Finding Our New Normal

The past month has been a roller coaster ride for our family. We celebrated 6 months and 16 pounds with an open heart surgery! When we do things, we do them BIG! As we have walked through this journey with Mac, I have learned so much about God, my family, and myself. I continue each day to learn and grow from this experience, and I am so thankful that God saw fit to place Mac with our family. This entry in our blog will probably be longer than most. I have a lot to share that has happened in such a short period of time.
 

On the Wednesday before surgery our family loaded up the car and headed for Charleston. We were all anxious to see the surgery completed and begin to move toward a more normal way of life. The trip down was a long one. Mac slept for a while, but then wanted to be out of his car seat and playing for the remainder of the trip. Thankfully he has the most amazing big sister who was great entertainment for the long ride.
 

When we arrived in Charleston we were greeted by our wonderful friends at CrossBridge. We were able to stay at the same house we were in during our stay in September. It was a comfort to be back in the same CrossBridge house once again. I never dreamed that Charleston would feel like home, but now it does.
 

We had to be at the hospital Thursday morning for Mac's preop appointment that lasted all day long. Harlie spent the day with Grannie and Papa at their hotel. After a long day of questions, tests, and waiting, we finally got to speak with Mac's surgeon. That was when he told us that he was 95% sure that we were going single ventricle. This was not what we wanted to hear, but we knew that our prayers were for the best decision for Mac's care and not what we wanted. This surgery meant that Mac's heart would become a single pump instead of a double. This isn't a bad thing. It just means that Mac's heart would function differently than ours.

 The morning of surgery we had to be at the hospital early. When we arrived we were greeted by one of our awesome pastors.  Pastor Danny was able to pray with us before we had to take Mac back to the holding area. It is there that the anesthesiologists have to pry children from anxious mother's arms. I reluctantly released him, only comforted by the fact that I was not releasing him to the arms of some anesthesiologist, but into the arms of God. I have reminded myself a million times that he is not mine. Mac belongs to God. The only way I was able to hand him over that morning was to know that I was giving him back to Him.

We were given a pager from the hospital for updates. The operating room sends updates to families every hour. Each hour we received our message and then waited what seemed like an eternity for the next one. Fortunately for us we had lots of entertainment. Those of you who know my family know that there is never a dull moment when my daddy is around. I am so thankful that he was able to be there to keep things light. I can't imagine sitting there for hours in silence waiting.
 


Mac's surgeon, Dr. Bradley, came to speak with us after the surgery was complete. He said that everything had gone great in the OR and that we would be able to see him soon. He said that as he had suspected, there was no way to do a full repair of Mac's heart. He told us that we will now have one more surgery in a few years and then his surgical plan will be complete. Mac now has half of his blood flow from the body going directly to the lungs and the other half is going into his heart. When the final surgery takes place, all of his blood will bypass his heart and go straight to his lungs to be oxygenated. When we asked about a timeline for the second surgery, Dr. Bradley said that we will plan to have his second surgery when he is 30 - 35 pounds. He also told me not to "overfeed" him. I guess word has gotten around about my ability to make people I love gain weight. ;)

After surgery, Mac was sent to PCICU to recover. We were fortunate enough to be placed in one of the rooms on the back wall this time instead of along the walls as you walk in. This made it possible for Harlie to come in and stay a little longer than she has been able to in the past. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world to have my whole little family together in the same room again after surgery. Over the next few days we enjoyed watching the pumps disappear from his bedside. Any heart family knows that this means that you are getting closer to getting out of PCICU and moved to the recovery floor (8D). On Sunday night I was finally able to hold him in my arms once again. It had only been two days, but it felt like an eternity.

The following day we were moved from PCICU to 8D. When we arrived on 8D we were greeted by many familiar faces and friendly hugs. Mac was back on 8D where he had spent most of his time before his first surgery. We were able to take him out of the room and visit the atrium to play and even go outside.

On Tuesday morning the doctors came in for rounds. The doctor for the week was one that we had not met before. He told us that if we really pushed, he would probably let us go home that day, but if we wanted to stay one more night, he would rather us do that. I wanted to get out of there, but I also knew that we were facing a 4 hour drive with a 6 month old baby who had just had open heart surgery FOUR days prior. We told the doctor that we were fine with staying one more night and that we would leave the next day. We were also told by the cardiology team that after his healing time Mac will be a "normal" little boy. We no longer obsess over food, weight gain, and sats. We even had to turn in our scale and pulse oximeter. That has been very difficult. After spending 6 weeks in Charleston, being trained to track and document every move Mac makes, they tell me to stop cold turkey. I still feel like he is the same boy that needs to be followed so closely, but they assure me that he is not.

