How Can You Help Us?

We haven’t updated in a while and with the temperatures dropping and the leaves changing colors, we know that October 7^th is just around the corner.  This means that Audra’s third open heart surgery (called the Fontan) will be here before we know it.

Right now we are in lock down mode where we are not taking Audra and her sister out to large crowds.  We are trying to keep everyone healthy so that Audra will be strong for her surgery.  Unfortunately, once Audra recovers from her surgery, we will be into RSV and flu season.  Since Audra will only be a few weeks post-op and will receive a $1000 a month vaccine against RSV, we are going to have another low key winter.  Just wanted to give you a heads up on that.

As October 7^th approaches, we also know (and appreciate) that people want to help.  We want to make sure that you know that your love, support and help are really appreciated and there are things you can do to help us.

Pray for us

Please keep Audra and our family in your prayers and thoughts.  We need all prayers we can get.  So reach out and talk to the powerful G-O-D with us (alright I may have watched The Mindy Project last night).  If we want some specific things to pray for, pray that:

Audra stays healthy so that she is strong for her surgery;

No one needs Audra’s scheduled surgery more than her so that her surgery gets bumped;

My parents have safe travels as they travel across the country to help us out;

The surgical team, and specifically Dr. Bove, is healthy and rested for the surgery so they are at their peak performance;

The surgery is routine and there are no complications;

Audra will have a quick recovery and her body will adjust to her Fontan circulation; and

Audra’s older sister will enjoy her time with her grandparents away from her parents as we help Audra’s “owie-heart” as she calls it.

Help Us with Audra’s Surprise Box

We are putting together a box with things that Audra likes that she can open whenever she needs a little pick-me-up, such as after a poke for blood, dressing changes, etc. Anything that is great for an 18 month old goes –balls, books, cars, stickers, Little People toys (the brand, not actual people, lol).  She especially loves books about animals and babies and especially lift the flap type books.  Also, we are looking for fun ways to get her lungs clear by blowing on things.  We have Gymboree bubbles and a few kazoos but any other (quiet) whistles, musical instruments, bubbles, etc. would be also appreciated.

Also, a few items for Audra’s older sister would be highly appreciated for visits as we are always working on sharing.

Help Us Decorate Audra’s Room

We would love to have signs, wall stickers, decorations to hang up on the walls of Audra’s room.  Hand drawn pictures or signs, paintings, coloring book pages, cards, whatever – it all works.

Also, Audra and her sister love opening cards so we would love to have you send or give us cards for both of the girls.  An occasional singing card has been known to receive extra attention :)

Visit Us

This is a pretty big change from the past when we didn’t want a lot of visitors.  While we obviously do not want anyone who is ill to visit, we would love to have you come visit.  The first couple of days will be rough and Audra may not be up for visitors.  But after the first few days, we are going to be getting back to normal while we are trying to get all of the extra fluid drained from her chest.  So visitors will be welcome! 

If you want to come visit, please let us know when.  We will put together a sort of schedule just to keep things sane on our end but we would love it if you could make it out to Ann Arbor!  Also, if you want to bring some lunch or dinner with you when you come, you won’t be turned away.  Hopefully our stay will not be too much longer than 10 days but hospital food, Subway and yes, even Pizza House get old quickly.

Donate Blood

Audra is likely to need blood during or after her surgery.  She needs generous donations of life-saving blood like yours because there is no alternative to human blood.  We have literally sat next to her as she received a transfusion and seen her change color from gray to pink.  It is really a miracle. 

If you haven’t given blood before, please consider it now.  Go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation to find a blood drive near you and make a donation.  Audra and my family thank you in advance!  And believe me, if I can do it, anyone can do it!

Thanks for sticking with us!

All the best!