I can't believe that Katie will turn four years old on June 27th.  The past four years have been a whirlwind.  They have been the most difficult times I have ever experienced but I wouldn't trade them for a moment because Katie is just so wonderful.  She is full of life and just a little bit sassy.  Her sense of fashion is remarkable for someone so little.  I am thankful for a day over 70 degrees so we don't have a battle over not wearing a dress with no sleeves and no tights.

I give my mom a hard time about how overly protective she is of me - even to this day.  Before I had Katie she always said you just don't know what it is like to have a sick child - you are so afraid you will lose them.  Now I know. 

Even though Katie doesn't have any more surgeries scheduled, more surgeries are a definite possibility.  The future is uncertain for Katie as many of these children are still very young with their reconstructed little hearts.  That is why we are so committed to raising money for Children's Hospital.  I want the best care for my little princess and for all of the other princes and princesses. 

You can't fathom the care Katie receives from her physicians.  When she visits the Herma Heart Center (HHC) it is more of a social call.  She is showered with affection from everyone.  She absolutely loves to visit Dr. Frommelt and Lisa; and let's face it a visit wouldn't be complete without seeing Dr. Peter.  The care here is so unique.  The doctors who work here truly love their jobs and their patients.

We have always raised money for the Herma Heart Center and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and we will continue to do so.  However, I feel the need to start directing some of our funds towards research.  Children's Research Institute through Children's Hospital has several physicians studying congenital heart disease.   

 Katie was born with a small left ventricle and very small mitral valve.  We were prepared for the Norwood operation but Dr. Tweddell determined it would not be needed.  Instead he created a restricted Artial Septal Defect (ASD), banded her pulmonary artery, and repaired her coarctation of the aorta.  Since she did not have the Norwood she technically is not considered to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).  However, she has since had the Glenn and Damus Kaye Stansel as well as the Fontan surgeries - therefore, she is not quite a Shone's Complex.  She is a hybrid.  That said - I usually refer to her as a HLHS because more people are familiar with it. 

John and I will be running once again this year while Ryan, Jack, Katie, and Matthew will walk - or be escorted in a stroller.  We would be delighted if you could join us.  This year Al's Run is October 10, 2009.  You can visit www.alsrun.com

Once you are on that site, click register for a team, then type in Katie Mac's Tour de Coeur.  You will be asked for a password - type in katiemac

We can't thank you enough for all of your generosity and support through the years.  We could not have done all of this without you!

Love,

Katie, Michelle, John, Ryan, Jack, & Matthew

P.S.

I decided to post Katie's You Tube video again.  I haven't changed it from last year yet.  Hopefully, I will get the chance to update it. 

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!