Psalm 77:8–12 (ESV): 8  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9  Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah 10  Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

 

Leslee has been working very hard in her preparation to be the guest speaker for the “Mother-Daughter Banquet” at our church. She’s been reading articles, listening to messages on the subject, she has looked up theological resources I recommend to her….and of course: she writes, she edits, she rehearses. Obviously, she wants to do well for God’s glory and wants to be a blessing to all the ladies present at this event. 

 

One of the best things that has come out of this has been the need to look up and “ponder" on God’s work, and "meditate on [His] mighty deeds.” Caring Bridge is an easy way to scroll through snapshots of God’s faithfulness to Ela and to our family. The Psalmist had it right…when doubt is a struggle: “ponder” and “meditate” on what God has done for you. This encourages you in the present and also gives you hope for the future. So what is Ela’s future looking like?

 

Well, the most recent stressor for us was the fact that some individuals in Ela’s board of doctors and surgeons (recently found there is about 50 of them!) suggested that maybe they should consider hitting pause on the transplant and taking another look at the Fontan surgery. Quick review…HLHS and HRHS kids normally go through 3 open heart surgeries in other to give them a chance of survival into adulthood: Norwood, Glen, and Fontan. Ela had the first two and we were told that her health was so fragile and that they did not want to do the Fontan…as a matter of fact, Leslee was told about a year and a half ago that she would likely not survive the procedure.

 

So…put yourself in our position. You were told: “this third surgery is too risky…your daughter will probably not survive the procedure. She should go on the transplant list.” There has been no major changes in your daughter’s health since then…yet…the same board of doctors and surgeons say: “maybe we should reconsider the surgery and wait on the transplant.” Stressed? Parents have the most weight on this but most parents aren’t pediatric cardiologists either. So Leslee and I talked about it, asked doctors questions, prayed, and decided that we were not ok with the Fontan option...thankfully, on this last visit we learned that the doctors arrived to the same conclusion...so we are very thankful everyone's on the same page. 

 

Another big development since that meeting has been the need to schedule another hearth Cath. Heart Cath #4 or #5??? This will take place on the 21st of May so you can be praying for that procedure to go well. We will be there most of the week since this will, likely, be a longer recovery and since we have other appointments lined up...ECHO, kidney check, etc. 

 

We're thankful for you all. Thank you for keeping up with our family and for praying.