As we celebrate American Heart Month, heart mama and two-time cancer survivor, Kasie Marek, speaks openly and honestly about what it’s like to have a son with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrom (HLHS). We have a beautiful discussion about the realities of caring for a child with a serious and rare heart condition.
In this episode, we chat about:
What is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)?
How does HLHS affect a family: emotionally, logistically and financially?
What are the treatment options available for HLHS?
What are the effects of a heart transplant on a family?
What’s the best advice for a fellow heart mama?
Kasie Marek is a medical mom trying to figure it all out, one day at a time. A two-time childhood cancer survivor who entered the “nurse" mom world after her first-born, Noah, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Now, she’s trying to navigate the everyday life of medical to-do lists, while still being a MOM, WIFE, and prioritizing self-care.
Connect with Kasie:
Instagram | Facebook | Website (personal) | Website (business)
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
It’s a new era in the podcast and new host Kathryn Whitaker shares what listeners (and YouTube fans!) can expect this year.
In this episode, Kathryn chats about:
Kathryn Whitaker is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book about living an intentional life and how her NICU baby helped her get there. She's a sixth-generation Texan who loves queso, cowboy boots and southern hospitality. On social media and her blog, Kathryn shares her honest take on family life and living in the chaos, all while drinking Dr Pepper and cheering on the Texas A&M Aggies. She has appeared in USA Today, radio and TV stations around the country and is a frequent guest/sometimes host on SiriusXM Radio. Kathryn and her husband, Scott, live with their six children in Austin, Texas.
Connect with Kathryn:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
Buy her book:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license