02/21/99 22:42:39
My Email:KLUNDQU
Comments:
I MYSELF WAS BORN WITH WHAT DOCTORS CALLED A HOLE IN MY HEART OR A HEART MURMUR. IWAS THEN 2YRS OLD WHEN DIAGNOSED. I AM NOW 24 AND I AM HAVING SOME PROBLEMS MY PARENTS WERE TOLD THAT I WOULD GROW OUT OF THIS AND NOW I AM FINDING THAT I DID NOT. MY DOCTO
ALSO IN 1995 KNOWING OF MY HEART CONDITION PUT ME ON PHEN-PHEN FOR A WEIGHT PROBLEM. NOW MY PROBLEM HAS GOTTON SUBSTANUALLY WORSE. MY DEAPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Abi Fear - 02/16/99 17:18:32
My Email:a_fear@yahoo.com
Comments:
Hey Beth.. I'm at school right now, looking up diseases in animals. I thought I'd check your web page and see if you wrote anything new and it made me cry. I don't think anyone has noticed yet, though. :) Love you.
seth - 02/08/99 13:32:39
Comments:
my prayers are with you
seth - 02/08/99 13:31:23
Comments:
how sad
Tim - 02/08/99 10:30:12
My Email:lindner@digitech.net.au
Comments:
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
brenda - 02/07/99 21:42:10
My Email:balward@frontiernet.net
Comments:
My son Matthew also has a congenital heart defect. He only has one ventricle, no mitral valve as well as a few other problems. He is a thriving "blue" 9 year old. He is big for his age, a straight A student, but cannot play soccer, football, basketball
or any other very physical sport. He bowls, plays little league and if necessary has another player run for him. He wishes he could run like the other kids, but has never known that ability. He weighs 90 po unds and is in the third grade. We were told
5 years ago he would be back in the hospital in 6 months for a transplant. We are thankful for every day with him. I know the joy and sadness and insecurity that comes with having and living with a child with health problems. My heart and prayers are wi
h you.
Desie Boster - 02/05/99 01:09:24
Comments:
Hi Beth sorry I didnt call but your number and address is in my computer and it died again. I am at the inlaws and me and Cindy found your web site so I thought I would send you an email (I hope you Check your email and I hope this is still the right addr
ss) We had our baby girl January 27, 1999 @7:58 AM she was 8 lbs 2 oz 19 1/2 inches long. We named her Brittney Elizabeth Boster. Please call or write so I can get your addy and number.
Desie
cindy - 02/04/99 22:51:08
My Email:kidlet@cafes.net
Comments:
i have a 8 yr old daughter that has congenital heart disease. just monday february 1st she was released from the hospital for pnemonia. she still isn't doing very well, at first drs. thought she was in failure.. it is so weird that she (my daughter) has
itral stenosis also she has coarctation of the aorta..they have not replaced it with an artificial one yet but it is coming..probably sooner than i want.. it scares me alot to read your story but i agree on one thing i am lucky to have been chosen to rais
gods child and able to help her through the hard times thanks for the encouragement
keep in touch if able
cindy kidlet@cafes.net
cindy - 02/04/99 22:45:23
Comments:
Cynthia - 02/01/99 01:21:45
My URL:http://www.oocities.org
My Email:cynthia_barron@hotmail.com
Comments:
Hey beth
How are u doing today,are u feeling better
I'm sorry about what happen to Mathew.I read your story and I don't know if u believe me or not but i started crying.I am 14 yrs. old i'll be fifteen on Sep.5 . Well iI hope u feel better, and I am sorry about your situation, Take care
Sinceraly;Cynthia
Khushboo Kamara - 01/31/99 17:34:34
My Email:swamiprincess@yahoo.com
Comments:
deepak - 01/18/99 08:55:31
My Email:deepaks@nicwr.mah.nic.in
Comments:
Dear Mom,
I am very sorry , I feel deeply after
reading about my brother Mathew.
I would like to thank you for giving few
of the golden years to my brother
I am proud of you.
- 01/12/99 17:14:00
Comments:
Beth- My name is Kym. I can totally relate to your story for I once was in danger of heart disease also. I had to have two open heart surgeries, one when I was 3 1/2, the other when I was 16. I am now 21 and am very healthy so I am truely sorry to hear ab
ut your son.
Terrie - 01/06/99 02:26:19
My Email:tcounelis@yahoo.com
Comments:
I am sorry to read about your son, Matthew. Your story touched me deeply. God bless you for having the strength to share his life with us. Thank you
Rebecca - 12/10/98 18:34:05
My Email:beccasimpson@hotmail.com
Comments:
Hello, I am a 18 and a half year old who also has a congenital heart disease. How many surgeries has your son had? Whar was wrong with his heart? I would love to hear more about your story.
Sheri Ward - 12/10/98 02:54:27
My Email:Sheri.Ward@attws.com
Comments:
I was moved by your story of your son. You and your husband are very brave parents. You are in my prayers.
Amanda - 12/07/98 04:56:24
My Email:RLulay@wvi.com
Comments:
Hi again....i feel so deaply bad about what happened to Mathew. I didn't read the update until after i signed the guestbook before. I am seriously sorry and it made me think of what could happen to my little brother cause he has the same problem. And he i
the sweetest little boy ever. And he hates to see other people in pain or suffering. It really hit me when i read that. It even made me cry. I'm terribly sorry.
Amanda
Amanda L. - 12/07/98 04:40:26
My Email:RLulay@wvi.com
Comments:
Hi. My name is Amanda. I have a little brother named Steven. When he was born back in 1990, we found out that he had Congenital Heart Disease. He had his first surgery when he was only 2 days old. He had a hole in his heart and his heart was flipped over.
He has had 7 open heart surgery's in his life and he is only 9 years old. We recently live in Stayton, Oregon and when he had his surgery's he had to go down to UCLA to have them. It was very hard for the whole family. I remember when he had surgery in th
Portland Dornbekers Hospital and when we would go up to visit him, and him not smiling untill one of his brothers or sisters would come to visit him. And then having to drive away and seeing him standing in a window with all his IV's hooked up to him and
him waving at us and crying. That was the hardest thing i think that i have ever had to do. And everytime i think about it, i cry. When Steven was born his blood wasn't getting through his bady as well as it should have and he was all blue. He is now 9 ye
rs old and he is on Heart Medication and he his a very health boy. I thought that since you were able to share your story.....i should share ours. Thanks and i wish all the luck with you and your son!!
Love,
Amanda
Amy Ruhs - 12/05/98 02:38:18
My Email:jruhs@execpc.com
Comments:
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
louise - 12/01/98 13:39:11
Comments:
Bless you little heart
kathy Tetoros - 11/20/98 05:12:53
My Email:kte@westallsc.vic.edu.au
Comments:
Dear Beth,
I was saddened to hear about the loss of your son. I'm sure that he is with God and smiling down upon you. So you must have courage to go on.
