I remember the excitement of my high school and college graduations. I was also excited (and a little sad) to watch Bekah this past spring as she graduated from preschool. So far, though, no graduation has surpassed the amazing (and a little scary) feeling of the day we brought home our NICU graduate. Looking back […]
Following Your Heart is a blog by Sarah Plant. She shares her experience as a first-time mom whose daughter was born with a congenital heart defect. Sarah lives in Mineral Ridge, Ohio, in Trumbull County with her husband, Christopher, their daughter, Rebekah, and their rabbit, Gussie. She is a former high school English teacher.
Dr. Karnani’s Words of Wisdom Were Enforced when the Plants Used an EpiPen for the First Time
A year and a half ago when we first met with Dr. Ravi Karnani to discuss Sam’s growing list of allergies Dr. Karnani told my husband, Chris, and I that if we were ever in doubt about a reaction, not to wait, just use Sam’s EpiPen and get him to the nearest ER. Knowing that […]
First Day of Preschool Brings Lots of Memories
Four and a half years ago our almost 4-month-old baby girl had just had open heart surgery. On the day of surgery I fought back tears, tried to be brave, and smiled and waved at her as she was carried away by two loving nurses into surgery. Without surgery Bekah wouldn’t have lived past toddlerhood. […]
Sam Failed His Food Challenge Without Even Taking It
We knew going into Sam’s most recent appointment with Dr. Karnani that he is allergic to tree nuts, sesame seeds and cats. We also knew there was the possibility that even though Sam had previously enjoyed peanut butter without a problem, his allergic reaction to a cashew in January may have triggered a potential future […]
MRI Reveals Mysterious White Spots on Bekah’s Brain
Last March Bekah had an MRI of her eyes. Unlike most people, who can cross their eyes, Bekah can un-cross hers. It usually only happens when she tucks her chin down and looks up, and happens more when she seems tired. In an effort to make sure that there was no need for any kind […]
One Cashew Triggers Sam’s Nut Allergy
Chris and I have always joked that our kids eat a little bit like garbage disposals. It’s not that they eat a lot of junk, more that they devour anything we put in front of them. Unfortunately, Sam’s less-than-discerning taste buds have landed him in some trouble, and made him a new friend. In January […]
