July 21 update

Shiyan continues to do great. She came home Wednesday afternoon, she had a temperature Wednesday night and Thursday. We went back and forth between the cardiologist and pediatrician each wanting the other to see her. They finally ran blood work and started medicine. The fever broke and she is playing like a typical 2 year old.

We were a bit frustrated with the physicians trying to pass the buck but persistence paid off.

We are all so grateful for the ways God has provided for her. We have seen his hands in so many ways through her adoption and treatment. During her surgery Robin and I were reflecting on how God led us to be open to a child with medical needs and then how He led us to her. We felt from day 1 that he was healing her heart and have seen that.

By the time we went to our first cardiologist appointment we learned that the hole in her heart had been healed and that the missing ventricle was actually there but small. This week we learned that the ventricle is actually nearly normal size and that her heart is very strong.

They informed us that her heart is not totally flipped but more twisted making the pulmonary ventricle look smaller.

We learned that the vessel they plugged was the largest that this Doctor has ever done and that they used the largest plug available at the hospital. It is amazing that they were able to do this repair through what look like needle holes in her legs. To look at her you would not realize that she has even had a procedure.

Our biggest problem is keeping her from over doing it and trying to help her understand why she can not go swimming for two weeks.

Please continue to pray for her to get stronger and to start talking more. We get new words every day but she is still a bit behind in this area.

Thanks for all of your continued prayers. I added some photos at the top for your viewing pleasure

Medical Update

Shiyan is home and doing great. She was released from the hospital today and has been doing great. They found the problem in her heart and corrected it. She is responding great. She is back as good as before the procedure and should improve more in the coming weeks as her body adjusts.

The doctors and staff were great and took super care of Shiyan.

We are so thankful for God's provision and the blessing he has bestowed on us. Shiyan is such a blessing and we have seen God's hand at work in so many ways through her adoption and her medical improvements.

We will post new pictures in a few days.

Thanks for all the prayers for her condition.

Heart Procedure Update

All:

The heart procedure went very good today. I will post more tomorrow. God is so good and we have seen his hand at work in so many ways. Shiyan is resting well tonight and should be home Wednesday.

More later.

Thanks for your prayers.

Back From Vacation & Upcoming Surgery

Well for the past 8 days we have been on the road traveling to see family. The girls traveled great. They were very cooperative and did not fuss too much. The boys got along well and we all had fun.

We visited both our families. For many family members this was the first chance to meet Shiyan. Shiyan really hit it off with Mammaw, Papaw and Grandma.

We are all glad to be back home and ready to get back into our routine. It is hard to travel with a family of 7 and is amazing how much luggage you have even when you pack light.

On another note, Shiyan will have her heart cath on July 17th. Please keep her in your prayers. Pray that everything looks good and that her heart continues to heal. Pray for the doctors to have steady hands and wisdom in how to treat her condition. Pray for our family as we go through this procedure.

We will post an update next week following the procedure. We thank all of you for your continued prayers for Shiyan. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful child who is full of life, love and energy. She has a smile that can melt ice and loves to laugh and play.

Have a great week.

Forrest, Robin and Family