Taking Steps

It's now been more than two months since we first learned of Julianne's heart defect. I thank God everyday for the comfort and guidance he's provided for us over the last two months. I pray that other expectant parents who are facing the same diagnosis can experience the comfort that we've experienced.

One of our many prayers over that last two months is that God would lead us to where He would have Julianne be born and have the first of three surgeries to make her heart functional.

Kent and I made a quick trip to Boston last week to meet with doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital and at Children's Hospital regarding the birth and surgery of our baby girl. All went well with the meetings. We were told that although the first 6 months of Julianne's life would be the most critical, they've seen an almost 90% hospital survival rate for the Norwood Surgery and approximately 3 out of every 4 babies go on to survive that critical first 6 months. Though, Kent and I know that ultimately God knows exactly how many days he has planned for Julianne and the statistics don't really make a big difference.

So, God willing, we will go back to Boston on August 22nd to prepare for Julianne's birth. She will be born via cesarean some time between September 6th and 13th. Within the first few days of life she will have the Norwood Surgery. She will spend an estimated total of 4 weeks in the hospital, depending of course on her condition. We will remain in Boston for 1 - 2 weeks after she's released from the hospital so that she can have her first clinical visit there. Then, if all goes well, we'll return home with our baby.

Please continue to pray for Julianne's healing and for comfort, wisdom, courage and for God's provision for Kent and I.