I too have been born with a heart condition. I've had two operations to correct TGA. Luckily, and thanks to our GREAT God I'm alive and healthy still at 31. Now that I'm older I often think about what my parents went through. I was their first born and th
y had just arrived in Australia as Migrants. Neither of my parents understood much English so I can only imagine what went through therir minds. Since myself, they had another 2 boys who are both healthy.
Recently my heart has had a few new problems, but I live with the hope that they will not lead to anything serious.
Take care and pray to God always to give you the serenity and courage to live through your loss.
Rebecca - 11/10/98 23:33:28
My Email:brackett@alaska.net
Comments:
God bless you
Kathi Beiswenger - 11/04/98 03:17:46
My Email:kathib1951@yahoo.com
Comments:
Thank you for sharing the story of your son's life. It is something all of us parents of children with congenital heart defects fear, the premature death of our children. I will keep you and the many other families who have written to you in my prayers.
My son, Kenny Mehi will celebrate hiw 23rd BDay this november. He has had a right Blalock for Tetralogy of Fallot, at age 9 months, a repair at age 3, a dual chamber pacemaker inserted at age 18 for SA node/AV node disease and a pulmonary homograft (cad
ver) valve 5 months later. We don't know what the future holds. I am very proud of his determination '.to make the best use of whatever time he has'. He is a student at University of Michigan. His aunt, my sister has had surgery for pulmonary stenosis
and her daughter, Kenny's 7 yr old cousin also has pulmonary stenosis. With advances in medical procedures we hope she will be able to have a ballon angioplasty instead of surgery. I wish you peace and healing.Sincerely, Kathi
Kim Ehmann - 11/02/98 00:13:01
My Email:kemann5482@aol.com
Comments:
Dear Mathews Mom
From time to time I read this web page. It's very touching to me and I'm glad it's still here. I guess for some reason I believe my daughters heart condition is similiar to your sons. Your web page always gives me a reality check. If you still check y
u messages here's a question. Did your son have a condition called the Shone's Complex? I think its left side of the heart is under developed. Meaning that the doctors see a combination of things wrong on the left side of the heart. My daughter had a
AD, and then had a ridge cut off. The doctor is watching her mitral valve and the subaortic valve. I worry about the mitral valve after your experience. Our surgeon promises me each heart condition is different in each child. Thanks for your web page
tammy and bobby porter - 10/28/98 02:16:56
My URL:http://spitfire.cwv.net/~nichole
My Email:nichole@cwv.net
Comments:
I am sorry to hear about your son, Me and my husband also lost a son to congential heart disease. My husband has also started a web page on congential heart and down syndrome.
tammy and bobby porter
Sarah Kidd - 10/21/98 03:56:16
My Email:sekidd@rocketmail.com
Comments:
I am a college student from cincinnati ohio. I am doing an oral report about parents dealing with children who have CHD. I would like to use your story as part of my speech. Please e-mail me and let me know if this is okay with you. thank you!
rachel - 10/20/98 22:28:53
My Email:lava66@.com
Comments:
Thank you for puting out a heart touching web page. I'm doing a study on heart condistions with children and for my ture story I tink Im going to use yours thank you. And good wishes to you and your family.
Leslie - 10/12/98 21:35:45
My Email:ladybug0016@hotmail.com
Comments:
I am truly sorry for your lost. I don't know what I would do if that happened to my family. I was doing some research on CHD for school and I came upon this page. I almost cried. I really thought that you did a good job in educating some people about
hat it is like to live with a child with CHD. Thank you and good luck.
LAURA NICHOLS - 10/10/98 14:55:24
Comments:
I'M SO SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES. WHAT HAPPEN, HAPPEN FOR A REASON AND IF YOU JUST PRAY GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE STRENGHT TO CARRY ON. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU UNDER HIS WINGS OF LOVE.
I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
- 10/02/98 23:25:35
Comments:
Ahmad Almosawi - 10/01/98 12:27:51
My Email:reza88@hotmail.com
Comments:
i'm very sorry for you and i'm not sure if i'm for your son ,because now he is very happy as he has passed away without suffering more and i think he has now a well heart, a real hear ,a heart full of beatiful emotions.
i appreciate very much the way you've handled every thing . And also i envy you for your honest belief in God. i might claim that i've the same belief, And i really understand how someone can stand against all problems with the help of god.
i'm 19 years old boy.i'm a medical student in diblin, Ireland .i'm only in the 1st year of medicine .NEXT week we have to visit few patients and talk with them.i will visit a mother who has a baby with a chronic heart disease.i'de like to give her
he faith in GOD which both of us like to have.
i really want to contact you . this is my e-mail as written above (reza88@hotmail.com).i really want to chat with you on the mIRC before next wednesday. Please reply as soon as possible.
Ahmad Almosawi
Lisa Thiessen - 09/29/98 17:41:57
My URL:http://www.angelfire.com/ab/DerekAlansPage
My Email:kered@telusplanet.net
Comments:
I am so sorry that Mathew has left this world. I am sure that he knows how much you love him and he is watching over you always. Your site is a wonderful one, he sounds like a very special young man. I would like to think that Mathew was one of the ang
ls who met my angel, Derek, at the gates of heaven!
- 09/22/98 15:11:17
My Email:jepwcoil.com
Comments:
I was sorry to hear of Matthews death. I am new to the net. I have had two children die from congential heart defects. one was 3 weeks, one 26 years old, he just died less than 3 years ago. Please feel free to email me. My thoughts are with you and your
husband
Rhonda Price-McDonald - 09/21/98 05:08:51
My Email:price@escape.ca
Comments:
My son is 17 days old today and was diagnosed with Complex CHD a few hours after birth. Simply put, he only has 1/2 a heart. I feel your pain and every emotion you described in your opening letter. Tayson has undergone 1 operation and will have to go t
rough 2 more before the age of 3. He, like Mathew is a strong boy and i know that they will both be fine. all we can do is pray for them. like a friend just told me a couple days ago. "Why worry if you're going to Pray and why Pray if you're going to
orry".
i wish you and your family all the luck and love that i can give.
sincerly, Rhonda Price-McDonald
karma - 09/10/98 02:36:36
My Email:waynez@kdsi.net
Comments:
our little girl tiffany has a congenital heart disease she is nine years old now she also has had several surgerys and has to have another one in november of this year. your story really touched my heart. i fear of losing my little girl each time she has
surgery.
Brenda - 09/09/98 14:40:57
My Email:honeylips24@hotmail.com
Comments:
My daughter is 3 yrs old, and has just now been seen by someone who has finaaly told us it's more then a heart murmer....trying to get more info.
