Lots to catch up on

We have some news that most of you are probably already aware of via Brooks' blog. But I'll summarize. We visited Dr. Colvin, the pediatric cardiologist, a couple of weeks ago and were blindsided by the news that Emma Kate's first surgery is probably not going to be performed at UAB hospital. Come to find out, the only doctor that performs the Norwood (1st surgery) is leaving UAB the first of August.

What does all this mean? We have some options, but most likely we will be going to either Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHP) or Boston (CHB). The pioneering surgery of the Norwood was performed at CHP. However, the leading doctors in the country that do these surgeries are located at CHB. Plus the fact that we have done some research and feel that CHB will be a better option for us.

Additionally, this also raises a question in our minds: What do we do with Anna Brooke? We always assumed up to this point that we would have help here in Birmingham and she would be able to stay in the comfort of her home. However, with all the stuff that goes on before/during/after Emma Kate's surgeries, we will need to bring AB with us. Who will help us? Where do all of us stay? What do we do with her while we are at the hospital? How will all of this affect her, my sweet girl? The last thing I want is for her to feel "abandoned" and left somewhere without seeing Mommy and Daddy for weeks.

Another question: Do I have Emma Kate at CHB? or at UAB and airlift her to Boston? If her first surgery is in Boston, will ALL of her surgeries have to be there? Should we have them elsewhere?

A lot of this depends on insurance, unfortunately, and I have no idea what to expect. We still have a lot of asking to do and a lot of answers to wait on before we can make any decisions. Let me also say that I am typing this out after digesting all of this for a couple of weeks. When we first found out, I was basically hysterical! I had no idea what to think. All I could do was cry and sleep and say "WHY?"

This is not easy, but we are depending on God, on our friends and family and on the resources we are being provided through others. We've been very blessed by all of the support we're being shown and are so thankful for it! I don't know what we'd do without it! I know that there's a reason for all of this and that ultimately God will be glorified in all of this. It's just hard for us to see now.

On Thursday I go in to see Dr. Owen, who made EK's diagnosis. He will be my OB/GYN from this point on. I am hopeful about this appointment, but I'm also kind of dreading it because of our encounter last visit.

Emma Kate seems to be doing very well. She is moving A LOT! Not as much as Anna Brooke did at this point. But I wonder if the reason I feel that way is because I have a 2 year old to keep up with this time! Lately all I have been craving is hot dogs, hamburgers and root beer floats. Oh yeah, and grapefruit. This is weird to me because all I craved with AB was Sweet Tarts. Very bizarre. :)