We are having a baby girl! We could not be more excited. Her name will be London Claire Horkey.
On January 11th Trey and I went into the stork vision in Edmond to find out the sex of our baby. That was such a joy filled day. I woke up that morning and had all kinds of thoughts running through my head...today my life will change for the better. I will be a boy mom or a girl mom and I can finally call this baby in my tummy a name. Lunch came and I could barely handle my jitters! We got to stork vision a little early (out of excitement) and they let us in early. I laid on that table and teared the whole time as we watched our baby girl and each of her features. She had the sweetest feet, the sweetest hands, and most of all we watched her heart beating. She has life!
That following Monday I had a normal ob appointment just for a check up. Appointment went pretty normal and I sat in the room waiting for my doctor. He came in and looking back I could tell that something was wrong. Pretty soon after he came in he told me that "Stork vision found a pretty serious defect in the baby and you will need to go to a specialized doctor for futher analysis to see what we are looking at." My heart sank but it was also a survival mode of what my next steps were. I asked a few questions and found out information of where we needed to go. I was originally told that we would have to wait another 2 weeks for this appointment. I called Trey and broke down, it was more emotional coming out of MY mouth than someone elses. I had to tell somebody news that ripped my own heart right open. Trey immediately came to be with me and called a nurse who was able to get us in to the specialist that day. We immediately drove to Norman and sat in an office for hours.
Finally that night after analysis on London we saw answers. As of NOW she has a right ventricle defect. This diagnosis, if she in fact has this, she will need three open heart surgeries before the age of 3. They are called the Norwood, Glenn and Fontan procedures. We will meet with cardiologists in Dallas to confirm but our doctor was pretty confident that this is all we are looking at. He sees no other abnormalities in her.
What is so refreshing is London is not affected in any way right now. The placenta and heart function differently when she is inside the womb and she is getting everything she needs. Her problems would start after birth. Her birth and care will have to be in Dallas. Trey will stay here and just travel.
The first few days were terrible. I have never heard of a diagnosis like this and immediately thought the worst. How could a baby survive like this? Did I do this to her? Why me?
The answers are yes, babies can survive and thrive. Her chances are pretty darn good. No, I did not do this to her..its not genetic. The answer to "why me" I will never understand.
After many visits with nurses and researching, this is all doable...medically but also spiritually. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in miracles and I also believe God knew of London and knew she would have this defect. He knew Trey and I would receive the gift of London. London's heart was created imperfectly but perfectly to me.
She already has taught us so much. Trey and I love each other beyond belief and will get through anything. Don't take health or life for granted. Be kind to each person you encounter because you never know what kind of day they are having nor the gravity of news they are having to accept. The power in the family of Christ. The "peace that surpasses all understanding".
Dont get me wrong, I am human. I have moments of fear, bitterness and just sadness. I wish I could just make it all go away. I wish she could have my healthy heart. I know those emotions will always be there. Its part of being human. I also remind myself, JESUS said "why have you forsaken me?" This surely allows us to have times of doubt.
I would like to ask all our prayer warriors to shoot for the moon. I pray that we can see a miracle in London for complete healing. Wouldn't it be great for me to go in to my next appointment and its fixed?? I am not one to think it cant happen. If not, thats okay.. I am up for this challenge. Thank you London for your life and we are your biggest soliders.
I can't answer questions about your baby's medical condition because I'm not an expert in either pediatrics or heart issues. I'm actually a back pain doctor.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I saw your post on Facebook and I wanted to mention that I have a friend whose grand baby had this exact thing. The little girl had all her surgeries and is doing great. There were some rocky times, but mom and dad learned what they needed to learn and took care of their baby well, as you will, during those few years of waiting for the surgeries. Like them, you'll make it through in baby steps, learning as you go. God gives you only what you can handle.
Your aptitude to turn right to prayer and thanksgiving in the midst of it all speaks volumes of the kind of mom you will be! London will be born to exactly the parents she needs and she will thrive with you.
ReplyDeletePraying for baby girl.
CB