Mary Powers - 09/08/98 15:15:28
My Email:ranger132@nci2000.net
Comments:
I think every parent who has ever heard those frightening words, "your child has a heart defect and something needs to be done soon," knows the pain and grief you have suffered. I am sorry for your loss of Mathew and I thank you for his story. May God s
rengthen you and hold you while you mourn his loss. As with all the parents of "heart children," I will be praying for you. God bless, Mary
JODI POCH - 08/24/98 20:02:58
Comments:
Dear Beth,
I am so very sorry to read about your son, My heart aches for your pain. I have a 4 year old son Devan who has congenital heart disease. He has gone through two heart surgeries. He suffers from PDA, Coarctation, Mitral Stenosis, and Aortic Stenosis. H
is doing very well, but in the future he will, more than likely need his Mitral Valve replaced and possibly his Aortic Valve. As you I take one day at a time, and enjoy everyday I have with him. He has a great team of Pediatric Heart doctors, who have
positive look on Devan's future. We can only do our very best as moms and take one day at a time. Your story has touched me greatly and I can only imagine the pain you feel. Take Care of yourself Beth.
JODI POCH - 08/24/98 19:46:09
Comments:
Michael Gallant - 08/20/98 15:55:48
My Email:mchael.g@grpedge.com
Comments:
Dear Beth: Thank you for your story. It is very assuring to know there are people like us out there for each other. Mathew is with God and is happy. One day you will see him again. My son (whose name is also Matthew) had TGA when he was born. He had a swi
ch performed 6 days after birth and recently(in Feb.'98) he had an operation to correct a kink/placement of his corinary artery. His heart is doing fine for now-they are happy with the results. However, they of course d not know what his future holds (do
ny of us?) His condition is extremely rare. At the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto Canada they have had only six cases (2 have survived - Matthew being one of them). If anyone who is reading this can offer more info or if they have a child with simi
ar conditions, please e-mail me. Matthew also has an immune system problem. The doctors have not been able to diagnos it yet. Currently, they call it partial DGeorges syndrome. However, last week we were told that his platlets have more B cells than they
hould and this could be an early indication of lukeimia or lymphoma. They stresed - could be. Thank you for allowing me some space to write down our situation. God Bless you Beth. I may set up my own web site now too. Love Michael, Karen, Matthew and Nico
e Gallant (in Canada!)
Gloria Weichand - 08/14/98 13:56:20
My Email:jgg@bellatlantic.net
Comments:
Wonderful site. Brings laughter, tears and faith.
Faith - 07/28/98 00:03:02
My Email:lfbrown@c-gate.net
Comments:
Thanks for sharing your story. As a grandparent of a newborn with congenital heart defects, my HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. May God bless you and be with you and with our new grandson
Helen - 07/18/98 15:01:40
My Email:H6743@aol.com
Comments:
I moved through your webpage sequentially, step-by-step and just before I reached the January update I was gripped with a bad feeling of what it might say. I wasa in tears by the time I got there. I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a potentially fatal
efect that is complicated. I was lucky enough to survive it. I'm 23. My mother lived with the same fears. The expectation was that I might live to be 12. So my family made the most of every holiday and every other day. Please write back to me if you f
el up to it. It's conforting to share these experiences--especially those who haved lived them 1st-hand.
Sincerely,
Helen
Brian - 07/18/98 06:11:15
Comments:
I know that today will be one of the hardest days you will face. I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you and with Mathew. He will always be with you, and now that you've shared him, he will always be with me too.
Thomas Ruffin - 07/14/98 19:32:02
My Email:n1ffur@aol.com
Comments:
I have read your homepage, and was moved. I am sorry for your lost. I feel that Mathew would have grown into a fine young man. I too, was born with a hole in my heart. It was between the right and left ventricles. It did not close during the last six week
that my mother carried me. I am blessed that God helped in the three major open heart surgeries, and allowed me to live this long. I am 44 years of old, and have to be very diligent with my health. I have a leaky mitral valve that from time to time seems
to repairs itself. And the doctors can't explain it. You will be in my prayers.
Cristi Jones - 07/08/98 16:04:58
My Email:dionjones98@yahoo.com
Comments:
May God Bless you Mathew my heart truly goes out to you . You look like a very bright young boy and as cute as a button
Brandy - 07/03/98 17:51:03
My Email:blueangel11@hotmail.com
Comments:
Beth,
Hi, I am back to see how you are doing. So how are things with you?? I just had surgery on June 29th to remove my gallbladder, I had multiple gallstones. I am doing good though. So, life is a little harder for me again. I am working on opening
p a home page, it's almost done. You can come visit it when your done. Till next time, Love and God Bless, Brandy
Michael Merhab - 06/16/98 15:29:01
My Email:mmerhab@nhlpa.com and Merhab5@aol.com
Comments:
I was very touched by your home page. Our (my wife Karen and I) daughter Courtney was born with severe heart defects (Hypoplastic left ventricle, double outlet right ventricle, Transposition of the great arteries, Pulmonary stenosis, Mitral stenosis, VSD,
ASD) Initially we went through the similar pains you seem to have, Why us? Neither of us drank or smoked, we were both very healthy. She was born in Cerritos, California and lucky for us the nurse noticed a problem in her color and put her on oxygen right
away. In a split second we went from one of the happiest moments of our lives to one of the scariest. They took our daughter to another room and told us not to worry they just needed to run some tests. Within the hour we were given the bad news. The docto
could tell by listening to her heart that there were problems that may require a specialist. A helicopter was on its way from Loma Linda to pick her up. We were devastated. What made matters worst was my wife had a problem with the epidermal and could no
leave her bed for three days. She wanted to go with me to Loma Linda, which was a few hours drive but could not. I was torn between going with my daughter or comforting my wife. After speaking with her doctor at Loma Linda I learned she was going to have
surgery (cathitarization) the following day. I decided to stay the night with my wife and drive to Loma Linda in the morning. The next day when I drove to Loma Linda I met with her surgeon, Dr. Bailey, her Cardiologist Dr. Kelerab and a social worker. I w
s told of her condition and given three options and was told my wife and I would have to decide on one of the three; 1) Heart transplantation 2) Palliative surgery 3) Do nothing, take her home. Heart transplantation was still in its infancy. There were lo
s of different types of complications and there was a concern over a drug that had to be taken to suppress the immune system. There was also the potential problem of finding a donor. The palliative route meant she would need at least three surgeries and t
e surgeries would not repair her heart, only make it functional to an extent that could range from almost normal to only sustaining life. Another problem with palliative was that she would most likely not be able to be extremely active and her heart could
fail at an early age. The third choice was never an option. As I was given all the options I posed every question imaginable. I wanted to know all the possibilities. Unfortunately most of the answers I received were that not enough data is available to k
