Surgery Scheduled

So we have a date for surgery number two... the big day is scheduled for Monday, September 17, at 7:30am. We went in for an appointment this past week and received the news. This definitely is a little earlier than we expected, but it is apparent that this is the right time for her to have the procedure. She's not gaining as much weight and her oxygen sats are dropping a little, which are both signs that she is outgrowing her shunt and ready for phase two.

The next two weeks will be all about keeping this little girl healthy! If she contracts any type of sickness they will automatically delay her surgery 6 weeks, which would place her in an even weaker state. So with that being said, we are going into isolation mode! No outings for Miss Kenzie until she is all recovered and healthy! Not that we go that many places anyways! ;)

As for how we're handling it, we both are of course apprehensive and I for one am absolutely dreading taking her in that day. But just as with the first surgery, we are again putting all complete trust in God's plan and relying on Him! Although we would of course prefer her not to have to go through this, in the big scheme of things, this step is both crucial and necessary and will help her out so much when it's all said and done. All we can do is pray, pray, pray for our little sweetie!

As for the surgery itself, from what we understand, she will probably be in the hospital for about two weeks. Lord willing, this time around should be less time in surgery, less time on the heart-lung bypass machine, less swelling so hopefully her chest can be closed in the OR, and less difficulty breathing so hopefully her ventilator will be removed before she even returns to the ICU. After surgery number two, she will be much stronger and basically a "normal baby." (A normal baby with half a heart that is!) No more weighing her, checking her sats, or writing down every milliliter of milk she eats!

For our friends and family who are praying for her, if we could ask you to please pray for the following:

• For Ryan and I not to be anxious in the time leading up to her surgery but to just enjoy every sweet second we have with her
• For her to stay healthy and strong throughout the next couple weeks
• That the morning of the surgery would be smooth sailing with her not being able to eat for a period of time beforehand and that all her IV lines would go in easily (she is a tough stick...tiny veins)
• That the surgery would be flawless and without complications and that God would just guide the hands of her surgeon
• That recovery would be quick, as painless as possible, without complications, and that she would be safe from any infections while in the hospital
• That she would NOT have to take a specific medicine that may be needed (more than likely not) which would require us to give her two shots a day for six weeks (don't think I could handle that one on top of everything else)

Thank you SOOOO much!!!! :) We will update with any new info to come! Here's a little video of our happy girl!