Simply put, I am trying to gather donations to help support The Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Why?
For Keaton, yes. But there’s another story to tell.
Why did I want to be apart of #MiracleMoms and help make a difference?
Why did being partnered with this particular hospital bring tears to my eyes?
Isabelle, my first daughter, is a Stollery Kid.
When Isabelle was born, they discovered a ‘problem’ with her heart, one which time did not fix.
At 18 months old, she had to be admitted to The Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta and undergo a procedure to fix her heart. Although, in the grand sceme of heart surgeries, this one was on the minor side, I was scared. Terrified.
Being a first time Mom and having to go through this was upsetting to say the least. The hardest part was letting go of her tiny little grip as they wheeled her into the operating room. My own heart broke watching those doors close behind her.
The wait was pure agony, but after hours we were told that the surgery went well. She arrived back to her room mildly sedated and with a new stuffed bear, a little touch of Stollery magic to make her feel better when she woke up. Yet, the most crucial time was the 12 hours post-surgery. This meant that I had to be by her side that entire time, making sure she didn’t move an inch. Not one inch. Or we’d be right back into that operating room.
Isabelle and I, after her heart surgery at The Stollery Children’s Hospital, 2006
For hours I hovered directly over her, prepared to hold her down if she moved. Those were the longest hours of my life, listening to the clock tick and watching her chest go up and down with every breath.
The next day she was able to move, and she ran. The nurse gave Isabelle a balloon and she danced and chased it around the room. That was one of the happiest days of my life.
Follow up visits weren’t as grim, they were actually very fun for my daughter. The staff is nothing short of amazing and the entire hospital is made to make kids happy; with activities, color and games at every turn. I know from experience that this makes all the difference to the children. It is so reassuring to know that such an incredible children’s hospital exists when kids need it.
Our Family in 2006, leaving the hospital after Isabelle’s heart surgery.
Fast forward the years, and my Isabelle has been discharged from the care of The Stollery. Just 2 years ago she was told that the surgery worked, it worked for the long run, and there were no complications or issues at present time.
While I feel like I witnessed a miracle when I placed my daughters life in the care of The Stollery, thousands more depend on this hospital each day and every day.
Right now another Mom is standing over her child crying. Right now a family is watching their child being taken into an operating room….
I would LOVE NOTHING MORE than to raise $1000 for the Miracle Moms program. For all the kids who need this help, YOU can be apart of their {healthy} future. All contributions raised through my page will benefit the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, through the Children’s Miracle Network.
I am politely asking you to make a small donation. Even $1 will help, and my donation page now takes Paypal for convenience. Yet, if donating is just not possible right now, please share my donation page or this post using the social media icons below. Please share on Facebook, email and/or Twitter, and help be apart of that difference.
So, I’ve told you about my personal experience as well as the journey that Keaton is still fighting, do you know a child that needs to witness a miracle?
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Alyssa McVey says
Wow. I never knew that about Isabelle! My son had two surgeries when he was 2. That’s a hard thing to go through as a mommy. I’ll definitely check out the donation page and share!
Tammi says
Thanks so much, Alyssa!
It IS hard to go through, yet hope he is healthy and happy now!
Trevor Roy says
Excellent post Hunney, What a wonderful idea to raise funds for such a great Hospital. I would like to thank all of those who have donated already, Daddy loves you Belle XOXO!
Tammi says
xoxo
🙂
alissa apel says
I’m so glad she is doing great today!
This post brought back lots of memories. Mica was born with a cyst under his tongue. It was deformed. The doctors thought he may never eat or talk. Then the staph infection in his neck. Then Isaak with meningitis. I just stayed with a friend that has a twin that had meningitis. Only he wasn’t as lucky as Isaak. His brother had brain damage. 🙁 They were adopted out of the Philippines. I imagine he had little to no care given to him.
Then I have my nephew Emerson. He will always be a special needs kid. They thought he wouldn’t live a year. Only 10% do that have his condition Trisomy 18. On June 23rd he’ll be a year old! It’s so hard to believe.
Tammi says
Alissa, I recall us talking about this once, sharing brings about awareness – so, thank you!! Sending hugs to you and your family, and I appreciate that you read mine and keaton’s story.
SassyModernMom says
Tammi thank you so much for sharing your story. I read it with tears rolling down my face. There really is nothing a Mama wouldn’t do to protect or keep their babies safe and I could feel your fear, pain and ultimately joy in this post.
Thanks for all you have done for MiracleMoms …and hugs to all your little one’s.
Tammi says
Thanks Stephanie, so happy to be apart of such an incredible team.
Randa says
The Stollery is such an amazing place. I have heard nothing but awesome things about the staff there.
Tammi says
It’s true Randa, I’ve never encountered a hospital that goes so above and beyond.
Rae says
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is such a moving post… I am so happy to hear that your daughter’s surgery was effective. What a weight that must have been lifted!
My brother spent much of his younger life in and out of the hospital to receive treatment (surgeries, physio, etc.) for Legge Perthes syndrome and he holds a very special place in his heart for our children’s hospital and their staff. Our whole family does.
My nephew has undergone two minor surgeries this past week (one emergency) so yours and your daughter’s story really hit close to home. He’s in recovery now and is receiving excellent care, so we’re all very hopeful. To say the experience has been harrowing for his parents is an understatement.
While I can only imagine the terror of being a parent in that situation, I am so grateful for children’s hospitals such as The Stollery and our own CHEO that do their all to help children and their families through these experiences. I’m donating what I am able. 🙂
brenda says
I will give you some $ next time I see you. Grandmas loves her little Isabelle. Thank God for the miracles performed at the Stollery
Nolie says
Our local Children’s hospital means the world to me as well. They have done so much for myself as a child and others I know. Children’s hospitals are a miracle and our communities are so lucky to have them. They do require the support of the community though. So great that you are doing your part to raise funds.
Shannon C. says
I also have a son who has been through a lot…5 surgeries. I understand what its like to go through…the waiting. So hard for a mother. I wish no mother would ever have to deal with it. I am so thankful for our local children’s hospital.
Evelyn says
I made a donation to the miraclemoms. My daughter has also been a patient at Stollery. She had a heart transplant at Sick Kids in ’94 was followed at Stollery in Edmonton, but has now transferred to the Adult Transplant Program for followup. Miracles do happen. Thanks .
Tammi says
And thank you Evelyn, hugs to you and your brave daughter!!
Lorna says
it is soo sad when little ones are sick let alone need surgery
Tammi says
It tugs at my heart too, Lorna!
Rachel says
Although it’s always sad to hear that a child is sick, I usually find hope and resilience, compassion and generosity even in the worst cases. I hope Keaton’s story will have a happy ending 🙂