ow. I asked the doctors what they would do if it were there child. They told me I had to make the decision myself. I was overwhelmed. Here are two leading physicians in their field that have years and years of experience and they want me, who has no medic
l training to make the decision. I was told my daughter could be kept at the hospital for several months without needing surgery, yet the decision should be made within a couple of weeks. When I left the meeting I broke down. What if we make the wrong cho
ce? Either way my little baby was going to need at least one open-heart surgery. How am I going to tell my wife? Driving back to the hospital to tell my wife was the longest few hours of my life!! When I finally got to her room she could see on my face th
t the news was not going to be good. We cried and prayed the whole night. The next day I went to the library and studied up on congenital heart defects. Over the course of the next few weeks my wife and I spoke with several leading cardiologist and surgeo
s including Dr. Norwood, and Dr. Fontan. After all our reading, discussions and praying, we decided to go with the palliative procedure. Our decision was based on the odds of survival for the first surgery (98% palliative, 92% transplant), her ideal condi
ions for a Fontan, our ability to transplant later, and prayer. The palliative route meant she would have one open heart now and two more, one at age 2-3 and one at age 4-5, later. Dr. Bailey performed her first surgery, and everything went well. We had h
r home three weeks later. After a couple of months of recovery our daughter had two years of a seemingly normal childhood with the exception of several medications she needed to take, restrictions from fatty foods, and a little extra pampering. That summe
we flew to Bordeaux to meet with Dr. Fontan. Meeting the man who developed the procedure that would buy my daughter a longer and hopefully happier life was one of the greatest thrills. It was also very educational. He was a very kind man and was very hel
ful to my wife and I. When it came time for my daughters second procedure we were thrown another curve ball. Dr. Lacks had developed a procedure that would enable him to complete the Fontan with only the second surgery. This could mean one less operation
or my daughter. We again consulted with several cardiologist and surgeons. The new procedure was a unidirectional Fontan. In our consultations with other cardiologist and surgeons few concerns were raised. We were very happy with our cardiologist, Dr. Spi
er and our surgeon, Dr. Lamborti from Children’s San Diego, but given the possibility of one less surgery we were leaning toward Lacks. The procedure would only be done if pressures in the lungs were 7 or 8. They wouldn’t know until they started the opera
ion. If the pressures were to high after the operation began, the second phase of the normal Fontan would be done. We again did allot of praying and decided to go with Dr. Lack's. We felt that if it was meant to be her pressures would be low enough. Turns
out they were not, and Lacks performed the second stage of the normal Fontan procedure. Our daughter was home within three weeks. Within a few weeks of being home, complications set in and she was back in the hospital at San Diego. She went through anothe
surgery to have some coiling done and fortunately recovered well. She was home eight weeks later. The next three years were great. Other than her lips turning blue when she got cold, she seemed to be just as active as her older brother. In fact her mothe
was always afraid she was too active. The doctors assured us she would know when to quit and not to worry about it. It is funny how your perspective changes throughout these ordeals. Initially I though we were cursed with her condition. Nothing could be
orse. Now that she was doing so well I counted every day with her as a special gift, and I have taken the same outlook with her older brother and her younger brother. Courtney had her third surgery almost two years after her second, and everything went gr
at. It has now been over three years and she is doing great. She is seven and is on a soccer team and does gymnastics. She is more active than most of her friends. Courtney will never be out of the woods and there are no guarantees other than that every d
y we share with her she enriches our lives and reminds us of the miracle of life. I will never be able to thank the people who have been a part of this ordeal enough. Our family and friends have been great. The doctors we have met with and who have helped
our daughter were nothing short of saints. A special thanks goes to Dr. Lamborti and Dr. Spicer. These men are not only great doctors, they are great men who we will always have a special place in our hearts for, especially in Courtneys.
Susan & April - 06/16/98 02:21:45
My Email:scoobie@cyberhighway.net
Comments:
I have a daughter who was born with Pulmonary Atresia, Bronchial Collateral System and Ventral Septal Defects......Which means that her pulmonary artery never hooked up to the pulmonic valve, she had grown 5 arteries to make up for that and had holes in b
tween the ventricles of her heart.....She has had many surgeries and procedures...Was not supposed to live several times but thanks to God's will she is still alive at age 18...Being a nurse made this even harder cause I knew what to expect but this was m
first and only child.....I would never want to change having a child with special needs cause it has taught me many different things....If you are interested in a Poem called "Heaven's Very Special Child" I would be more than happy to send to you....It h
lped me cope a lot with what was to come and have carried it around with me since first seeing it at the hospital in Calif....when she was only a month old.....I'm glad to know that there is the internet to help people learn and have some support cause I
nded up raising my daughter by myself cause my ex could not deal with her heart problems....So I praise you in many ways cause you were picked by God's helpers to care and love that very special child of yours and gave him the best life he could have had
n this earth and now he will be a good support to others in his after life........
Tom & Cookie McAllister - 06/14/98 19:25:15
My Email:tommcallister@yahoo.com
Comments:
I just finished reading your web page and my heart and prayers go out to you. Our son was born with a congenital heart disease known as Tetrology of Fallot and has had five heart surgeries since 1985. He is now 13 and we wonder every day how much long
r we will have with him - BUT he has brought so much love in to this world that ultimately it was worth it. Your words meant so much to me because they came from someone who has been there - Thank you for sharing and we will keep you in our prayers. T
m
Crisstina - 06/14/98 04:16:22
Comments:
That is a very touching story, I am very sorry for your loss.
Kimberlyn - 06/07/98 05:02:08
My Email:Kemann5482
Comments:
Dear Beth,
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. In December of 1997 when my daughter was going through her second heart surgery I read your story. I have to say I was utterly shocked when I read your update. I have know idea how your han
ling the lose of Matthew.
Though it really helps me keep the prospective of my daughters heart condition in reality. She is only two-years-old and doing well, but I realize that each time the doctors say the surgery is a success doesn't ever mean it's over.
Even though I don't walk in your shoes I feel your pain. If you need someone to talk to feel free to e-mail me. With prayers take care.
Mr. Connie Arnold - 05/14/98 03:12:37
My Email:carno@mail.fc.peachnet.edu
Comments:
I was very touched by your story. I now you won't give up. I am a youth director at 1st Methodist Church of Powder Springs, Ga. We will pray for Matthew and your family.
In Christ Name
Connie
Carrie - 05/04/98 20:46:31
My Email:iowamoon@hotmail.com
Comments:
Thank you.
