Friday, April 3, 2009

Prayer Request for Abby

Dear Family and Friends,

I would like to share a prayer request, and some praise:).

On March 21, Abby had an episode of SVT (supraventricular tachycardia). She had cooked dinner that Saturday night for us and after eating, she stepped out on the porch to give our dogs some scraps. The next thing I know she's sitting on the couch saying her heart was "beating really fast." I could see the rapid heartbeat from a distance. Kelly was unable to count her racing pulse (and he's a certified first responder:), so we took her to our local fire station. There was no one there (!), but only after a minute or so, Nathan saw the crew returning from a call. That's my first praise. My second praise is that the paramedics were very compassionate and thorough, and that they had the equipment to take an EKG. Her heart rate had slowed down quite a bit, but was still 207 when we arrived. They told her to do certain exercises that slowed it to 140-something. We then took her to Children's Hospital, and after watching it continue to slow, they told us to contact a cardiologist first-thing Monday.

Third praise -- our pediatrician was able to talk to a cardiologist, and we went to see Dr. Leland Eaton, a wonderful Christian doctor in the UAB health system, Tuesday afternoon. After an EKG, an echocardiogram, a discussion about the recent SVT episode, a review of those valuable strips from the Minor Heights fire station, and her hospitalization last summer (some of you may remember that she was hospitalized for 3 days after passing out at home), he is certain that Abby has a congenital electrical problem in her heart. Fourth praise -- He called his associate, Dr. Tom McElderry, who just "happened" to be passing by his office (because his flight north had been cancelled due to snow), and he stopped by, pulled up a chair, and fully explained the procedure they would like to perform.

To make a long story short (or at least I'm trying:), she is scheduled to undergo SVT ablation Monday morning at UAB. We are to arrive at 6:00 a.m. It is similar to heart catheterization; they will send catheters into the heart, map the heart to find the problem, and then cauterize the area. If the procedure is successful, she will be permanently cured of the condition (fifth praise), and even of her frequent bouts of "light-headedness." (I've joked with her that she's my swooning Southern Belle!) There are risks involved, as with any procedure of this sort, but the greatest is the possibility of damaging the aortic valve, thereby causing the need for a pacemaker. Sixth praise -- she is still a student with good Blue Cross insurance!

It's all happened so quickly. If we don't opt for surgery, then medication for life is the alternative, and there's no guarantee that the medication would work, or work without negative side effects. And the medication would affect her ability to have future children. And for those of you who know Abby...need I say more? That's her greatest desire, to be a wife and mother of many children!

So we are praying that God will give us clear direction as to what is best for Abby, and, of course, that the treatment would be successful. We are very thankful for family and friends such as you and the awesome circle of His family whose friendship and encouragement we so enjoy. We're thankful for Hope Christian School, for our Hueytown/Pleasant Grove support group, our Foundations support group, our wonderful family and friends that live close by (counting Jasper:). We're thankful that God placed us almost six years ago in a church and Sunday School that has provided wonderful, solid teaching of the sovereignty of God and enabled us to closely observe how others handle trials. We have been influenced, and convicted, by the precious prayer requests that God would be glorified through their trials. Not many years ago, our thoughts and requests would probably have only been turned inward. More praise:).

We covet your prayers for discernment that this course of action is, indeed, the right one to take, for wisdom and skill of the surgical team, for a quick and successful procedure, that our lives would influence others as we've been influenced, and, yes, that God would receive all the glory. We've already seen His hand in so many ways, especially Tuesday, in how all the necessary tests and meetings with doctor and electrophysiologist were accomplished in one afternoon. And with the procedure being Monday, the anticipation is even cut shorter than expected. Our God is truly an awesome God!

Thank you for reading, and for your prayers! I'll try my best to keep you "posted."


In Him,
Debbie


"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel, 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you'" (Isaiah 43:1-2).

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