Baby Christopher

Last week I had my full ultrasound and everything looked normal except that they couldn't get a good view of the 4 chambers of the heart. The doctor scheduled an appointment for me to go in today for a fetal echocardiogram and I was hopeful that it would just be poor positioning of the baby. The doctor took me to a consultation room after doing the echo and explained to me that the baby had a pretty severe defect and he told me all about how the heart works. Then he flipped the page over and I saw the words Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. My heart sank and I broke down. I understood fairly well what that entailed since I worked in a NICU for a year. It is one of the worst congenital heart defects. The doctor presented me with some options, and Matt and I feel very strongly that, as of right now, we are going to go ahead with the series of 3 reconstructive surgeries. The first will take place after he is about a week old and will be the most dangerous. If he survives that he has a good chance of surviving the other two and leading a fairly normal life. Since this procedure is fairly new (started in the 1980s), the oldest survivors are in their late 20s, so the long-term prognosis is unknown.

As for the pregnancy, everything should be just fine. I don't have any restrictions and we don't forsee any complications. I will deliver at the University of Utah hospital because it is right next to Primary Childrens Medical Center, where they will take him pretty quickly after birth. I should still be able to have a normal delivery and this poses absolutely no threat to my health (well, physical health, anyway).

Matt and I had a hard day, but through talking it over and lots of prayers we are feeling pretty hopeful. We know we are in for a roller coaster ride, but we are going to take one day at a time and do what we can to get this kid healthy. We have good insurance, so I don't think we will be very burdened, financially. We know there is a reason behind this trial and we are going to bear it as best we can. In the mean time, we are loving our healthy, happy girls and I'm soaking up every minute I can get with Shannon before she begins all-day kindergarten on August 3rd (yikes!).

We would appreciate any prayers you can offer and we love you all. Thanks!

Holly

June 26, 2011

Was a sad day at the Payne house. Chuck died.

Birthdays!

Holy birthdays batman! It's that time of year! The time of year that approximately 2/3 of our family has birthdays. Also the time if year that is craziest for me. Sorry for all the late birthdays and anniversaries!

On May 26th Dad celebrated his 71st birthday!

David celebrated his birthday on the 26th too!

Lori's birthday was on the 27th!

Kate's birthday was also on the 27th!

Mom and Dad celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary!

(THIS ONE IS OUT OF ORDER) On June 9th April and Dan celebrated their 3rd anniversary!

On June 1st April celebrated her birthday!

Zacary ALSO celebrated his birthday on June 1st!

Holy smokes! So many double birthdays!!! Happy birthday/anniversary to all of you!! We love all of you and we're glad you are part of our family!

Birthdays!

For some reason Blogger won't let me add more pictures to this one so the birthday posts will be broken up.

On June 3rd, Tricia celebrated her birthday!

Happy birthday!

On June 5th, Rachel turned EIGHT!!! That's right, she's THAT old.

On June 7th, Heidi and Jason celebrated their wedding anniversary! Congratulations!

On June 8th, Aaron turned 31!

Happy Birthday!

On June 21st, Jonah celebrated his birthday! I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Jonah turned 8 too. Am I correct? I feel like he was just barely walking at our wedding....

On June 22nd Kristi turned 45!

ALSO on the 22nd, Brock turned 14!!!

Then finally on June 24, Matt and Amanda celebrated their... 13th? Wedding anniversary! Congratulations!