Jill hicks - 05/01/98 03:01:25
My Email:rhicks@vcn.com
Comments:
I have read your very sad story. We are studying about the heart and it interests me very much so I thought that I would check out some of the stories and found yours and read it. I was devistated when I read the update. I read the story and things see
ed to be going so well for you and Mathew. You seemed to think you would have many years with him. My heart goes out to you. This past year I lost one of my very close guy friends because of a heart attack at the age of 18. He was very special to me a
d I can feel your pain. He was a senior and I felt so sorry for all of us, his friends and his family. Well i guess I should introduce myself. I am Jill Hicks 17 years old and live in Wyoming. I want you to know that you are a very brave and dedicated
other to be able to share your story with the whole world. i would give anything to have had a mother like you if I was in that same predicament.I know that God was deffinatley watching over you. I am a big christian and when I heard the words that you sa
d about God believing that you were strong enough to take on this special child i can believe it. And one day hopefully we will all get to share the joy of Mathew like you did in a much safer and better place, with the lord. He is very powerful and he g
ves to those who have given to him and I fell that you are also very special. i also lost a grandmother to cancer last year and we were very close!!!! I miss her dearly but I know where she is and I am going to pray that she will take care of your Mathew
because I know that she is a very loving lady and she will protect him like he was her own. I want to wish you the best of luck in the future and I would really appreciate it if you would write me back and let me know if I can pray for you or if you just
need some one to chat with. You will be in my nightly prayers!!! God Bless You!!!
Love always,
Jill
hdseaton - 04/27/98 15:52:10
Comments:
Beth, My heart aches for what you must be going through. I will continue to pray that God be with you to heal and strengthen. Oct. 26, 1997, I gave birth to a precious baby boy. At one month old he was diagnosed with VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) Or oth
rwise a hole in the bottom chambers of his heart. He had his surgery Feb. 23, 1997 in St. Louis Children's Hospital. He is doing wonderful and growing very great. He is now six months old and the doctors say everything look perfect. Thank the Lord, that M
tthew isn't suffering anymore, he's up where you know he he has no pain. You're in my prayers. Your story was very touching. Please, do other parents a favor and don't take off your page.
- 04/25/98 21:47:39
Comments:
THAT'S HELLA SAD
Lashanta Collins - 04/22/98 16:45:23
My Email:lashanta@hotmail.com
Comments:
I have faith in GOD and if you and your family will hold on and be strong GOD will see you through this but no matter what anyone tell you in life remember that their is always someone their that you can count on and that name is JESUS. I love you stay sw
et and keep GOD first.
Brandy N. - 04/17/98 00:59:32
My Email:blueangel11@hotmail.com
Comments:
I promissed you I'd be back. I have been praying for you and weeping for your son. I asked the Lord to help me understand myself and learning of your son was the greatest thing God could have done. Please email me when you get the chance and I will con
inue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Brandy
- 04/13/98 13:50:40
Comments:
Brandy N. - 04/13/98 02:31:32
Comments:
Sorry I ment 4/12/98. I will pray for you.
Brandy N. - 04/13/98 02:29:44
Comments:
When I went back and read the update I relize your brave son died. I am almost in tears hearing this. I have a fear of dying. I tryed to kill myself relizing that finally its not the answer. Your son is with the glorious king Jesus and is out of pain.
Now in tears I say a silent prayer for God had a plan with him indeed. Reading of your sons death does not make me think defeat but glory. I love God for You and Mathews life because now for the first time I relize that I must carry on and that I need
o love and cherish life instead of hating it. I promise to carry out my ultimate goal which is helping seriously ill children with your son Mathew in the back of my mind. I will do it for him. I will update you when I get a email and on my doctors repo
t. I see my cardiologist on April 14 and its now easter sunday. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God loves you and so do I. Love and God Bless, Brandy N. age:15 8/12/98
Brandy N. - 04/13/98 02:15:05
Comments:
Sorry I don't have an email, but readed this page was extremely emotional for me. I have been through many surgeries. I have aortic and pulminary stenosis, and have endured three open heart surgeries and one more to go.( I HOPE) I am 15 and will be 16
n october. At 2 yrs. I had a surgery for heart failure, 3 yrs. repair a hole the size of a nicke, and 6 yrs. I had an aortic valve replacement. I will need a larger valve very soon. I was hopitalized in the beginning of march(it;s mid April) for massi
e internal bleeding and I thank the Lord that it wasn't because of my heart. Because of my surgeries and a miracle I had, helped me to learn God is wonderful and he loves me and has done this all for a reason. I'm sure God has a amazing plan for Mathew
and I will keep him in my prayers. Love and God Bless. B( I'll be back soon)
Leticia Salazar - 04/08/98 03:45:43
My Email:LetyBHS01
Comments:
I'm really sorry I was reading this beacuse my cousin has Idemark and All sort of other thinks and I had to look things up on it and I got to your web site and I almosted cried filling your sadness.
Lots of luck Leticia Salazar
Gail Couchman - 04/05/98 03:34:12
My Email:rcouchma@ix.netcom.com
Comments:
You were strong for Matthew...be strong for yourself. Bless you. Gail
Sandy - 03/31/98 20:47:21
My Email:sslentz@triton.net
Comments:
I read your story and cried. I am a mother of a 6 month old girl who at 3 weeks old was diagnoised with two holes in her heart (ASD/VSD). The pain that I am experiencing is overwelming. I know that it is not as bad as what Matthew went through, but it
s still an experience I did not want to live. Her cardiologist said that it was time to move forward with her surgery, and in June we will be taking her in. My heart is breaking because I have no control over this. It is stories like yours that I have
een reading that help me get through the sad, long awaited days. She is my first child, and she is my life. I can't imagine a day without her. I just feel for you, for your pain. I know that each day will get better, but never the same. You need to k
ow that you are touched with a very meaningful experience, that even if Matthew only had 15 years in your life, they were the best. God put him in your life for a reason, and now he has called him home. Know that you are lucky to have such a wonderful "
UARDIAN ANGEL" watching over you. Thank you for sharing your story, so others can get through the rough times. May God bless you, ALWAYS!
janet - 03/30/98 13:26:10
My Email:jlilly@seidata.com
Comments:
Beth
I could not help but cry when i read your letter. I to have a son who has had heart surgeries. It is a very hard thing to deal with and i have to this day never figured out why god could do something so mean to some one so young. He is now 14 and we st
ll have many vists to his doctors. We too deal with it day by day. What does make me smile is seeing him wake up everyday and giving me a hug. No matter what happens to him that will be something i will cherish to my grave. I am very sorry for you t
have lost your son after so many years of struggling with it. I will however today by a ballon and send it to him in the air
you take care and may god watch over you all
Sid - 03/26/98 23:11:59
My Email:slmd@centralnet.net
Comments:
Beth, Mathews suffering is over...he has a new glorious body that Jesus gave him. The Good News is you can see him again someday. I can only imagine the loss you are feeling, I am praying, and asking Jesus to make His presence felt by you....asking Him to
hold you in His loving arms.
