Update on Emma!!!

I got a call today from Emma's cardiologist telling me that he and her heart surgeon where reviewing some cases and hers was one of the cases they went over. They decided that at her next appointment (this Thursday) they wanted to get a detailed echo of her heart and some other minor test to see if anything had changed or if everything was still the same. They think that she is about at the age that it might be time to start her surgical process again. Of course the echo, x-ray and EKG won't hurt her, but I am not looking forward to the lab work they are going to have to do and I definitely know she is not going to like it at all.

She has been doing really good other than she is still getting tired when she is playing and not wanting to eat very much (she has been holding around the same weight for a while now, between 28-30lbs). We knew that the day was coming when we where going to be talking about surgery again, but as a Mommy you always hold out hope for no surgery at all. We have been blessed with so many miracles with her, that I feel a little selfish asking God for another one, "Dear God, please see this beautiful and perfect little girl through this. Hold her hand through the scary times when I am not able to be by her side and give her the comfort and strength to get through whatever path you have made for her". I know we do not know if she will have surgery yet, but I do know that one day, weather it be in a few months or a few years, she will need to have this done...

I am not sure if everyone knows still what Emma's actual heart problems are, so I am going to post them and explain a little more about them...

*One of her main diagnosis is Corrected Transposition of the great arteries, meaning, that her bottom two chambers switched position when they where being developed in utero. Her blood flow is flowing in the right direction, but do to the ventricles doing the others job, it puts higher pressure and stress on the left ventricle.

*Because of the extra stress put on the heart she is in the beginning stages of heart failure, witch does not mean that her heart is going to give out, it just means that it is a little enlarged and works harder than it should. Over time though if left un-treated it could cause other major problems, so she is on medication to slow the progression down.

*There is also a hole between the bottom two chambers called a VSD, which actually helps her blood flow due to the anatomy of her heart.

*She has what is called WPW with SVT, witch is basically a rhythm problem with her heart. In Emma's case her heart can beat up to 280 beats per minute if she has an SVT episode. Thankfully she has not had an SVT episode in a very long time, so we are hoping she is out growing it or her medication is working wonders for her.

*Lastly she has an abnormal tricuspid valve that has some mild leakage and some narrowing of her pulmonary artery called pulmonary stenosis.

I know it sounds like allot and a little overwhelming, trust me I have been there, but I promise you she is doing amazingly well and will keep doing it that way. She is such a little fighter and strong little girl, but most of all she is our little miracle and true blessing. I have learned so much about life through this one little girl. I have learned to be patient and to give my problems and worries over to God more and know that he is truly and AMAZING GOD. I will keep learning everyday from her and my other little miracles, just as I have done since the day they where born.

As I went through today I couldn't help but worry more and more about what they might say at Emma's next doctors appointment; so as I was checking my daily e-mail I felt the need to say a prayer her and me. While I was praying for the strength and comfort during this little bump in our road these words where put on my heart and in my mind and I really wanted to share them with you, "Why is it that we stress and worry over the things we can not change? No matter how hard we try there will always be difficulties and obstacles in our way, we just have to learn to take life's detours and to jump the hurdles (no matter how high they are), but always remember that God will be there to show us the best way and to carry us over any of life's hurdles". I truly believe that God put these words on my heart to really remember that he will get us through this and that he knows the best path for us to take even if we don't see it right now...

I am sorry that this is so long and if I am rambling and not making much sense through most of this post. I just felt the need to explain a little more about Emma's heart condition. I think I just always say "Emma's issues" or "Emma's heart problems" but I don't really thing I have explained exactly what her "issues" are. I do hope this give everyone a little better insight into the the happenings of Emma's heart. I know some things are still a little confusing, but hey, I am still confused some days, lol.

Please keep her in your prayers this week and I promise to update everyone Thursday after we get home from a long day at the doctors office...

As all way hugs, kisses and lots of love to everyone and thank you so much for checking in on us and your continued support and prayers...