Mason Gregory Garka

My child like most enjoys food of the unhealthy variety. Since he is not like most children and at age 2 ½ we discuss things like his cholesterol and blood pressure we try to offer him heart healthy versions of the foods he does enjoy. (We try and make a normal situation out of un-normal circumstances) So in search of these healthy alternatives Mason and I have been on a cooking quest… That is right I have been cooking up a storm with help of course from Mason. Together we have been busy in the kitchen! Since children really are the best critics I thought I would give you one of Mason’s favorite HEART HEALTHY FOOD ALTENATIVES! So are you a Fry Family? Cheese Fries Ingredients: -1 spray olive oil / cooking spray -2 large uncooked Russet or Idaho potatoes (Peeled and cut into ¼ inch strips -1/4 tsp salt (or to taste) -1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste) ½ cup low-fat shredded cheese (Cheddar, Colby and or a sharp variety) Directions: -Pre-Heat Oven to 400*F. -Coat a large

This week it snowed, and the snow is still here! In fact as I type it is currently snowing. I think Mother Nature is slightly confused. We should be getting ready for spring not bring out our snow boots. So we make the best of our paradise in the snow! Mom in her boots, Mason in his we head out for a sledding adventure.

This weekend was bittersweet; so sweet as we spent the most amazing time with each other listening to and watching Mason giggle at the play Go, Dog. Go!; Cooking and taking photo’s – Mason’s new favorite thing to do… And the adults even got sometime together; Greg and I had the most amazing date night with the K’rabs  also known as the Carbajals. On the flipside it was also far too bitter; as we learned that Travis was taken home to Jesus. My heart has been heavy all weekend with this news. I have to be honest; there is a lot of loss in the heart community; it is a hard place to be a member. Each loss is hard because they remind you of the fragility of your own child and I walk away thinking “That could be my Mason”. So we hug him a little tighter and thank Jesus a lot more than usual. “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." Khalil Gibran As time has gone by more things from our past become clear… On Februa

Travis, like Mason, has HLHS. He is 16 months old. In addition to HLHS, Travis has a narrowing in his aorta. He went in Thursday for open heart surgery to repair that narrowing. Friday, he went into cardiac arrest, required 2 hours of CPR and is now on ECMO. Today they have taken him in for a CT scan. His pupils are no longer responsive. PLEASE pray that he tolerates ECMO well and that there is no damage to his brain or other organs from the extended CPR. He also needs prayers that his heart is able to rest and recharge while on ECMO. We have never met Travis or his family however we are all apart of the same fight.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Here is the beginning of the photo collection I am putting together to show off all of Mason's supporters... I have more photos to add so check back soon to see the entire photo collection! ♥ Kelsey

This blog entry may seem long… Stay with me, I promise it isn’t all “text” book! The photo I have shared to the left was taken of Mason after his first surgery... Looking back I can now say that this was only the begining of our journey... Our future would hold the news of his strokes (plural), additional surgies and living "life" with a child who has a CHD. What an appropriate day to share my perceptive... You asked; I am answering... what is it like? The first question that is always asked “What’s a CHD?” and the next question, “What’s HLHS?” For your reading pleasure here are the medical terminologies : CHD: The abbreviation for Congenital Heart Defect. This means that it is present at birth. Heart defects begin in the early stages of pregnancy when the baby’s heart is forming HLHS: This is the condition Mason has. The abbreviation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome… This is a condition in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Usually, the le

February is Congenital ♥ Heart Defect Awareness Month Did you know that Cardiovascular Disease is the No. 1 killer of all Americans? In fact, someone dies from CVD every 38 seconds! TODAY February 4th is NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY! Wear red to support the Millions of people with CHD!