Saturday, January 02, 2010

Please Pray for Isabelle's HEART!!!

Hello everyone...
On Monday 12/28 we got a scary diagnosis from Children's hospital in Seattle concerning Isabelle's heart. Here is an overview of what happened as well as our prayer requests. She is happy at home, laying low with us. We are to keep her away from potential germs and and make sure she does not over exert herself in anyway. Because of that she will not be going back to school. I am really scared and excited at the same time to get back to Children's on Thursday. I will try and keep anything we find out up to date here. I can't thank you enough for all the prayers!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

I am leaving the emotion in my original email I wrote when we got home Monday night....

Written Monday night 12/28:


I am writing this in an email because to be completely honest I am on the verge of a panic attack... I am trying to stop crying. Joe is here and is committed to praying with me and handing me kleenex, so I feel like I have support. Today Isabelle and I went to Children's in Seattle for some "routine" tests on her heart. I will back up just in case you don't have the whole story. In October Isabelle had the swine flu, or the flu, regardless she was really sick. When she didn't fully recover I took her back in for breathing problems. A new nurse practitioner (a Christian) fell in love with her and really spent a lot of time with her. She started treating her for Asthma. When I took her back for a re-check I told the nurse practitioner that the breathing problems were not getting better. She sent us to Children's on a "hunch".

After five hours of tests she has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension. A very serious heart condition. The pediatric cardiologist entered the room with "I have really bad news" So there is a lot to say that I can't actually say out loud right now. First we will be going through a lot of testing to see WHY SHE HAS IT. The blood pressure inside her heart is almost twice what it should be, her heart is having to work way too hard. There are many, many reasons that can contribute, cause, or make the condition worse. She is on a heart monitor for the next 24 hours (at home) and they will be sending a nurse out to the house to set up oxygen for night time, she will be tested for sleep apnea as well. They took tons of blood today, we will return on the 7th for continued testing.

First Prayer Request: That the specialist at children's will be able to correctly find the cause.

After they find the "why" THEY WILL BE ABLE TO START TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TREAT IT. There are very few cases that surgery will make a difference. Most cases are treated with a multitude of drugs. Depending on the cause a medicine or medicines with be picked.

Second Prayer Request: Her life expectancy is all dependent on how well her body will respond to the treatment. WE NEED COMPLETE HEALING FOR HER!!!! GOD HAS BEEN 100% FAITHFUL TO HER SO FAR AND I KNOW HE WILL BE AGAIN. I want the doctors to already be amazed when we go back before we even start treatment.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ISABELLE AND THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET THE BEST TREATMENT. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I ADJUST TO THIS NEWS. I KNOW I WILL SETTLE DOWN AND FEEL NORMAL AGAIN BUT RIGHT NOW I AM BUZZING WITH HURT, FEAR, ETC... PRAY FOR PEACE FOR ME, JOE AND THE BOYS AND FOR SEAN.

I love you all, I just can't talk on the phone right now. I am a wreck and I know talking about it, at least for a little while, will just make it worse.

PRAISES!!!! That we ended up at Childrens today. If not, they said she may of not made it six more months untreated.
Childrens hospital has a pulmonary hypertension specialist!!!! A woman who has dedicated her career to only this and she is right in Seattle!
Thank you Jesus for guidance!

Thank you for your beautiful love and friendship and for going to the thrown on Isabelle's behalf!
We love you all!

Amy

p.s. Please put Isabelle on every available prayer chain. Jesus is all we need!

9 comments:

Hilary said...

Praying for your beautiful girl, Amy, and for your whole family.

rebecca said...

Amy, I will keep Isabelle and your family in my prayers and thoughts. May God be at your side during this time.

Carrie said...

Praying for you all.
-Carrie Chute

The Northwest Bunch said...

Amy,
I am so sorry that I have not been following blogs or FB with the holidays so hectic.

Yes, you will be in our prayers and we will do anything for your family. We just love you guys!!

Please let us know how we can serve you.

Milliren 5 said...

Amy & Joe,

Yes, we are definitely praying for Isabelle and will add her to our church's prayer chain. I would be happy to accompany you to CH on Thursday. Just say the word and I will be there for you.

Please let us know, too, if you need any support or resources for setting up a home/medical school model for Isabelle.

Our prayers are for Joe's mom, too.

Hang in there,
Heather & Co.

anjie said...

I follow your blog when I link over from Shelby's. Sending love and prayers to you and your sweet girl.

Angie said...

Amy,

We are praying for complete healing.

With love,

The Smartts

Little Bug said...

As always our hearts are with you as you walk the road of figuring out this challenge for Isabelle!! May Jesus guide you and direct you in every way possible to finding the correct path for healing. May joy unfold in the process as a true testament that God is working and moving on your behalf. Thanks for updating so we know the specifics of how to pray. Side by side and heart to heart we are with you!!!
Love & Hugs,
Lori, Randy and kiddo's

Tarheel88 said...

Isabelle is a strong girl (I remember vividly) and I will lift her up in prayer for complete healing! I wish I could give you a big hug right now. Children's is the best!