Stephen’s Story

Site created on July 8, 2021

I knew something was wrong when Stephen started taking naps in the middle of the day.  The boy never naps.  I attributed it to late nights as summer vacation had recently started.  It was the cough, and a concern for walking pneumonia, that triggered a trip to the doctor.

Routine chest x-rays showed a possible heart enlargement and Stephen was referred to Minot for an echocardiogram on June 30th.  According to the doctor who reviewed the results, Stephen's heart was pumping at 10% efficiency.  And so Stephen was flown to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

As the doctors at Mayo evaluated Stephen, they were concerned that Stephen as at risk of a negative heart event, so they hooked him up to an ECMO machine, which assists the heart in moving blood through the body.

The doctors are working to keep him calm and stable in an effort to give his heart a rest.  The hope and prayer is that his heart will recover and he will be able to come off the ECMO machine.

However, given the condition of his heart and the lack of much progress, the doctors have also started the process and preparations for a heart transplant.  The doctors feel that his current level of health and the severity of his condition will cause his name to quickly move to the top of the transplant list.

We are very thankful for the prayers and encouragement of church, school, friends, and family.  As always, man does the possible, God does the impossible

Newest Update

October 19, 2021

Journal entry by Jodi Penner —

Hi, it's Jodi again.

    Just in case you all were wondering, yes I'm very glad that Kevin & Stephen are home.  We are working at getting adapted to our new normal. 

    Stephen is doing his school work from home but should be able to go back to school  shortly after Christmas break. Although he will need to wear a mask all day. 

     I wanted to let you know a few things before I sign off.

     If you happen to be friends or family that live in the Williston area there will be a brief Welcome Home get together at Liberty Church  Saturday night the 23rd from 7p- 8p. Please help us decrease the chances of Stephen getting sick by wearing a mask ( we'll have some available if you need one). He is on immunosuppressants  to keep his body from rejecting his new heart.

     Also, as most if not all of you have noticed Kevin & I have not gotten into the social media craze except for this site. This doesn't mean we don't want to keep in touch. Our email addresses are:

 milastry@gmail.com (Jodi)

kevin@kjpenner.com (Kevin)

     We are so very appreciative of all of your prayers and support and look forward to keeping in touch with you all in the near future.

      We pray for good health and God's Love and protection for you all.

       Love, 

        Jodi Penner (and the crew)

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