Our Latest "Feel Better Campaign" Recipient Undergoes Open Heart Surgery Today....In Style

We are excited to introduce you all to our latest "Feel Better Campaign" recipient, Carly Smith.  More importantly, we would love it if you would keep Carly in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes open heart surgery today.

Carly with her cute little cousin

Carly is 19 years old and was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when she was just three days old.  Her condition did not require surgery or treatment as a child but, more recently, Carly has developed symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, and fatigue.  After undergoing several tests, her doctors discovered that she now has severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation which is causing her heart to enlarge and not function properly.  This condition is extremely dangerous and the reason she is now requiring open heart surgery.

Carly (pictured on the right) with her family

How did Carly find Annie & Isabel hospital gowns??  She hates standard hospital gowns so much that she was determined to find a better alternative and, well, SHE DID!!  Here is what she said in a recent email to us:

"I hate that hospital gowns give you no modesty or privacy. When in the hospital, you are already put into many uncomfortable situations, but the gown just adds to that because you feel like you are exposed to the whole world!"


Since Carly is having open heart surgery, we customized her designer gown to include a telemetry pocket so the hospital staff can continue to easily monitor her heart as she recovers. 

It is especially hard to see a young person deal with such a tough diagnosis and treatment, but unfortunately we have had many teenagers as our customers.  While we wish that we would have no young customers, we are happy that our gowns can be a source of happiness for their difficult days.  We hope that our "Annie" gown will provide Carly with some comfort, style, and dignity and will also bring a sweet smile to her face as she recovers from her surgery. 

To learn more about our "Feel Better Campaign" and read about past recipients click the link below:

FEEL BETTER CAMPAIGN

An Oklahoma Family's Heartbreak and Tragedy - PLEASE READ AND SHARE

Yesterday we received an email from Megan, who recently wore one of our hospital gowns for the birth of her 3rd child.  Megan lives in Oklahoma and shared a heart breaking story with us. Here is her email -   

"Hi Girls,

Not sure if you heard, but my state, Oklahoma, was hit with a round of tornadoes on Tuesday, May 24th. The little town of Piedmont was demolished. A mom, Catherine Hamil, got into the bath tub with her children Kathleen 5, Ryan 3, and Cole 15 months.  Her husband was out of town for business. I don't know if you are familiar with tornado safety, but growing up, we were all told to "go to the tub" for protection. Catherine put a mattress over them and, when the tornado hit their home, it sucked them out of the tub and literally tossed all four of them about. Their house was completely flattened and scattered to the foundation. The whole state is moved by this story. Her daughter Kathleen survived with serious injuries. Her son Cole died the following morning at the hospital. Her son Ryan was missing for 2 days and sadly was found deceased in a pond behind their house early Thursday morning. The mother Catherine, who is also 5 months pregnant, has had surgery for pelvic fractures.  My question is, I was wondering if you would donate a hospital gown for the mother? If not, could you cut me a sweet deal? I won't quit loving ya if you can't do it, but I thought I would ask:) Let me know if there is anything you need from me!

Thanks Girls, 

Megan"

The Hamil Family

We are so thankful Megan wrote to us, because as most of you know, we just launched our Feel Better Campaign, in which we donate our designer hospital gowns to nominated and deserving recipients. Our mission in starting this program is to support people in need during difficult times. We hope, that by sending Catherine our hospital gowns, she can enjoy a bit of comfort during her upcoming birth and any upcoming hospital stays she may have to endure as a result of her injuries. As you read this story, we encourage you to share it with your friends, with the hope that together we can surround the Hamil family with our love and support.  Because of social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, almost $40,000 has already been raised for the Hamil family. If you would like to support the Hamil family there are many ways to do so.  

    { HAMIL FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND }  

{ FACEBOOK - SHOWER OF HOPE OKLAHOMA } 

{ TWITTER - SHOWER OF HOPE OKLAHOMA }

{ SHOWER OF HOPE - BLOG } 

Here are a few pictures of the damage that the Hamil family endured last Tuesday May 24th, 2011

The Hamil's home in Piedmont, Oklahoma before and after...

A heart wrenching video from Mailonline.com after they found Cole's body.

"My little buddy': Father fights back tears as he reveals that missing three-year-old son has been found dead"