Miss Mia's Heart
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Miss Mia
From the beginning ....

Miss Mia was examined closely at birth, because her angel-brother Sylas had had serious heart problems, and it was determined that Mia had a bicuspid aortic valve, which was duly noted and doctors determined she would be just fine for now, and they'd keep an eye on it, since bicuspid aortic valves are fairly common, and most of the time cause health issues later in life, if at all.  They scheduled her for a routine check up of her heart for around three months of age.  To meet her, you'd never know her heart is special....

At the three-month check up, Dr. King discovered that her aorta had grown an alarming rate, and was actually about twice the size he expected.  He immediately sent mom, dad and Miss Mia to New Orleans for more detailed testing.  Those tests showed a definite aortic aneurysm and the doctors and experts around the country began to confer to help mom and dad make the best decisions regarding Miss Mia's care and treatment.  They put her on a medication that might help slow the growth of the aorta, and scheduled a follow-up visit for two weeks, but at that checkup, the aorta ha enlarged even more, and mommy, daddy, and Mia headed to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where Dr. Emile Bacha and his excellent team have tackled her aneurysm and are making her all better.....to be able to send her home to her family, friends, and community.  Please continue to lift her in prayer, and follow Mommy's Caring Bridge web site for the latest news and updates at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/miapaisley  (it is likely more up to date and likely more accurate than this web site made by Mia's grandma.)
​2012-12-28 UPDATE - Mia is thankfully, growing and developing just as she should be. Her progress is amazing. As with most CHD children, her parents remain constantly on guard against any illnesses, or other challenges that might cause concern. Mia is walking, talking, and trying to do just about everything her older brother Asher does!  Her second Christmas was such a joy. As we watched her tentatively reach for the ornaments and giddily giggle when we just let her play with the [unbreakable, of course] ornaments.  She is so much fun. Thank you all for your sweet, kind prayers, and continued warmth and love directed toward our family.  With two CHD children in our family, we always welcome your prayers!

2012-03-09 - UPDATE - Mia is doing amazingly well.  She is doing all the things a six-month old usually does: rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back, laughing out loud, pushing up with her hands, sitting in her bouncy chair and bouncing with her feet.  We continue to be amazed at the progress medicine has made, and continue to lift other CHD children up in hope and prayer for healing.
2012-01-31 - Mia is released from the hospital!  On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, Mom and Dad and Miss Mia begin the long drive home from New York to home, because the surgeons did not want Mia to fly just yet. 
2012-01-29 - "Mia is dwn to one iv and pacing wires. Heparin, one bp med, pain meds by mouth and thats it!!! Eating pretty good and smilin more and keeps using one foot to get the pulse ox off the other foot. This has been as smooth as it could be and we could not be happier or more thankful!"
2012-01-25 - "Surgery went great!  She came off bypass smoothly with no arrhythmia even and shes requiring NO medications!! PRAISE GOD again n again n again. "

2012-April - Grandma Nancy Update: Mia at play...
She and Asher are so very entertaining.  A very doting big brother;  they interact in a very special way.  She continues on medication for her heart and the family does normal family activities-dad coaching big sis's softball team, mom teaching, big brother excelling academically, little big brother staying by Mia's side pretty much 24/7. Life is good at the Blackwell home.  Thank you GOD and thank you friends and awesome medical community!

Mia Paisley at FIVE years!

Words just don't do justice to describing this little bundle of happiness. Mia at 5 years old is about as intuitive and funny as a kid can be.  She's tuned in especially to her siblings (6, 16, and 21) and parents.  She is creative, loves to sing, play her guitar and make up words to her own songs, paint watercolor masterpieces, and go-fish card game.  Enjoys shopping as much as anyone on earth, and watches movies and sings every word of every song. Don't take your eyes off her, though, because she'll be doing anything you told her not to do, and giggle at you when you catch her doing it.  Prayers are being answered daily in her life, as she speaks of her deceased "baby brother" as if she knew him personally -- even though he was born so long before she was. And "the other two babies" that she has somehow learned about .... Really, this little girl has a depth to her soul that many, many people never acquire.  Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers for her continued health, as well as the continued health of the others in her family, caregivers, and realm of influence. 
Miss Mia at FOUR YEARS !
Precocious little princess!Oh my goodness - skating, fishing, digging for worms, singing, or changing outfits constantly, this little miracle is just the most fun personality to be around! She never complains about being tired--but you definitely know when she is. Siblings know who rules the roost at their house.  Big sister dotes on her, and brother (5 yrs old) also is constantly making sure her needs are met -- or at the other extreme, pushing the exact right buttons to be annoying her.  Lively and precious, full of love, Miss Mia is indeed a joy to this world! Thank you to each person who has been a part of tending this lively little heart patient!

