April 17th

Today, April 17th marks the two year anniversary of the most frightening night of our lives. It was that night we almost lost our sweet Livi. I will never forget the terror I felt as I held my baby girl, watching her eyes glaze over and her skin turn such a grey blue as we waited for the ambulance to arrive. For those of you who do not know the story, Olivia was released only four days after her second open heart surgery (The Glenn). What they did not know was that she had developed a pleural effusion caused by Chylothorax. We spent TWO MONTHS in and out of the pediatrician and cardiologist’s office. However, no one had detected this large pleural effusion; which had collapsed her left lung, pushed all of her organs over to one side, had her constantly vomiting, and left her barely able to breath. They attributed her symptoms to a cold, acid reflux, and a sinus infection. The doctors at The University told us she was lucky to be alive. We spent 54 days in the hospital battling this nasty stuff and another 6 months of two week check-ups to monitor it. The many months following the night we were rushed to The University are a big blur of tears, worry, and fear for both my husband and I. Even after we were finally able to come home, we couldn’t relax. We still have trouble doing so. As many of you heart families know, there is always the fear of some underlying problem that quickly rears its ugly head and turns your world upside down. Worry is part of our everyday life. Does Olivia look blue today? Is she breathing hard? How long do we have until the next heart catheter or surgery? How many years does Olivia have? Will medical advances in the next ten-twenty years let her live to see her own children grow-up? What about live to be a Grandma? Unfortunately, I usually don’t have an answer to the many questions we often wonder.












One thing I do know is: God has given Olivia a third chance at life and we are forever grateful. Although this time of year brings back many painful memories, it reminds us of how far we have come. This time two years ago, I had never seen my seven month old daughter play with her toys, or sleep in her crib, or laugh… In fact, I’d barely even seen her smile until she was admitted to the hospital and had some of that fluid drained off of her tiny, fragile, little body. Now, we have a flourishing, beautiful little toddler, with a heart filled with boundless love for all who come into contact with her! We have so many precious memories and triumphant milestones to celebrate. Thank you, God. And thank you for all of your love, support, and many prayers throughout our journey.



7 days until the Heart walk!

Visit my walk page: Donate in Honor of Olivia

Two Peas in...Bed!!!

I just wanted to post a quick update to let you all know how Miss Livi-Pie is doing. She seems to be handling this cold pretty well, although when she woke-up Friday morning she was complaining that her right ear hurt. Ironically enough, I too woke-up Friday morning with an ear ache and a sore throat. Gram and myself asked Livi a few different times what hurt and she pointed to her right ear each time, so I made an appointment with Dr. Rick. Sure enough, Livi has an ear infection. This is only the second time she's ever had this, so I was a bit surprised. Rick called in an Amoxicillin, which we started last night. I was going to go in to my family doctor, but after talking to the nurse, it sounded like there wouldn't be much they could do for me since I'm pregnant. Please say some prayers for us both to feel better soon!

This is Miss Livi-Pie's pouty face....She wants to go outside and play!


Don't forget the Heart Walk is only 2 weeks away!

Visit my walk page: Donate in Honor of Olivia

Happy Easter, Happy News

Ok, so I was going to wait until Sunday to post our Easter Update, especially since I just posted an update earlier today...But, with all the excitement of this weekend I thought I had better get to it now, while I actually had time to do it!
Speaking of Excitement...Miss Livi-Pie has some very special news to share with all of you!

She is going to be a big sister!

That's right, out little family is growing! When we first told Livi there was a baby in Mama's tummy she wanted me to lift up my shirt so she could see. She put her head down on my stomach and said, “Get her out, I want to play with her!” That's right, from the get-go she has been calling the baby a girl. Daddy thinks she's right, but it'll be awhile before we find that out! We explained to Olivia Mama's tummy has to get really big before the baby can come. She'll say, “Like a beach ball!” Yes, Olivia...like a beach ball! She loves to hear all about the hospital and helping us take care of the baby. She's going to make a great big sister! This week I had my appointment with the High-Risk OB in IA City. With my history of a spleenectomy due to ITP (Idio Thrombosis Papura) and Olivia's diagnosis, my family doctor and Liv's Cardiologist felt the best place for us to follow-up would be in IA City. We were able to hear the baby's heart beat at our appointment, which is such music to my ears! It was 168-180 bpm. We're expecting baby around October 21st. We would love for all of you to keep baby in your prayers for continued health.

Last weekend Aunt Lisa and Uncle Tom were staying at a hotel about 45 minutes away, so we took Livi up there so she could go swimming. She loved splashing around in the water and playing with Aunt Lisa!




She's also been having me fill up our brownie making bowl with water, so she can have a little splash table inside! What a little fishy...



Easter Day
by Evaleen Stein
Christ the Lord is risen to-day!
Angels rolled the stone away
From the tomb wherein He lay!
Little children, come and sing,
"Glory, glory to the King,
Christ the Lord of everything!"

We're taking Olivia to church for the first time since last September on Sunday. I know she is really looking forward to it, as are we. We're also going to share our big news with our church family!




















We wish you all a Blessed Easter!
Love
The Spencers
PS If you missed our heart walk update from earlier today please click on "Walking for Our Little Hearts" to the right

Walking For Our Little Hearts

Heart Walk 2009


The Johnson County Heart Walk is fast approaching! This year it will be held on April 24th. I am so excited that for the first time ever our donations can be directed toward Legacy of Life. This is an endowment through the American Heart Association that gives all funds to congenital heart defect research unlike how the normal AHA divides up the donations and only donates a penny of every dollar to CHD research.

However because I am hoping for all of the donations collected to go to Legacy of Life we are unable to make donations online this year through our walk page. All donations need to come from checks/money orders made out to the AHA with Legacy of Life written in the check memo line. Otherwise the money will go directly into the AHA's normal fund. So, here is what you can do:

1. E-mail me directly at KLM479@gmail.com and I will send you my mailing address for your donation.

or

2. Visit my walk page: Donate in Honor of Olivia
and click at the bottom where it says "Click Here to Download a Printable Donation Form" to mail your check in. Be sure to write Legacy of Life in the check memo line and on the form. Then mail the form and your check to the address listed on the form. Your donation will be credited to my walk page.

Also, we are once again selling t-shirts for the heart walk. Proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the heart walk. They are $8 this year and are teal with white lettering. Here is what the design is this year. Thanks to our talented heart mom, Heidi Schmidt for designing them again this year!




E-mail jacks_rswl@mepotelco.net if you would like a shirt. Sizes are infant, toddler, children and adult. If you are unable to attend the walk and do not live in our area it can be arranged to mail you your shirts if you pay for shipping.

She will need shirt orders and payment by April 14th.


We hope that you will once again support us and even come walk with us on the 24th. The walk begins at 9 AM!