Delayed, But Just a Day

Audrey's surgery has been moved from Thursday morning to Friday morning.  Today was a really rough day for Audrey, mostly because she got very little sleep last night and there were lots more tests today.  There was a hidden camera in the room and when it detected Audrey was asleep, it rang a bell outside alerting the hospital staff that it was time to come in and wake her for a new test or to go over things we'd already gone over several times.  Well, not really, but was beginning to feel that way.

Actually, the hospital staff has been wonderful, and we know the importance of and greatly appreciate every test and conversation, even if it did cause her to sleep less.  But, she was sleep deprived and napped every chance she could.  She's asleep now (11:00pm), and there are no scheduled tests until 5:00am. So tomorrow should be a better day.

Today a geneticist examined Audrey to determine if her heart condition, cleft lip, and the presence of "Cafe au lait" spots (small brown spots a little bigger than freckles) are related genetically.  He told us that there are a few syndromes that could relate a couple of these together or some that could explain them separately, and that they needed to run tests.  

One thing he made sure to point out is that having a genetic syndrome, isn't necessarily a sign of something bad, that it is much more of an explanation of how things are the way they are and are a great way to determine if there could be any complications that may arise from having these syndromes.  

Simply put, everything we're born with has a genetic explanation, so he is looking to see what those are and if it can help better prepare Audrey for her surgeries and life after those surgeries.  

This is where the delay comes in.  One of the complications that "could" arise from one of the "possible" genetic conditions could affect her heart surgery and recovery.  So, he and his team have asked for another day to rule this out.

I am so thankful that God has given us the ability to discover so much of His creation, and I am so thankful for people who choose to do this to help others.  We, of course, want Audrey's surgery as soon as possible, so she'll have full energy, stop turning blue in the fingers & lips, grow at a normal rate, and live a long and healthy life, but any delay that comes as the result of being cautious for her safety, we welcome completely.

Please pray for a restful night, and uneventful tomorrow, negative tests for these things that could complicate the surgery & recovery.  We are still overwhelmed, humbled and lifted by your prayers, and we know Audrey is in God's hands.