I can't say they didn't warn us!!

It wasn't the worst of days, but it wasn't the best of days either!! 

We've had what I will call our first set back. 

Piper had another echo this morning and during the doctor's time of rounding it was mentioned there was a pressure concern with her mitral valve.  

One of the doctors on her team was going to take a closer look at the images and get back to us. In the mean time Dr Haw explained the issue in medical jargon and this is what I retained... If it's mild pressure on the valve we use a twice daily med long term. If it's intense/severe pressure then he would need to open her up again. 

Dr "I'll take a closer look at the echo" was back in our room within 5 minutes saying our pressure would be graded as somewhere between mild and moderate, but forsure not full blown moderate. He said that some of his partners would just monitor at this stage, but he prefers to be proactive and would like to start a blood pressure medication that has been found to help this mitral valve issue as well. He said it's safe (cheap) and not uncommon in a heart situation like ours. He went on to say that her heart is still trying to figure itself out and there is potiential that she won't need it forever.

Piper attempted to go off her oxygen today -- attempted being the key word. She did ok initially, but then started to waffle. Our nurse said this isn't a set back -- and that she's only on an ever so small amount. Her problem is that she forgets to breath when she's so excited about eating. And who can blame her!!?? Pipe probably eats every meal like it's her last since we gave her squat for 2 days this week!!

And now for the positive portions of our day...

Piper's fluid intake restrictions have been lifted. She can eat as much, as often as she would like. 

We are now back to changing diapers as the cathedar has been removed!! Who would have imagined this would be so exciting?!?

They have unhooked another line, but not completely removed it. If all goes smoothly over night that should come out  tomorrow. 

And last but not least -- Bry got a morning of snuggles and I got an afternoon of the same!!

And now for a quick side note of appreciation... To ye who snow blew our drive way 2 days this week THANK YOU!!! It's driving Bry crazy not to know who to thank!! So thank you snow angel out there!

Let the (mitral valve and oxygen) prayers rise!!

 

And I Quote...

Almost another day in the books here on the 8th floor of the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. And what a day it has been!! 

God is just SO SO good to this little gal! 

Milestones from the day... 

PIPER GOT TO EAT AGAIN!! 

My mother's intuition about being hungry was affirmed this morning when the night nurse said she was fussy most of the night -- and likely from hunger!! Thank you very much. Score one for the first time mom!!

Piper got TWO of her big lines out (the pic in her head and the art line in her groin.) 

They dialed way down on her oxygen and she did beautifully. 

Sister got a day full of snuggles!! I literally held her from 10am to 5pm almost straight. (Dad going to work for the day means I don't have to share her!!)

Dr Haw came in this afternoon to check on Pippi Long Stocking (don't you just love that the name Piper can have so many cute nicknames?) Vanessa (our fabelous nurse the last three days) gave Dr Haw a report from the day. He normally is very cautious to give praise but he said... and I quote... "She'll be home before you know it!"

Thank you Jesus!!

"This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous to see" Psalm 118:23

Let the prayers rise!!

Day 2 - Post Op Report

Girlfriend had a great first night -- I called a couple of times during the night to check on her and besides a slightly elevated blood pressure and some decreased urine output everything was perfect!! (Our nurse said those two things are super common in these heart babes the day after surgery.)

Piper is significantly less wired and tubed than she was at this time last night. Not to mention not quite as sedated!! Her cry would break your heart... just so meek and mild!! (A result of being on the ventilator for a day and a half.) They said it will go back to the room clearing roar it use to be... It will just take time. 

There is talk of starting oral feedings tomorrow. She'll start with a smidge (2oz) and if she proves herself will build to more through out the day. Her cries today were likely due to hunger pains (this is my diagnosis as mom.) I would be one unhappy camper if I was forced to forgo a dozen plus meals in two days.  And speaking of meals... I now completely disagree with the statement "There is no use crying over spilled milk!!" It spilled -- and I cried!! Enough said!!

Piper had two echocardiograms today. Here is a picture from round two. She passed both with flying colors. Thank you Lord!!

