Anderson05
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2012
- Messages
- 80
Mariska is getting a wish! So mind blowing, my little girl cant be that big yet? but she is, And We're so excited.
Her wish granters from Make-A-Wish came over yesterday and Mariska wished for the princesses to give her a princess make over, and for a peanut Butter bird. What a ham.
Let me tell you a little more about her, Since thats the reason I'm here!
Mariska was born November 2007 with a severe heart defect, HLHS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. We didnt know until she was a few days old and started to fight for her Life. She was taken by air to a childrens Hospital where they told us she had HLHS and that she would need 3 open heart surgeries to do a repair *or re route her heart* With out corrective surgery performed soon.. she would die. The first surgery is known as the Norwood (less then a week old), The Glenn (4 months old) and the Fontan (2-5 years old) The surgeries wouldnt fix her heart, but would allow her to have a better quality of life with each one, until her Heart couldnt handle the work load and would need to be replaced with a transplant.
Mariska Had some huge bumps with the norwood, but in her own time and close to a month in the ICU she over came them and was able to come home. She then had her Glenn around 5 months, this one went so smoothly and she was home in less then a week. Then came the Fontan, we did her pre-op work and found she was in heart fauliure and was no longer safe for this last repair. Our world was turned up side down in the spring of 2010. Mariska was listed for a heart at the bottom of the status in June. Being at the bottom means you are less likely to get a heart. Mariska was very blessed and was given the gift of life just over a month on the list! Talk about a miracle.
Her Transplant we always thought would bring an end to fears and worries, and life would finally at last be easy! Mariska's what should have been 2 weeks turned soon into 2 months. She went into rejection just before she could come home. After countless pokes and tests and small surgeries Mariska got to come home. Keeping the germs away for the next 9 months was hard. Not to let this little shopaholic do her thing was so sad. The spring of 2011 she could finally do things out side of home. Her amount of new found energy was amazing!! Gone was my baby who would cuddle and watch cartoons, and in her place was a pink spunky full of life little girl.
She rejected again on her heart anniverary July 18th. spending only a week in the hospital with her very pregnant mother. Just before her baby sister was born she was allowed to enjoy life onces again. Her love for life and for her sister always warms my heart.
She's such a strong brave little girl who even when things get hard she still has a smile and a positive additude.
We cant wait to plan her trip to Disney World and make her trip the best magical experience her could ever imagine! I cant wait to hear her endless giggles when she meets all her favorite tv friends and learns they are real!
I have been to WDW once as a young child and Sam has never done anything disney! We dont have dates yet but are hoping April 18-25. We will have one 6 months old and a 4 year old. Any advice you have please share! I'm not sure where to start, baby steps right? We've read all about GKTW and are super excited at the idea of staying there!! We are trying to decide on which places we should plan to see, mariska wants to pet dolphins and of course wants the makeover.
We should hear back in the next week or so the exact dates and other fun info. We cant wait!!
Thanks for reading my novel!
Her wish granters from Make-A-Wish came over yesterday and Mariska wished for the princesses to give her a princess make over, and for a peanut Butter bird. What a ham.
Let me tell you a little more about her, Since thats the reason I'm here!
Mariska was born November 2007 with a severe heart defect, HLHS Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. We didnt know until she was a few days old and started to fight for her Life. She was taken by air to a childrens Hospital where they told us she had HLHS and that she would need 3 open heart surgeries to do a repair *or re route her heart* With out corrective surgery performed soon.. she would die. The first surgery is known as the Norwood (less then a week old), The Glenn (4 months old) and the Fontan (2-5 years old) The surgeries wouldnt fix her heart, but would allow her to have a better quality of life with each one, until her Heart couldnt handle the work load and would need to be replaced with a transplant.
Mariska Had some huge bumps with the norwood, but in her own time and close to a month in the ICU she over came them and was able to come home. She then had her Glenn around 5 months, this one went so smoothly and she was home in less then a week. Then came the Fontan, we did her pre-op work and found she was in heart fauliure and was no longer safe for this last repair. Our world was turned up side down in the spring of 2010. Mariska was listed for a heart at the bottom of the status in June. Being at the bottom means you are less likely to get a heart. Mariska was very blessed and was given the gift of life just over a month on the list! Talk about a miracle.
Her Transplant we always thought would bring an end to fears and worries, and life would finally at last be easy! Mariska's what should have been 2 weeks turned soon into 2 months. She went into rejection just before she could come home. After countless pokes and tests and small surgeries Mariska got to come home. Keeping the germs away for the next 9 months was hard. Not to let this little shopaholic do her thing was so sad. The spring of 2011 she could finally do things out side of home. Her amount of new found energy was amazing!! Gone was my baby who would cuddle and watch cartoons, and in her place was a pink spunky full of life little girl.
She rejected again on her heart anniverary July 18th. spending only a week in the hospital with her very pregnant mother. Just before her baby sister was born she was allowed to enjoy life onces again. Her love for life and for her sister always warms my heart.
She's such a strong brave little girl who even when things get hard she still has a smile and a positive additude.
We cant wait to plan her trip to Disney World and make her trip the best magical experience her could ever imagine! I cant wait to hear her endless giggles when she meets all her favorite tv friends and learns they are real!
I have been to WDW once as a young child and Sam has never done anything disney! We dont have dates yet but are hoping April 18-25. We will have one 6 months old and a 4 year old. Any advice you have please share! I'm not sure where to start, baby steps right? We've read all about GKTW and are super excited at the idea of staying there!! We are trying to decide on which places we should plan to see, mariska wants to pet dolphins and of course wants the makeover.
We should hear back in the next week or so the exact dates and other fun info. We cant wait!!
Thanks for reading my novel!
from a fellow heart family and a past wish tripper! So excited for Mariska that she is getting to make a wish. Sounds like she has had a rough road, but what a beautiful, strong girl she is. It will be the trip of a lifetime. Two years ago, right about this time, we met with our wish granters and got our dates. We went in mid-May, so I think you are picking a fabulous time to go...after Easter, before the summer crowds. We did BBB and my son did the Pirate makeover thing...it was truly a magical day at the MK for my little wish princess. My kids do love DHS and MK the best, so I bet you are right with that guess! Anyway, can't wait to follow along with your planning. 
can read along. Excited for you all!!!
Which Hospital does your daughter have her surgeries at, if you don't mind my asking...being nosy, wondered if you lived near us. 
Wohooo!! we're so excited to have a yard and grass. The apartment life has been good... but this is awesome! Then my birthday and V-day 
and everyone getting sick at the same time. Phew what a week. 
so much work but a ton of fun.
Its KILLING me. cracked and told DH. Everyone else is going to be told come to our house warming party. Wish me luck on keeping me lips sealed. hehe 
