Playing the waiting game

Just wanted to let everyone know we are still waiting but progressing. This morning upon arrival they said a day and a half to 2 days for this process to take place (not what we were expecting to hear)....however....I am moving along and my water broke on its own at 3:30. Estimating her arrival during the night. We are tired from no sleep last night but soooo ready. Can't wait to meet baby Kirby!

It's finally here!

Well.....the day is almost here. We are beyond excited to meet our sweet baby girl! We have been blessed beyond what we could have ever imagined. We have definitely seen how God will take care of his children. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, generous gifts, encouraging words and support. I will keep everyone updated as we welcome Kirby into the world. How great is our God! Let the fun begin at 7am in the morning!

Her room is all ready for her arrival home....

31 Weeks

28 Weeks

MUSC update

So yesterday, Feb. 9, we made a visit to MUSC in Charleston. The pediatric cardiologist from Greenville wanted us to go down to meet with the MUSC cardiologist/surgeons for a second opinion and to have them take a closer look at Kirby’s heart. So, we began this journey at 8:00 am. We went back for an echocardiogram on Kirby’s heart yet another time….we should be pros at this by now. This took approximately 2 hours but thank goodness she was cooperative and they were able to see what they needed to see. Once the echocardiogram was complete we sat down with the cardiologist. She proceeded to confirm the previous diagnosis in which Kirby has an unbalanced Atrioventricular Septal Defect-complete.  We were informed that due to “unbalanced” ventricles of the heart (the left side being smaller than the right) surgery would be required during the first week of life. This would include delivery in Charleston with Kirby staying approximately 6-8 weeks after surgery in the NICU and to continue being monitored. The 2nd surgery would take place around 4-6 months of age and the 3^rd between 3-4 years of age. Many complications, possibilities, scenarios, cases, etc. were explained. With this being said, immediately after birth Kirby would go through extensive evaluations so they can get a better idea of the anatomy of her heart (as of now, they are looking though my body and her body and have little control over how she cooperates during each echocardiogram).  When we finished up with the cardiologist we were scheduled to meet for an ultrasound with the OB/GYN. Things were good there and all measurements were good. She now weighs 3lbs 6oz. We had a few minutes to grab lunch and then back to meet with the OB/GYN doctor to plan the delivery process in Charleston.  We are scheduled to deliver on April 9^th for a scheduled induction…………………………..

Finally our long day came to an end leaving us overwhelmed yet at peace with continuing to know God is control and has a plan in all of this. OUR plan was definitely not to deliver in Charleston, but rather with friends and family at home in Spartanburg.  We are not disheartened, we obviously want healing ASAP but we must understand that Our ways are not God’s ways, and Our plans are not God’s plans.   We will continue to stand on God’s promises and know God’s plan is perfect. We must be still and know that He is God. We will wait on him and follow any path He chooses to send us with joy in our hearts! We have done all we can for Kirby on this earth. We now have to be still and wait on God. Our faith has made her whole.  His word is true and will not fall void. Continue to pray for complete healing and wholeness of Kirby’s heart.

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.