I want to express my heartfelt thanks for taking a moment to visit my fundraising page.
Kaden lost his life to a Congenital Heart Defect, October 28, 2021. He was only 15 years old.
As an infant, Kaden was diagnosed with Complete Heart Block. We were told by his cardiologist that we were lucky. Years prior, children would have unexpectedly "dropped dead" with this condition. We were lucky because research had lead to discovery and treatment. Kaden had his first pacemaker implanted before he was even a year old. He was so little that it was placed in his stomach. After that, Kaden started thriving. He was a growing, healthy little boy. We were lucky.
The next several years were uneventful, healthwise. If you did not know about Kadens' condition, you would not have guessed. He was happy, energetic, smart and so loving. Between the age of 1-13 he was great. He had normal maintenance, including pacemaker replacement. Otherwise, he was great.
Around the age of 13 Kaden started having unusual symptoms. He had migraines, shortness of breath and episodes of feeling "lightheaded". We made numerous doctor/cardiologist appointments with the same results. We were told he was fine, maybe drink more water. He drank more water. These issues still did not resolve.
In April of 2021 we were back at the cardiologist office. They knew there was an issue, but it was put off as being a faulty lead wire to the pacemaker. They could just stop using that lead and rely on the second one. Kaden protested. He did not feel like that was enough. He felt like they needed replaced or something. He was scared about how he had been feeling. His cardiologists exact words to him, "It isn't like you are going to just drop dead". We both protested treatment to no avail. The doctor believed she was right and we just needed to calm down. So we went home. We tried to have faith in the cardiologist. She was the expert and not us.
On October 28th, the day started like any other. I got up, woke up the little kids and we got ready for the day. As we went to leave, I went to wake Kaden up. It was our normal routine.That morning wasn't normal. As I started towards his bed, I didn't even call his name like normal. It was silent in a way it had never been before. Then I saw him. Laying in bed as if he had just drifted off to sleep. Only he wasn't asleep. I knew instantly that he was gone. The next seconds, minutes, days...are a blur. I remember trying CPR. I remember being told there was nothing they could do. He was gone. If there is a worse pain, I can't imagine it.
We found out from the autopsy that Kaden had a CHD called Cystic Tumor of the AV Node. It was rare, but known to cause Complete Heart Block and Sudden Heart Death. However, it was so uncommon that his cardiologist had never heard of it. Didn't know that all those things he was experiencing-were symptoms of this condition. This tumor had started growing as his heart developed in utero. As he grew, so did it. Until it took his life.
This is why I decided to fundraise for The Children's Heart Foundation. 1 in ever 110 babies born, has a CHD. There are other children, like my Kaden, living with one of these many heart defects. I can't go back in time to save him, but I will do everything I can to make sure the reasearch to save other children can be funded. Kaden deserved more. He deserved to live. Now we have to other children that opportunity. Every condition was was rare and unknown. Treatments are discovered and lives are saved by people like you that donate to these causes.
Kaden was an amazing kid. He was an amazing son, big brother and friend. He was always making people smile or laugh. He had this look he would give me when he was in trouble- it was his get out of jail free card. I couldn't resist it. He was so good with his younger siblings. Although they drove him crazy, he went out of his way to make sure they were happy and safe. He did that for his momma too. I know I drove him crazy, but he went out of his way to make me feel appreciated and loved. And that is how I always tried to make him feel.
He had an obsession with cars, trucks and motorcyles since he could speak. He spent so much of his free time reading about cars or talking about them. He bought his truck one month prior to leaving us. He and his best friend spent hours working on it. It was old and worn down, but it was his dream truck. He had worked hard, saved his money and bought it on his own. We are keeping his dream alive. His truck will be completed in a way he would be proud of. Kaden had a dream of joining the army. He had this need to something for his country and he wanted to become a diesel mechanic. I know he would have accomplished everything he had planned.
We miss Kaden every second of every day. We do this, we fundraise, so maybe we can save one child-one family from this heartbreak.
Thank you for taking the time to read Kaden's Story. Our "Why". Also, thank you for making a donation to this worthy cause.
