Sunday, April 4, 2010

Update #4

Mason looks absolutely fabulous!!! He's Pink with sats of 99%!!!!
Mason has always had O2 saturations around 75% with blue lips, blue, fingers and blue toes.
Now he is PINK!



We saw him just for a minute as they wheeled him from the elevator into the CVICU . We will get to go see him in his room in about 15 minutes.



Dr. Reinhartz was very pleased with how the surgery went. It went even smoother and quicker than he had expected. Mason was on the heart-lung bypass machine for about 2 1/2 hours. The heart began beating right away when it was connected to his arteries, vessels, lungs, etc....! The fit was perfect, so his chest is! He is on the ventilator which is normal and hopefully will come off in about 24 hours.



Mason's special heart was sent from our dear Father in Heaven. I feel also very strongly that Mason had angels with him during his long surgery holding his hand and comforting him. I also know that our Savior was there in the room guiding Mason's surgeons this day.



The most tears I have shed this day are in gratitude for our donor family. On this Easter morning they had to say goodbye to their sweet child. They donated their child's heart on Easter almost like our Savior sacrificed his life for us. He then resurrected on Easter just like our Mason has been given a new chance at life this day. I will be forever grateful to this family and pray that they will know of the joy they have brought to our family. I pray that on each Easter they will think of the gift of life they have shared with our family!



We are going in to see Mason. It feels so surreal!!!



Easter wishes to all with love from our family to yours.



"Rainbows are made up of sunshine and rain"
"Winter always gives way to a warmer brighter Spring" President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

58 comments:

Shari said...

Amazing! Just amazing! Easter will never be the same for your family. Still praying for Miracle Mason!

Tasha said...

Hallelujah! Such wonderful news!!

Kaidence's Mommy said...

We LOVE pink toes. That was one of the first things on noticed on Kaidence as well, that and her feet were toasty warm. I am so glad that today went so well. We pray for Mason during these next couple of days. These kiddos bounce back so quickly. My heart has been so full today. So many emotions of love and gratitude. It brings back those days of waiting with Kaidence just like it was yesterday. She recieved her angel heart on a sunday as well, just 2 days before Christmas. Every Christmas has such a different feeling to it now as I know that Easter will for you.

Oh Summer, to think back months ago as we held each other crying. I had no words to give you...only the silent prayer in my heart and the countless many to come. I am so glad that you trusted and followed your heart.

We love you and continue our prayers for you and the sweet family that gave you this gift. Kaidence sends her hugs to Mason. She said a darling little prayer for him today, she blessed him to be HAPPY! I think he will be!

Allison said...

Absolutely miraculous. Mason's gift from this selfless family has made our Easter very special indeed. We will continue to pray fervently for the next few critical days. I can't wait to hear about his continued progress. :)

Unknown said...

Wow, Wow, Wow!!! Truly a blessing from Heaven. I am praying for your Miracle Mason as well as your whole family...from Cedar Hills.

Mindi D said...

Very well said about the sacrifice this poor family made. YIPEE For Mason!!!

The mom of 4 monkeys! said...

Pink, it's one of my favorite colors! Yay, I will keep praying!

Heather said...

We are so happy for your whole family! Are prayers are with you and the family that so willing gave Mason another chance! We love you!!

Angela S said...

What a glorious miracle! Congratulations! Our prayers are with your wonderful donor family!

Becca said...

Amazing!!! We will continue to pray for your family and the family that gave this priceless gift of love and sacrifice. It means so much on this Easter Sunday.

Julie said...

What a beautiful story and beautiful day for your famiy. I am so happy for your little Mason and just another testament that Christ lives, loves us and hears our prayers and miracles still happen today! I am not sure if you remember us, we were in your orem ward for a short time ( with the Woolfs and Openshaws)..you are an amazing mom too..what a great example you are to everyone! Thanks for sharing this wonderful event in your life today via this blog. It has been so inspirational...just so happy for your family!!! Love you guys lots!!

Caryn said...

Amazing amazing! I have goosebumps!

Stephanie Peay said...

What at amazing day for you all! I think of you often and always try to get updates from Janie and Megan. I will continue to think and pray for you in these days and months ahead. What an amazing day for this to occur. Good luck!!

Cassie and Chad said...

I am sobbing, what an Easter miracle!! We love your family and are so happy for this sweet miracle. Easter will always have such a greater meaning. Please give our love to your family. Thanks so much for the updates on such a tender experience.

Jenny said...

I am so happy for Mason and your family! I think I have reread this post upwards of 10 times! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers..

Connie said...

I just found you from The Meanest Mom! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes because of your happy news! We'll keep Mason and your fmaily in our prayers!
What a beautiful Easter gift!

Cindy said...

Amazing! Simply amazing!!! What a blessed Easter for your family.

