"To Where You Are"
Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memory's so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be?
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are my
Forever love
Watching me from up above
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
~ Linda Thompson
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart."
~ Helen Keller
And we thank our children for this "best and most beautiful thing in the world" that they have given to us...
Their love! |
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One of Janna's favorite quotes:
"You can't be a smart cookie if you have a crumby attitude!"
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Janna will always be our very treasured daughter, sister, and friend. She had a sweet and caring nature and she was smart and determined to succeed. She had a quiet inner strength. She loved her family and friends. She liked to ski, run track and cross-country, hang out at the mall with her friends, watch cartoons, draw cartoon characters, happy little frogs and butterflies, read and write stories, laugh and be silly. She had a warm and winning smile... and she was the picture of health.
Janna had two fainting episodes during an 11-month period. Doctors told us that "Everything looked fine!" and to make sure that she ate breakfast, had enough salt, and drank enough liquids. On December 31, 2002 at the age of 15, Janna died in her sleep.
Janna died of a detectable and treatable heart problem known as Long QT Syndrome. Since then, other family members have been found to have Long QT Syndrome as well.
 Janna,
You are our treasure! I love you up to the stars and around the moons and back... forever and always!!!
Love, Mom
XXXOOOXXX
My sister, best friend, and partner,
May your spirit shine as brightly from the stars as your smile sparkles in my mind every time I close my eyes.
Love, Emily
What a wonderful young man he was. Bright, funny, mischievous, thoughtful, kind, tall, dark and handsome — and what a smile! Jesse was just a nice person. And he touched many people during his lifetime.
In December 2002, just two days after graduating from college, Jesse was admitted to the hospital with a heart infection that was the result of a dental cleaning a month before. During the next eight months, Jesse underwent two open heart surgeries to replace his aortic valve. After his second surgery, everyone — even his doctors — thought he was recovering perfectly. Five weeks later, on October 1, 2003, Jesse died in his sleep from acute pulmonary edema.
When Jesse first became ill, the tests done by the cardiologist revealed that he had been born with a defective aortic valve. When he was a child, we were told that he had a heart murmur — but that it was nothing to worry about. We now believe that Jesse should have had antibiotics before any dental appointment. If he had received cardiac screening as a child or teen, we would have known about the defective valve and we could have taken steps to protect his heart.
 When Jesse died, our world changed forever. He was only 23 years old and had so much potential and so many life experiences ahead of him. We miss him every day.
Jean and Tim Yeakle
Jesse's Mom and Dad
August 1, 1983 - March 17, 2003
Son of Tom and Irene, Younger Brother of Nathan
Kyle's life was just beginning. He was a freshman at Harrisburg Area Community College studying electronic engineering technology, looking forward to a promising future. Kyle enjoyed bowling, fishing, and video games. He was a part of a group of friends who called themselves MMKPR. They made amateur videos of skits they would write. His favorite food and drink were pepperoni pizza and Dr. Pepper. He loved his family, his friends, and his dog Bingo.
 Kyle's symptoms of heart disease began during the summer of 1999 at the age of 15, when he experienced a couple of near fainting spells while working outside in the Rides department of Hershey Park. He was told to drink more water. The cause for these episodes was not found until that fall when he went for a physical for his driver's permit. A number of tests, including a heart catheterization with biopsies, were performed. The diagnosis was made that Kyle had Primary Cardiomyopathy. He had an enlarged right ventricle which affected his heart rhythm and circulation.
Over the next three years Kyle was monitored often through EKG's, Echocardiograms, and 24 hour Holter monitors. He took medications daily and had to limit his physical activity. He wrote down his feelings about that period of his life:
"The fact of not knowing what will happen the next day is what makes me get up each morning. Life is a journey, not a destination. People make life what they want it to be. Things don't just happen to you; you have to make things happen."
Kyle died suddenly and unexpectedly the afternoon of Monday March 17, 2003 at home. He had spent the morning at college and, after coming home, had an arrhythmia attack that took his life. He was 19 years old.
"For some life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds lasts forever."
~ Laura Swenson
Jose Luis Santos was born May 15, 1972, and his Angel Date is April 14, 2002. He was a very healthy 29 years old. We had a very close relationship. Not only was he my son, but also my best friend. He married on September 11, 1999. He has a beautiful son by the name of Joseph Michael. Joseph is the image of his father. I spend as much time as I can with him.
When Jose was 8 years old, the pediatrician detected a heart murmur, but as with most kids he said he would out grow it. Subsequent yearly check ups did not detect any heart murmur.
On April 13, 2002, Jose and I were talking, and all he said that was different was that he was overly tired and was going to bed early. We said our good bys and the "I love you Mom... I'll talk to you tomorrow." On April 14, 2002 at 12:25 AM, I received that dreadful phone call from the hospital that my son had died.
I requested every possible test from the coroner, and they concluded after 8 months that he had died of an Acute Cardiac Dysrhythmia. His heart just stopped beating while he was asleep. Jose was also a tissue donor.
"Jose, you are always in my Heart" and I will campaign to increase awareness to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children in your memory.
Love you, Mom.
May 21, 1980 - April 8, 2001
Nicholas was a seemingly healthy 20 year old with a smile we will never forget. He was so full of life and ambition and had so many hopes and dreams. On April 8, 2001 our lives were forever changed when a sudden cardiac arrest took Nick's life. He had no history of heart disease. We later learned that Nick had an undetected heart disorder called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD). This is a genetic heart condition in which the muscle of the right ventricle is replaced by fat and fibrosis. This causes abnormal heart rhythm.
