Exactly one month from today, Kennedy will be having her spine fusion surgery. They anticipate the surgery to be 8-9 hours. This will be her longest surgery yet... and I'm trying hard not to be anxious... but I am. After surgery Kennedy will have her halo on and go to ICU for 24-48 hours. Then she will go to a regular hospital room for about a week. Then we will be released, but we have to stick around Philadelphia so they can watch her and do her first post-op CT scans. On June 27th, my mom, the kids and I will fly up to Philly where we will meet up with Frank. The kids are SO excited to see him! (Almost as excited as I am!) We'll get a few days to spend together as a family and then we check Kennedy into the hospital on July 1st to prepare her for surgery on the 2nd. *sigh* This month is going to go by quickly as we prepare.
PLEASE be praying that this surgery goes smoothly. Those of you who know Kennedy's medical history know that she likes to surprise doctors with medical situations that "never happen". Her "small" surgeries have turned serious, and her "large" surgeries? Well, thankfully she hasn't had many.
In one month, once again, we will hand our daughter over to the surgeons and we will pray that the Lord will guide their minds and their hands... and we pray that He will steady our hearts and give us the strength to see her through this. We believe that He will...
Thank you for praying, always.
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39 comments:
I have been praying about this surgery since I first found out about it. I will continue and add the specifics, too. I can only imagine your anxiety. Kennedy is a fighter and trooper! I have learned many lessons from that special little one. Take care.
Also, can you remind us how long she will have to wear the haol? I want to add that to my specifics, too. YOu don't have to post this.
Wow, that's a long surgery. Hopefully all goes smoothly and she'll surprise you this time by not having any little surprises. Can you believe just a month ago you were pulling your hair out trying to get them everything they needed to finally perform this surgery and knocking your head against a wall?
Will be saying many prayers! I'm so sorry she has to yet go thru more horrible stuff. It seems so unfair. But we know she is a fighter and will get thru this.
unrelated, why is it your blog always freezing up when I try to post a comment a second time on a different post.lol Happens to me all the time on ONLY your blog. I guess your special and I am not!! lol
Hugs
Thanks so much for the comments on my blog recently Renee! You know, Kennedy's sweet little face stole my heart the first time I read your blog! She is so stinkin' cute too!!! I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers as you prepare for this journey and the surgery. I will also be praying that everything goes smoothly and that the doctors hands will be guided to easy success. I am soooo happy your hubby will be there to spend some time with all of you and then to be there for Kennedy's surgery! Big Hugs to you!
You know I'm praying hard already!
Psalms 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
I will be praying for your beautiful Kennedy that her surgery will go smoothly.
Thinking of your little kennedy 24/7 Shes a sweetie!
Hugs to her and your family!
Hey Renee,
I'm looking forward to meeting you, finally!
I don't know how long Frank is going to be around, or if it would be possible with Kennedy, but Sesame Place has free tickets for servicemen and up to three dependents.
I'll see you soon!
Kennedy and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad that your hubby will be there with you guys.
I'm praying for all of you, and your medical team. I know all too well those little surprises, as Addison enjoys pulling them too. Her last cranial was 15 hours. All I can suggest is lots of mindless magazines, some music, and don't sit in the waiting room the entire time. Shawn and I would take turns leaving--go get something to eat, go for a walk, go pray, go email, whatever. Just don't sit there for 8 hours. We don't take Noah with us, though, so if your other kids are going it might be a bit of a distraction, in a good way.
Thinking and praying for everyone involved!!!! I'm sure Kennedy will do great - she is such a great little girl!!!!
Kennedy - and all of you are in my prayers.
I am praying for you as well as Kennedy. I can't wait for you to get to see Frank! I am sure the kids can't contain their excitement. Tell him we all said hi! Here for you, as always..Hugs.
Renee, one of my best friends has a 9 year old daughter with Spinal Muscular Atrophy who just had spinal fusion surgery in March. (She is the Lily of 'Lily's Garden' at Dragon Park, Nashville's only all-accessible playground). Lily is confined to a wheelchair, and because her condition affects her respiratory system, any kind of anesthesia and surgery is very complicated. She came through the spinal fusion beautifully, is sitting up about inches taller in her chair and is recovering like a champ. Be encouraged, there are many, many success stories out there!