The following morning we were packed and ready when the doctors did rounds. We signed the discharge paperwork and left the hospital FIVE days post op!!! This is two days faster than their most optimistic goal of 7 - 10 days.  We were able to make it home in time to surprise Harlie and pick her up from horseback riding lessons! I wish I had a picture of the smile on her face when she came around the ring and saw us standing there. It filled my heart with so much joy.



The picture on the right was taken 5 days after the one on the left.
God has truly blessed our little Miracle Mac!

The next day we had an appointment with the cardiologist in Greenville. Two of the MUSC cardiologists had flown up for a clinic there at GHS and we were able to visit with them for a moment before heading to our room to wait. One of our cardiologists that had been with us for an unusually long 2 week stretch on 8D was amazed at how quickly Mac had been able to return home. He kept telling me that he thought we were messing with him. He looked too good to have been just SIX days post op! Of course we all know why Mac looked so good and recovered so well. He had the healing touch of the Father. I always love to see the doctors amazed by his progress. It reminds me that God is in control and that He has His hand on our son. It reminds me that no matter what the doctors may tell us, He decides Mac's future.

During that visit Dr. Horne made the decision to place Mac on a heart monitor for the next 30 days. They removed one of his medications in Charleston and this monitor will be sure that he can discontinue the medication safely. I am always happy to see a medication go, so the 30 days of monitoring are a welcome aggravation to ensure that Mac is safe.

The next week we had a follow up appointment with Dr. Horne. It was at this visit that we found out that there have been some changes in Mac's heart function post op. They are not major concerns, but we are always cautious with any changes. We will have another echocardiogram at his appointment next week to determine if another medication is necessary. Please pray that the changes they saw were just a result of his heart recovering from surgery and that all has returned to normal. We also had a long talk with Dr. Horne about when Mac will be ready to begin attending a day care. After hearing all of the pros and cons, Dr. Horne said it was his recommendation for me to return to work in the fall. This means that we have the all clear for Mac to start going to day care once or twice a week in July to transition. I am so excited about the possibility of returning to the classroom for the 2014-2015 school year. Now the search begins for a new teaching position. While I would love to return to Wren, I am not sure if there will be a place for me there. Please pray that God will open the door and place me where He wants me.

Most importantly, we are celebrating the answers to our prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. As you pray for our family this month, please thank God for all that He has done. We know that the doctors at MUSC are the best, but we give God all the praise and glory for our answered prayers. Thank you for praying for our family.



Wilson's Surgery Update 

Just weeks before surgery, Mac was chosen to have a "friend" undergo an open heart surgery of his own. An organization on Facebook called BooBoo Buddies takes stuffed animals and gives them a zipper to match their child. When Mac was confirmed to receive a buddy we thought long and hard about which animal should have surgery. After Mac was born, Harlie's friend Milla gave him a special bear named Wilson. After much discussion it was decided that this special bear should be the buddy to have surgery. Mac gave Wilson extra love and we sent him off the Monday before Mac's surgery on Friday. This week we finally got a picture and word from BooBoo Buddies that Wilson came through his surgery strong and healthy, just like Mac! 

Mac's Anatomy

 

Many of you have asked us what is wrong with Mac's heart. This trip to MUSC we were able to get images of his specific anatomy and what his anatomy will be when his surgery plan is complete. The first picture you see is a healthy heart. It shows how the blue blood (blood that has been depleted of oxygen) flows into the right side of the heart and out to the lungs. When it comes back into the heart it is red (blood with oxygen).  The red blood is then pumped from the heart out to the body. The blood does not mix between the ventricles. Each side of the heart serves its own purpose.

 

When Mac had his catheterization in February we were able to see details of how his heart was created. Mac's heart had both ventricles, but there was a hole between the left and right were the blue and red blood mixed together. The aorta which is supposed to be on the left ventricle is located on the right, and the aorta and the pulmonary artery are switched.

When Mac's heart pumped blood in from the body to go to the lungs it got mixed with the blood that had already been to the lungs and would be pumped back out to the body. Some of his red blood would also be sent back to the lungs and would be reoxygenated.

