Open Heart Surgery Scheduled for September 15th

Well, it's been a whirlwind of a process, but Kenzie is scheduled to have her third open heart surgery in just two weeks on the morning of September 15th. This has all come about rather quickly, as we were thinking just a few weeks ago that we would wait until next year for this surgery. After talking to her cardiologist and surgeon, it was determined that it doesn't really matter medically whether we do it now, or next spring (it can't be during cold and flu season), but it just has to be done before next summer.

Of course neither of us want her to have it EVER, but that's obviously not an option. After weighing the pros and cons, we decided it is more advantageous to do it now. I guess it's a good thing that there isn't too much time before the actual surgery--less time to gut wrench over it!

She's scheduled for the first time slot in the morning on Monday, September 15th. The actual surgery is called the Fontan, and is supposed to take about 5-6 hours. Recovery on the other hand, waaay longer! They told us to expect to be in there about 3 weeks... possibly even a month. Because of the way this particular type of Fontan procedure is done, there is a lot of fluid drainage, so the chest tube has to remain in for quite some time. I'm concerned about how she'll react to this and how this will feel for her to have it in for such a long period of time. (By the way, if there is anyone out there who has ever had a chest tube in for awhile, I would love to know what it feels like so I can have an idea of what she'll be dealing with! Please shoot me a message if you are able!) I'm also pretty nervous about having a two-year old in the hospital for such an extended period of time---especially with all that she will have to endure. It was tough to be in there just two days for her cath a few months ago--so I'm sure this will definitely be difficult.

To say that we're not nervous or scared would be a total lie! Ryan is always the stronger one when it comes to these things, but me on the other hand, well, not so much. Of course we're completely placing her in God's hands as always, but there are for sure still anxieties that come along with it. To see my precious, vivacious girl and think that we have to take her in for this very soon makes me totally sick to my stomach, but we're just praying our hearts out and trusting in the Lord's perfect will for her life. After all, He has seen both her and us through so many trials and difficult situations, and we know He loves her even more than we do! I am absolutely certain God has heard our prayers and the prayers of our amazing friends and family, and so I ask again if you would please join us in praying for our sweet babygirl!

There are a ton of requests in regards to this surgery and recovery, so here goes. As for the actual surgery, please pray:

• That Ryan and I would feel God's peace leading up to and throughout the time of the surgery. (Fortunately, Kenzie isn't of the mindset to understand what will be happening, so we won't even be trying to explain it to her.) 
• That she wouldn't feel any fear during her pre-op time and as she is taken back. 
• That her surgeon, Dr. Galantowicz, would be able to perform the surgery flawlessly, and that there would be no complications at all. ESPECIALLY no strokes!!! (We've already been down that road---NEVER again Lord willing!) 
• That she wouldn't need to be on the heart-lung bypass machine for an extended period of time (the longer one is on, the more risk of clots/strokes). 
• That there would be no surprises or anything amiss---that God's protective hand would be over her the whole time. 
• That she would not be fearful when she wakes up and that God would give her a sense of peace when she knows we are right there with her. 
• That Ryan and I would be strong for her---that we would not show her fear or sadness but strength and optimism. 

As for the recovery, please pray: 

• That her pain med "concoction" would be perfect for her the first time around. Last time, it took quite some time to get the right combination of what works for her to feel somewhat comfortable. Please pray that she would wake up feeling much better than last time.
• That that first crucial night following the surgery would go smoothly with no issues.
• That overall she wouldn't be in much pain and that she would not remember any pain she does feel.
• She has the tendency (quite understandably) to completely freak out at doctors and nurses, etc. Please pray that God would calm her to be able to rest and sleep through that first day/days right after the surgery. 
• Please pray for her overall emotional state. That she wouldn't be too sad, scared, or upset. She is still so young that she doesn't really communicate much, and won't understand what is going on. This is a big concern of ours. 
• That her fluid would drain much quicker than expected, and that our overall time there would be shorter than expected.
• That there would be no unexpected bumps in the road and that we would be able to move out of the CICU to stepdown and then on home quickly. 
• That she wouldn't have to endure too many pokes and prods, and that we could distract her successfully when she does. 
• That mentally she would be back to "herself" quickly. Last time it took her quite some time to return to "her," and it scared me to death. 
• That once we are able to go home, that we wouldn't need to return for another hospital stay because of additional fluid drainage (this is very common with the fontan). 
• Oh and that Ryan and I might be able to actually get some rest while there---not easy!! We'll be staying with her obviously the entire time, so as you can imagine it is an absolutely exhausting experience. Last time we were in the hospital, she screamed every time I went to the bathroom, so I guess I shouldn't drink a lot of water. ;) 

Whew! Ok that's a lot for starters---and I KNOW that there will be more as we go along! One more prayer request---Ryan and I always view these long hospital stays as witnessing opportunities. When you are with the same docs and nurses all day and night, they certainly get to see the "real" you! We hope to always show Christ through our lives and the way that we deal with the challenges and difficulties that come our way. Extremely hard when you're talking about the little person you love most in all the world going through so much! But ultimately we desire to glorify Him through our own lives and through Kenzie's life, even through the most stressful of circumstances. Thank you so much for your love and concern for our angel! I'm sure we'll be posting more updates as the time approaches, but as always, here are some pics of the happy babe!! Love you all!!!