A parent’s worst nightmare is learning something is seriously wrong with their child. It is traumatic at any age in that child’s life, but far worse in the case of an infant.

Being told your 2 month old son has a huge hole in his heart, which will require open heart surgery to correct, is something no parents ever want to hear.

Baby Cash will be having open heart surgery on Tuesday. He will still have to remain in the hospital for several weeks while being closely monitored by a group of extremely dedicated and highly professional doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughter’s (CHKD) in Norfolk.

This series is their story, told in their words. I have only edited them. And I could not ever write the following post as well as Cash’s mom has done.

“Nerves…my nerves are shot today. I try to sleep but my mind just doesn’t stop going. My stomach is sick.

Cash knows no different; he is a strong, happy boy. His smile really does just light up the whole room.

I’m so nervous to meet the surgeon tomorrow. To hear possible outcomes and that in just two short days this will be happening. Open heart surgery on our 10 week old 10 lb baby.

I have had the ability through social media to talk to some amazing families of CHD warriors who have shared their stories, offered advice, and words of encouragement.

Here is a little piece of advice I wanted to share that was given to me from a CHD parent:

‘Your health mental and physical is important for a good outcome for all. Document your child’s journey. You will have lived it, you need to be able to recreate the story for them. Take pictures of things you probably won’t want to. It will be important later. Trust in God. Remember this is part of him and you. Good luck and God bless, praying for a great outcome.’ “

Ashley B
October 9, 2016

Ashley and Coleman, we are all praying for you and Cash. I do know how scary it is for a loved one to be facing open heart surgery, because my own husband has had it twice. The first time we hadn’t even been married a year, and I didn’t know whether I would be a widow before our first anniversary. Yes, I thought that. But he is fine, as you know, and has actually come through two such surgeries.

It’s more frightening when it’s your child, though. I cannot truly imagine. But God has this, and we are all joining you in praying and believing for total healing for your precious little one.

Stay strong meeting the surgeon. Ask questions, as many of them as you can think of. In this situation there are never too many questions, never one that’s dumb or silly. The surgeon is the expert; you and Coleman are not. You’re learning more than you ever wanted to learn, and have become your son’s greatest advocate. As it should be.

Previous posts in this series can be found in the “Healing a Tiny Heart” Category on this blog.