It's amazing how much changes in 24 hours!! We are so thankful in Piper's case it's for the positive. 

We felt A LOT of love yesterday!! And I mean A LOT!! Between handmade cards from caring little girls, to txts, to Facebook messages, to voicemail messages, to a prayer quilt, to meals and snacks prepared in advance... We consider ourselves very blessed!!

We look forward to repaying all of you when the time is right!! 

Let the prayers (continue to) rise...

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!!

Piper's Prayer Warriors...

All the Oosting hearts are happy and "untransposed" as I type this update!! 

We just met with Dr. Haw who reports that he would call the surgery A SUCCESS!! (How great is our God!!) The echo they did in the OR looked fantastic.  I was over the moon and immediately told him he was my new favorite doctor. Dr. Haw was quick to say that we are not out of the woods yet. The next 12 hours will be the most critical. Our risk of complications dramatically goes down once outside that 12 hour window!! 

They plan to keep Piper sedated until tomorrow. We've learned in just 7 days that she's a bit fiesty and they don't need sister busting a stitch!! 

I feel like a broken record... But THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of prayers!! We can't thank everyone enough raising up Pipe to our mighty God and Great Physician!!!

And as Nana Oosting just said...

LET THE PRAYERS OF PRAISE ARISE!!

 

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

The plans for our Piper changed today!! 

Piper's surgery will not be Wednesday, as we were previously told -- but instead bright and early Monday morning!! (7:30am -- Let the prayers rise!!) Piper continues to do beautifully. The move up isn't due to a change in her status, but rather a communication error from the start!!

Monday is good because the Dr. Haw should be fresh coming off the weekend and this should mean we get to go home 2 days sooner... BUT -- I had hoped to get those two extra days of cuddles and 2 extra days to beef her up. (Did I mention she eats like her daddy??) Not to mention two more days to pray and prepare my heart!!!

As the verse states above - This is God's plan for Piper - he knew all along it was going to be Monday!! 

Leaving you now with a summary of our Saturday in the NICU!!

Piper Noelle Oosting

It's good my hospital ID bracelet has my name on it, because these days I have no idea who or where I am. (Hello, could Spectrum Health be any bigger??) The only thing that matters is the route to get from my room to Piper's -- and I have that down pat now!! 

The last 5 days have been absolutely amazing!! We are blessed beyond measure and so honored to be called Piper's parents!! How great is our God?!

Here is the cliffs notes version of events.

Induction Sunday night. I progressed beautifully, but by mid morning her heart rates were fluctuating down enough (although they assured me she wasn't "tanking") that rather than drag things out that they would prefer to do a c section. Dr. Dood said for a "non heart baby" he would have waited longer, but for "O" he'd prefer to err on the side of caution.

From the moment Dr. Dood called csection -- to the time she was born we estimate it was about 17 minutes. The NICU team was there, as were about 15 others. Apparently it takes a village to raise a child, as well as perform a csection!!

After months of hearing that heart defects are boy dominant -- no one was more shocked than us when someone called out "IT'S A GIRL!!!"

And the rest as they say is history!! 

Our little honey is doing so remarkable that surgery isn't schedule till Wednesday December 11th. We have been told that Dr. Haw has a number of infants and children in worse shape than Piper. So since she is the most stable babe in the bunch, she will wait while he tends to the others. I'm not complaining one bit... I'll take all the new born cuddles I can get!! 

We have had nothing but amazing NICU nurses!! These ladies have a gift!! They have been nothing but kind and compassionate to Piper, Bry and I since we arrived!! We are already forever indebted!! I think Bryan has talked hunting with each and everyone of them thus far!! And if you know Bry, this shouldn't surprise you!! The ladies have all been good sports!!

We praise God for how well she is doing!! Piper's stats are truly an answer to months of prayers!! Dr Lee, her cardiologist, comes to check on her everyday and even he can't believe how good her numbers look. (Just throwing it out there that it's not just me saying how great she is... because we all know I'm partial!!)

