28 weeks!

Josh and I made another visit to Maternal Fetal Medicine on January 18^th in which we met with the pediatric cardiologist again for an in-depth ultrasound/echocardiogram of Kirby’s heart. The news was again basically the same. He continues to be confident that the heart defect is an unbalanced Atrioventricular Septal Defect-complete. During the previous visit, he explained 2 different surgery options. The surgeries would depend on how the left side of the heart grows in comparison to the right side over the next weeks of pregnancy. So…. during this visit he proceeds to tell us the particular surgery he is leaning towards. Apparently he is seeing little growth of the left side of the heart meaning it is significantly smaller than the right side. The surgery would involve (in my words) rerouting the arteries and veins from the left side of the heart to the right side and to the lungs. He also proceeds to tell us that this surgery would need to be done within the first week or so after she is born….as compared to 3-6 months after birth for the other surgery. This would also involve delivery in Charleston and staying for surgery. With that said, he wants to get a second opinion from the surgeons in Charleston at MUSC to see what they recommend. We are scheduled to meet with MUSC on February 9^th with the pediatric cardiology and the OB/GYN. They feel confident that we will have answers and a plan when we leave that day.

So…there are the logistics and the medical findings, however, we continue to believe our God is greater and will heal Kirby. The sermon at church was awesome this week and helped us know we are on the right track. Pastor Tony spoke on prayer and what really stuck out to me was praying God’s word. Josh and I have been doing that since the beginning of this diagnosis. We continue to remind God of what his word says…. “by Your stripes I am healed”, “You come with healing in your wings”, “nothing is impossible with God”, Isaiah 43, etc. etc. We have faith to believe His word and faith to know that He will heal Kirby. We also continue to thank Him in advance daily for His healing. Continue to lift Kirby up in your prayers. We are so excited to meet her and are anxious for her arrival........less than 12 weeks to go! We are encouraged by your support and words of encouragement that we receive daily.

Update

So...it has been a while since the last update. It has been a super busy Christmas/Christmas break and I haven't sat down to write but here is an update since the last Dr. visit. We met with the pediatric cardiologist on Dec. 21. After another lengthy in-depth ultrasound, the Dr. basically confirmed what the previous Dr. observed. Kirby has an unbalanced (meaning that one side of the heart is smaller than the other vs both sides of the heart equal in size) Atrioventricular Septal Defect-complete along with possibly a Double Outlet Right Ventricle. This is news that we were already aware of so it was much easier to take this time....along with knowing God is in complete control. The Dr. gave us more information on surgeries and what to expect before, during and after Kirby is born. We continue to be at such peace with all of this and know that God is working. We are already seeing God work in our lives as well as the lives of others. It is amazing the support, the stories, the encouragement we have received over the past few weeks. Continue to keep us and baby Kirby in your prayers b/c we know it is working. Continue to believe with us for complete, total healing with no abnomalities or defects. May God use us in this situation to let his glory shine. Josh did ask the Dr. if he has ever seen this correct itself and the Dr. said "no"...... and something along the lines of it would have to be divine intervention....and God is still in the miracle working business! Thank you Lord that your word is the same yesterday, today and forever.....and that by your stripes we are healed.