There is no known curative treatment for ARVD. Diagnosing ARVD is difficult and early detection is vital. Unfortunately, the condition may not be detected until a serious cardiac event occurs. We ask on behalf of Nick and all other young people who have had their lives taken without warning to learn all you can about ARVD and other heart disorders.
"We can smile through our tears because Nick happened in our lives."
"I'm Still Here"
Please don't mourn for me I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day, within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near. I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart, as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight. I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach, I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around. The pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond. The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you see in the spring, the first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the ray of light when the sun starts to shine, you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start to think there's no one to love you, talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees. You'll feel my presence in a summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep. The beautiful dreams that come when you sleep.
I'm the smile that you see on a baby's face. Just look at me. I am everyplace...
~ Author Unknown
Katie was born in Newport Rhode Island on October 12, 1984. She has two brothers, John and Matthew. Katie was born into a military family and had the opportunity to live in many different places. She lived in Carlsbad, California, New Orleans, Philadelphia, PA, and New Cumberland, PA.
Katie was on the Philadelphia Naval Base swim team and she was a Girl Scout. She was a member of the Cedar Cliff cheerleading squads and was on the Cheertyme Cheer team. Katie participated in many national cheerleading competitions and was voted onto the All Star Squad. She also volunteered with members of the St. Theresa's cheerleading squad.
Katie was also on the Cedar Cliff High School track team. She was running track at Cedar Cliff High School on April 5, 1999 when she collapsed and died.
Since Katie's death, her father and brother have both been diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia.
Katie is now Aunt Katie to her niece, Ruby Kathryn. Katie will always live on in our hearts and we hope that she will now live on to help others understand how very important a child's heart-health is.
November 1, 1985 - January 22, 2004
My son, Jayme, passed on Jan 22 2004 at the age of 18 years, 2 months, and 21 days, of Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) while running track at school. We knew of his heart condition 3 years before he passed and were told never to worry... that it was a condition he would grow out of. IF he didn't, I was told they would do an ablation when he was 18. As you can see from his age, he had just turned 18.
I am a member of Parent Heart Watch and do many, many, many things in my community and others, to get, buy, or donate automated external defibrillators to schools. It's my life's mission, besides loving and enjoying my family. I did that before, but I do even more desperately now. I recently donated a defibrillator to Jayme's middle school where he was diagnosed at 15 years old. My 12 year old goes there now.
Marchetta Tench
June 18, 1981 - July 25, 2002
January 12, 1978 - April 15, 2000
Sudden Death is what happened to my two children; Jimmy was only 22 years old and Crissy was only 21 years old. Both died in their sleep. I knew nothing about their heart problems until it was too late to save my children.
Jimmy died April 15, 2000, leaving behind a daughter Alexis, who was only two years old. Only two years later, on July 25, 2002, my daughter Crissy never woke up, dying the same way as her brother and leaving behind a baby girl, Jessica, only ten months old.
Our family was misdiagnosed with epilepsy; instead we had Long QT Syndrome, a hereditary syndrome that strikes mostly young adults. I also have Long QT Syndrome and this condition is very treatable.
I have chosen to reach out and share my story with the hopes of saving a life and sparing another parent from such pain. I have done eleven newspaper articles and six news health awareness segments on TV stations such as ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and Public broadcasting.
Please contact me. Just a little awareness could save a life!
Jackie Renfrow
Email: Jackie_renfrow@yahoo.com
Home #: 317-736-7055
Work #: 317-789-3945
November 11, 1984 - August 22, 2007
It has been a year since viral myocarditis stopped your loving heart and the bright, radiant, smile and the joyful, warm laughter. You are so deeply missed, forever cherished and always in our thoughts, each second of every day.
Love always and forever,
Mom, Dad, Marc, Tony, and Stephanie
Annie Julia Liberati was 22 years old when she died in her sleep with no symptoms from viral myocarditis. I never heard of viral myocarditis before.
Annie was a microbiologist applying to medical school. She was working and living in Blacksburg, Virginia. She just graduated with a dual major in both biology and microbiology from Virginia Tech. She was coming home in two days to buy a new car. She was so excited. I spoke to her the day before. She had just completed a trip to visit her grandma in California and a tour up to San Francisco. She attended a Steelers game and returned to Virginia. She went to work on Monday and Tuesday. She was perfectly fine.
She was so full of life, so bright, and with so much promise. At the Tech Lab she created a kit for third world countries to fight stomach viruses. We were called on Wednesday, August 22 at 11:00 when Annie did not show up for work. An hour later we were notified she passed away in her sleep. No symptoms, no warning, we were shocked and still are. I cannot believe that our bright, vibrant, strong, Annie died. She was not sick, there was no warning. The autopsy showed that her heart was inflamed and there was damage that compromised the electrical impulses. The cause of death was an arrhythmia caused by a virus.
She was bright, and beautiful, and wonderful. Our hearts are broken with sadness for a loss so deep.
Annie was youngest of 4 children. Her two brothers and sister were all 18 months apart, close in age, and close to each other. She was so much fun, so full of life, and so witty. We all love her and miss her - her radiance, her wit, her warmth, and her joyful laughter.
Viral myocarditis does not even have spell check from Google. 1 in 100,000 young, healthy people die unexpectedly from this insidious disease. Most people get a cold or a fever from a virus. In some people, and it is still not clear why, their autoimmune system joins the virus and attacks the heart. This is what happened to our wonderful Annie. Currently, there are no indicators for who will, or why some people, get viral myocarditis. Jeffrey A. Towbin, M.D. from Baylor College does extensive research with viral myocarditis.
Annie will forever be in our hearts. Every second of every minute, we think of Annie. We love her and miss her and do not understand how a happy, healthy, young woman, so bright and wonderful and so loved could be gone.
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