On February 10, 2005 we became proud parents of a beautiful baby boy that we named Riley Hayden Owens. During the first year everything seemed normal. Riley was a happy, healthy baby and we were adjusting to becoming new parents. It was shortly after his first birthday thatrealized something was wrong.
We took him to our pediatrician, and after a series of tests Riley was diagnosed with “vein of galen malformation”. This is a rare condition affecting the blood vessels of the brain, which causes abnormal communication between the arteries and veins. The blood flow to your brain becomes fast and in turn increases the work of the heart causing multiple problems, including seizures and strokes. This condition is only treatable by embolizations and other procedures. It is not curable. When told this terrible news we were devastated, but willing to do whatever necessary for Riley.
Riley had his first surgery in August 2006 at The University of Georgia, and it was successful. We were sent home with a plan of physical therapy and occupational therapy three times a week ;also MRIs every six months. Everything was going well until a day before his second birthday, when he had his first seizure.
Riley was put on seizure medication daily, and we continued his therapies. His condition declined, and he was no longer able to walk. We watched him lose his ability to walk, stand, crawl, and finally sitting up. Talking and feeding himself was the last to go, but he continued to smile and laugh. It was hard to see him this way, but our doctors gave us hope with another surgery.
We took him to Emory Hospital in Atlanta for an embolization. Following his brain surgery, he was not able to recover for the damage was greater than we thought. He had a massive stroke, and there was nothing else that the doctors could do. Riley passed away on October 5, 2007. He was our greatest gift, and we look forward to the day that we will be reunited with him.
Our family has suffered great loss as others have, but this is our greatest loss. Riley will be deeply missed and never forgotten. We will try to live our lives to the fullest with love, strength, patience, and compassion that he taught us. Thank you, Riley, our little angel.
God Bless,
Marty and Tonya Owens
My precious Riley,
I never realized how much I depended on your smile to brighten my day, nor how much joy I received just getting to spend time with you! Those privileges have become memories now; and though it grieves my heart because you are no longer with us, I know that you are getting to do all the things this life had taken from you. You’re walking, running, talking, and eating your favorite bite-bites again. I’ll never forget how you always smiled through the sunshine and through the pain. That was the one thing this life wasn’t able to take from you! You were the sunshine in our lives, and every day that we have left here without you, we are saddened, but we will draw strength from God and from knowing that you are healthy now. We know you are in good hands with Jesus, and we all look forward to the day when we see you in heaven and you run to meet us. Until then we’ll continue to miss you, but cherish the fact that God saw fit to bless OUR family with you, OUR ANGEL!
Dear Marty & Tonya,
Just a reminder as to how much we love you! The two of you have been an inspiration to us as we have seen God’s grace carry you at this very difficult time in your lives. Continue to trust him with your future, and know that we are here for you as well. We pray for you consistently, and know that God is going to do great things for you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come!
Forever family,
Tina
Hey Guys,
Just wanted to tell you how much I love you. It’s hard to find the words to say how much you both mean to me. Just remember, I’m always here. Anytime…Anything.