January 15, 2002 (Day of Surgery-Norwood)

Before surgery:

"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." -Ezekiel 36:26"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

After surgery:

The surgery staff is very pleased at how well you did during the surgery. Everyone is smiling at the Lord's hand on you!

"Angels are your attendants, for 'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" (Spurgeon, Psalms 91:11-12)

"Through prayer you can gather the riches of Heaven and bring them down to earth... You can delight in the beauty of Heaven and carry it in your heart... You can enjoy the fellowship of Heaven and walk in it throughout the day." -Roy Lessin

"We never need to be without hope. For as we look into the future with the eyes of faith, we will see that God is already there." -Roy Lessin

February 2002 (We're home! Praise the Lord!)

To update you on the details...After hearing the amniocentesis results on Thursday, January 10, that Jayken's lungs are fully developed and he could be delivered healthy and full term, Jayken was delivered via C-section on Friday, January 11, 8:03 a.m. at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano. He weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was 18 inches long! The Plano Presby hospital was able to keep him stable and healthy until a bed became available for his transport to Children's Medical Center of Dallas on Sunday, January 13, around 5:30 p.m. with Tim at his side in the ambulance. There were several visits by all of us during those few days. The nurses were wonderful - they took Paula to Jayken's bedside (which meant wheeling her bed and IVs for the first day) several times.

Tim stayed with Jayken at Children's for several days and nights. Jayken's heart surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 10:30 a.m. Paula was discharged from Plano Presby hospital on Monday, January 14. A fetal echo on that same Monday showed the surgeon that there were additional problems with Jayken's heart other than the Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. There were Pulmonary veins draining into the wrong atrium. This would need to be corrected in addition to the Norwood procedure and would cause the surgery to be more complicated. The surgeon, Dr. Leonard, said to allow 5-6 hours for the entire surgery. We all continued to pray for healing of Jayke's heart. The surgeon prayed with us over Jayken for healing, no complications during and after surgery, and a continued amazing ministry through Jayken's and all other baby heart surgeries that are performed.

After several surgery schedule changes, Jayken's surgery began at 5:00 p.m. We received updates about the surgery regularly. After about 2 1/2 hours , we were told they had completed the surgery and were waiting to make sure there was no bleeding or swelling! At 9:00 p.m., they began wheeling Jayken out of surgery! The entire surgery staff was smiling as they brought Jayken by for us to see him.

Dr. Leonard reported to us that the pulmonary veins he mentioned to us were draining to the correct atrium, so there was no need to correct them! He closed off a vein that was not needed and completed the Norwood procedure. Normally, it is necessary to leave the sternum open to allow for swelling and in case there are any complications that need to be corrected. After 2-3 days, the surgeons then go back and close the sternum. The surgery went so well and Jayken was doing so good that they closed his sternum!

We were told that there are 3 stages for recovery: 7-10 days in the heart unit ICU; 7-10 days in regular ICU; 7-10 days on a floor. Also, the first 24 hours after surgery is the most critical when Jayken would be the sickest and would probably need at least 7 volumes of blood, medication, or some type of fluid. Jayken did excellent and only needed 1 volume (some calcium) during the first 24 hours. During the next few days, Jayken had very little puffiness/swelling and was slowly taken off the ventilators and pain medications. He had no complications and did great!

Tim fed him from a bottle for his first feeding the night before they moved him! He continued to eat very well, and his SATs continued to stay at an incredibly good level. After seeing that he was gaining weight and eating well, Dr. Kao sent us home on Thursday, January 24, just 9 days after surgery! God is so good! We have all been praying faithfully and expecting incredible results. He continued to answer with an amazing healing! Praise the Lord for His Almighty Power, Peace, Love, Comfort, and Joy!

Thank you all for your faithfulness in praying for Jayken. Please continue to pray for him. The next stage of surgery will be in May or June. Dr. Kao and Dr. Colon said he would have to have a heart cath one month prior to the next surgery. He will continue his medications twice daily and see Dr. Colon for regular check-ups on his heart. We are extremely excited to be home so early and able to all stay together as a family.

Thanks again for your support through prayer, donations, and the wonderful welcome home!

"For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Job 33:4

"I will remember that when I give Him my heart, God chooses to live within me--body and soul. And I know He really is as close as breathing, His very Spirit inside of me."

We have worked into somewhat of a routine for both Madi and Jayke. Jayke has to eat every 3 hours (including nighttime) in an effort to catch up on his weight. He is a little behind on his weight since we weren't able to feed him for a while after he was born. So, we keep his feedings on schedule and play with them both (when Jayke is awake) in between. Madi has done great as a big sister. She wants to help with everything! we try to limit the help so she doesn't grow up any faster than she has already had to do. We have to keep her at home as well as Jayken and limit visitors in order to avoid RSV. This has worked okay so far. She misses her friends, but it helps to try and talk to them over the phone occasionally. We also try to take her to a movie or the pet store every once in a while (during non-busy times of the day/week) so she can get out of the house. We hope soon to be able to get the RSV immunization for Jayken so that RSV is not such paranoia for us. The Lord continues to protect us all from sickness.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." -Isaiah 65:24-25