Thank-you so much for sharing Mathews story, and like others who left comments before me...please leave it on the web....it speaks to hearts. God is still reaching hearts thru Mathews life, even though it was short. God bless you, and your family...you ar
in my prayers....Sid
Joel Grant - 03/24/98 05:18:43
My Email:jtgrant@utmb.edu
Comments:
Found your page while researching info on PDA.
Thank you for sharing your story
thayer - 03/22/98 14:34:59
My Email:tmthayer@juno.com
Comments:
Please don't ever take your story of your son Mathew off the web. My son is two years old and also has CHD which consists of Dextrocardia w/double outlet right ventricle-severe valvar pulmonary stenosis-hypoplastic tricuspid valve annulus-hypoplastic rig
t ventricle-d transposition of Great Arteries-criss-cross av valve relationship. He underwent what was supose to be his final stage surgery Dec 28, 1997 which turned into a disaster. After his surgery of the Fontan proceedure, we were told that our son
nly had a 50/50 chance of survival. To make a long story short, they ended up reversing the Fontan surgery on the 8th of January 1998. Everyday I thank God to have my children and I too go through a lot of emotions and always trying to find the answers o
why. Everyday I have too wonder, but only hope there is another tommorrow. I will never forget you or your story of your son, Mathew. God Bless
wendy downing - 03/20/98 19:30:18
My Email:wendy_jim@hotmail.com
Comments:
i sorry, i know that doesn't help much. God knows
what he's doing. i wish i had soething helpful to
say but i don't so i'll go now. God loves you and
is here!!!!!
we
wendy downing - 03/20/98 19:27:57
My Email:wendy_jim@hotmail.com
Comments:
i sorry, i know that doesn't help much. God knows
what he's doing. i wish i had soething helpful to
say but i don't so i'll go now. God loves you and
is here!!!!!
we
Andrea Bond - 03/18/98 20:29:14
My Email:cheerbarbie@hotmail.com
Comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss! I am doing a report in health class on heart diseases and came across yours. I looked at the update and found that he had passed on. It hurt me just listening, I can't imagine how painful that was for you. I just wrote with sym
athy and please feel free to e-mail me back.
sandy - 03/12/98 17:32:50
My Email:sandy319@hotmail.com
Comments:
Just happened upon your site. My heart and prayers go out to you. Every day is a struggle of a different kind. Keep your faith. Thank you for sharing your son's story. Steve Wariner has a country music song that just came that reminded me of this "Th
re's holes in the floor of Heaven" It's a heart wrenching song, but I like the idea of our loved ones watching over us now. I'm thinking of you.
Tiffany Justice - 03/11/98 13:34:35
My URL:http://ghs.ming.k12.wv.us
My Email:scc02461@mail.wvnet.edu
Comments:
I know that it has to be hard to do something like this. I found this site by searching for a research paper fo rmy computer class. I really enjoyed this site and I hope that you don't take this off. I fon't know what you are going through but I lost my g
andfather and grandmother because of heart trouble. My prayers are with you every day. As the day goes by it seems that they get harder but you have to trust that your son is in a better place. Just trust in the Lord and everything will be okay.
God Bless You and Your Family.
My prayers will be with you everyday.
Tiffany Justice
Jenna Hoffman - 03/09/98 21:13:39
Comments:
I am so sorry about the loss of your son, Mattew. I would just like you to know that my heart is with you and I will keep you in my prayers. It must be hard to loose a son and I should know. My grandfather died of some kind of heart problems.
I hope you recover! I am only 13, but very sorry!
Jenna Hoffman - 03/09/98 21:12:32
Comments:
I am so sorry about the loss of your son, Mattew. I would just like you to know that my heart is with you and I will keep you in my prayers. It must be hard to loose a son and I should know. My grandfather died of some kind of heart problems.
I hope you recover!
Irma - 03/08/98 05:33:15
My Email:lolo407@webtv.net
Comments:
MY heart goes out to you. I know as a mother that when you child is ill it is the most frustration thing in the word.,especially when there is nothing you can do. I also lost a son in 1995 from heart problems and I as a mother know what you have gone thr
. God Blee
Diane Gregoire - 03/04/98 02:43:55
My Email:fuzzy@cyberbeach.net
Comments:
Your story is very touching and I'm sure you have been through alot with your son. I understand you completely but in my case I am the one with the congenital heart problem and have been through 2 open heart surgeries already. I am 39 years old married
nd have 2 teenagers.
Barbara Boeing - 02/21/98 04:55:21
My Email:JB Boeing@aol.com
Comments:
Beth,
It's hard for me to put into words the profound emotions I experienced reading your story. I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Mathew. I too am a mother of a CHD child - our Noah. I know the feelings that go along with the daily routines - the sad
ess, the God-awful fear and the uncertainty of the future. Noah is now 7 months old, and I can only hope he gives us as many happy years as your Mathew gave you. Every day we find ourselves thanking God for Noah, and every minute with him is cherished.
Like you, I believe that we are the chosen ones, the ones God had faith in as parents. Otherwise, why else would he have blessed us with these angels? My heart goes out to you Beth. I am in awe of your strength and only hope that I can stay as strong.
God bless you even more than he already has. Please feel free to contact me. I am always ready with an ear and a heart.
Shannon - 02/20/98 16:35:31
My Email:srharris@ix.netcom.com
Comments:
This is an amazing story! Your familty inspires me! Keep fighting! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
janise mcwilliams - 02/12/98 04:22:54
My Email:technocraft@softhome.net
Comments:
I have a 6 month old daughter with an ASD/VSD septal defect and dextrocardia
she was also born without a spleen so we cant take her outside except for her cardiologist appt.
It is nice to be able to talk to other parents with the same
experiences. I could use some advice on how to make it eaisier on my other
two children ages 5 and 16 months.thank you for your help and would like to hear from you.
Chris Keeton - 02/11/98 05:52:03
My Email:sparky@mrmicro.com
Comments:
Mrs. Titus,
I am a 20 year old minister from Ashland, Kentucky. I was searching for an article on heart disease to summarize for a college class I am taking. In my search I stumbled upon your page devoted to the story of your son. I must admit that I am glad I did
I was a great example of faith, strength, and the peace of God.
Kerry Bautista - 01/29/98 02:26:23
My Email:okb@laguna.net
Comments:
Last Jan. 12 my baby Keila (first child) who was just 2 and half months old underwent surgery to fix her mitral valve. Her heart is doing well but she is still in the hospital because of an infection and other problems. I wish I was able to read your stor
sooner. Thank you for sharing your story. We continue to pray to God to continue to heal and protect our children.