I will keep Mason, your family, and of course the donor's family in my prayers.

Christina said...

So happy for your family! What a blessing!

cici said...

I am very thankful today for all the answered Prayers. I am thankful you chose Stanford and did not listen to those without hope.
Mason will always be in my heart every Easter as he grows into a young man.
Bless his heart

Pamela Wiscombe said...

I am so happy to hear that all went well. A beautiful heart strong and beating new life in little Mason. A grateful heart for the family who gave him new life. I hope one day in the future you and Mason will meet the family, and embrace in a forever hug. Families are forever. Get strong Mason. Stay healthy and hope to hear your are smiling soon.

Kalai said...

Amazing, simply amazing! What a glorious day for you, Mason & your entire family. How wonderful that you could all be together on this momentous day! Lots of love to you!!

The Stewart's said...

What a perfect gift to receive today of all days! Heavenly Father does have a plan for each of us and I feel his plan was for Mason to receive his new healthy heart when all of his family could be there with him. We will be praying for him and your family that all goes well with his recovery. One of the happiest days of my life was when Alex got his new heart. Heart hugs, the Stewarts

Christi said...

I just found you today through The Meanest Mom as well and was curious as to what her "Heart Mom" friends were. Was a little shocked to hear about Mason's HPLHS. My nephew was born with the same and as soon as I read "He's in surgery as I write" I immediately prayed for your family and the donor family. What a blessing this Easter Sunday for your family and your precious little boy! Congratulations!!

The Simmons Family said...

I have been having goosebumps all day and I am tearing up reading this! HOW AMAZING!! We are definetly praying for the Donor family. What a miraculous day and I can't wait to see PINK toes!! Owen is going to look SO blue in comparison. Hugs and I pray that you all get some rest tonight!

Em said...

Pink!!! Oh my gosh!!!! That is so amazing and exciting! I cannot wait to see the pink, since I only have known your cute Mason with his cute little blue nose and lips and fingers! I called Jenny and Beate and they told all the nurses at work and everyone just were so excited and also had goosebumps!!! What a beautiful family to have donated this wonderful and truly priceless gift. I know their end of things. Sadly too well, but I know that as their hearts ache this Easter day, they will be grateful that their sweet angel has saved a life. We will keep the prayers coming!

kathy said...

I'm smiling through my tears! Go, Mason, GO!!!

Me said...

Pink is our favorite color!! Gooooo Mason!!!

Clore said...

I saw your blog through my friend Emily. I am so grateful that things went well!!! Mason is a true fighter and a beautiful miracle. Thanks for inspiring me!

Hey,Hey,Paula said...

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings flow!

Amy T said...

Wonderful news!

Best wishes and many prayers from a heart family in PA -- we hope Mason has an uneventful post-surgical period and a quick recovery.

Megan said...

Oh hooray!! Just saw the news from the Hicken's blog. So very happy for your family! What a great Easter miracle! Get him better and get his pink toes home!

amy said...

What a fantastic Easter gift. We are so happy that all went well, we will continue to pray for all of you, donor family included. Happy Easter!

Steve and Katie Hoffman said...

i had a prayer in my heart all day for mason. we love you so much!!!!! what a great day!

Lisa Marie Trent said...

AMAZING>

I am so happy for you guys. He deserves this so much. That family will be very blessed.

Anonymous said...

Doing the happy dance for you in Colorado, huge hugs and prayers.

Jen

Gourley said...

That is wonderful. Amy and I were talking this morning before we knew Mason was going to get a heart, and we were talking about if you got a heart today and how symbolic that would be like you said of the savior and his sacrifice that others may live.

What a wonderful Easter gift. We will continue to pray for you guys. Love you and all the best. I still cant believe 99% saturations. That is AMAZING.

Congratulations. We love you. Tell Mason and the fam hello.

Scott and Amy

amy said...

This is wonderful news! I will keep Mason, your family and the family that has given Mason this wonderful gift despite their pain in my thoughts and prayers.

Victoria Nelson said...

Screaming with joy!!!!!!!! We are ecstatic for your family!!!!!! We will continue to pray for a quick and speedy recovery.
Praise God.
Love,
Victorai

JoAnn Stevenson said...

Summer, Wonderful news! So glad to hear it. Love and warm thoughts to you and your family. How neat that you are all there together for this miraculous time! So great!!

Camille Bailey Aagard said...

The power of your faith astounds me. On Easter! With your family there! Incredible. We held hands as a family on the beach today and each took a turn sending our prayers out to you. Thank you for your incredible example of perseverance and faith. Mason has my heart.

Readfamily said...

I think it has been a amazing reading your posts on this Easter Sunday. The heart felt emotions that we feel for Mason and his journey. This has truly touched all of us in that special spot, you know the one that brings us to instant tears. But more I want to thank you for letting us enjoy these moments and finally the happy tears.
The lord has blessed all of us this day.
We love and pray for you. And for Mason a speedy recovery.
The Reads

Robin said...

