A calling of the heart

HAYDEN - A sleepy, dark-haired infant snuggled into his mother's bosom as she shared the horrifying experience of how she almost lost him.

"It was by far the scariest thing that we have ever dealt with," said Heather Gallegos, 29, of Hayden. "It was so much uncertainty, especially at first because I was already scared and worried about him having a respiratory infection, and then to be given this worst-case scenario news was just totally horrible."

Her now 9-month-old son, Saul, was born with two congenital heart defects that made the first several months of his life a tumultuous, frightful time. He came into the world with coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta and a ventricular septal defect, commonly referred to as a "hole" in the heart.

"Beautiful healthy baby, did well on his APGAR (appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration) scores," she said. "Flying colors. He was actually a couple weeks old before we found out about his heart defects."

Heather and her husband of six years, Zach, have two other children: Brandon, 5, and Rosy, 3. They had to spend time away from their older kids, wait anxiously for answers from doctors and surgeons, make trips to hospitals in Spokane and Seattle and go days upon days lacking sleep or the ability to eat. Heather described herself and Zach as "broken messes," their family hoping and praying for newborn baby Saul as he underwent endless testing and operations.

While the little guy will have to be monitored by cardiologists his whole life, he made it. Two new teeth just broke through his bottom gums and he has a smile that can wrap any adult around his little finger. They all made it.

During this harrowing time for the Gallegos family, there was an outpouring of love and support. Fundraisers were held, notes of hope flooded in as did small gifts that lifted heavy hearts. Heather expressed a sincere gratitude to the Sacred Heart specialists who worked tirelessly on their little boy, and she was tearful as she discussed all the people who donated money, meals and gifts when her family was shaken and sometimes separated.

"The love and support was so tangible during that time," she said. "It literally carried us."

Now, they are determined to pay it forward.

"There was nonstop giving when we were (in the hospitals), it was unreal, and it was always at the right times," Heather said. "What really was the calling on my heart was I enjoy doing these things as well, and creating these things I was getting as gifts, and I always underestimated just how something as simple as a construction paper card or knitted beanie for my baby could be. I think there are plenty of people with abilities who don't realize they could have an impact."

Heather is in the first stages of establishing a new nonprofit she has fittingly named "Grateful Hearts Giving," which reflects the appreciation she and her family have for the kindness shown to them during their difficult time. She is taking money leftover from fundraisers and investing it into helping others who may be experiencing similar situations. While February is heart month and Heather really wants to bring attention to the fact that congenital heart disease is extremely common, she said Grateful Hearts won't be limited to families experiencing hospitalizations. It focuses on giving gifts to those who are sick, hurting, grieving or are simply in need of an uplifting gesture.

"It's more about finding people that want to give their time and ability to create gifts that brighten people's days," she said.

Grateful Hearts is a volunteer, donation-based organization where people can give time, money, materials and use their creative abilities to provide a sliver of hope and happiness to children and families suffering a dark time in their lives. As a parent who has been on the other side of the glass uncertain if her child will live, Heather understands the power in such things.

"These gifts are made possible by a large network of gifted individuals in the community with a heart for giving," she said. "The project provides all necessary materials to those who give their time and talents away. We are always in need of more people who have an ability they want to share. Some popular needs are, but not limited to: sewing, crocheting, knitting, drawing, painting, paper crafting (cards and scrapbooking) and woodworking."

Heather said the group is presently in need of a wood crafter who has the ability to create bereavement boxes for families who suffer the loss of a child.

"We are so thankful for our heart warrior and our hearts go out to all the families whose little heart warriors don't make it," Heather said. "With congenital heart disease being the leading birth defect to cause infant death, we are very, very fortunate."

For information or to get involved, contact Heather at gratefulheartsgiving@yahoo.com.