Kennedy is HOME!

We expected to stay at Primary Childrens for 2 whole weeks but after only one week we are home! Kennedy did so well, she recovered very quickly with little to no complications. We're sure that has a lot to do with all the prayer and fasting that was done on her behalf. She is lucky to have so many people love her and pray for her. I cannot see how that kind of petition to Heavenly Father would not be a force in bringing her home so quickly! Thank you! We feel loved and blessed. Kennedy is on oxygen and some medications but is doing really well. She'll be back in 2 weeks for a check up at Primary Childrens. I won't be surprised if she's gained a few pounds by then!

The Lord's Hand

I would feel ungrateful if I did not recognize the Lord's Hand in Kennedy's life and in ours right now.  I get choked up and cannot bear the thought of losing my little baby.  I've always known that would certainly be the hardest thing for me to bear in the whole world.  The day we found out about Kennedy's heart disease I was devastated!  Over the next few days I watched Kennedy smile and enjoy life, but I could not stop crying.  Cody offered me a blessing.  The third day I was able to  feel more peace.  The doctor talked to us that day and I realized that her life would be relatively normal, and her chance of dying now that her heart would be repaired was minimal.  I believe the Lord was able to calm me and give me peace and comfort.  Each step was still difficult, getting ready to leave our home with our complete family and hoping we would return as a complete family was heart wrenching.  How thankful I am though that we have the priesthood to give me strength to go through that process and take each new step toward her surgery and recovery.  It was obvious to me I was being watched over and helped through the spirit.  Kennedy was also watched over.  She has 3 grandparents in heaven who I believe were watching over her the entire time.  I know there were angels looking out for our sweet Kennedy.  The Lord loves her and I know he did not leave her alone through this.  I know these doctors are amazing. 

I did not realize until a few days after her surgery when a nurse pointed out to me that Kennedy's heart is the size of her fist.  They were operating on such a tiny little thing!  It's a miracle to me and I continue to see little miracles each day.  How grateful I am that through modern medicine we can have Kennedy's BEAUTIFUL smile with us still! Primary Children's is the best place we could be right now. We have an amazing support system with family who care about Kennedy as much as we do.  They're willing to spend so much time traveling to visit her and help with our other children so we can be with Kennedy as well.  We strongly believe in the power of prayer and fasting. We know there was plenty of that on her behalf and we couldn't be more thankful. We are grateful for the priesthood and the blessings Kennedy received in the days leading up to her surgery. I hope I never forget the Lord's Hand in my life.

Kennedy

The night before the surgery.

Corbett came to see me!

looking at my bear

They fixed me right up!

With all the tubes.

I still sleep like a princess!

opening my eyes...becoming more aware

coming off the drugs

resting peacefully finally

SO cute!

WHAT did you just do to me?

I finally got to hold her!

Somehow I let go of her long enough to let Cody hold her.

On Monday, August 2nd, we had an appointment with a cardiologist at Primary Children's Hospital. We had no idea what that would bring. We expected a short appointment with some information about Kennedy's heart murmur, which she has had since birth. After taking some tests, a chest x-ray and an echo-cardiogram we were put in a room waiting for the results of all the tests. The doctor came in and told us that our daughter had been born with a heart disease called Truncus Arteriosus. I was in shock and disbelief. Open heart surgery was scheduled right away and our whole world as we know it has been turned upside down ever since. We had a day at home and then returned to Primary Children's on Wednesday for some pre-op labs and a sedated echo-cardiogram. Surgery was on Thursday August 5th. We waited in a room with several other families who were waiting for a child having some surgery or another. Doctors came in and out with updates on surgeries. We were given updates about every hour. With every update came more relief. She did SO well! We have been living at the hospital and Ronald McDonald house ever since watching and waiting for Kennedy's recovery. She is making every milestone she should be and is now looking like herself again (with a few extra tubes). She started with SO many tubes and has gradually worked her way down, she still has several though. Tomorrow should be a good day and they will take out most of the rest of her tubes and she will be moved out of the ICU. It's been a whirlwind of a week and we have to pinch ourselves to make sure it's not just a dream, wish we could wake up from this one. However, we've learned SO much in just 4 days. We have so much to be grateful for, including...
OUR SWEET KENNEDY! I am so blessed to have her for my daughter. I don't think I could possibly love her more! She's a fighter and is doing so well. At home she was a complete joy.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS! We cannot possibly count the number offers to help and services from our families, friends, and even people we've never met. It has been humbling and overwhelming to see the goodness in people and their desire to serve. This has come from every direction and it is amazing!  We were humbled and grateful each time we heard of our loved ones fasting and praying for Kennedy.  There were SO many prayers going up for her this past week, we are very grateful for that! 
I also know her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents love her and she is so blessed to have them in her life. They've been coming every chance they get to see her and show their love.
MODERN MEDICINE! Because of this my sweet Kennedy's life can be spared. I don't know why I'm so blessed to live where and when I do. The hospital we are at is wonderful, the doctors are amazing, and technology is so advanced that there is a way for us help Kennedy.
It's hard to see Kennedy in pain and not be able to explain it to her but each day she has progressed and it gives us so much hope to know it won't be long and she will feel well again, even better than before.
HEAVENLY FATHER!  I know she is a daughter of God and that Heavenly Father loves her SO much.  We called on the priesthood multiple times this week for Kennedy and for us.
I hope as I dress Kennedy each day I will see her scar and remember how precious she is to me and how great it is that she is still with us and will be for a good long time! She still has surgeries in the future but is able to have a fairly normal life otherwise. The doctor has advised us to let her go and see what she can do, not hold her back in life! We expect she will do EXCELLENT!