Meiissa Pederson - 01/28/98 23:00:56
My URL:http://www.uwm.edu
My Email:melissap@uwm.csd.edu
Comments:
Dear Beth,
19 years ago I was born with Pulmonary Artresia. I was given 3 months to live. In February I will turn 20. Right now I am a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and I am majoring in Occupational Therapy. I would like to work with kids in a
cardiology setting. I had four opperations at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, and just recently I have gone in to my doctor because I have been having arrythmias as a result of my problems. I would be happy to share my story to you sometime
My prayers are with Matthew, and I hope he continues to do well. Every day I thank God that I am alive, and even though it has been a hard struggle at times, I am glad I am here.
Melissa Pederson
cindy - 01/27/98 21:26:40
Comments:
Beth,
I am so sorry. If you ever need anything, don't think twice about calling. I'm glad that Des has friends too.
Cindy
jeanine - 01/27/98 14:22:12
Comments:
Nancy - 01/26/98 02:50:37
Comments:
Somebody is watching over you. Thank God Matthew got you for a mother, I can't tell you how to handle anything because I don't know. Whatever you have done so far seems to have helped your son a great deal. Always be there for him, and I hope somebody is
always there for you.
My father died 17 years ago of congenial heart failure, he had surgery years before and was due to go back in, but did not live to that day. I found out my 8 month old daughter has a heart murmur and we go to the cardiologist in 3 days. When she was young
r she would turn blue, but the cardiologist said everything was fine. If there is something there I hope I have half the strenghth you seem to have. Best of luck to the both of you.
Sarah Mosier - 01/23/98 20:07:17
My Email:sarahroni@usa.net
Comments:
Don't worry Beth, I know my dad is taking care of him.
Brian Scott - 01/21/98 00:52:45
My Email:bscotty@hotmail.com
Comments:
You are very strong and I hope that god watches over your family in your time of need becuase he cares for every one of us.
Tammo Hak - 01/20/98 22:09:18
My Email:wimare@wxs.nl
Comments:
Thanks for sharing your story
Wembly - 01/16/98 01:14:54
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/southbeach/boardwalk/5389
My Email:dspompal@norwich.net
Comments:
I'm so sorry about your son, our thoughts are with you through this hard time. God bless.
mary - 01/15/98 07:51:31
My Email:o_no_not_you@hotmail.com
Comments:
I am very sorry about Matt's death. He is no longer in pain.While he was with you he had a great life with four very loving parents who gave him so much support.
- 01/15/98 07:37:27
Comments:
Diana and Derek Mether - 01/11/98 17:14:52
Comments:
Thank you for sharing your story. Derek will be using it as part of his Science report on Congenital Heart Disease. We thought Matthew's story would make the students realize that this is a real disease and that maybe there's a student in their midst wi
h similar problems that they could show more compassion towards. God bless both of you.
Rosemary - 01/06/98 01:56:40
My Email:davis554@istar.ca
Comments:
My daughter, Andrea, was born with congenital heart disease. We didn't know until she was 3 months old that was why she didn't thrive. There was no corrective surgery for her at that time but at age 9 she had her first correction. ( she had a pulmonary bi
ding at 3 months and 6 months) She was the first one in Canada to have this surgery. After major complications she came home. At age 17, she again had surgery to replace an artificial valve that had closed. Finally at age 23 she had more corrective surger
which she did not survive. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I miss her terribly. Your story of Matthew sounded familiar and I just wanted to say to hold him and love him and treasure every moment you have him. With all the advances in this area, I pray you w
ll have him for a very long time. I do feel honoured to have had my daughter for 23 wonderful years, especially when no one could tell me if she would make it when she was a baby. I have been there--- I know what it's like waiting outside the OR for news
nd fearing to hear. I wish you and your son the best!
Rosemary
zoey - 01/04/98 22:57:19
My URL:http://23.com
Comments:
i love you
Shauna Bullivant - 12/20/97 03:37:28
My Email:bullivan@telus platnet.com
Comments:
I wish you all the very best of luck in the future. God will always give you what you all need. My daughter Vitoria (Torrie) was born with a three chamber heart. God made it possible for her not to go under what normally would of been the first surgery ou
of three. She has just gone threw her first surgery in October. A little bit of complication but God pulled her threw. Now she is doing just great. She looks forward to one last surgery when she is about 2-3 yrs. But now I'm just happy to be with her. Go
bless.
Clintin Brown - 12/15/97 04:39:23
My Email:Bc3014
Comments:
Kimberlyn - 12/08/97 08:31:28
My Email:KEmann5486@aol.com
Comments:
Matthews storying is very touching and comes to me with much understanding. Our daughter Victoria was born with congential heart disease and under went heart surgery at five days old. She had a coarctation of the aorta which had to do the Patent Ductus
ike Matthew. We are facing our second surgery this coming week. It's very scary as you know, but out of our control. Though no matter what, there is nothing more special than the joy a child brings to life. Each day is a blessing and continue to thank
God. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers.
Alicia & Chrissy - 11/26/97 18:04:49
Comments:
This was a very touching story. You have been through a lot. We will always remember it and we wish you the best of luck in the future. Thanks again for sharing your story with us. We will pray for you and keep up your good spirit!
Desie Boster - 11/24/97 06:12:06
My Email:bosterd@aol.com
Comments:
May the force be with you young Jedi
Tiffany Burnett - 11/18/97 14:24:26
Comments:
Matthew, I know that in your condition, you have had many hardships and struggles. I am only 15 yrs. old and have come to learn that my mother suffers from heart disease as well. I am glad to hear that you have fought and won the battle of heart disease
We are still praying for my mother, she hasn't beat it yet! I hope that everything works out for you in the future.
Teresa Ramirez - 11/13/97 18:18:39
Comments:
I liked your story even thouhgh it's very sad.
I hope that you will get better soon. The best of luck to you and your family.
:0)
Randall Sittner - 11/10/97 18:27:00
My Email:rsittner@amgen.com
Comments:
Beth,
Thanks for the page. My wife and I just had our first child on 8-7-97. Isaiah was born with a three-chambered heart (his right ventricle did not develop). He has undergone one surgery immediately after birth and will have two more surgeries in the near fu
ure. By the time he is 3, he should be finished with them. We have gone through all of the emotions that you had mentioned, and are still going through them. We know that God has a special task for Isaiah to complete on this Earth and will not take him un
il it has been completed. We wish Mathew a long and healthy life. God Bless.
Bryson Peoples - 11/03/97 11:53:09
My Email:massterp99@hotmail.com
Comments:
It was good
Bryson Peoples - 11/03/97 11:52:37
My Email:massterp99@hotmail.com
Comments:
It was good
Patricia Botero - 11/02/97 20:40:17
My Email:patri@worldpass.net
Comments:
I'm 25 yrs.old and I have a congenital heart disease the name of my defect is tetrafelop(I think that is how it is spelled) but with my faith and my families help, I'm the person I'm today I understand that I'm a special gift from God. All the feelings yo
felt, I was feeling when I was growing up. I've had 3 surgeries and right now I'm very healthy and I never know what tommorow will bring. I just live today and thank God for it.
