Your prayers are needed and appreciated

Many of you may have heard about what we are going through with Evie right now (thank you, Adrienne, for sending out that e-mail). Yesterday was by far the worst day of our 3 lives so far, but we are slowly becoming more optimistic. Here is what's happened so far:

On Sunday night we were home with her for the first time and things seemed to be normal and fine. She had a good meal at 8 pm, but was uninterested in eating after that, which concerned us. We called Swedish Covenant around 1am to see if they were concerned about this also. They explained that if she went 12 hours without wanting to eat that they would want us to come in (to make sure she wasn't dehydrated or sick). When morning rolled around and she still wasn't interested in food and was becoming increasingly lethargic we brought her to see her pediatrician. At that time, the pediatrician suggested that she go to Children's Memorial Hospital for treatment and observation as she could have an infection. They arranged a transport for her, but before that we had to take her to the ER.

In the ER, they were far more concerned about her status. Her vitals were low and she was losing her color. This began the most horrifying hours of our life. She was surrounded by many doctors and nurses who were simultaneously starting IVs, and oxygen while trying to warm her up. Before we left, she even had to be intubated. It was at this time that the doctors began to suspect that, rather than an infection, she could have a heart defect.

When we arrived at Children's Memorial Hospital and she was admited to the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit. They did an ultrasound of her heart to determine what the problem might be. They were quick to give us a general diagnosis. There are a few issues with her heart, but the basic problem is that her aorta and pulmonary arteries are in opposite spots, making it so her blood does not properly oxygenate. Fixing this will require open heart surgery.

While all this news is devastating, we are counting our miracles today. First, I am so thankful that Evie refused to eat. Had she just seemed "tired," I wouldn't have been concerned about her until much later. Thank you Evie, for helping us rookies know that you were in trouble! Second, I am thankful that our pediatrician was concerned enough to send us to the ER and then Children's Memorial. Third, we are so abundantly blessed to be in a place where a hospital like Children's Memorial exists. Their expertise, positivity, and confidence inspires us to hope. Evie has already had a preliminary "minor" surgery to open a valve in her heart to help oxygenate her blood for now (a temporary fix until her big surgery). This was done through a vein in her leg last night. It was done swiftly and had exactly the desired result that the surgeons were going for, so we are also thankful and inspired by that. She is currently stable, and according to the nurses and cardiologist, she is doing very well. We get to see her whenever we want at her bedside, where we can touch her, talk to her, and pray over her. While its difficult to see her in intensive care, we are at the same time so greatful that she has made it this far. In so many places and ages, Evie would have been long gone.

Right now Matt and I are at our apartment for a couple hours to clean ourselves and regroup. It is heartbreaking to be here without her, since everything is as we left it when we rushed out to the pediatrician not knowing the day would bring such nightmarish events. But, showers and clean clothes have been cleansing for both the body and the spirit, and we are ready to return to her refreshed.

Please pray for us this week. The surgery is tentatively planned for the end of the week (Friday?). Pray that the Holy Spirit will work within her, around her, and through the surgeons' hands to heal our little girl.