Category: Updates


  • Concessions

    Concessions


    Short Version: Yes, we are still inpatient. No, we still don’t have answers. I figured we’d get that out of the way 😉 The long version: Katja’s MRI/MRA were negative for any significant findings or changes. Her EEG was normal. Her swallow study was also good. PT/OT have been stopping in daily to find ways…

    Read more: Concessions
  • Helplessly Hopeful

    Helplessly Hopeful


    Helplessness is never a good feeling. When it’s yourself it can feel terrifying but when it’s your child, it’s maddening. Katja’s Chorea continues to worsen. 3 months ago she was a fully functioning independent 8 year old that was recovering from her 3rd open heart surgery. Now, she’s a fully dependent child that can not…

    Read more: Helplessly Hopeful
  • Hopeful for a New Year

    Hopeful for a New Year


    My absolute hope for 2024 is answers. Why does this keep happening? Why isn’t she responding to meds appropriately? Why is she getting worse instead of better? Why after everything, her? We as a family are heading into this New Year with hope. Hope for answers and hope for Katja. While I don’t have any…

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  • Answers come to those who wait

    Answers come to those who wait


    And wait we have. Over 5 years to be exact and while we didn’t necessarily learn anything new, we have new perspective on what we do know. Let me back track slightly to last night. Katja’s labs, X-ray and testing were all negative. She did test positive for Rhinovirus (common cold). Add to that a…

    Read more: Answers come to those who wait
  • Can We Get A Break?

    Can We Get A Break?


    I wish I could say that our Redeye to Boston was uneventful but what would my complex warrior be, if not even more complex? Katja decided mid-flight to start coughing like crazy and send her O2 into the 80s. Lots of Albuterol, steroids and scaring the living daylights out of Mom and we were able…

    Read more: Can We Get A Break?
  • Boston Round 2


    We officially have dates for our 2nd trip to Boston. Katja and I will be flying out via a redeye Dec 3rd and returning Dec 7th (if additional testing isn’t required). Her appointments with Neurology and Cardiology are Dec 5th. Cardiology just wanted a check in since we’ll be there anyway. So far we’ve tried…

    Read more: Boston Round 2
  • Stages of Grief with a complex child

    Stages of Grief with a complex child


    It’s taken me a long time to write this. I wish I could have found the words sooner but the many stages of grief have been difficult. I’ve been in denial. Hoping that what I’ve been seeing was just my imagination. If we pretended everything was okay, then it would be… Right? Guilt for not…

    Read more: Stages of Grief with a complex child
  • (W)Hole Heartedness

    (W)Hole Heartedness


    Katja’s recovery has been slow and smooth. Which is just the way we want it 😉 Her stamina is improving weekly. The first days after surgery included multiple naps, then getting to lunch was difficult. Now she can make it to about 6pm before she’s ready for bed. The amazing thing about the human body…

    Read more: (W)Hole Heartedness
  • hospital adventures

    hospital adventures


    Katja is doing extremely well the last 2 days. She’s been asking to leave her room, visit other areas of the hospital and play in the activity room. She saw both rooftop gardens, both indoor gardens and the WishingStone terrace. We’ve been playing lots of games in the activity center and fingers 🤞 we get…

    Read more: hospital adventures
  • Anniversary 0f OHS #2

    Anniversary 0f OHS #2


    ❤️Our 3x OHS survivor❤️07/28/2015~06/26/2018~06/21/2023 👏👏👏👏 Happy Heart-iversary!

    Read more: Anniversary 0f OHS #2

About Us


We are a fun loving family of 7. I’m Jenn, the Mom and words behind the blog. Dad Jori is the IT backbone of making sure I don’t go crazy over features. We have 5 beautiful children. Nevaeh (17), Twins Arianna & Araceli (15), Katja “Our Mended little Heart” (9) and Gryffin “Finn” (4).

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