Blog
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Mother’s Day – A Grieving Mother
Most of us spend Mother’s Day with our children, but for Kristin Burns, who lost her son to CHD, the day means something different. Read her story below. I remember the day that I become a part of the CHD community. It was August 18th, 2016. Since that day, my life has been changed forever….
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Beyond the Heart – Pediatric Pulmonary Complications
In a follow up to CCHD’s series on complications resulting from CHD, Dr. Nidhy Varghese, of Texas Children’s, adds insight to the pulmonary implications in patients affected by Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatric Pulmonary Complications of Congenital Heart Disease Dr. Nidhy Varghese, pediatric pulmonologist at Texas Children’s Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect…
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Mother’s Day – A Mother’s Day Gift
Mother’s Day is a day to shower the women that have loved us and cared for us with gifts in appreciation! We bring them flowers and homemade cards, in hopes of bringing a smile to their faces. But last Mother’s Day, Melissa Zolk received a very different kind of gift, one that changed her daughter,…
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Mother’s Day – Love, Brett
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, CCHD begins a series honoring Heart Moms. This week, Brett Nishibayashi shares a letter to his wife about their journey becoming CHD parents and his admiration for her love and strength. I remember when you first found out you were going to be a mother. The disbelief and overwhelming excitement…
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Recap – New Diagnosis
Becoming part of the CHD community can be a shocking and overwhelming experience. Our series on New Diagnosis offers new family a view into the fist steps of others who have come before them, in hopes they may ease the the journey if only just a bit. https://www.conqueringchd.org//new-diagnosis-prenatal-conquering-chd-kits/ New Diagnosis – One Day…
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Pre-Existing Condition by Dr. Stephen Caldwell
After the diagnosis of his son, Dr. Stephen Caldwell, used music to chart his family’s experience with CHD. Watch below, and find the lyrics to “Pre-Existing Condition” and Dr. Caldwell’s thoughts on his work. The University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum *World Premiere Performance – https://youtu.be/uQjxhjrcnpcFunded in part by Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences 2017 Summer…
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Beyond the Heart – Marissa’s Story
There is still much unknown about adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients and the long term effects of their treatment in childhood. This week, Marissa, a single ventricle patient about to complete her nursing degree, shares her story of an unexpected complication, which almost cost her future in nursing. I call myself a “heart patient”, but…
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Action Alert: FY2019 Appropriations
Email your Senators, today, and ask her or him to sign the FY 2019 Appropriations Letter being circulated by CHD legislative champions Senator Durbin and Senator Grassley in support of congenital heart disease-related public health research and surveillance initiatives at the CDC. Each year, we need to make sure that Congress continues to fund the congenital heart…
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Advice – 10 Pieces of Advice for the New CHD Parent
Learning your child has a CHD can be overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re thrust into unfamiliar territory filled with strange terminology and new doctors. But so many families have bee there too, and they have so much knowledge to share, garnered through their experience. CCHD recently asked the CHD Community, families and patients, to share their advice…
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Lifespan – Just Like Me, in D.C.
One of the most powerful moments at the Congenital Heart Legislative Conference can come not when shaking hands with one of our nation’s leaders, but when you have the chance to connect with someone just like you, just like your child, an everyday CHD survivor. Ken Woodhouse, and adult CHD patient with tetralogy of fallot,…
