Jeff and Andee were married in 2003. We were both born and raised in Utah. We have three sweet children. During a 23 week check up with our second child, the baby was diagnosed with Pulmonary Stenosis, a heart defect. She was born on December 16, 2009 when the doctors discovered she actually had Pulmonary Atresia, Tricuspid Atresia and Atrial Ectopic Tachycardia. After she was born she stayed at Primary Children's Medical Center for three weeks. During that time she had a BT Shunt and stent placed in her heart.
On June 4, 2010, Gracelyn received her Glenn shunt. During that time they removed her BT shunt and stent. She is doing great! The next step will be the Fontan procedure some time after she turns two.
We intend for this blog to keep family and friends aware of what's going on as our story progresses. We have learned so much and found strength from the blogs and websites of those that have previously gone through this that we want to share our story for those who will unfortunately face this as well, as there is currently no cure for Congenital Heart Disease. We are grateful for all the prayers on our behalf.
UPDATE: July 2013: Gracelyn was scheduled to have her Fontan this summer. Doctors feel like she is doing so great it can be postponed until next summer. We have recently contacted the Children's Hospital of Boston for second opinion. They believe they have an alternative to the Fontan. In September we will head to Boston to see what they can do for her.
UPDATE: April 2015- Gracelyn had her Fontan surgery on April 27, 2015. She flew through the procedure and recovery. It didn't happen immediately, but by day two she was a beautiful shade of pink.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Paul & Lynette Cardall Fireside
On Thursday I had the opportunity of meeting Paul and Lynette Cardall at a fireside. My parents joined me, but had already had the chance to meet Paul on Christmas Eve at Primary's when he stopped by Gracelyn's room to bring some gifts. One of my fellow heart moms, Mindi, invited Paul to speak at her stake and invited me to go. (It was just for the Relief Society so I wanted my mom to go with. At the last minute I decided we needed to drag my dad along. :) He was a good sport...there were about 5 other men.) It was GREAT! Paul is so inspiring and has such a great spirit about him. He spoke of his life and the trials that he has faced enduring 36 years of CHD. He also spoke of the miracles he has seen. His life is a miracle. He played some songs for us and it became a little overwhelming for me. Everyone in that room listened to him, but having to actually be living through the things that he was talking about was difficult. It was hard for me to hear it from an adults perspective. Gracelyn can't tell me what hurts and what is tolerable. He talked about the drain tubes and how painful it is to have them removed. I would have never imagined that to be so bad. (I'll be sure to leave the room next time Grace has hers removed.) He spoke to us a bit about genealogy. He talked about how much paper it would take to trace back to our first father. He then compared that to how much it would take to trace our spirits back to Heavenly Father and that there is a direct link. I know what Paul says he knows to be true. He wouldn't be alive if he really believed otherwise. I have found a lot of peace and hope through Paul's life. I have found a lot of peace and hope through the things that Paul writes on his blog. Recently he wrote, "Life goes by quickly. Every moment counts. With every passing moment how much more fulfilling our lives will be if we count our blessings and seek to recognize the daily influence of a loving God in our lives. He understands all things and why he brings children home. We have to trust Him or we have nothing to trust in." Paul and his wife truly touched me. Paul has had to endure a lot, but I can't imagine the pain the Lynette has also been through. She really stands out as a strong daughter of God. After they spoke I had the chance to meet them and take pictures with them and my parents and Mindi. I'm grateful for the chance I had to talk with them. Before we left Paul told me to look up John 9:1-3. Thank you for inviting us Mindi! Thank you Paul and Lynette for your spirit!
".....Heaven's kindness will never depart from you, regardless of what happens......Bad days come to an end, faith always triumphs, and heavenly promises are always kept."
--Jeffrey R. Holland--
"Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it."-Lawrence E. Corbridge
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." -Winston Churchill
On Thursday I had the opportunity of meeting Paul and Lynette Cardall at a fireside. My parents joined me, but had already had the chance to meet Paul on Christmas Eve at Primary's when he stopped by Gracelyn's room to bring some gifts. One of my fellow heart moms, Mindi, invited Paul to speak at her stake and invited me to go. (It was just for the Relief Society so I wanted my mom to go with. At the last minute I decided we needed to drag my dad along. :) He was a good sport...there were about 5 other men.) It was GREAT! Paul is so inspiring and has such a great spirit about him. He spoke of his life and the trials that he has faced enduring 36 years of CHD. He also spoke of the miracles he has seen. His life is a miracle. He played some songs for us and it became a little overwhelming for me. Everyone in that room listened to him, but having to actually be living through the things that he was talking about was difficult. It was hard for me to hear it from an adults perspective. Gracelyn can't tell me what hurts and what is tolerable. He talked about the drain tubes and how painful it is to have them removed. I would have never imagined that to be so bad. (I'll be sure to leave the room next time Grace has hers removed.) He spoke to us a bit about genealogy. He talked about how much paper it would take to trace back to our first father. He then compared that to how much it would take to trace our spirits back to Heavenly Father and that there is a direct link. I know what Paul says he knows to be true. He wouldn't be alive if he really believed otherwise. I have found a lot of peace and hope through Paul's life. I have found a lot of peace and hope through the things that Paul writes on his blog. Recently he wrote, "Life goes by quickly. Every moment counts. With every passing moment how much more fulfilling our lives will be if we count our blessings and seek to recognize the daily influence of a loving God in our lives. He understands all things and why he brings children home. We have to trust Him or we have nothing to trust in." Paul and his wife truly touched me. Paul has had to endure a lot, but I can't imagine the pain the Lynette has also been through. She really stands out as a strong daughter of God. After they spoke I had the chance to meet them and take pictures with them and my parents and Mindi. I'm grateful for the chance I had to talk with them. Before we left Paul told me to look up John 9:1-3. Thank you for inviting us Mindi! Thank you Paul and Lynette for your spirit!
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