As mentioned in the previous post, we had our 30 week appointment with the Pediatric Cardiologist this past Thursday. This was something we had been anticipating for quite some time as we knew it would be more telltale of Kenzie’s status at birth. Well… we are VERY excited to say that we were COMPLETELY blessed by the news we received!! To be honest, it’s still sinking in! There is absolutely no doubt in our minds that God is doing something incredible and has begun healing Kenzie’s sweet little heart.
To quickly recap…
After the nurse finished performing our echocardiogram, the same doctor we saw 10 weeks ago came in to update us on what he observed (he was watching from a separate room). He started out by letting us know that her Pulmonary Atresia (un-functioning pulmonary valve) isn’t atretic anymore! WHAT!? This was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE to hear because it means that although it is not functioning normally at the moment, it IS functioning and at least capable of moving. Although the doctor observed blood going backwards through the valve, the fact that the valve is moving at all is a substantial leap from where it was 10 weeks ago when it was completely stationary. What an AMAZING answer to prayer! In fact, in our last post, we mentioned this EXACT thing: “We are praying with all that is within us that she would be completely healed. Imagine what a shock that would be to the doctors! But if not completely, we’re praying that they find that her pulmonary valve would be somewhat functional to allow some blood flow through to her lungs.”
Well if that isn’t a direct answer to prayer then I don’t know what is! And God being the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” (Eph. 3:20) didn’t even stop there! The doctor proceeded to tell us that although her pulmonary arteries haven’t been receiving nearly enough blood to develop, SOMEHOW they are growing and developing! (Hmmm, I wonder how!?) ;) He even said that they are on the small side of normal. This is an AMAZING blessing because it means that these absolutely necessary arteries are most likely capable of transporting blood to her lungs. YAY!!! We were SOOO pumped to hear this! As if that all wasn’t enough to make it a good day, he also informed us that her Epstein’s Anomaly (defective tricuspid valve) isn’t as severe as they suspected it to be based on our appointment 2 months ago. Overall, it is still a very serious case, but the doctor said her outcome looked more favorable than the last time he saw us!!! AWESOME!!
As for her heart size, it is still enlarged and still has fluid around it, but the status has remained the same since our last visit. We’re continuing to pray for healing in her tricuspid and pulmonary valves, that her heart would decrease in size, and that the fluid build-up would subside. From this point on we’ll go to maternal-fetal once a week to check the status of her heart size and fluid. If they see any signs of distress, she’ll be taken out immediately. We’re praying that she can remain stable for the next 8 weeks so that she can be as strong and developed as possible!
We can’t even come close to adequately expressing our gratitude for all the prayers that have been said on behalf of Kenzie up to this point. We are 100% certain that this is not a mere coincidence or an inexplicable improvement, but the hand of God working in the life of our little girl. THANK YOU for your faithful prayers!!!
God is so good! Love you all!!