 Because he had all of this blood mixed there was too much pressure on his lungs so they placed the PA band to reduce the amount of blood flow to his lungs during his first surgery. You can see two black marks just under the number 13. This is the location where his PA band was placed.

After his first surgery all of his blood still mixed.

 

 

 

In March, Mac had his second surgery. The surgeon hoped that he would be able to go in and use the hole between the two bottom chambers to repair Mac's heart with one surgery. Because the hole was too small, we had to go a different route. Even though Mac has a left and right ventricle he is now considered a single ventricle patient. The surgeon removed the pulmonary artery from the inside of the heart and sewed it up so that no blood flows from the heart into the lungs. He then attached the superior vena cava that brings blood from the upper body to the pulmonary artery. That blood does not go into the heart anymore. It goes directly to the lungs. Then once that blood is oxygenated it goes into the heart to be pumped out to the body. There is still an inferior vena cava that sends blood from the lower body back to the heart on the bottom. It is were you see the blue blood going into the heart at the bottom. Right now there is still some blue blood mixing with the red and going back out to the body.

 

 

When Mac has his final surgery in a few years he will have the anatomy below. The lower part that was pumping blue blood into his heart will be connected to the pulmonary artery using a Gortex tube. This will be an adult sized piece of flex that will allow him to grow and use the same piece of material throughout his adult life. When this is done there will be no blue blood going into Mac's heart. He will only have red blood from the lungs being pumped by his heart out to his body.

 

 

We were unsure until after surgery if Mac would be a repair or single ventricle patient. This surgery plan will allow Mac to lead a normal life. He will be able to run and play and be a "normal" little boy. The only difference is that he will tire faster than most. We are so thankful for the hope that our son will be able to lead a "normal" life. The doctors say he won't be an "Olympic athlete" but who knows what God has in store for this little guy!  

Mac truly has a heart like no other. The questions we faced in the beginning were because his heart is so unique. We are so thankful to be at a place where we can begin to move forward as a family with fewer questions and more plans for the future.

Mac's Milestones

Mac is growing so fast! He is enjoying trying new foods and now feels that every meal for us means solids for him as well. His favorite food so far is bananas. He also likes sweet potatoes and oatmeal. Green beans and rice cereal were not hits. He is becoming more and more vocal. I am just waiting for him to utter that first, "Mama!" any day... ;)

This week he rolled over for the first time. He now rolls to his tummy and gets mad because he is there. He forgets that he can just roll back onto his back. Each of these accomplishments is a major celebration for our family. We are so thankful for each and every milestone. The next one on the list is Mac's half birthday! One week from tomorrow he will be 6 months old! I cannot believe it.

In less than two weeks we will be back at MUSC awaiting surgery! I cannot believe that the time has already come! Mac's surgery date is March 7th. This means that we have to be down there on the 6th for his pre-op work up.

We have been anxious to find out what procedure will be done. We have been told by the doctors at MUSC that the goal is do to a full repair, but they are not sure exactly what they will find when they get inside of his heart. Yesterday a letter arrived from our insurance company. This letter was to let us know that the hospital had notified them of Mac's upcoming procedure. The notes on the letter said that he is scheduled for, "Repair of double outlet right ventricle with intraventricular tunnel repair!" This sounds like they are pretty confident that a full repair surgery is possible! The other procedure is called the Bi-directional Glenn. I am so excited at this new hope of a full repair! We understand that there is still a chance that when they go in the Glenn may be the final decision, but there is still a strong chance that he will get a FULL REPAIR!!!! The full repair means no more surgeries and no restrictions! He would be "fixed!" Please help us pray that this procedure will be possible.


Harlie is doing fantastic in school. She has her 3rd grade play this Tuesday night. We are so proud that she has a solo and a speaking part! Not only is she an excellent student, but she is an awesome big sister! Mac loves to watch her sing and dance. He lights up whenever she is around. We are so proud of this amazing little lady. She brings so much joy into our home. Please keep her in your prayers as she prepares for some quality time with G&P while Mommy and Daddy are in Charleston. She is such a trooper!

Harlie and Vince were able to enjoy an evening of fun this Friday at the WES Daddy/Daughter Dance. She was absolutely breathtaking in her Mardi Gras attire!

As you pray for our family, please pray for the following things...

