Well it has been a year since our Little Miracle was born on July 9th, and also a year on August 23rd since Shaelyn was re-born with her new transplanted heart.  Where has this past year gone?  Oh yes, very busy with appointments, work vacation and just enjoying every minute with her, even though some of those minutes were very taxing, lol, teething nightmares had to have been the worst .  Thankfully we have the first 4 teeth both bottom and top (8 in total) and I believe we are going to get a break.  Shaelyn started teething April 11th (later than normal) and went all the way until the end of July pretty much.  Oh the drool, running nose, cough (thought she had a terrible cold that just wouldn't go away) runny eyes, bum rashes, the works!!!  We had Shaelyn re Baptized back in April at a private ceremony in our Church, the first baptism was when she was 13 days old in CCCU at Sick Kids Hospital and now that she is healthy we wanted to do it properly with all of our friend and family present and her respective God Parents present and named.

Overall Shaelyn has had a good year since the Transplant.  She is about 3-4 months delayed in gross motor skills but improving daily at an alarming rate.  A month ago she would just spin on her bottom (sitting unsupported since 5 mths old) to crawling, standing and now taking steps with a push along walker/baby doll stroller.  Before long, I suspect in the next couple of weeks, she will be walking, just in time for her next physio appointment in September.  We still haven't nailed down the eating table foods progression, although she is now interested in everything and must try it whether she likes it or not.  Now for me to get back to eating properly to get myself back into proper eating habits to set an example for her to take the lead from (protect that heart from the start).  We will all get there....SOON!!!

We had a Strawberry Shortcake theme for Shaelyn's 1st Birthday and it was a success.  My niece made her cake, awesome job at that too, we actually had a smash cake for Shaelyn and an actual Strawberry Shortcake for the adults and we made it diabetic friendly so that all of us could enjoy it with out the sugar, extra calories, and all the negative side effects for Gastric Bypass patients (a few of us in attendance have had the surgery).  It was lovely to have something sweet tasting, but actually wasn't too sweet

Shaelyn is doing super with her New Heart and all her Doctors are amazed with her progress, she still has to have her biopsy once she hits 22lbs/10 kilos to check for rejection, but that won't probably happen until the new year.  All fingers crossed that there is NO rejection and we can continue on with our lives as normal. HA normal, whats that?  We will still have regular tests and appointments but the good news is that it is and will be less frequent now that she is a year post transplant.  Blood work every 2 months (to make sure anti rejection levels are on target) and echos and transplant clinic every 3-4 months...yay!!!

Thanks for the update! I'm still here too....I got some disappointing news from my RE.  I will need IVF.  We just don't have the money for that right now and time is of the essence (just turned 39).  But I'm trying to stay positive and pray for my rainbow baby. Good luck to you and all the TTC ladies on here.

OMG!!! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! 

Hi everyone!

I am new at this forum and I'd like to share something with you what has been for a very long time something really sensitive and difficult for me (and still is). The only difference is that I now am happy to share it because I realize there are more people out there having the same problem and difficulties and I am sure that you could either tell me you story what would help me or we could be able to help each other.

Since I had difficulties at home and my family used to eat a lot anyway, I gained weight over the years. At my 18th I was 74kilo, which I really didn't like. I therefore decided to make a radical change and to get rid of it - and quickly. I gave it a shot and it worked. I am now 58kilo and very happy with it. I feel blessed for not having had many problems with it. At the moment I am 20 and completely finished with everything - only.. there we go.. my breasts. They don't look how they used to or how I would want them because of course - they lost weight too! Every day I saw it and it made me feel worse and worse. I have been depressed about it which made me look into breast lifts. Only - since I am passioned about children and are getting married next year I, when contacting surgeons, told them I'd love to have children and breast feed since I believe this is the best you can give your children. They all recommend the same thing: Wait until you have had your pregnancies. Because pregnancies effect your breast and a lift could prevent you from breast feeding. What a shock for me! Because these are my 'young years'. I find it so difficult - what too choose? And thereby, if I take the risk is a second correction possible in case the same problem occurs after pregnancy?

I would be so grateful if you could reply if you have felt the same or feel the same or if you have any advice. At the moment it rules my life and it keeps me from being happy. Every day looking in the mirror is a thing I rather don't. Even when I now have fantastic bra's that make my breast look great I still find it difficult - especially when it comes to my fiance. I am so ashamed and uncomfortable about it all.

Thanks for your help in this and I'd like to add - after reading so many stories - I find it amazing how you all support each other!