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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
-Psalm 139:14
The last 3 1/2 months have been the most trying, scary, difficult time of our lives. Our sweet little Sylvie came into the world with a congenital heart defect that we were not aware of until she was a day old and failed a standard newborn test in the hospital. She was whisked away from us via helicopter and flown to the Phoenix Children's Hospital, where she underwent further testing, and we soon learned that our beautiful, perfect, new baby girl would need open heart surgery. Talk about a shock.
These past few months have been filled with anxiety and worry for the future, hope that she would come through this well, and so many mixed emotions I couldn't describe them if I tried. Our sweet girl did indeed have open heart surgery 13 days ago. She came through it like the warrior that I knew she was. She was off the ventilator in less than 12 hours and home in just 6 days. Her zipper is healing amazingly well (no, I did not touch it up at all). I can see the strength of an old soul in her eyes, and I do not know who decided I was worthy of being her mother, but I am so thankful and am looking forward to the journey. <3
A huge thank you goes out to all of our wonderful family and friends, her nurses and doctors, her surgeon, and everyone who has supported us during this time, lifted us up when we felt we had hit rock bottom, and made sure our sweet Sylvie would be able to go on and live a full life. <3
Your skills at both wordsmith and camera driver are amazing. Even more amazing is your willingness to so poignantly use those skills to share very precious personal moments with a doting audience in this forum!
Thank you, dear lady. And God Bless you and your family!
SO happy to see you sharing here Lisa! It's all too easy to clam up in trying times and not count on others for support and catharsis. No one can know what Sylvie, you, and your beautiful family have gone through but with the effort you're putting forth, hopefully someone else can find comfort in the words and images you've chosen to share.
I have no doubts that Sylvie will continue to surprise you with her strength and resiliency and I look forward to following her journey!
One look at Sylvie says it all Lisa. This one is a fighter destined for a great future Hang on cause it's gonna be quite a ride. So very happy for her, you and the rest of the family
Strength on display... she looks a little shocked too. Best wishes for Sylvie's recovery and happiness. She'll have a wonderful story to tell.
Surgeons who work on infants are a brave and special breed. They are especially skilled, everything in 1/20th scale... There is also the grace in the incredible resiliency of an infant's body.
Thanks for posting this, and I'm so glad Sylvie has come through this stressful event. I know how challenging having a daughter in what may very well be a life-threatening illness is. I suspect that Phoenix Children's Hospital is a great place. Our daughter's physician, who diagnosed her situation while at Children's Hospital where we live, moved to Philadelphia, but is now in the process of moving to Phoenix Children's. Coincidentally, her name is also Sylvie.
Such a beautiful child - you and her are both lucky to have each other. Congratulations on making it through such a harrowing time. I wish her and your family all the best.
The eyes are intense. I always wonder what is filling those new brain cells when a child stares like this.
Yes everyone here is happy that a child overcomes adversity to be helped into the family.
Great image as always!
Dan
@haleym77 They were WONDERFUL. There is no way I can ever adequately thank them for what they've done for Sylvie, and our family. Her surgeon, doctors, the nurses, technicians - everyone was amazing, supportive, kind, and professional. Her care was top notch. How do you thank someone for saving your child's life? <3
Hang on cause it's gonna be quite a ride. So very happy for her, you and the rest of the family 