Wow, our life has been a whirlwind since we got home last month. I have completely failed on my promise to post an update on Bean's heart. We are now just seven days from open heart surgery. Craziness! But I'll get to that in a minute. First, here's a little sneak peek into Month #1 as a family of six.
Last fall we booked a Florida vacation with an amazing organization called Pastors' R&R. Their mission is to provide time in a vacation home - free of charge - to families who serve in full-time Christian ministry. (If you're in a nostalgic mood, check out this post from our last vacay with Pastors' R&R. Li'l Miss looks ssssooooo tiny!) When we booked our vacation for this June, we thought we'd be starting our adoption at the beginning of this year (which we did) and traveling this fall (not so much).
I have to confess that there were a few thousand times during our adoption process that I was 100% convinced we should just cancel our vacation. I was sure that it would end up falling right when we got approval to travel or right after travel or during Bean's surgery or...
On the other hand, Jeremy was 100% convinced that we should not cancel - that the time away would be really special for our family (and for Bean if she made it home before our trip). He was right; we had a blast. My younger sister, Jessica, even got to join us for part of the time. (She wins the Aunt-of-the-Year Award for braving the 17-hour trip in the back of the minivan. In the middle seat. Between two boosters. She's a rockstar.)
If I had to pick one picture to sum up our vacation, I think it would be this one.
Our kids made it into the water pretty much every. single. day.
They floated down creeks...
...splashed in the ocean...
...lounged by the pool...
...and hung out by some incredibly gorgeous springs.
We also made time for a little of this...
...and a whole lot of this.
(Why, yes, Bean has gained two pounds in the month she's been home.)
We were a little nervous about taking Bean somewhere new so soon after arriving home, but the intense together time turned out to be really special. Jeremy was thankful for the chance to be away from work to bond with our li'l sweetie. Bean showed her adventurous side and braved lots of new experiences.
All in all, it was a really fun time with just a dash of chaos and puking. I am super grateful we had the chance to make some special memories as a family before Bean has her surgery. On that note, here's a quick update on what's coming next for Bean.
This Friday afternoon, Bean will have a heart cath. During the cath, Bean's doctors will insert a catheter into a blood vessel in her thigh. They will thread the catheter up to her heart. This allows the doctors to do many different diagnostic tests on Bean's heart. They can test pressures and see detailed images of her anatomy.
One of the main things they are looking for is a view of Bean's left pulmonary artery. They were unable to see this artery during her echo last month, so there is a chance it is not properly connected. (The doctor mentioned that it may be arising out of a duct.) Hopefully they can get a clear picture of this artery on Friday. If it is not there or is not connected properly, it will make her surgery more complicated.
Bean and I hope to come home Friday evening, but there is a chance we'll have to spend one night in the hospital. Jeremy, Bean, and I head right back to the hospital on Monday for pre-op. We'll meet with Bean's surgeon, learn the time of her surgery, and possibly have some final tests done. We'll spend the night near the hospital, and then Tuesday is surgery day.
Bean will be hospitalized for 5-14 days after her surgery. I should be able to post lots of updates while I hang out with her in the hospital. Jeremy is able to be at the hospital for pre-op and surgery, but then it'll be the girls (with lots of visits from friends, we hope) for a few days.
Please keep our sweet girl in your prayers as she faces a lot of big stuff over the next few weeks. It's definitely scary to think about what she'll be facing, but we know there are lots of people supporting her and lifting her up to the Lord. I'll leave you with one more Bean smile.
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