Tuesday, May 8, 2012

After the Heart Attack

Hello, Everyone. I'm sorry it's been so long. It has been so hard to write for several reasons. For one, I have been so very busy taking care of my husband and children. Spending much more time in food preparation in order to provide heart healthy meals for my husband and also trying to do what I can to relieve him of some of his duties at home so that he can rest. Another reason, it's been difficult to sort through my feelings with all that has occurred this past year. There have been times of great stress and depression that I have had to work through. I feel like I am coming out on the other side. I am learning to find the beauty in the midst of challenges and the unexpected. I am learning to be grateful for what I do have instead of focusing on what I don't. I want you to know that you have made such a difference and have helped me through this difficult time with your kind words more than you'll ever know. I really appreciate you being there for me.

Marty is doing well. It is slow going. He is going to physical therapy three times a week. He gets dizzy and tires easily. After one session last week, his chest hurt all night; so that was a little scary. They did an EKG and said everything was fine, to just take it easy. We go for a stroll together in the evenings which is very nice. It's nice having that quiet relaxing time together. For those of you who are new here, you can read about the situation here.

Many of you have asked about Samantha, our special baby born with down syndrome. Here is the first post I wrote about her after her birth for those who have not read it. When you read it, realize we were not expecting this diagnosis. We were caught off guard and did not know anything about it. I was very scared and was grieving.

She is now 9 months old. I am so in love with her. She is so perfect in every way and so very beautiful. She is patient, sweet, content and smiles readily. She lights up when any of us pay her attention and/or picks her up. She is so very precious and the essence of her beauty, inside and out, reveals itself more and more to me each day. I kiss on her and hug her all day every chance I get, which is constantly.

She had and EKG and echo done, and her heart is perfect. The two holes that were there have closed on their own. She is very strong. She nurses well, says da da, buh buh and yea while clapping her hands together. She rolls from front to back and back to front and pushes up on her hands while doing tummy time. She can shake her rattle. Her occupational therapist who comes to our home three times a month is thrilled with her progress and says she gets stronger each visit.

I feel very blessed to have her for a daughter. I feel we are going to be fine. When I feel uncertain about the future with her, I just remind myself to enjoy her in the stage she is in now, just enjoy her being a baby. She is just like all of my other babies. I see no difference. When I hold her, all stress melts away. Holding her is therapy in itself.

We have many medical expenses which we are having difficulty meeting. If you find it in your heart and your means to help us, I have placed at end of this post a secure Paypal donation button. Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart to those of you who wish to do so. I pray that God doubly blesses you.

I am looking forward to bringing you some sewing posts soon. I will be introducing a new feature on my blog that I think you will enjoy. Thanks so much for hanging in there and allowing me to have this time to take care of the extra needs of my family and adjust to new way of life. I'll leave you with some sweet pictures of Samantha.

Until soon and with much love, Trudy.

Linking with Never Growing Old.





 Samantha adores Daddy and reaches out to him to be held.

 All six of our children together at one time which doesn't happen often.
 Matthew adores his baby sister and kisses on her almost as much as I do.
 Emily loves taking care of her little sister.

 She's so pretty in pink.

 Matthew and Samantha cuddling in bed together is a nightly ritual.


20 comments:

  1. She is so beautiful, Trudy. I cannot begin to imagine the stress of your last year, but it does sound as though you have found the peace in looking at what you do have. Sg glad to read that Marty is doing better. It is surprising how quickly our lives can change. Hang in there.

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  2. Oh, Trudy, she is just beautiful! I started following your blog when you were pregnant, and you have my thoughts and prayers for your family. Samantha looks like she is doing so well. May God bless your family, and give you rest and peace.

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  3. I'm so glad to see an update on here. I've been praying for you and your family and checking back here frequently. I love the pictures of your family. You are truly blessed to have such a loving family. You're whole family is beautiful, and Samantha looks like the sweetest baby girl. You have really been on my mind lately, and I miss seeing posts on here. I'll continue to lift you and your family up in prayer. I can't wait to see your new feature and sewing projects. God bless!

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  4. So glad to see you post, Trudy. You have had an incredibly difficult year. I'm glad you are seeing the light at the end of a very long, dark, tunnel. God is good. Blessings to all of you.

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  5. You r little baby is just gorgeous - and I am so glad to hear your husband is doing well. I think of your family often and check to see if there are updates. It is so hard to come through the unexpected, and I see that you are doing it with grace. I pray you all have an upswing very soon. Blessings!

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  6. I am sorry that you've had to endure so much. May God continue to give you strength. Your baby girl is beautiful!

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  7. Oh...glad to hear that hubby and bub are doing well...life throws us curve balls and we come back stronger and better....love your photos...xxx

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  8. Oh that bottom photo of Samantha is just so cute!!!!

    You have many blessings in your life. I hope that everything continues to improve for all of you :)

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  9. I love the picture of your baby girl smiling! such sweetness!

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  10. I'm so glad you have found the time to write, because I have been thinking of you often and wondering how you are all getting along. I'm very glad that you are all happy and coping so well with the challenges of the past year. Samantha is beautiful, I just love the photo of her and her Dad together. He looks equally happy to beholding her too. Love and best wishes, Carolyn

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  11. It's encouraging to hear from you again Trudy. You have shared some beautiful family photos and are capturing many precious moments. May God continue to give you strength for the journey, and bless you and yours with perfect health. Baby Samantha is so precious!

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  12. Trudy, I am just finding out about your husband's heart attack--how frightening for you all! I'm so glad to hear that he is doing all right and that you are coming out of the depression a little. I will be praying for your family. And thank you for the adorable photos of that little punkin! :o)

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  13. Trudy, I am so glad you are back and in better spirits! I have been checking your site regularly hoping you would be back. It's good your husband is home and you are preparing him heart-healthy meals. Your family is beautiful and you are blessed! I look forward to your sewing projects and watching your beautiful Samantha grow up through the photos you post. all the best, Jennifer

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  14. I saw you on Java's blog and remembered you. I'm so glad I came over - what a lot has happened to you in such a short space of time. Samantha is gorgeous!!!!! I'm so sorry about the heart attack, what a shock. Wishing you strength

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  15. I sure hope you take time every day to do something special for yourself--a bit of sewing, a bubblebath, whatever. You need to feel refreshed in order to handle everything, so don't feel guilty about a little bit of me-time.

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  16. Oh I am so happy to see you are blogging again! God is good, he will always see you through. Looking forward to reading your posts. Take care my friend.

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  18. I am reading your blog for the first time. You have gone through so much. Be strong and may God continue to strengthen and bless your family.

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  19. So nice to have you back. You were one of the first people that encouraged me when I started blogging back in December. It meant so much to me and I've been so concerned about you. Your daughter is beautiful! Looks like you are enjoying every moment you have with your family.
    God Bless!
    Beth

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  20. First I want to say your baby girl is super cute!!! And this may sound funny but I feel special to have found your blog. I volunteered for an organization in Illinois that is rapidly growing across the country that is all about down syndrome awareness. I just moved away from them and they aren't in California yet but they might be on their way to Texas you never know. Please check out the website. Nancy Gianni the founder is one of the most outgoing woman and probably has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met! http://gigisplayhouse.org/

    Amy Kahler
    Congrats on your special gift from God

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