A MOTHER’S LOVE

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BLANCHARD - Mother's Day has always been a special time for Cassie Carson. But this year, she feels truly blessed. "I appreciate my kids more... Sometimes we take the healthy ones for granted," Cassie said, cradling eight-week-old Mycah in her arms while watching his brothers Austyn and Landyn playing in the next room. Mycah, born March 24 in Williams-port Hospital, spent the first 22 days of his life at Hershey Medical Center after he was diagnosed with a heart defect. Although the baby's prognosis is good, Cassie said the stay at the hospital has opened her eyes to another world ... the world of a mother whose child is not healthy. "Of course we were sad and upset... but then we thought ... at least it's something that can be fixed. There were so many others down there who are not as fortunate," she said. "We watched parents lose their children and others find out their children had cancer and brain tumors. It really makes you stop and think." Cassie and Shawn's older sons are strong and healthy, so the notion never crossed their mind that their next child wouldn't be just as healthy as the first two. It was an uneventful pregnancy and normal delivery. The couple was in seventh heaven ... until a nurse examined their tiny son shortly after his birth, and detected an unusual heart murmur. A pediatrician was immediately called and after an echogram it was determined that little Mycah's heart vessels were switched and he needed heart surgery immediately. He was flown by helicopter to Hershey Medical Center. Since Cassie couldn't be discharged until the next morning, her mother and sister-in-law went to Hershey to be with the baby, while Cassie's brother and wife took Mycah's two older brothers to their home. "We knew we were about to experience the longest night of our lives," Cassie said, noting the emotional pain she and Shawn went through as they kissed their newborn son goodbye and watched the helicopter fly away. The couple sat clinging to each other for emotional support, when some special visitors arrived: The associate pastor from their church, his wife and two close friends. "We laughed, we cried, we prayed together. This was exactly what Shawn and I needed at that moment," Cassie said. And that was just the beginning of dozens and dozens of wonderful acts of kindness that have been bestowed on the family since Mycah's birth. The next morning Cassie was discharged from the hospital and she and Shawn made a bee-line to Hershey. To their surprise, many family members and their pastor were there to greet them. "It was so comforting to know that we were loved enough to have our minister drive the whole way to Hershey to be with us and pray over our son," Cassie said. After evaluating Mycah, the surgeon and cardiologist said his heart defect was a little more severe than they first thought and he would need open heart surgery to begin the correction process. Surgery was scheduled for March 26; Mycah was just two days old. Once again the couple kissed their baby good-bye and watched him wheeled down the hall into the operating room for a five-hour surgery. As the couple sat together in the waiting room watching the clock slowly tick away the minutes, two friends from their church got off the elevator... bringing with them snacks and much-needed companionship during a tough time. More friends came later to pray with Shawn and Cassie. Over the next 22 days as Mycah was cared for at Hershey, the acts of kindness were unending. "We received many more visitors from our church and the community who drove to Hershey to help us pass the time. I received e-mail after e-mail telling me Mycah had been put on different churches' prayer lists. So many stories were shared, so many tears were shed, so many hugs and prayers were given," Cassie said. The kindness stretched beyond the visitors to the hospital. "Our community rallied... helping us with the expense of food and lodging. The Ronald McDonald House was full so we had to say in a hotel. We received monetary donations and gas cards from churches, schools, organizations and friends," Cassie continued. She said it is impossible to mention every person who offered support during this time, but she has kept a record of all the visitors, gifts, phone calls and other help. She plans to tell Mycah when he grows up how wonderful the community was to his family right after his birth. "We could not have done it on our own... financially or emotionally. My family completely took over care of the older boys, making sure they got to school, baseball practice and other places. They gave them the support they needed when Shawn and I couldn't be there for them. It was so comforting to know they were being taken care of so wonderfully," she said. Cassie said she grew up in a "giving family," who found joy in helping others and it's difficult to be on the other end. "My parents always taught us that not everyone is as fortunate as we are blessed to be. And when you can help someone, that is your job. For years my family (Bitner) has collected toys for children in our community at Christmas. During these years I have never once thought to myself that one day I could need help in some way. "It was very hard for me to accept money and gas cards from people... I'm used to giving, not receiving. But without the help of all these people, I would never have been able to stay with Mycah while he recovered," she said. Shawn and Cassie say they were amazed and shocked by the generosity of so many gifts and donations. But they were also blessed by an endless prayer chain that saw hundreds of Christians praying for their young son. Cassie registered Mycah on a computer link that is called a "Carepage" at Hershey and updated the information daily, letting all those reading know about Mycah. Pretty soon, Cassie said she was receiving emails from all over the state and beyond, offering words of encouragement and prayer. "I even received an email from a soldier who used to attend our church and is now serving in Iraq. I couldn't believe it. He's a soldier in Iraq whose life is in danger 24 hours a day and he took time to e-mail me that his entire squad is praying for Mycah," Cassie said. She continues to update that website on Mycah's status and will keep it active throughout his next two surgeries so people can follow his progress. Doctors expect the final surgery at age 2 or 3 will enable them to repair his heart permanently and he will grow into a healthy, happy child. Meanwhile, he's on medication and has to be watched a little more carefully. He also has regular checkups. When asked how they made it through this ordeal, Cassie said she and Shawn "just did what they had to do. Any parent would have done the same because parents do what our kids need us to do." And although it was tough going and, two more surgeries will also be difficult, Cassie and Shawn believe they are better off for the experience. "They say all things happen for a reason. I truly believe ... one lesson I learned through Mycah's illness is how wonderful my family and community are. If I can help teach my children one thing, it's to help others whenever you can because you never know when you may need to ask someone for help. "And I learned to appreciate my kids more ... we are lucky that the older boys are strong and healthy and Mycah's problem can be fixed," Cassie said, gently touching the tiny fingers on her little boy's hands and kissing him on the forehead. Mother's Days have always been special for Cassie. But this year, the day will be even more joyous.