I'll keep Kennedy and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine how difficult this is going to be for you.
Definitely will keep Kennedy and your precious family in our prayers! She will do wonderfully and those surgeons' hands will be guided by Him.
Count our prayers among all the others. This has been a really long road for all of you. I'm also praying for the 24 days between now and when you are reunited with Frank!!!!
Wow, that's coming up fast. I'm so glad Frank will get to come home & be with all of you! That's a nice bonus. Kennedy's a tough kid, she'll do great. We'll definitely hold her in our thoughts, too.
always thinking of you guys. Praying for an easy, uneventful, and successful surgery.
Renee - So very glad you stopped by my place -- your family is just gorgeous! I will most definitely be praying for your beautiful little Kennedy. Our oldest is five now and has had 27 surgeries/procedures -- and she too had a knack for surprising surgeons with things that "never happen". My heart goes out to you on that score! Our family will be thinking of you lots, and praying for you more.
~Michelle @ In The Life Of A Child
Hi, Renee! I'll be thinking about you guys when Kennedy has her surgery. I'm so sorry she has to go through that. She's a beautiful girl! CHOP's a wonderful, powerful place, though, and I'm sure she'll be in wonderful hands. Sammi had her OHS there.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and thanks for the link to cafepress! I'll definitely be looking at those bumper stickers! Your blog's great--I've bookmarked it for regular visits!
Renee,
We are praying for Kennedy. And for you as you wait - oh the waiting is so hard! And for Frank and the rest of your K's as well as a smooth surgery with no surprises. I am especially praying that the Lord gives Kennedy a peacefullness and contentment in the halo.
We are PRAYING daily! Knowing God has Miss Kennedy in the palm of HIS hand! What a summer, you all will be having. Do you have a thing for hospitals in the summer? (just kidding) OK next year we are ALL going to start praying NOW "NO" hospital summer 2009 just, let me see....DISNEY!!!!
I will be praying for her, each of you, and her healthcare providers.
And I read somewhere in one of these posts that you said your blog has been getting boring. I'll have you know I just spent the last half hour reading your blog and kept telling myself okay this is the last one and then I need to stop... and kept reading. I have been reading it all on my google reader, now I need to go back and find all those posts that I wanted to say something about!
sending you all positive thoughts, well wishes and prayers. big hugs too
rae
she is sooooo cute!!!!
Praying for you guys!
Many prayers for Kennedy. She will do marvelous, she is such a strong spirited little girl!
Continuely praying!
I've been thinking so much about Kennedy and her upcoming surgery....I will continue....many prayers....Steph, Asher's mom
I will pray!!!!! Thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog. We are here on earth to encourage and help each other. Thank you!
I didn't realize she needed spine surgeries! Why does she need them? Poor little thing. She is in my prayers!
We'll definitely be praying. And I'm so glad Frank gets to be there for you guys.
You will be in my prayers and in my thoughts!
Hang in there!
Lea White
http://whitesinnz.blogspot.com
http://bravefighters.synthasite.com
Kennedy will continue to be in our prayers. I so glad Frank will be there with you and the children. We don't live far from CHOP, about 45 minutes. I'm not sure how long you will need to stay in the Philly area but please let me know if there is anything we can do to help. Email mom2noah@verizon.net.
Terry
Kennedy will certainly be in our prayers. Let me know if you need anything k? We can even chat on the phone if you'd like sometime. Just email me and we can exchange phone numbers :) HUGS.
Oh and are you handy with a sewing machine? You will need to alter some shirts for Kennedy. I can send you the tshirts we altered when Brant was in the halo if you'd like. They are pretty gender neutral :) Just email me your mailing addy.
Katrina
Praying here! I hate that she has to have this surgery!
I will be praying diligently for Kennedy. God bless these children who go through hell on earth to survive. And, for you, I will pray for comfort, strength, and a reliance on God.
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