fallenheros

Zachary was born on June 2, 1999. We thought we had a perfectly healthy baby, until Zachary was three weeks old. At three weeks old, Zachary went into severe congestive heart failure. Zachary had been born with 2 congenital heart defects. During Zachary's short 6 months on earth, he underwent 2 heart surgeries and numerous testing. In the end, Zachary lost his battle with congenital heart defects on November 30, 1999. Zachary contagious smile will forever be remembered, along with that sweet "I know a secret" grin.

Momma loves you Zachary!! You will forever be my inspiration, courage, and strength!

www.angelzachary.homestead.com

Zoe was born with a complex congenital heart condition called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome, Tricuspid Atresia, Dextrocardia, Double Outlet LV. She beat the odds time and time again and ended up having a total of 6 cardiac surgeries in her lifetime. The final repair for her condition would prove not to be compatible with Zoe's anatomy and after a second attempt and failure at the surgery the complications ended up claiming her life. Zoe was such a brave and courageous little girl who is dearly missed.

Zoe's joy and enthusiasm for life was awesome; she will forever be an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She touched many hearts in her lifetime and Zoe's legacy continues to live on. Zoe was the center of my universe, my best friend and my little shadow... She was amazing, never took anything for granted and was always smiling. Zoe loved to dance just like "Angelina Ballerina". She loved butterflies, birds, pigs, mice and trains. She woke up with such a joy for life, loved school time, and had such an active imagination... She could recite scenes from her favorite movies and had any one believing that she was part of the cast. I wouldn't trade a second of the time we had together for the world...

We are devastated by losing Zoe and miss her so much.. She was a miracle and was truly an Angel here on earth and was way ahead of her years and I feel so proud to be her Mom. It is what I learned from her that keeps me going and remembering to focus on the awesome time we had together...

Zoe ~ You are My "Moonie Shiney" and are the prettiest and the smartest big girl in the whole wide world...

Rest your head close to my heart... Never to part... Baby of mine...

I can't wait to be in our dream boat together..

We love you forever and always...

Love, Mom

Lauren was born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome and AV Canal Defect. We discovered that Lauren would have these defects when I was 20 weeks pregnant. Lauren struggled with feeding and developmental milestones but found a way to master it all. She was a very active little girl but knew her limitations. She never whined or complained about having to sit and have her tube feedings every four hours. She took it all in stride. She was a dancer from the time she could walk at the age of two. She loved to twirl around. Her favorite shows were the Wiggles and Dora. She fought a battle in the Summer of 2005 for 3 months post-fontan. Throughout this battle, she smiled thru the pain and never once gave up. Her outward beauty is obvious but her inside beauty was twenty times more beautiful. She had everyone wrapped around her finger. She knew she was the queen and we were her servants. She loved Oreos, ice cream and Hershey kisses. She always found a way to have them at all meals. Her favorite thing to do was go to the Zoo to see the giraffes. She adored her family especially her "Issy". Lauren always did things her way. She did that in the end,she took care of all of us that she left behind.

Lauren left behind many people that love her and miss her so much. She also left behind a legacy of strength, determination and courage. She has touched and continues to touch the lives of many. She had grace in her steps on her journey.

Ethan was born with a condition known as heterotaxy or asplenia, which included multiple complex cardiac defects (single right ventricle, hypo plastic left ventricle, common atrium, complete AV canal, PDA, pulmonary atresia, and TAPVR type III). Additionally, his abdominal organs were reversed and he had no spleen. As he was diagnosed in-utero with a condition that we knew would require emergent open heart surgery, we were prepared to let the surgical team take him into the OR at just 4 hours after birth.

Ethan fought a brave battle, but was unable to overcome the multitude of obstacles set before him. Ethan, blessed us with his presence on Earth for only 23 days, but will forever live in our hearts. And although his stay was short, he has taught us poignant lessons of strength, courage, will, and love.

Mackenzie was born after an emergency c-section due to a low heart rate. Mackenzie weighed 8lbs 10.2 oz and was 21 inches long. When I was 27 weeks pregnant, we learned our baby had a CHD, we didn't know how bad it was until she was born.

Mackenzie's heart defect was a complete av canal with common atrium, common av valve, double outlet right ventricle, mild aortic valve regurgaitation, mild pulmonary valve regurgitation, mild av valve regurgitation, persistant left superior vena cava, infrahepatic interruption ov ivc and situs inversus. The short term for all of it is A Complex Heart Defect.

Mackenzie's surgery was put off because she was doing so well. The doctors couldn't explain why, but she was and they were just leaving her alone. Finally, they decided it was time, things didn't go as expected.

Mackenzie had her fontan heart sugery on June 29th 2005 they did all 3 surgery's at 1 time. They said that her heart was almost a complete fontan anyway. We lost her on July 7th 2005. And we miss her more than words can say!!

princessmackenzie.tripod.com/

Mackenzie Lynn Rawson

1/20/03 ~ 7/7/05

I'll Love You 'Til The Day After FOREVER~

Darius John was born on April 7, 2005 at 1:55 pm, followed closely by his twin sister Ava Jacqueline. Darius weighed in at 4 lbs 10 oz, Ava was 5 lbs 9 oz. Darius had many obstacles in his path since the moment he was conceived, but he fought each one with courage and strength. On September 3, 2005 at 1:37 am Darius passed away in his parents loving arms. Darius was diagnosed in-utero with Tetrology of Fallot/Double outlet right ventricle. When Darius was born he was sent to the Cardiac ICU. This was his home for his 5 month life. During that time he had 4 heart surgeries and 2 cardiac catheriztions. Darius also had airway issues that kept him dependant on a ventilator. Darius was more than just a combination of health issues though, he was a sweet baby. He loved his older siblings crazy antics and he LOVED lay next to his twin sister. Ava would always nudge closer to Darius, draping her arms on him. Darius loved it, his heart rate and breathing improved when she was with him. Darius was full of spunk, a spunk that let everyone know HE was in charge. People say things happen for a reason; that Darius had lessons to learn, but Darius taught us. We taught us about unconditional love and miracles. Unconditional love is an amazing gift to be given. Darius loved us, even when he was getting poked and prodded. Every minute we had with him was worth every minute of pain we have had since he died. Big D lives on in his family, and in all of our hearts.

Fallen Hero's ...

Do you have a loved one that has passed away because of their congenital heart defect?

Would you like your loved one to be recognized on our fallen hero's page?

Please submit your loved ones picture, along with a short version of your story, poem, something you would like posted along with your loved ones picture.

Contact Angie for more information. Information can be e-mailed to zbchde@yahoo.com with the subject line, "Fallen Hero's."