Our brave girl, Elizabeth: July 2008

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Countdown to Year 3

Hello everyone, it has been a long time since Elaine and I updated Lizzie's blog. Must say the guilt of not writing has finally driven me to do so. We owe it to everyone who have been praying for Lizzie so faithfully to at least update you on the latest happenings.

Lizzie will be 2 years old next month. We are entering into year 3. It is exciting, rewarding and also, uncertain.

We brought Lizzie for medical reviews last Monday and yesterday. The cardiologist and surgeon both thinks that Lizzie is doing well and there will not be any surgery for the short term. Praise God!! They are still keep to plan of doing the major open-heart surgery when Lizzie is 4 or 5 years old.

While that seems far away, we are asking for prayers that God will heal Lizzie before it comes to that. We know that God is able and His grace is abundant.

Currently, Lizzie's O2 level is around 80%, but she does turn blue when she plays too much, which is very often now that she is a cheeky playful toddler. We are enjoying every moment with this active marathon walker, but it does takes a lot out of us, given that her battery is newer and more lasting than our 30+ years old batteries.

Sometimes, as I watch her sleep, and as we pray over her, I asked God if He can take my life as an atonement for all sins in my family and heal my child. If only that can be done, it will be so simple. This is when I realised how God felt towards us, that He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. The love of a parent, the love of a creator and the love of God rolled into one. I know that God does not demand a sacrifice for healing, or any form of miracles. His healing comes by grace, not sacrifice. This frustrates me a lot, not being able to do anything for my child but wait. My faith tells me that God knows best for my child and has the best plans for her, yet seeing her suffer is too much to bear. I pray for Lizzie everyday, and everyday, God gives us a happy, cheerful child who has no clue what lies ahead of her. We pray that you will also help us pray, with prayers that will move God's hand.

Thank you and God bless.

About This Blog

This blog is about our baby girl Lizzie, who was born on 9th August 2006 with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a rare chromosome defect also known as DiGeorges Syndrome. This resulted in calcium deficiency and severe cyanotic congenital heart defects called Taussig-Bing anomaly (ventricular septal defect and double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary artery atresia). She underwent surgery on the 25th September 2006 to place a Blalock-Taussig Shunt on her right side. Lizzie spent two months in the ICU, and went through months of intensive physiotherapy. On 18th January 2008, Lizzie had a second surgery for a BT Shunt, this time on the left side. By God's grace she recovered quickly, and was discharged after only four days. Despite all odds, Lizzie has continued to thrive and grow, in strength and character day by day.

Now as the doctors are planning for major open heart corrective surgery, we continue to pray for Lizzie's healing, for strength, and protection, as we trust in God's will.

We first started a yahoogroup back in April 2006, when we first received the diagnosis of our (then unborn) baby's defects. We decided to share our testimony online, with not only our friends and family, but also to be an encouragement to others who may be going through the same situation.
We believe in the power of prayer, and in miraculous healing.
Lizzie has come a long way, and has defied the expectations of doctors and specialists.
We thank God for her, she has been a blessing and a constant joy to us - she is our little miracle.
Our prayer is that, through our testimony, others will not only be encouraged and comforted, but also come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and find hope in Him too.

To God be the Glory.