We are taking my son Brandt to Ann Arbor tomorrow for tests for his scimitar syndrome.  Thursday he will have a heart cathe done.  Please pray for him, and the doctors and my wife and I.  We are having a hard time with this and we know that He has a plan for us and He will comfort and guide us through this.  Thank you.

By now, the tests have already occurred; I hope and pray all is well with Brandt and his family.  If further tests or a surgical procedure are needed, may God watch over Brandt and guide his doctors every step of the way.

Emma will have her pre-op on Thursday, April 12th and her surgery is scheduled for Monday, April 16th.  They have also scheduled her for a bronchoscopy this Friday.  The pulmonary specialist thinks that she may have an obstruction in her bronchial tubes, so that want to check it out before the surgery.  They said that if they find anything, they could probably fix that at the same time as her heart surgery.  I just feel so bad for her!  She’s a nervous wreck about the surgery … I haven’t even told her about the bronchoscopy!  She [just] turned 9 years old…, and I didn’t want to ruin her birthday by telling her that she is going to have another procedure!

It’s always hard to watch your baby go through a surgical procedure, but as tough as that is, I think there’s something particularly difficult about getting your pre-adolescent child through this.  They understand too much!  There is no pretending that all is well with this age group.  I will have little Emma on my heart and in my prayers this weekend.

“My son is just 2 month’s old when his xray result into Scimitar Syndrome. He is under observation by the cardiologist performing his ECG and might be referred to a specialist to do a surgery. Please pray for him. We would greatly appreciate it!!! Thank you!”

Prayers to you, Aiden, and your family — I know this can be a very anxious time.

“My son Zane Hefley was born with an atrial septal heart defect that was repaired successfully when he was 17 months old. At the time of his surgery, I felt like I gave the son God had given me, back to him, and he returned him to me whole and healthy. He is now the father of 2-year-old Harley Isabella Hefley who has Scimitar Syndrome. At this time, she is just being monitored by a pediatric cardiologist and is doing well. My prayer request is that she continues to do so.”

Caryl, I pray that Zane will enjoy the same blessing that you have experienced — may he watch his child overcome a congenital heart defect and perhaps become a parent herself one day.

Okay.  So I thought this was a green starfish when Nathan first presented me with his latest creation.  My artful insight requires a little, uh…, meditation.  If he had given me a few more minutes, I’m sure I would have recognized it.  Nathan is 10 now.  Starfruit.  Looks good enough to eat.

“My daughter Emma was just diagnosed with PAPVR two weeks ago.  Something “suspicious” showed up in an x-ray she had taken because of pneumonia.  After a lot of tests, they diagnosed her with PAPVR.  Her surgery is scheduled for the middle of March.  Please say some prayers for Emma!”

Will do!

“Poe, my 12yr old son, will be undergoing open heart surgery on Friday, the 17th of February to repair an anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery. Thank you for Nathan’s prayer and thank you to everyone out there that will pray for our Poe. We are already praying for everyone on the list and out there. Thank you once again.”

Prayers for your young man, Poe!  And thanks for remembering the other families on Nathan’s Prayer.  I’m reminded that Valentine’s Day is a few days away ~ as we celebrate with candy hearts and cards, we are blessed to have wonderful men and women dedicated to repairing the real hearts of our loved ones.  God bless them all.

Hello, my grandson, Dmitri, is 18 years old and may be facing surgery for Scimitar Syndrome.  His mother, my daughter, just called me a few minutes ago and gave me the news.  He has to undergo a MRA to confirm the doctors’ suspicion.  Please pray for him because I know that I serve a God of miracles and that Dmitri is in his care.  Thank you.

I certainly will.  What a blessing it is that Dmitri’s doctors have so many wonderful tools at their disposal to diagnose and treat a variety of complex congenital heart defects.  Prayers to Dimitri and to you and your family during this trying time.

“My daughter Madison has just been diagnosed with Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.  I’m so glad I found your story.  Please keep Madison and our family in your prayers!”

I will.  Nathan had cardiac catheterization at two, and it was determined that his PAPVR needed to be addressed surgically.  A good illustration and explanation of PAPVR can be found on the Cove Point Foundation website.  I hope you will be encouraged to read:  “Recovery from this operation is usually straightforward, requiring a hospital stay of 3 to 4 days.”  Also, note that PAPVR might not be severe enough to require surgery.  Blessings to Madison and your family.