fly high travis

CHD Facts

• Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur when a baby's heart fails to form properly during early pregnancy. In most cases, the cause is unknown, although scientists feel both genetic and environmental factors play a role.Some environmental factors that increase the risk of CHDs include the mother’s use of cocaine, alcohol or certain medications while pregnant. Some maternal medical conditions – such as diabetes – may also increase risk.
• CHDs are the most common birth defect – and the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths.
• CHDs occur more often than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome or hearing loss – and kill twice as many children as childhood cancer.
• It is estimated that 40,000 babies with CHDs are born in the United States each year – that’s one in every 100 babies.
• Although some babies will be diagnosed at birth, newborns are not routinely screened for CHDs – and pregnant women are not routinely tested for CHDs.
• There are approximately 35 different types of congenital heart defects. HLHS being the most difficult to "treat".
• Some CHDs may be treated with surgery, medicine and/or devices, such as artificial valves and pacemakers. In the last 25 years, advances in the treatment of heart defects have enabled half a million U.S. children with serious CHDs to survive into adulthood.
• Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and childhood-onset heart disease.
• Early detection is critical to the successful treatment of CHDs. Some heart defects can be detected by a routine ultrasound – but the most effective prenatal test is an echocardiogram performed by a Pediatric Cardiologist.

with the news of Travis Dicarlo passing i stress to everyone who reads this blog.... life can be torn away from you in a heart beat. 

in the December shortly after Olivia was born a wonderful family came to visit Chris and i. they had a beautiful little boy with them he was running around and playing like any other little boy his age. that was Travis. Nicole assured me not to worry that he'd been through so much and look at him running around and happy. i still believe her. i am going to have faith that god knows what he is doing and why he does the things he does. i am going to cherish every moment that i spend with my baby girl because that moment could possibly be the last. <3 we love you travis <3 please watch over Olivia and guide her through her surgeries hold her hand.

yesterday we got to come home... and i am terrified. so easily she can get sick. her lung collapsed from something as simple as swallowing. but thats the thing its not simple. her life will never be simple. this destroys me.

please god find a cure... please god dont take her... 

 so i am praying for my angel to continue to live on and fight hard.

i love you miss Olivia and mommy needs you.