Piper had a 2nd echocardiogram done Tuesday morning due to some falling oxygen saturation levels - turns out it was absolutely nothing. Thank you Lord!! Lindsey that did the echo goes to a neighboring Allendale church. She told Bry that church has been praying for Baby Oosting -- so she already knew all about us!! We feel so covered in prayer by our own church (Love you 2nd CRC!!) and now to hear that Rusk CRC had been lifting us up is pretty amazing!! It's evident by Piper's status that God has heard our prayers and has answered the first handful!!

Piper had two special visitors on Thursday morning. Her pediatrician, Dr Marcotte, and nurse Renee. (Also known as my employer and BFF.) As shown by this picture taken during the visit you can see how excited she was to see them!! 

Sorry guys... I promise she loves you!! Auntie/Nurse Renee brought all kinds of pink adorable sleepers that got the NICU nurses seal of approval. We couldn't get them washed quick enough!!

And here one is in action already...

Girlfriend doesn't hold still long enough for a clear picture to be taken, unless she is swaddled in a burrito style wrap!! 

Case in point... Wrapped tight and loving it... 

Keeping her healthy is the important thing right now. At this moment we're asking for no visitors. Thank you for respecting the wishes of her NICU team and her helicopter parents. 

As things stand now surgery will be in the morning on Wednesday. As with anything medical that is subject to change. Pray for a smooth couple of days between now and then, as well a successful surgery!! I don't think there was anything more difficult last night than being discharged myself and not getting to take Pipe with us!! We are looking forward to the day when we will all three leave together!!

Thanks for the outpouring of calls, texts, cards, Facebook messages, gifts, meals and prayers!! We appreciate each and every one of them!! Even if we haven't had time to respond!!

Let The Prayers Rise!!

Tangible Hope... Named Bennet

 

We had the pleasure of hosting this handsome babe and his amazing parents for dinner Monday night.  And by "dinner" I mean we ordered pizza from Pizza Hutt. I'm 9 months pregnant... not Martha Stewart people!!

 

 

(He's a mover and a shaker if you can't tell from the picture.)

 

 

Bennet is 10 months old and should be the poster child for successful transposition surgery.  I can't even begin to tell you the amount of hope and encouragement this family has provided us since the moment Helen DeVos Children's Hospital connected our two families. Let it be said - no matter what crap life throws at you - it's helpful to find someone that's been through that same crap ahead of you and has successfully and triumphantly come out the other side.

 

Bennet's heart defect wasn't detected prior to his birth - so when he came out blue and continued to stay that way you can only imagine how these parents must have felt.  While we know the days ahead are likely to be emotionally charged -- We are thankful for the plan that is in place and the 3 months of prayers that have been said for our sweet little guy (or perhaps gal.)

 

Bennet was even willing to show us his scar. If you didn't know he had open heart surgery at 10 days old you probably wouldn't give the scar a second look. Obviously, the scar is the least of Bry and I worries, but it was nice to see minimal damage to that glorious baby skin.

 

Bry fell for Bennet hook, line and sinker...

After Josh, Nicole and Bennet left Bry said "Do you think our kid will be as cute and fun as Bennet??" Oh dear husband... I certainly hope so!!!

 

 

In the picture of Nicole, Bennet and I - I resemble Free Willy so we are purposely leaving that out of this post. 9 months pregnant isn't flattering for anyone, right?

 

 

And now a funny story from the office of Dr. Marcotte. 

I was talking with a mom and teenage boy about the baby names we've picked out.  When I told the teen our 'girl name' he promptly said "oh I love that name too - it's what we named our pygmy goat." I couldn't help but laugh! The old me might have run home and told Bry we needed to change our girl name. She can't share her name with a goat, can she?? The new me doesn't give a crap and loves the name no matter what!!

 

Betcha wanna know our girl name huh... stay tuned!!

And just incase there was any doubt about how special this baby is -- the odds of being born with transposition of the great arteries is 1 in 4000 or that of flipping a coin 12 times and each time it landing on heads. 

T-minus 4 days till our actual due date!!

Let the prayers rise!!