Sunday 30 September 2012

One Small Step for a Baby, One Giant Leap for Hope!

We are so blessed by the vast number of people that are praying for Hope and our family.  I truly believe that through those prayers, I am numb.  I believe at times it is the safest way to be and it has allowed me to find joy in some of the moments in today.

Hope's belly measured at 45cm this morning.  We have gone down a total of 4cm's and will have a final measurement done in the morning.  The protein infusions and heavy doses of diuretics are working.  I wish it was a permanent solution, but will welcome the temporary relief it gives our sweet girl.  Hope was given her last protein infusion at noon today and it ran until 1pm.  This was the final dose she was meant to receive before surgery.  We were absolutely amazed that all three doses were able to be given through the same IV without it giving out.  That is simply not possible with the veins that are in Hope's little body.  At 2pm her IV gave out and was lost.  It would have been great to have it for surgery tomorrow, but was most important for the protein infusions.  They had to run blood thinners through the IV 24 hours a day in order to keep it open for as long as they did.  They will attempt to start a new IV in the morning, please pray for success on the first poke.

At 2pm we had a photographer with a beautiful heart come and take family photos.  It was a tough decision for me as it felt like I was admitting defeat before the battle.  I chose instead to realize that no mother will ever regret getting beautiful pictures of her children!  I will be blessed to see their sweet faces, no matter the outcome.

After the photos, we realized that without an IV we could take Hope out of the hospital.  We packed her up and took her out for a walk to RMH.  She thrives in the fresh air and was simply content for the rest of the afternoon.  We had dinner as a family before I walked back to the hospital with Hope to check her in for the night.  She has no idea how important tomorrow is for her.

We have an official surgery time of 12:30 tomorrow.  There is obviously a chance that this could change if the surgeries ahead of us have any complications.  We're fairly certain it will happen in the afternoon at some point.

We are asking you to pray for Hope.  Here are some of the most important specifics that we are pleading with God for:
- that the fluid sac in Hope's abdomen would not be accidentally touched during the procedure.  We do NOT want the fluid to drain as it will refill too quickly and potentially more abundantly as well.
-that she would not struggle while under the anesthetic and would not react to any of the medications given.
-that the hernia repair would be successful and would not return.
-that the fluid she has lost in her abdomen over the last 3 days would not return.  We've been told that it will return as soon as the protein infusions stop.  We are praying this is not the case.
-that there will be NO clotting or further damage to any of her veins.

Believing that our God is capable of all this and so much more, we entrust her into His care.

9 comments:

  1. Good morning Amy, so many are praying here in Ontario and as we start our day Hope has filled every thought. Stay in the "eye of the storm", it is the place the Lord takes you to be still. It is a safe place, a calm place that is bathed in His peace. Covering Shawn too as he takes those steps into the OR, an amazing husband and father. Know you are loved, submerged in prayer and the blessings will come... we just need to wait. Hugs
    deb

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  2. We have been praying constantly for your family. As i did my morning devotion this morning this verse popped out at me....

    “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess. 3:16)

    Praying for peace for all of you and wisdom for the doctors.

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  3. Praying for a miracle today for Hope! Praying for the Dr's that do her surgery, that God's hands are used! Praying that the God who created her, knows her body, and will keep her safe, and sound as the surgery is completed, and praying for a miracle that your little girl has a successful surgery, no complitcations, that they find a vein, and that all goes so well, that the Dr's are amazed!!!
    God is so Good!!! Praying until Hope is completely Healed!!!
    Praying for you as her Mom today!! You are an amazing young woman, one who has stepped up to the plate, and has chosen to lay her at the feet of Jesus!
    What a place to be....so safe, so content there, so peaceful there....trusting in HIM today for the outcome, and that HE will be Glorified!!!
    You are in my thoughts, have been, and will continue to pray today for your girl!!!
    Love you all!!!

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  4. Hi Amy - we have a mutual fb friend, and I have been following your blog through her.
    I just want you to know that I am praying for you from Australia for Hope's surgery today - and it is so amazing to see how much God has been glorified through her life! No matter what, Hope has been fulfilling God's will by bringing praise and glory to her maker. What a worthwhile life! I pray that God will give her many more years to glorify Him.
    May He keep his hands on all of you today, and may He perform miracles in that operating theatre. May you and Shaun cuddle your baby girl again very soon!
    Karen

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  5. Starting from the moment I woke up, doing my make-up, kissing my sleeping babies goodbye, commuting... I have been praying for Hope with tears. My coworkers are likely contributing it to pregnancy hormones - but they are for Hope and your family. Keep us posted as you can.
    In His love...

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  6. I, too, have been following via a mutual friend. My heart has been broken for your family, and that precious little girl especially. I'm praying you will hear the exact words I heard almost 7 years ago about my daughter, "We can't explain it. She shouldn't be here, but she is. She is a miracle." Thank you for having the courage to share your story, and for touching all of us who read, cry, and pray along with you. My husband and I prayed over her this morning before I could finally let him go to work. I'm praying and fasting for her all of today. Praying God would bring complete healing in Jesus' name.

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  7. Amy, praying for you, Shawn and your families today. Praying that Hope does defy the medical odds, and that the outcome from today allows for continued physical health, the subsequent Glenn and, boldly, the Fontain. We pray for healthy development, and as your sister put it "boring nights planning dinners." Most importantly, while you wait, we are praying for peace and wisdom. So grateful that your day yesterday was blessed.

    Lyndsay and Dean

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  8. Hi Amy and Shawn. I had hoped to come to the hospital and see if you were feeling up to a visit this weekend. But a few of us are fighting off a bad cold so too risky.

    All 4 of you are constantly in our family's prayers and especially today. The post immediately before this one made me smile as this is what I have been praying for you also. I too have heard those words over my son. I pray that all who see Hope after this surgery and in years to come will be amazed at God's healing power demonstrated in your little girl. "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests." (Psalm 20:5)

    Praying now during the surgery for the doctors and Hope. And for you, that the two of you would feel the Lord especially near to you right now. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

    Karen

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  9. I found your blog through some of your family members who are friends of mine from church.
    I am praying for Hope and for your family: that God will give you the strength and courage you need, that Hope will do well through the procedures and improve beyond anyone's dreams.
    And I pray that through it all you will be able to rest totally and completely in Him, knowing that He can work good through anything, no matter what happens. God is in control and He loves Hope even more than you do, if you can imagine it. He will never leave her side, or yours.

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