Hooray Mason! What a Wonderful Easter miracle!

JACK's house said...

Much love and prayers headed your way. Your son is just beautiful!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful Easter story! I have goose bumps, tears, and a very joyous heart right now!!

Thank you for sharing!

Libbis grammy

♥Stef said...

This is such amazing news! What a miracle! Congratulations Summer. You succeeded in making sure Mason got a second chance at life, against all odds. All your hard work, research and determination has paid off!
I hope all goes well with the new heart and Mason can return home soon :)

luci said...

I am so happy for Mason's new heart! I hope his donor's family can take a small measure of comfort knowing that their loved one's heart lives on in Mason.

♥ Michele ♥ said...

Absolutely WONDERFUL news!!!! We couldn't be happier for you and your truly 'MIRACLE MASON'!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Tears are just rolling down my face! how amazing! It is one thing to reading your blog and praying that he will get it soon and then to just check and he has it! Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this, and taking time out of a VERY eventful and emotional day to tell us all! Praying for nothing to go wrong! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!
Angie's Support team

Ella F. said...

Summer, Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful and touching story. We are moved by the way Heavenly Father has watched over your family and helped you all, and also by your example of faith. We can't wait to watch Mason's further progress! An incredible day! We just couldn't believe it as we read the updates. It made Easter and conference so much more meaningful knowing that your miracle was happening all day long. We're so happy for all of your family, and especially Mason. Amazing Summer! We'll be thinking of Mason and remembering him in our prayers this week still.

Kaye Lynne said...

Summer as I sit here reading your blog what a beautiful day for your family that your whole family was there to support you we love you mason. kaye lynne

Kimmie said...

oh my goodness...the timing could not have been more perfect for many many reasons! absolutely incredible. much love and well wishes as you start yoru road to recovery. happy easter! AMAZING!! i get chills all over everytime i think about it!

Julie said...

Wow Summer!!! We are so happy for you!!! And so glad your family could be there, all together for this beautiful day.

Losee's said...

I am so happy for your exciting news!! It was so fun to hear Braiden's voice! It made my day! I keep thinking about your family and hope everything continues to go well!

Anonymous said...

I just had to tell you how inspired I am by Mason's story! What a blessing to receive a new heart on Easter. Jesus gave us life and took it upon himself to give Mason life on Easter. I am so sure that Easter will be very special for you for many years to come as you celebrate the life of Christ and the gift of life to Miracle Mason! I am so glad that you and your family are together during this time! Just another testimony as to how God takes care of every last detail! Love to all and a speedy, painfree recovery for Mason!

Please keep us posted so that we know what specific needs Mason and the family needs us to pray for!

With love from a stranger in Washington State!

Kara

CanadianMommyto2 said...

Hello, Happy Easter and Happy New Miracle Heart Day from Calgary, Alberta, Canada!!!!

I have been following your blog for a bit now (honestly can't remember how I came across it) and I have been meaning to write to you. So today is the day :o)

I think of your special family often. Your family’s journey with Mason has touched my heart. My husband and I are blessed to have two little boys (3 years 10 months/ 2 years 2 months) that are dear to us. Tonight, while we were celebrating Easter with my extended family my thoughts turned to your family - hoping that all was well. So, after returning to our home and putting two little boys to bed I logged onto your blog. Much to my surprise and delight I learnt of Mason's new heart! I am truly overjoyed that your family's wait for this precious heart has finally come to an end and that this beautiful gift promises a strong and healthy new life for Mason.
I am holding you all in my thoughts and prayers that Mason recovers well and quickly from his heart transplant. Also, I am praying for the donor family, there are simply no words that seem adequate during such a heartbreaking and difficult time. I can't imagine such a loss..... but my heart is filled with hope and love that these parents chose to give life to another child while suffering the raw devastating loss of their child. I am in awe of them, what an incredible, beautiful and miraculous gift to give!

Hugs,
Sheila Peacock

Jennifer said...

You're in my prayers. I can't help but feel bad that I did't know that Mason was getting a new heart until after he got it and that my prayers weren't joined with the so many others who have been praying for him and your family throughout his surgery. I have become so attached to that little boy through your blog!
I love what you said about the donor family. I hope they are able to find comfort.

Jessica, McKay, Riley & Kayden said...

You don't know me but I have been following your blog from Jessica Bowmens blog. You and your famly are amazing. I just cried when I read Mason was getting a new heart. I am so glad that he is going to be given a second chance at life. I hope all goes well for your little man. He is darling and I love his eyes. Happy Easter and I can't wait to hear the updates.

Rebecca said...

What a beautiful Easter miracle. God lives and loves us. I will continue to pray for dear little Mason and a quick recovery for him.