About Heartease
With Heartease Christian Caregiving you will find a community that understands the daily sacrifices and burdens you carry. Every caregiving situation is different, but we want to see everyone grow in their faith and ability as a caregiver. Our heart is to remind you that you are not alone, that God hears your prayers, and you can walk through this journey with grace and joy in each step.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to help family caregivers grow in faith and ability.
We want to challenge every caregiver to deepen their faith. Our organization provides Biblical learning through devotions, spiritual support through prayer, and an emphasis on Christian worldview when sharing practical tips for the caregiver.
Our vision is that every member of our community will be able to walk through life with joy and peace no matter their circumstances because of the hope offered in salvation through Jesus Christ.
My Story of Caregiving
My own story of caregiving started in 2016 when I went to a prenatal anatomy scan. During that appointment I was told we needed to make an appointment with cardiology, that my baby girl would need a series of three surgeries to survive.
I spent the weekend scouring the internet for information about congenital heart defects. Three days after the anatomy scan my husband and I met with the staff of the heart center that would see us through the next two years.
Our precious daughter, Leah, was born in 2017 with the NICU and cardiology teams waiting for her. Her first surgery was just five days later and she was hospitalized for over a month.
Bringing our daughter home for the first time was terrifying. It was not like the previous two times with our heart-healthy kiddos. We were so delighted to be under the same roof and did our best to enjoy every minute, knowing she had only a month or two before the next surgery.
Leah had more procedures, heart caths, and surgeries. She had blood thinners, long lists of medications, and oxygen. We met with feeding therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists. We got to know our medical staff at the hospital very well.
I tried to make life as normal as possible for all of our children. The balancing act was in full force when I needed to find ways to be bedside in the hospital and still parent my other two kids, find time for my husband, and to make time to nourish my own soul.
I didn’t always get it right. I did the best I could with the knowledge and resources I had at the time. My prayer is that the experiences I had, the lessons I learned, can help you on your own journey through family caregiving. We all have so much in common despite living through vastly different circumstances. Looking back, I wish I had the site that I am creating now–a community of people that would encourage me through the darkest, most exhausting moments of my life.
Leah lost her battle in 2019. After a catastrophic medical event, we transferred to a different hospital in hopes of having a transplant, but she was too sick to finish the evaluation and be listed. Our sweet girl passed in my arms, surrounded by family.
Today, I praise God for letting me have the opportunity to love Leah. We are thankful to know that she is in the presence of our Lord, free from any pain and any fear of hospitals. Her memory lives on as a reminder of how God’s greatest blessings don’t always come in the way they think they will. And we dedicate this site in her memory and to God’s glory.
Leah in PICU at about 7 months old. We tried to keep her entertained and happy.
Leah in PICU over 4th of July holiday
Our three kids at a zoo outing together. We didn’t get a lot of these opportunities but we cherished each one!
This became an all too common sight for us. Leah recovering from her 2nd heart surgery.