• Safe travels for our family to and from Charleston over the next few weeks.
• Mac's surgeon and every other person who is in ANY way connected to this procedure to be anointed by the Holy Spirit.
• That ALL decisions made in Mac's care are best for Mac.
• Strength for Mac's little body as he fights back after surgery.
• Peace for all of our family. (We are all anxious about this procedure.)
• Physical, mental, and emotional strength for Grannie & Papa as they step back into a parenting role for the next couple of weeks while we are in Charleston.
• Strength for the BEST BIG SIS EVER! This will be hard on her because she is going to be away from us again.

Thank you to each of you who pray for our family. I know it may not feel like a big thing to you, but it is the greatest gift you can give to our family. Many of your prayers have already been answered and we give all praise and glory to God for those blessings.

Hearts for Mac

On Friday when I went to pick Harlie up from school, I was greeted at the door with smiling faces that held wonderful surprises for our family. They led me to the cafeteria. I was reduced to tears when I rounded the corner to see photographs of our family displayed above each grade level. The entire wall was decorated for Hearts for Mac! Words cannot express the love and support I felt at that moment.
My wonderful Wren family had planned a fundraiser to help our family with Mac's medical expenses. Starting tomorrow, students will have the opportunity to purchase hearts to be decorated and placed on the wall with their grade level. Many times I have assisted with fundraisers for various causes or other families in our community. I never dreamed that the love would be returned to our family in this situation. We are so blessed to be a part of this school and community. Thank you Wren family.

Click below to view the Hearts for Mac video.
Miracle Mac's Video

Mac's Heart Cath

Last Wednesday morning we arrived at the hospital at 6:00am for Mac's first heart catheterization. I was nervous for many reasons. First, my son was about to undergo a procedure where catheter lines were run directly into his heart to take measurements and images of his anatomy for diagnostic purposes. Second, there was a chance that the doctors could decide that he needed stints or a balloon procedure depending on what they saw. Third, this procedure brought us one step closer to Mac's first open heart surgery.
They took him from my arms at 7:30 and told me we would hear from them every hour. We waited anxiously for our first update. The first call told us that he was sedated and had an iv in each hand. They told us that they were beginning his echo. The second hour mark let us know that his echo was complete, they were inserting the catheter lines, and they would begin with measuring pressures and oxygen saturations. Our third update said that the lines were in place and they were taking images of his heart.  The fourth call said that he was finished and we would be able to see him in 30 minutes. As soon as we got the OK to return we rushed down to his room.
When we walked through the door, I heard the cry I hate most. If you have ever had to have a breathing tube you probably remember the raw feeling that the tube causes. For an infant, this horrible tube leaves their cry sounding deep and raspy. I knew, even though it sounded nothing like him, that the cry filling the same day room was the sound of my precious boy. We rushed to his side and tried to calm him. He was afraid and in pain. Vince had the horrible job of holding his leg still (to prevent the cath holes from bleeding) for the next 30 minutes while our precious boy laid there confused and in pain crying out for us to hold him.
As soon as the nurse gave the OK, Mac was in my arms. We had him, but this boy was not the one we brought in that morning. He was scared, in pain, confused, and having trouble breathing. For the next 4 hours we held him. Trying to hold him still. Trying to keep him calm. Trying to bring him comfort. During this time he would sleep for a few minutes and then wake screaming out in pain.
When Mac is at his best his oxygen saturations stay in the range of 75 - 85. This is much lower than a "healthy" child. His heart rate is usually around 135. During this recovery time his saturations were not rising above 70. When he would cry out his sats would drop down into the 50's and his heart rate would spike over 200. They gave me an oxygen mask to keep blowing on him while he rested, but that didn't do much to help. When the nurse started looking nervous, I began to get even more anxious. I asked when they would make the decision to do something. They told me that they would wait until closer to time to go home to make a decision and give him a chance to pull out of this on his own. Just before 4:00 pm they made the decision to admit him for the night.
When we arrived on 8D, we were greeted by many familiar faces. The first of which was Mac's favorite nurse, Mrs. Corrie! It was such a relief to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that we know and love. Mrs. Mary was the next face I saw and she greeted me with a HUGE hug! I am so grateful that God has placed these people in our lives. They are such blessings when we need them most!
Once we were settled in the room, the doctor came in and told us that they thought the reason Mac was having difficulty keeping his sats up was because he had too much fluid. This was such a reasonable explanation. He looked so swollen that I was sure that this was the reason. I was so glad to hear that the fix would be LASIX. We are very familiar with Lasix from our previous trip to MUSC. They started him on Lasix early in the evening. He immediately began to pass the fluid. As he received Lasix throughout the night they were able to wean him off of his oxygen. Around 3:30 when I woke to the horrible sounds of our heat unit (see post on FB) they turned the oxygen off. He maintained his sats and we were able to remove the oxygen tube around 7am.
Around 8am they came in and told us we were going home! We had to go through the discharge paperwork and pack up. We were walking out the doors by 10:30.
With all of that said , we don't have a lot of information in the way of results.
While we were in same day holding him down, the doctor came in to tell us what she saw. She said that his PA band is SUPER tight. This means that he is now ready for his next surgery! It usually takes about a month to get on Dr. Bradley's schedule. We are hoping to hear from MUSC early this week with a date for surgery.
Your next question is, "Are they going to be able to do the repair?"
The answer, "We don't know..."
Honestly, I am really not worrying about which procedure they decide on. We have come to the place in this journey where I understand that this decision is out of my hands. Either way this surgery will require Mac to be placed on the heart lung bypass machine. The surgeon will actually have to stop his heart and open it to repair or bypass. I have been praying for the surgeon and the others involved in making this decision. I am trusting that God is going to guide their decision making. We may not know what that decision is for a few more weeks. As soon as I know I will update you all.
Please continue to pray for all of those involved in the decision making process and the actual procedures ahead.