Miss Mia - aka "EEaaah" to her nephew ... in 2023

Swimming, playing piano, enjoying friends, learning about makup and skin care, and doing "Get Ready With Me" and other Youtube shorts, Miss Mia has become such a force to be reckoned with!  At her sister's university graduation, Mia announced, "I am *NOT* walking when I graduate!" to which her already-graduated older brother replied, "After all that work, you will *want* to!"  Mia immediately says, "Oh no, since I am going to be a pediatrition, I will have so many graduations, I don't *WANT* to walk!"  :-) Goals and plans.  Our girl has goals and plans.
Not sure I (Gmaw) has enought tech skills to link to her youtube channel, but if I can, I will at least put something in here. 

Here is her channel (shared with her brother and has "kids youtube protection" so if you cannot see it, I apologize - their parents are good parents!)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZ-nDFbidFWgL1QPizOwrQ/about

Oh my! Here is a video she made herself, titled
"My hot mess over the years" youtu.be/th7e3TOpaaAand it is sooo cute. 

She is so active, everything changes weekly in her life!  
Mia became an aunt in May 2023, and she enjoys the baby.  She is busy with friends and activities, and has declared that instead of being called "Aunt Mia" she wants to be called "EEEaaah" (Gmaw does not know how to spell that!).  
Mia attended her first MedCamp this summer far, far away from home. They did not allow the campers to bring their phones.  She only made it three nights out of the six, and asserted herself enough that the camp finally called her parents saying that they really, reaLLY, REALLY could not convince her to stay.  [Gmaw note: I am not sure if she was homesick or PHONEsick... ;-)] 
She stays busy with church friends, school friends, and family and is always thinking about "what's next."  

Even though Mia does not spend much time at my house anymore, I try to keep up with her through her social media - and that is BUSY! 
She is enjoying ***LIFE***  thanks to so many of you who prayed, who sacrificed time and energy, and those of you who treated her in the past, present, and will in the future, and to those souls who are influencing her today.  We love you, Mia Paisley!

Miss Mia at 10-11 years old

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Always up for any activities, Mia explores the world with a joyful heart.  This gal is so much fun!  Stay on her good side, thought, because she can SCREAM loud (especially at Asher!). 
Mia Paisley at EIGHT AND NINE years!
Wow, has this much time REALLY passed since Gmaw posted anything on here?!  
Mia actually "googled herself" and FOUND this site, and was soo excited to now that she has "her own website!"  She had me record some videos of her "explaining" about how she set the world record for being the youngest patient to have the "David something" surgery."  That video link will be posted here as soon as Grandma can figure out how to do it.  

Mia is an exceptional child, with lots of "Mia-isms" that are entertaining all who are blessed to spend time with her. She makes friends easily, is too smart for her own good, and is constantly "mothering" her older brother. She plays softball, piano, is creative in Gmaw's art studio (recently painting a brightly-colored piece with her original quote, "In a square full of colors be the bright one." I *loved* that!) She rides her bike, Daddy's four-wheeler, fishes in pond with a sock over her hand so she doesn't have to touch the worms (LOL), and LOVES horses.  She gives advice (sometimes not welcomed by the receiver), and has learned to read others' moods just by glancing at their countenance.  She is such a joy to behold.  If she disappears for more than a minute or two, though, you better go see what she's up to.  Her talents include some fabricating and embellishing tales. 

A beautiful soul who recently decided to make a public statement about her faith in God, this beautiful child has become a beautiful young lady--inside and out.

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Miss Mia at THREE YEARS !
We are ​so grateful for your prayers and kindness.

2014-09-13 Update ... P-r-e-c-o-c-i-o-u-s !
Miss Mia is the happiest lil' girl you have ever met!  Not that she doesn't have her moments--but she is without a doubt the best natured little one you could ever imagine!  She sings happily while at play, she studiously colors in coloring books, she loves to dress up, and she has yet to decide whether she really likes those dance lessons or not -- because, for one thing, she "feels" the music, and well, those dance moves they are trying to "make" her do, may not be matching up with what she wants to do. She does like to have her own way...

As she and her heart continue to grow and live life to the fullest, we want to say thank you again to all those who were and are instrumental in her well being, and thank you for lifting her and her family in prayer. Thank you for loving her and thank you for the part you have played in our lives, and especially in her life.  We are eternally grateful.
2013-08-27 Update .... this little rascal is just amazing!  She is so much fun, you can't help but smile any time she is around.  She wrestles with her siblings, and keeps up with the teenagers and is extremely confident in her physical abilities.  She is precocious and loves to SING! More soon... from her SECOND birthday party. Thanks for continuing prayers for good health and a long happy life for this special little gift from God....
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At the ballpark....
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_Every act of love and kindness is
forever etched in our hearts.

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Miss Mia says "Blehhh" to heart problems!
Our Lord says for us NOT to worry-cause He's got us covered!



This video is Miss Mia at home, in January 2012 BEFORE surgery.

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