Nash Adam Sievers was born on January 15, 2008 - he was full term and appeared as healthy as could be. We had no idea of the changes that were taking place in his precious little body; hidden from both us and the doctors.
On July 1, 2008, Nash was taken to the hospital when he appreared to be breathing heavily. After numerous tests, it was determined that he had an extremely enlarged heart and his chest was filling up with fluid. Our son was called home to heaven after only three hours in the hospital. An autopsy revealed that Nash had EFE (endocardial fibroelastosis), a rare and most often deadly heart abnormality that usually occurs in the first months of life.
The past year and a half have been a nightmare to say the least. We are left with so many questions, so many what ifs...
One thing that gives me great comfort is to share my son's story. To know that others think of him gives me so much peace. So when a friend asked me if I would want to walk in this March For Babies in honor of my sweet baby, there's no way I could refuse.
The money raised will help other families that are going through the scariest thing in the world - the possibility of losing a child. It will also go to medical research to help fight against disorders, diseases, and abnormalities that hurt our babies. NO ONE should know how it feels to bury their child and yet, unfortunately, so many do.
I am honored to wear Nash's name on my shirt as I walk these five miles. I can only hope that he is proud of his mom as he watches from the best seat in the house.
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.