Everything Changes

We knew from the moment the PA band was placed that it was a temporary fix. It was placed to buy us time. Time for Mac to grow and develop. Time to see if it would be possible to do a full repair on his unique little heart.

Last week we went to the cardiologist for a routine check up. He was very pleased with Mac's appearance  and anticipated no concerns from his ECHO based on how healthy and happy our little miracle appeared to be. Dr. Horne's computer system was having difficulty updating, so he told us that he would look over the ECHO and get back to us in the next day or so. He said that if the ECHO looked good we probably wouldn't need to even come back to see him until after our cath which was scheduled for March 12th. This was wonderful news! I was excited that we might be able to spend less time in the doctors office during the month of February.

The next morning Mac had an appointment with his pulmonologist for his synagis shot. This is the shot that protects him from RSV. When we arrived the nurses had a difficult time getting a good oxygen saturation reading. They tried for 30 minutes or more to get a number that they were happy with . When everyone had tried and no one was successful they decided to call Dr. Horne. He told them that he was fine with the number, but for me to keep an eye on it and call him if anything changed.

I decided to go ahead and stop by cardiology since both offices are in the same building to see if he had read the results of the ECHO yet. (I was also wanting the nurses in cardiology to check his sats.) They did check and got the same results as pulmonology. They sent a message to Dr. Horne who was at a different office that day. I left waiting to hear back from him by phone.

When the call came, I was not prepared for the results. Dr. Horne said that the ECHO showed changes in the pressure through Mac's VSD and it looked as if the left ventricle had actually reduced in size! WHAT?!?!?! We made plans come to back this week for a follow up visit to do a repeat ECHO to confirm what he was seeing.

Over the weekend I noticed some changes in his behavior. There was not one thing in particular, but just subtle changes in his behavior that concerned me. I have been told to trust my mommy instincts and contact cardiology if I have any concerns. I did so and spent a good deal of time talking with the cardiologist on call about what I was seeing. We agreed that the best thing to do was to keep an extra close eye on things, but not bring him into the hospital over the weekend. I don't ever want to keep him home if he needs medical attention, but I also don't want to take him into the hospital and him get sicker because of the germs he came in contact with there.

The next day seemed to be more normal. He was a little off on Monday, but then Tuesday night it all fell apart. I noticed that he felt warm and decided to check his temp. He was running a fever! If this had been a "normal" baby I probably would have dosed him with Tylenol and just kept an eye on him assuming it was teething. Instead I panicked! I called the cardiologist to be sure that I should call the pediatrician and not them. They told me to go ahead and call our pediatrician but that they would pass along to our cardiologist that something was going on. The pediatrician scheduled us for a 5:10 appointment. Vince kept Harlie at home and my sweet mom met me at the doctor's office. You see when you take a heart baby into the doctor with a fever there is a chance that they will send you to the hospital. I was not taking a chance on that without my mom being there for moral support!

