Hayden's Story

Hi! I have been getting a lot of requests for Hayden's story.

When Hayden was born, he came out blue and not breathing. It took the doctors several hours before they were able to figure out what was wrong with him. The doctors determined that Hayden had a rare heart condition that required an arterial switch. He had what is referred to as Transposition of the Greater Arteries.

Since Hayden was unable to breathe on his own, he was intubated and started on medication to try to keep him alive. At only 18 hours old, Dr. Teodori performed Hayden's first heart surgery, where they intentionally put a hole in his heart to try to circulate the blood. Then, at just one week old, Hayden had open heart surgery. Hayden was put on heart and lung bypass machines. He had so much swelling and so many complications during the surgery that he did not stabalize for a couple of days. At 10 days old, he was doing a little better and the doctors performed his third surgery. I am still amazed at Dr. Teodori and his ability to switch Hayden's aorta, pulmonary arteries and the coronary arteries that were only 1 1/2 millimeters wide.

On Christmas Eve, Hayden still wasn't breathing or eating on his own. He was really struggling. Josh's son, Dallin, was five years old at the time. He knelt down on Christmas Eve and told Jesus all he wanted for Christmas was for Hayden to get better. Much to our amazement, on Christmas morning, Hayden started breathing. The doctors were able to take some of the tubes out and he started recovering.

It was our Christmas miracle.

On Christmas morning, Santa didn't forget Hayden, or that he was in the hospital. Santa, Mrs. Claus and even one of Santa's special elves, came to personally deliver presents to Hayden and all the other children in the hospital. Sure, Hayden was a baby and didn't realize the significance of Santa personally delivering his Christmas presents, but as a mom, I understood. And, the little 6 year old boy, that was in the room next to Hayden understood. I witnessed first hand what a difference that made in my life, and all the children's lives that were in the hospital. These kids weren't just sick kids. They were excited little boys and girls waking up on Christmas morning. They were kids. They were able to experience the true joy of the season and be giddy and happy.

I couldn't make Hayden or any of the other children in the hospital well. I couldn't give them the wonderful Christmas at home that they all so longed for. But, I had the ability to help make a sick child's Christmas a merry and happy time, even if they are in the hospital. And, for one day, they can just be little boys and girls, waking up to the excitement that surrounds Christmas morning.

I, for one, am grateful for the small part that I can play in making a child's Christmas morning merry. And, I appreciate all the wonderful people that have helped make Hayden's Toy Drive a success. I can assure you, it does make a difference.