January's Featured Story

How many of you wake up each morning, look out your window and say this is going to be a beautiful day? How many of you go about your day with hardly any worries of how your day will end? Lastly, how many of you are parents or parents to be? For those of you that are parents, you already know what it's like to have the responsibility of a life, one you must bring up in world with trials, stipulations, and worries. I am sure most can agree that its already hard enough bringing a child into this world fully healthy. We as parents have to make sure the path they follow along, is one that will bring them success, happiness and joy. Most of us take our day to day life for granted. We wake up each morning, look around, and go about our days care free.

Just over two years ago, on December 4th, 2008 a little girl came into this world. She has blessed two very special people, Tara and Jared Miller. Never in a million years, could these two parents be so thrilled to welcome their third child, Kaylena. Perfect bundle that completed their family.

Eight days after Kaylena was born, the Miller's had to bring her to the Emergency Room(ER). Being so young, you are already worried about what might be wrong. So what if you were told, that your new baby was only fifteen to thirty minuets from dying? This was the case for the Miller's.

Kaylena had caught a virus that in rare cases can make its way into a newborns spinal fluid and within hours, the outcome can be fatal. The doctors told the Miller's she was lucky, because of her body temperature was 92 degrees upon arrival. this is the very thing that could have saved her brain functions. Kaylena had to spend the next three months in the Prenatal Intensive Care Unit(PICU) at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach fighting for her life. She was on every life support system the hospital had and on occasions, the Miller's were informed there was not much more they could do. Kaylena was pre-diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, because her case was so severe it caused her to go into cardiac arrest. The Miller's were so thankful to the doctors that day for saving their daughters life and bringing her back to them. The news came that because of the life support, and the length of time Kaylena had to be on the machines, they were told she may have brain damage, possible deaf and blindness and many other symptoms. Kaylena has none of them.

At three months old, weighting 8 pounds the Miller's were finally able to take their baby girl home for the second time. Kaylena was now diagnosed with Mitrovalve Regurgitation, which means her heart was enlarged and gets worse with every beat. For a year after this tragic event, Kaylena was doing great. The doctors truly thought her heart would repair itself over time. She would grow into an adult with restrictions, but could lead a normal life. Unfortunately this is not the case. Kaylena is now scheduled to have open heart surgery at the age of 2, on February 10th, 2011. Her weight has dropped to 18 pounds, and she is in desperate need of mitrovalve repair. The Miller's have been so strong in this process, and have had such a great support system.

I know that all of you would support my family if this happened to us, so we can only ask that you join with us to support Tara and Jared in this difficult time. They have set up a Tribute Donations in honor of Kaylena for CaringBridge. If you are interested in setting up a donation please visit Caring Bridge in Honor of Kaylena.

-Story Published By: Janelle Carruolo, January 8, 2011