Happy Birthday Lizzie

Dear friends,

Just last month Lizzie celebrated her 2nd birthday, though with less festivities than last year, it was a very enjoyable and quiet time at home with family and our cg family.

Our little princess has made some progress with her speech - after telling her to start talking before she turns two - she suprised us on the eve of her birthday by softly uttering "MAMA" and "PAPA"! It brought tears to our eyes....

Update with our latest cardiologist visit - Lizzies oxygen saturations are holding, and she is on track with her physical growth and mental development. We praise the Lord, for such a gentle girl - she has her extremely cheeky and mischevious moments too. We are trying real hard not to spoil her, but she has such a friendly and sociable character, that even complete strangers find her hard to resist!

Mummy, Daddy & Lizzie

We brought Lizzie to the zoo for the first time, and she enjoyed seeing all the animals up close - the rhinos, giraffes, lions, jaguars, even the giant tortoises.

Lizzie & Grandma with giant tortoise statue

While we continue to pray for her condition to be lifted, and we recognise and give thanks to the Lord for giving her strong immune system - which has so far proved to withstand even very bad bouts of cold and flu, and she has only fallen sick once this year, recovering on her own within days.

Lizzie loves playing soccer!

Lizzie enjoying an episode of 'Dora the Explorer'

Thank you brothers and sisters for your continued friendship, support and prayers.

God bless,
Elaine

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.

Youth Olympic 2010... here comes Lizzie!

Hello everyone, I am glad to write about what happen this month. It has been a joyful month in terms of our time with Lizzie, by God's grace. We brought Lizzie swimming several times. Given the frequency, we cannot resist getting her a new swim suit. She looks all set for the water, and maybe... youth olympic 2010!! :))

Lizzie loves the water so much that she couldn't wait to go in. She will cling on to us and splashed water happily. These are the precious moments we treasure so much.

We also brought her to Bishan Park on afternoon for a walk and play "pop-the-bubbles", one of Lizzie's great thrills. (see her video below!!) Lizzie looks cool with her sun glasses on her head, doesn't she? I know, I know, I am praising her too much... do bear with me... I am sure those with children will understand :)

On a more serious note, we want to thank God for His faithfulness. Lizzie's O2 has been holding steady in the high 70s when she is awake and active and in the low 80s when she is asleep. We are still praying for a breakthrough in her condition and continue to believe that God has created her in her special way for a purpose, for His glory. We wait for God's plans to be revealed in His perfect timing. We also thank you for continuing to uphold Lizzie in prayers as we do not know what is next. We are still living moment by moment, enjoying her innocent giggles and waiting.

God bless, Simon & Elaine.

Lizzie is well and growing. Praise God!

Hi everyone, it has been some time since Elaine and I post. I know many have been wondering what happened since Lizzie surgery. I apologize not letting you know sooner.

Lizzie has come a long way from waking up angry after the surgery cos of the pain and discomfort she felt. Now, she is finally back to her cheeky and playful self, tormenting Daddy and Mommy every day (and we joyfully accept it). Lizzie’s O2 level improved by about 10% after the surgery and currently stands in the range of low 70s to low 80s. She was up and about in her cheongsum, collecting ang pows this Chinese New Year!!

Between the time she was discharged and now, we were dealing with her surgical wounds, one of which took more than 2 weeks to heal. Thank God, all her wounds healed well, and they are neater than her previous surgical scars. I want to thank you again for praying. Each day we hear her laughter, we know in our hearts that it came as a result of your prayers moving the hand of God. Lizzie is a miracle in our lives and our prayer is that she will be a testimony for God to many.

On a lighter note, we are planning to bring Lizzie swimming again this coming week, since she enjoys water a lot. It will be fun for all, so look out for more Lizzie shots.

Here’s wishing you a belated but blessed new year!!!

God bless,
Simon

Lizzie is discharged from hospital

Dear friends,

I would have posted this sooner, but we have been so busy with Lizzie since her discharge from paeds ICU on Monday 21/01/08. Instead of discharging to the normal wards, we decided that once Lizzie no longer required intensive care, we were able to nurse her at home - with the permission from our cardiologist and surgeon.

Lizzie Day 3 - still restrained

Lizzie taking solids on Day 4

Lizzie taking feeds well on Day 4

Because of the deep surgical wounds, Lizzie can't really move around very much, mainly getting carried by myself, Simon and grandma. She seems to be a bit more fearful of falling, and clings to us tightly. Stranger anxiety seems to have developed as well.
We went for post op review today with her cardiologist - all the dressings were replaced, and we saw that the op site was healing very well. Praise the Lord.

Last night when she slept, Lizzie's oxygen was between 79 and 85 most of the time.
In the day time, it seems to be in the 70s.

Lizzie at home Day4

Lizzie gives us a big grin today Day6 -in her pram at the review appointment

Giggling Lizzie watching mummy blow bubbles

We are very thankful that our little girl has started giggling and smiling lots today, and we hope and pray that she will continue to regain her confidence and her outgoing personality.

God Bless,

Elaine