A Thank You

I want to use this post to send a thank you to some very special people that I haven't gotten a chance to thank. While teaching at McPherson High School, I got the opportunity to work with some very amazing kids and parents. They all have impacted my life in ways I can't put into words. While I could go on and on about that, this post is dedicated to one very specific act of kindness. Last semester, I had the opportunity to teach a senior speech class. This group of kids decided to take on a project. They kept this project a secret from me. With no outside help, they organized a fundraiser. They had t-shirts made by a local company, worked out a deal with that company to donate some of the profit, and sold t-shirts to nearly every student at MHS. The t-shirts, black and pink, had on the back "Emaline" and the number "01" in the design of a basketball jersey. The pink shirts had the word "LOVE" on the front, while the black ones said "Ball So Hard." Again, this was all kept secret from me. This entire project was the result of some amazing and caring kids. They have no idea just how much I was touched by this.

On Monday, each member of our family wore one of the t-shirts designed by these kids. We got a lot of compliments on our shirts as we walked around the Ronald McDonald House and Children's Mercy Hospital, but my favorite part was telling everyone the story of how these shirts were created. You can't hear  a story like this and not feel good. Any time you start to question humanity or the coming generation, be reassured there are amazing kids that will continue to do good in the lives of others. To these kids, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I miss each and every one of you so much.

I also want to thank everyone that has sent kind words, donated time, food, money, prayers, and everything else of the course this very special girl's life. We can't say thank you enough and we appreciate everything!

Out of surgery! She's doing great!

Ema is out of surgery and recovering in the picu. Everything went well. She's a bit sore now that she is coming out of sedation. Her little arms had to be restrained because she was pulling on her tubes and lines. All in all, she is doing great!

Change of Plans. Again.

The surgeon just came and talked with us. There has been a slight change in plans. Because of some calcification in the graft material from her last operation, and due to a lack of space between her heart and sternum, they will not be able to do the double ventricle repair as planned. Instead, they will do what's called a Glenn Procedure. This is the second of three steps in a single ventricle repair. That means a few things. Today will be shorter than originally intended, by about three hours. It also means she will for sure have to heave at least one more major surgery in the next three years. This isn't the news we wanted, but the surgeon explain it is the safest option. If they were to continue with the double ventricle repair today, it would likely require up to five more surgeries as Ema grows. The surgeon, who co-wrote a paper on this exact thing, explained that each of those surgeries because increasingly more dangerous. Big brother Grahm was very concerned when the surgeon came in, and asked where Ema was. Ema is in very capable and experienced hands in this hospital, both physically and spiritually.

Surgery Day

We just sent Ema away with the surgical nurses and we are waiting in the surgery waiting room. Today is the big day we've been waiting for. Surgeons will be fixing every remaining problem with Ema's heart. Hers is the only surgery scheduled for this surgeon today because it is expected to last all day (we were told to expect at least four to six hours). Ema was in good spirit this morning. She was a bit cranky from being up so early, and she didn't want anyone touching her, but she was smiling and waving hello to everyone in the hallway. She also had to poke her head out of the exam room door to wave at the people walking by. I will continue to post updates here as the day goes on, assuming I'm able to. Friends and family, feel free to contact me on my cell phone.