We are here

Well, where do we start, this is the first post of many to come.  I will start by saying that your prayers are being answered and there is a since of peace in my heart.  This is good because in the last two days I have come down with a bad case of the hives.  YUCK!  I am sure it is because of stress, but I know everything will be okay and God is in control, even though I like to try sometimes.  I should have learned this by now you would think.  Sometimes what seems so simple to say is so hard to practice.  This is one of those things for me. 
We made it here on time today and had a nice lunch.  When meeting with Dr. Stanley we have learned that he will do what he needs to do when he is in the OR.  He has 2 plans, but he said he might be up to plan 7 or 8 by the time the surgery is done.  In other words, her body is very different from the "normal" coaractations and since she has had this done before and with this being her complete aorta, taking into consideration her screws and rods, this will be a challenge.   He is pretty confident though that surgery will go okay, but he doesn't take it lightly.  It is after surgery that most problems occur.  So these prayers need to keep going for Kasi to be a fighter.  She has a fight to fight that is for sure.  She needs strength, not just strength of her own, but God's strength. 
Her day will look a little like this tomorrow.  They are going to start an IV at midnight tonight and give her fluids and start some antibiotics.  She is on clear liquids now and a medicine to clean her out.  At 6:00 am we will start coming along side her for prayer and at 6:30 she will be moved back to the CVC for her surgery.  They will start all of her lines over there.  She will have a central line going in at her neck, a Art line going in her wrist, several IV's, NG tube, and a chest tube when she comes out.  She might still be on a ventilator too.  This surgery will be a long one and the nurse will report every hour to hour and a half.  She will be moved from surgery to the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit. ( PCIC ) and she will remain in there for about 6 days.  Not 6 for sure days, but around that many.  They are hoping to be able to put in a epidural for pain, but they are not sure if they will be able to because of her rods.  There is a lot they are going to figure out tomorrow because of those rods.  Positioning is another thing, they usually roll the patient in surgery onto their side a bit, but she might not be able to be moved in that way.  So, we are back to the fact that she is just different. 
Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, Dr. Stanley in the main Dr. in charge, but all of the nurses and staff that help with this whole process.  We know that she is in the best hands, in the world and beyond with God on our side.  Pray for peace tomorrow too.  Pray for the mind, hands and eyes of Dr. Stanley.  May they be guided by God Himself!  God is our strength, Jesus our love, and the Holy Spirit our comforter....resting in Him!


Love to you all!

Jodi
We do have a prayer beeper up here...474-0246 is the number.  When you pray you can call it and it will beep on our end.