Good luck to you and Mathew.
P.S. Always be undestanding with Mathew cause it's hard.
Karla J. Clemons - 11/01/97 17:53:11
My Email:don't have a computer
Comments:
I really enjoyed this webpage.
Jeeves - 10/29/97 19:28:03
Comments:
I truly admire your strength. I'm certain that this page, although deeply touching, doesn't even begin to convey the extent of your trials. Matthew is indeed fortunate to have the mother he does. I wish you the happiness you deserve. You are in my tho
ghts.
Susanne Treichel - 10/29/97 13:33:49
My URL:http://krt.interlog.com
Comments:
Dear Beth, my son Kris (15) and I read Mathew's moving story this morning. How great and wonderful our God is! Thank you for sharing your story and all the best to you and Mathew. From Kris and Susanne Treichel. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Kenny W - 10/29/97 04:02:50
My Email:madmann@usa.net
Comments:
I am fifteen year old high school student and I am doing a report on heart disease and I thought that Mathew's story would be nice to use. Thanks a lot!
Nancy - 10/26/97 18:43:35
My URL:http:/members.aol.com/NanT8
My Email:NanT8@aol.com
Comments:
I am telling my self, hold on to your emmtions, Nancy. You are about to take off on a rollercoaster. I have just arrived at your page. I will sign book again when I have made the trip.
christine - 10/24/97 22:28:39
My Email:skinurse69
Comments:
Your story is very touching, I was always told that God only gives us what he knows we can handle. The bond between a mother and her son is priceless. I hope Mattew enjoys every birthday he has.
Jane Hayden - 10/24/97 15:48:59
My Email:jphayden@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Comments:
Thanks for sharing your story
Jane Hayden - 10/24/97 15:47:38
Comments:
Jorge Barradas - 10/19/97 23:48:24
My Email:barradas@dino.coacade.uv.mx
Comments:
Please help little Maria Esther:
Little Maria Esther was born in December, 1995 in Veracruz, Mexico with serious cardiac complications: immediately after birth she was diagnosed as having pulmonary atresia, connecting ventricles, hippoplasia and collateral pulmonary arteries. After surg
ry 3 months after her birth she spent a month in intensive care. After a feeding tube was inserted, laryngeal stenosis set in. At the age of time a tracheostomy is still necessary.
Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Barradas discruered that there daughter's condition is very rare. There are few documented cases worldwide. Because of this, the Mexican medical community is ill-equipped to treat puch a condition an give little Marie Esther sli
chances for survival.
After an exhaustive search Mr. and Mrs. Barradas found that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, U.S.A. possesses both human and technical resources to improve their daughter chances for survival, $40,000 dollars are required for one of the many surger
es little Maria Esther will require. Because of cost incurred for her continuing care, Mr. and Mrs. Barradas have found it impossible to raise this amount of money.
The purpose of this message is a place for help. Maria Esther chances for survival are grim. Proper medical care for her is urgent!, if anyone known of a hospital or individuals who can lend a helping hand financially place send this message along. Doctor
, if you can help, please contact for more medical details and particulars.
Medical help is needed now!
Any responses should be forwarded to the following address by e-mail, letter or phone:
Maria Esther and Gilberto Barradas
Villas del Invernadero # 8
Entre Margaritas y Paseo de los Ebanos
Flores del Valle
Veracruz, Veracruz.
México
Tel. (52) (29) 21-58-26
E-Mail : barradas@dino.coacade.uv.mx
Cris - 10/19/97 16:39:45
My Email:csdzin@unnet.com
Comments:
Oh Beth! What I trial. Thank you for sharing Mathew’s story. I, too, have a son with chd — HLHS. He’s 8 mos old and post- 2 surgeries and “thriving.” I have also lost a son to L-transposition — 4 years ago in November. I know your pain and anger and appla
d your strength to share your story with others. I have seen so many wonderful and sad stories shared…like you I wish I’d found these places 4 years ago.
Thanks again for such an uplifting and honest tale. Take care and best wishes.
Sofia Lindberg - 10/17/97 10:44:05
Comments:
Brenda Booth - 10/16/97 07:34:19
My URL:http://members.tripod.com/~Binkygirl/index-2.html
My Email:binkygirl@earthlink.net
Comments:
Dear Beth,
I have tears in my eyes from reading Mathew's story. As the mother of another heart baby, I can feel your pain. I am astounding over the gross negligence during Mathew's first surgery that almost cost him his life! That is so scary. I pray that medicine w
ll devise some way to correct hypertension. Liam had very high pressure to his right lung which has been temporarily controlled by banding of his collaterals (he has no right pulmonary as well as absent pulmonary valve). Matthew is a remarkable boy and I
ray for his health. What an incredible mom you are!
Deng Yongxin - 10/15/97 11:08:53
My Email:ydeng@agric.uwa.edu.au
Comments:
My 3-year-old son was diagnosed as having congenital
heart disease (ventricular septal defect, aorta
mis-location and pulmonary hypertension) in China.We
were told that these diseases are highly rare, complex
and incurable in China.We are seeking any possible
international help.
- 10/07/97 22:39:51
Comments:
Karen Barker - 10/07/97 04:48:01
My Email:Karen_Barker@Baylor.edu
Comments:
Hello. I just wanted to say hi and that I am so proud of you.
Rene' Miranda - 10/06/97 03:54:05
My Email:rem@bellatlantic.net
Comments:
I admire your strength, courage and determination.
My wife and I are expecting our third child, and on Oct. 3, our world crashed. We found out that my unborn son has a defective heart. His left ventricle never formed properly. It has been two days in this surreal nightmare. The doctors are insisting we d
d nothing wrong, but we are still overwhelmed with guilt. I stumbled onto this page looking for more information. Since we are into the 19th week of the pregnancy, we can decide to terminate or continue the prgnancy. At this moment - we just don't know.
According to our OB-GYN, the baby may or may not survive the birth, if he does, he may not survive the air-lift (required to get him to a pediatric cardiologist), and if he survives all of this, he will need a transplant. Of course, this is all prelimina
y as we need to meet with the cardiologists and experts. My other two children has made it a little easier - but it is rough as you know. Again, from the bottom of our hearts - thank you for sharing, may God be with you always.
Rene' Miranda
Tracy - 10/05/97 01:58:48
My Email:titus.donald@mcleodusa.net
Comments:
Hi,Beth
Your story is very touching and very well done.
You have every reason to be proud of Mat.
see ya Tracy.
Paz - 09/29/97 20:26:27
My Email:paz@hotmail.com
Comments:
Wow...this is great homepage..You really outdid yourself this time :) I hope alot of people get a chance to look at it and read it. ..see ya paz
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