A great start to a wonderful beginning

Thanks to our friends (Tanner and Avery) for all their great information on their blog we have decided to TRY to "blog." Your patience with our learning curve is greatly appreciated.  

As you know now what really prompted this was our little Eden Grace Ridgway.  She was born February, 29th 2008. She was 6 lbs 6 oz and 19 3/4 inches long.  She was so beautiful and we are so excited to have our third little girl. She was also born with a very special gift, Trisomy 21, commonly known as Down Syndrome.  We have a blonde (Ainsley), a red head (Emerson) and now a brunette (Eden). WOW, we've covered all the bases.  Now all that's left is a BOY!  

Eden is now at Phoenix Childrens Hospital in the NICU. Actually, she now is going to surgery. She has HLHS and is undergoing open heart surgery.  She will be in surgery for about 5 hours. She was scheduled for surgery at 8 am, but by the time she was taken to the O.R. it was 10:10. 

 

At the last minute they started to think they could do a less evasive surgery.  One of Eden's cardiologists sent her echos out for a second opinion to Ohio and are still waiting to hear back. So they thought they would wait for the second opinion.  However, after a new echo and after thoughtful prayer we decided to move forward  with the original plan. 

 

Last week on Thursday when we spoke with Dr. Pearl, Eden's CT Surgeon, we felt really good and had a wonderful peaceful feeling come over us.  Marcus fasted on Thursday and while the doctor was talking he had a wonderful warmth come over him that we were making the right decision and I also felt we were making the right decision.  This Sunday Marcus fasted and we both felt good.  So when this came up it was a little intense.  But we feel good about going forward with the big surgery now.  

The doctor said he would look at the mitral valve when he got in there and if it looks good he will do the coarch (sp) and the banding - won't explain unless we decide to do it... but right now we are headed forward with the Norwood procedure.

Lots of prayers and fasting for our family can be felt and we love and appreciate all of you.  We will keep you posted on the progress.  

Another note:  Eden has a little friend she knew before she came here.  They were born on the same day, have similar chromosomal issues, almost identical heart conditions and she had her surgery on Friday.  Her name is Bela Grace Milne.  Please keep her and her parents (Avery and Tanner) in your thoughts and prayers too!