When we saw the doctor they tested him for RSV and flu. You cannot even imagine how scary it is to hear that your heart baby could possibly have RSV. Thankfully both tests came back negative.  She said that we could admit him to the hospital if I didn't feel comfortable taking him home, but that if we wanted to go home she supported that decision as well. I told her that I would be super vigilant in keeping an eye on his sats and be sure he was getting enough fluids if we didn't have to go to the hospital. She scheduled us for a follow up visit the next morning just to be sure that he was improving and did not need to be hospitalized.

The next morning Dr. Song confirmed that he did not have RSV with one more test. She told us that he had the cold that the rest of our family has and that we should continue to keep a close eye on him. She also ordered an x-ray just to be sure that he didn't have any fluid on his lungs. This was not just because of his illness, but the week before we had stopped his Lasix. This is the diuretic that he was taking when we came home from the hospital. There was no fluid, so we were cleared to head home and rest.

Thursday morning was our follow up appointment with Dr. Horne. Mac had his repeat ECHO and then we waited to find out the results. Dr. Horne said that the new ECHO did not show a reduction in the size of the left ventricle. PRAISE THE LORD!!! This was probably just a difference in technique from one tech to another. It did however show some other concerns. The PA band that was placed during his first surgery is showing signs of slippage. As Mac grows the band slips higher and places pressure on the branch of the artery that goes to the right lung. The flow of blood is reduced, which explains why his saturations have been lower. He also said that there was another pressure change in the VSD. This is the hole that they would use to repair his heart. That hole is still small for all that they need to do. I never would have dreamed that I would want the hole in his heart to be bigger. But I do...

We discussed the concerns with these changes and he told me that he felt it was time to do the heart cath. He told me that he would contact MUSC and I should hear something today from them about rescheduling.

Today I got a call from Dr. Zyblewski. She said that Mac's surgeon and several of his other cardiologists had discussed him yesterday. They decided to work him into the schedule for next week. Tonight we got another call telling us that his cath is now scheduled for Wednesday, Jan.
29th.

In some ways I am happy because this means we will get more answers to our many questions. In other ways I wish we could have held out a bit longer. We were hoping that Mac would be able to be bigger before we took this step. The bigger he gets the more chance we have of a full repair instead of having to bypass the left side of his heart.

Either way I am glad that we are seeing the signs in time to prepare for the best care for our precious little miracle. I have prayed that God will help us see when we need to do something, and He has done that. He has guided us this past week in making the trips to the doctor and we are seeing the need to make a move.

Please help us pray for the doctors, surgeon, nurses, and any other staff member that will be involved in Mac's care during this procedure. Please pray that they will be able to see exactly what they need to see in order to make the best decisions for his care. Please pray for an anointing over each person who is part of this process. Please pray for wisdom for us and the doctors. We don't have much say in what procedures they actually do in the end, but we are Mac's voice in this. I pray that I God give me the words to speak when I need to speak and bridle my tongue when I need to be silent. Please pray for Harlie as she will be staying in the upstate with my parents while we go down. I know that this is hard for her too. She loves her little brother more than words can say. Please pray for my parents as they support us by taking care of Harlie. Not only do they worry about their grandson, but they worry about their daughter and granddaughter in this situation. I can only imagine how hard this is for them.
Please pray for Mac to remain healthy this week so that there are no delays in this procedure. Please pray for strength for his little body as he undergoes this procedure.

I am sorry that this post is so long. It has been a busy week. Thank you for taking the time to read. Thank you for your prayers. We love you all.


The pictures in this post were taken at 4 months. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get them posted to the blog! I cannot believe that he is almost 5 months old!!!

 

 

Four Stockings on the Mantle

As a young woman I always envisioned Christmas morning with two young children waking excitedly on Christmas morning to open their stockings. When I woke up this Christmas morning I saw those four stockings hanging there and realized my dreams had come true. Sometimes little things mean to most. Seeing the four stockings on the mantle this year was a wonderful reminder of the blessings we have received in the past year.
Mac slept in his Grannie's arms, while Harlie opened both of their gifts. Being together at home this Christmas was the best gift Vince and I could have ever received. As we celebrated this holiday together as a family, my thoughts often drifted to the families that were not able to celebrate this season at home with their children. I find myself thinking of this more and more each day. I pray for the other families that are enduring hospital life on a daily basis.
As our little fighter grows stronger and stronger I rejoice and give all honor and glory to God.