Saturday, October 3, 2009

Praising God

I haven't been able to post a detailed description of October 2nd 2007 until now...its just been too difficult to get out the words...or type out the words, I guess. Here it is:

It was two years ago yesterday that Kent and I experienced the most horrifying day of our lives. It was the day we almost lost Julianne...the day she went into cardiac arrest. I can still see everything like its an HD video in my mind. We went from being tired yet hopeful, to being terrified and desperate in a matter of moments as Julianne's blood pressure and heart rate plummeted after being given a stronger medication (Esmolol after earlier doses of Sotalol) to combat her stubborn SVT. We watched as more and more and still more doctors and nurses rushed to her bedside and someone yelled, "somebody cut this shirt off of her!"...the shirt that we'd been so excited to dress her in that afternoon. I can still hear the nurse giving us the play-by-play of what was going on and I can still hear Dr. Breitbart saying to us, "This is very serious." After staying for as long as we could hold ourselves together, we left her CICU room, tears streaming down our faces, wondering if we'd ever see our baby girl alive again. I can still see my mom texting prayer requests out to everyone she knew and I can still see the sweet Englerts coming in to offer their support even though their own little girl, Hannah, was struggling as well. I remember just praying over and over, "Please, save her!" They did chest compressions on our tiny baby for a half an hour to keep her heart pumping until they could get her on ECMO (heart-lung machine/life support). God did save our baby. He gave us a miracle. God is ALWAYS faithful. Even if this day had turned out in, what we would call, the worst way possible, (a way I can't even bring myself to type) God would still be faithful. However, we are very thankful, we are beyond thankful, I don't even think there's a word for how grateful we are, that this day didn't happen in that way. God gave us more time with our baby and that is such a precious gift. God has also given us a hope in that whatever plans we may dream up for Julianne, He has a much more wonderful plan for her and we trust Him to fulfill that plan. So, we are praising God for the miracle he gave our family on that day and we pray that Julianne's life and story will bring Him glory!! We are also reminded to keep praying for our friends who have lost their children. I can't imagine their heartache...

7 comments:

allison said...

oh, my heart sank reading this & tears filled my eyes. I am so sorry you had to go through that. But SO glad that she came through okay!
Praying for you.

Anonymous said...

She really is a miracle!!! And a really beautiful one at that!!
And she couldn't have better parents! What a lucky girl!!
Love y'all!
-Kirstin

jan tompkins said...

God is Great! Julianne is a miracle and God chose you both to love and cherish her and you most certainly do. You are great parents!
God loves you all!

Anonymous said...

I Praise God with you! As always thanks for sharing Julianne with us. She is beautiful and every time I see her I am reminded of how great our God is. Love In Christ, Adelaide

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jessica for this wonderful reminder of how God has blessed Julianne and you and Kent.

It is so easy to forget how fragile her little heart is when you see her growing so strong and beautiful.

I pray that God continues to shower his blessings on you all.

You all are such a great example of having the faith of a mustard seed.

Peace be with you all.

Love Aunt\Great Aunt Suzette

Anonymous said...

I remember the intense prayers being lifted up at that time and wanting to be there to comfort you both.
And yet look at her today. Friends just can't believe when I show them pictures and brag on her that this is that same fragile baby! Yes God is good.
Love aunt Naomi

Anonymous said...

where was her cardiac arrest