The second chapter in the life of Chaseton is quickly coming to a close. This chapter started on Tuesday October 2nd. Chaseton was 9 days old when he arrived at his home for the first time. It will end on Friday June 14th as he undergoes surgery to repair his heart. Then the third chapter will begin.
The last 36 weeks have been great! Chaseton has thrived during this time. He is a happy, easy-going baby who NEVER cries. We have been blessed with several visits by Chase and his parents. Also we have taken every opportunity that has presented itself to travel up to Georgia and visit. Grandma more often than the rest of us as is to be expected. 😉 Everyone who has had the opportunity to meet Chase has been amazed at how happy and healthy he is.
During the course of this chapter there has been what I think of as dark storm clouds on the horizon. We have all been aware of them but were able to put it in the back of our minds and enjoy the times we have had. Over the past few weeks the clouds have been growing, getting closer and more ominous. The surgery is scheduled for later this week and it is now impossible to ignore the coming storm. We can only hope that it will be mild and over quickly with many sunny days in Chaseton’s future.
The Gathering will begin on Monday when Grandma travels up to Georgia to help Sammy and Brandon with the overwhelming task of getting everything ready for the trip to Atlanta. They will make that trip on Wednesday and Chaseton’s pre op is scheduled for early Thursday morning. It is expected to take most of the day. Surgery is scheduled for Friday morning. The rest of the circus (and it has grown) will arrive by car, plane and motorcycle on Thursday. It will include Chaseton’s 4 grandparents, 4 great grandparents, 2 aunts and 1 great-uncle. What a wonderful support group for Sammy and Brandon!
I will be posting updates on this blog as well as on Facebook. If you are friends or family who would like more and faster information you can follow me on twitter @chasetonsstory
The twitter feed is a locked account so please let me know who you are when you ask to follow. I may not recognize your user name.
For all of you who have kept Chaseton in your thoughts and prayers we thank you!
Chaseton’s Grandpa
The Story of Chaseton. 
Good luck with the surgery. I found your blog through the facebook Rastelli Supporters page. My granddaughter, born in April, has the same diagnois. Our stories are very similiar. We live in Illinois, very close to St. Louis, so we are lucky enough to be less than an hour from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. My granddaughter is doing great and it is difficult to believe that she needs surgery in the future. I feel for your family. I hope everything goes well.
P.S. Your son is adorable!
Oops, I mean grandson!
we will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers if we can do anyting pleaselet me know. Love you guys!!
Dave, thank you for the extremely well written and heartfelt introduction to the next chapter in the saga of our brave and always smiling Chaseton Edward,
His story and epic challenge has reached beyond the realm of our near family, Ceci and I have been receing messages from friends and family as
far as Peru and Europe, and as close as Miami. There is something special
about this boy, my Tiger, that has
touched many hearts, the love and
support of so many well wishers will
work wonders to dispell those dark
clouds that you and I, as old sailors see
in the horizon, the Sun will shine, the
skies will be blue with warm breezes,
and we will all celebrate the JOY of the
joungest member of our wonderful
family.
Remember Dave that our roll now is to be the pilars on which our family must find strenght and support, not an easy task, but one that we will now how to perform well.
See you in Atlanta Son