The Corbin Story

Happy birthday to Colton Carter! He's a little annoyed that he now shares a birthday with his new little brother but he's very excited to have him in our family! (7 years apart to the day!) I love his sweetness, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor. Very proud of our 7 year old big brother ❤💙 #Monkeygram

Happy heavenly birthday to our sweet Corbin Walker. He would have been 6 today... Missing him terribly, wondering what he would be like. Love you always ❤💙

Look what I made! Getting ready for the big day. #pregnancy4 #BoyOrGirl

#chdweek2017 may be over but school awareness never stops!

Last day of #CHDweek2017!! We will cover Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome to close up the week. #HRHS Hypoplastic right heart syndrome refers to underdevelopment of the right sided structures of the heart. These defects cause inadequate blood flow to the lungs and thus, a blue baby. The major problem is pulmonary valve atresia (absence). This valve normally opens and closes to let blood flow to the pulmonary artery. Secondary problems include a very small (hypoplastic) right ventricle (lower chamber which normally pumps blood to the lungs); a small tricuspid valve (this valve allows blood to flow into the right ventricle) and a small (hypoplastic) pulmonary artery. Also, the blood flow into the coronary arteries may be abnormal causing damage to the heart muscle. This defect requires surgery after birth to create an artificial connection (shunt) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery to deliver blood to the lungs. There is no cure for #CHD. Children with a CHD will require lifelong care and/or follow up. Second image of healthy heart to compare. #CHDWeek #HRHS.

Amen? There is no "mine is worse than yours" because we all have a hard journey. #chdweek2017

#7 of the Big 7 heart defects: Truncus Ateriosus, TA. In this defect, there is only one artery leaving the heart instead of two. This mixes the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood and causes problems immediately after birth. There is typically a hole between the two lower chambers as well, called a VSD. This defect requires surgery or else it is fatal. There is no cure for #CHD. A child with this defect will require lifelong care and follow up. #chdweek2017 #big7

Which does your child have? #chdweek2017 #chd

#6 of the Big 7: Tricuspid Atresia. In this defect, the tricuspid valve between the upper right and lower right chambers has not formed properly. Instead there is a solid sheet of tissue. This of course blocks proper blood flow through the heart and to the lungs, to supply the body. Babies born with this defect need a series of surgeries to correct this defect. There is no cure for #CHD! Children with a heart defect will require lifelong care and follow up. #CHDweek2017 #Big7 #TA *second image is healthy heart to compare. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tricuspid-atresia/basics/definition/con-20026734

#5 of the Big 7: Transposition of the Great Arteries, TGA. This defect is rare and involves when the two main arteries leaving the heart are switched.This changes the way that blood travels through the body. There are serious complications without surgical intervention. There is no cure for #CHD! A child with this defect will require life long care and follow up. #CHDweek2017 #Big7 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/home/ovc-20169432

My view. 38 weeks and I don't see how I can get any bigger. 😉 On another note, I'm packing for the hospital and realizing that I'm not ready yet. Lol. Gotta organize some more and get our bedroom situated and then I can relax. Two more weeks baby! #pregnancy4 #babybump #38weeks

Heart Month day 2! Corbin had his first heart surgery at 9 days old. #CHD #chdfacts

The hearts are my boy's birthdays... The days circled is the week I'm due 😅😅😅 What day will it be??!!!

It's heart month!!! Please follow along, share, participate, and talk about the world's most common birth defect with me this month. Together we can reach those who have never heard of congenital heart defects! #CHD #heartmonth

Just in time for #chdweek2017! Love my badge reel! #AnatomicalHeart #CHDweek

It's almost time for #chdweek2017! Pass it on!

Get your #chdweek2017 #twibbon here: http://twibbon.com/support/chd-week-2017 AND PASS IT ON!