The Heart of a Mother is, at first glance, a collection of narratives written by mothers with children who have congenital heart defects or, in some cases, have a heart defect themselves. However, this book, edited by Anna Jaworski, is more than a compilation of individual stories, it is really a story about courage. For it is that central theme that runs throughout this collection of personal tales.

As a surgeon specializing in the treatment of congenital heart disease, I have long ago appreciated that special bond that exists between a mother and her child, a bond made that much stronger when a child is affected by a heart condition. Mothers (and fathers, too!) are by necessity the advocates for their children. It is the parent who must make the emotional and sometimes life-threatening decisions regarding the treatment of their child. They are the ones who must assimilate as much knowledge as possible, often in a short period of time, and all while emotionally stressed. Who and what to believe can be difficult and confusing.

A number of the stories in this book are written by mothers of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Until recently, the diagnosis of this particular form of heart disease was a death sentence for there was no available treatment. Over the last fifteen years, however, the outlook for these children has dramatically improved. There is little doubt that my own personal interest in this condition has taught me more about the unique courage of these parents than any other problem that I treat. Many years ago, when successful surgery was more the exception than the rule, I seriously considered no longer offering reconstructive surgery for these newborns because it was so disheartening to meet with failure after failure. It was one particular mother, however, whose encouraging words written to me after her child’s death stimulated me to continue. Although her son lived for only two years, her powerful words of gratitude for the time they had together taught me a great deal about the meaning of quality of life, hope, and courage.