Written with love from Mommy...

     Our daughter, Jayden Riley DeLuca, was the greatest joy in our lives.  She was born on June 5, 2004 and underwent her first open heart surgery 6 days later.  During that first week, she demonstrated such determination and strength that we knew she would amaze us for the rest of her life....and she did.    
    Jayden was born with a congenital heart defect known as a single ventricle heart.  In many cases, this condition can be managed by undergoing a series of 3 surgeries.  However, Jayden’s internal makeup was a bit different; because of that she was not a candidate for these surgeries.  Her heart condition caused her to develop pulmonary hypertension (narrowing of the veins around her lungs), and it was that disease that ultimately cost her her life in February of 2007.
    In her short 2 1/2 years, Jayden underwent 2 open heart surgeries and numerous clinical procedures to try and improve her heart.  She saw doctors in Idaho and Oregon,  many commenting on how they had never seen an internal makeup quite like hers.  Every doctor that came into contact with Jayden fell in love with her, and worked that much harder to try and find a way to help.  In November of 2006, we were told that Jayden’s best chance was for her to undergo a heart-lung transplant.  This would give her a new heart, but more importantly it would rid her body of the pulmonary veins that continued to narrow and cause a decreased oxygen flow to her body.  
    We made phone calls, filled out paper work and had several medical tests to begin the transplant process.  In late February of 2007, we were ready to board a plane to meet with doctors and surgeons at Stanford University Hospital where the transplant would take place.  However, Jayden was not feeling well and we chose to postpone the trip.  We took her home to rest, and she passed away the following day.
    Although Jayden had a very serious condition, she was much more than a “heart baby.”  As parents, we didn’t focus on Jayden’s condition. Instead, we were determined to make sure that she led a full life.  We went on trips to Vegas where she saw lions and dolphins.  She watched the water show in amazement and stared at the neon lights.  We visited Disneyland twice, where the characters caused breakdowns and the rides caused huge amounts of laughter.  We went swimming in the pool in the summer time and went sledding in the snow during winter.  We celebrated birthdays and Christmases surrounded by family and friends that she loved.                                                                                                                              

     Before Jayden’s death, she was a happy 2 1/2 year old girl.  She was just like all other children her age; she loved her mom and dad and playing with her dogs whom she renamed “Baba” and “Yaya”.  She was fascinated by horses, which she called “neigh-neighs” and got great joy out small family drives to go visit, pet and feed any horses we could find along the way.  Needless to say, those trips gave us great joy also.  Seeing her face light up and hearing the excitement in her voice thrilled us even more than the “neigh-neighs” excited our Jayden.
    Now that she is gone, we are left with all the memories that Jayden gave to us.  She loved watching “Dora the Explorer” and “Sesame Street”.  Every night she would coax her daddy into bringing her into his bed so they could snuggle.  She would wait on the counter for mommy to come home so they could make pancakes as their afternoon snack.  Jayden taught us more than any adult ever could--she was a miracle who taught us unconditional love and phenomenal strength.  She was and is our everything--the best thing that ever happened in our lives. Our Precious little girl!