Victoria’s cardiologist office called today and let me know that her open-heart surgery is set for Friday, May 16th. I’m not sure the time yet. We will be leaving at some point on the 15th to travel up to Birmingham.
I will receive a call from the office in Birmingham with more information tomorrow. I believe they will be giving us information, also, about where we might find lodging while we are there. I’m not sure what our plans are right now, but pray that God guides our steps in that area. I know that we will probably just be sleeping at the location we choose and spending a lot of our time at the hospital, so we just need a place to lay our heads.
Begin praying for the pediatric cardiologist that will be looking over Victoria while at UAB. His name is Robb L. Romp. He will not be performing the surgery. Once I know the surgeon’s name, I’ll pass that along so prayers can be lifted up for him, also. Pray that God gives them wisdom in handling our little one.
I will send along more information as I have it. Thanks again for your prayers!
Since Victoria will be having her heart surgery this week or next, we decided to have our church family pray for her tonight. I showed up with Victoria right as the service began and we slipped in the back, Mark met me in the back after he baptised a few people (He’s a pastor at our church.).
As Mark and I stood backstage with Victoria, my heart pounded and my hands shook. The stage I’d sung on for more than 10 years was frightening to me all of a sudden. It was because I knew I’d cry when I walked out and saw my sweet church family looking back at me and Mark. I knew I’d see faces of love and heartache, fear and faith … the same things that people saw when looking up at me up on that stage. I knew I’d be overcome and cry. I did. And, that’s okay
Our pastor prayed the sweetest prayer for Victoria. All of the pastors on staff at our church gathered around us to pray for her and for us. They all lifted us up to the throne of our Almighty God asking for His will in Victoria’s life. They prayed for healing in her heart and for the Lord to guide the hands of the surgeons while operating on her tiny body. Our pastor prayed for Mark and me knowing that letting Victoria go back for surgery would be so hard. It was such a sweet time with my church family, even though it was brief. After our time of prayer, I immediately left and brought Victoria back home.
And, then, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t feel fear about the “what if’s.” “What if” something goes wrong during the surgery? “What if” she doesn’t make it? I can’t imagine how I’d handle that. I know it’s been told to me that this is a “routine” surgery at UAB, but we all know that there are always risks with any kind of surgery … especially, open-heart surgery.
I wondered what she will look like after surgery. It will be equally hard to see her afterwards because my heart will ache that she has endured so much. After all, her mom and dad drove her to the hospital that would inflict so much pain on her body. But, we know that it’s for her good. We know that with this repair she will be much better.
I, again, learn something from my little one’s life. God reminds me simply, that what seems so painful to me in this moment is for my good. The repair I need in my life and heart is being done and He is healing what I didn’t even know was broken. After this is all over, I’ll be much better, too.
No matter what happens in the next two weeks or the rest of my life … blessed be the name of the Lord!
Today is a very special day! Mark and I are celebrating our 6-year anniversary!
Mark and I just got home from the Cardiologist and he feels it’s time for Victoria to have her open-heart surgery. I asked him what time frame that we were looking at and he said that she could be having surgery by Wednesday of this coming week! So, if not this week … it will be the next week. While we were in the office he called up to Birmingham and spoke to the doctor there and they both agreed that she is ready. She weighed 8 lbs 3 oz, so he was happy about that. He did say that he’d love for her to be 11 lbs for surgery, but he didn’t feel like she would make that weight before she needed surgery. Her oxygen level was down today so that may have prompted this decision for surgery.
Mark was actually out of town (since Wednesday) at a conference and was to arrive back today at 5pm. He said he felt the Lord prompting him to leave early and try to make it to Victoria’s appointment today. I’m SO glad that he did get to the doctor’s office, even if he was late. I actually took my calendar today in case Dr. Mayer started mentioning dates for surgery. I guess God was preparing us both for the events of the day.
We will be receiving a call from Birmingham to set up the actual surgery date between now and Monday. Please pray for all the logistics and for me to get my house in order before we leave. My mom will be staying with the girls and will be having help from Mark’s parents and probably others. Keep them in your prayers as they adjust their schedules to help us out.
Thank you for your prayers and please know that we appreciate your support and love. This will be, and has been, a very emotional experience, yet we cling to the Lord and trust Him in everything. We are asking God to be victorious in Victoria Jayne’s life. After all, her name means “victorious victory.” May God have the victory and may He receive all glory for what He does in her life!
PS – I will post the surgery information as soon as we have it.
