Kelly and I were very surprised and excited to find out that we were pregnant with twins, boy and girl, Hudson and Harper, in November. We discovered by ultrasound in February that Hudson has a somewhat rare heart condition called transposition of the great arteries (TGA). This is a condition where the artery that feeds deoxygenated blood to his lungs to be oxygenated, and the artery that transports oxygenated blood to the rest of his body, are reversed in their position. Thankfully, Hudson also has a hole between the lower chambers of his heart that will allow the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, thereby allowing his body to receive some oxygenated blood, and allowing his lungs to oxygenate some deoxygenated blood. This hole will hopefully allow Hudson some time to 'rest' without surgical intervention immediately upon birth. However, both the vessels and the hole will need to be corrected surgically in his first week of life. This is called an 'arterial switch' procedure. It is an open-heart surgery where the 2 vessels will be transected, along with the coronary arteries, and moved back to the correct sides of the heart. The hole will also be repaired. We are very thankful to be in Vermont right now, and to be only 4 hours away to Boston Children's Hospital, which is one of the top two places in the world to have major pediatric cardiac surgery! We are also very thankful that this condition was diagnosed while he was still in utero (while he doesn't need his lungs) so that we are fully informed and can plan (like we love to do) for what he will face upon birth.
We are also extremely grateful to have such supportive family, friends, and co-workers provide so many needs during this time. Our family started taking shifts in helping around the house and with the kids one week ago, and will continue all the way through Hudson's recovery. Our delivery in Boston is scheduled for June 9th and Hudson is supposed to have his surgery anywhere between 2-7 days after birth, with recovery typically lasting 2-3 weeks. So far both Hudson and Harper have been growing great. They were around 4.5 pounds 3 weeks ago, which should put them around 6 pounds now if all is still on track. Kelly is 36 weeks today, which we are thrilled about. Anything after this point is just bonus!
A few other events (that seem relatively minor) that will be going on in the same month are my written subspecialty boards on June 27, and our move to Huntsville, AL, which is slated for early July whenever Hudson is cleared to go 'home'. I'll then start my new job in August. So many logistics are not and cannot be worked out right now due to the unknown. The situation is forcing us to accept that we are not in control, and a constant reminder to us that we never were. It has forced us toward the One who is in total control, and reminded us that His hand is steady, His love is great, and His mercies are unending. Indeed, we can already see God's mercies in these events as he has already drawn us nearer to himself, and has had great patience with our anxiety and fears. He's also given both Kelly and I a peace that is completely beyond ourselves.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Lamentations 3:22-24: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”
Below are some specifics that we would love prayer for:
1) The nerves of all family before and leading up to the delivery, that we would trust God with whatever surprises that he will lay in our arms, and would fill us withthanksgiving instead of fear.
2) that Kelly would be clear-headed once the babies are born, and would know her physical limits in taking care of her two babies that are at separate hospitals while she is recovering from the delivery. And that God would give her peace and rest during the times allotted for rest.
3) for Kelly and Brett's communication and relationship amidst a host of helpful family members...that they would be able to remain a strong team and stay connected.
4) for Taylor and Will, that they would have a spirit of understanding and excitementabout their new brother and sister, and that they would feel loved and not threatened by the whole situation.
5) for the surgeon and OR staff that perform the arterial switch procedure, that theywill be focused with no distractions, and that God would orchestrate all logistics in favor of a 'flawless' surgery.
6) for Hudson, that he be calmed by the peace of God while he is recovering, that he feels the warmth and closeness of God directly when while he is bedridden and his mommy and daddy aren't able to give him this comfort by holding him.
Thank you for your prayers and we hope to continue to post updates as everything unfolds.
