Happy Heart Day! (17 year Open Heart Surgery Anni)

Happy Heart Day! (Open Heart Surgery Story)

For those of you who don’t know, I was born with a hole in my heart.  Here is the full story of what happened during this time!

I was born on May 29, 1997 at a normal size of 7 pounds 1 ounce.  However, I did not grow and gain weight as quickly as most babies.  Because of this, my doctor made sure to pay close attention to my heart.  In December 1997, when I was 7 months old, I was only 11 pounds.  Just before Christmas, on December 16, 1997, my doctor found a hole in my heart.

This specific hole was called an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).  I needed to have open heart surgery in order to fix the problem and avoid further complications.  But the doctor told my parents that I could not have the surgery until I was 20 pounds.  This was very scary for my parents because they thought I would never be 20 pounds!  I had only gained four pounds in seven months! 

They ended up having to feed me things like sour cream on a spoon, added extra butter to all of my food, and lots of oatmeal.  But as my mom says, “it didn’t matter what we tried, you didn’t eat anything!”

When I had finally gained enough weight, I was almost 2 years old.  God reminded my family of His promises during this difficult time. 

 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us…

The fire had not touched them.  Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched.  They didn’t even smell of smoke” Daniel 3:17, 27 NLT

Guys, can we just take a minute to think about this… I mean for real, this is crazy!  This furnace was soooo HOT that the men that threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire were killed by the flames immediately.  AND the three men not only survived the fire, but they were able to WALK out of the furnace without a single hair singed, or their clothing or skin burned.  They didn’t even SMELL like smoke!  People smell like smoke if they even walk past a fire! This really is amazing!

God reminded my mom of this story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Bible.  He told her that our family was going to go through the FIRE.  It was going to be difficult.  Not easy.  HARD.  BUT, He was going to get us through it.  We were going to come out of this not even smelling of smoke.  Not a single hair would be singed.  She questioned this at first, but then was reminded… this passage is found Daniel 3.  And my name is “DANIELle”.  After this, she was SURE this was something that God was telling her and felt more peace. 

Friends and family surrounded us with love and prayers during this time.  We had churches pray over me.  My grandparents came and watched my brother and sister while my parents took me to the hospital.  My dad was a middle school teacher at the time and his school did a fundraiser for me without him knowing.  They were able to wear a hat to school if they made a donation.  My dad was blessed with the money when he came back to the school after my surgery.

I was finally scheduled to have my open heart surgery on March 2, 1999 (about 21 months old).  We had to go to Duke University Medical Center.  I went into the Operating Room at 7AM and my mom helped put me to sleep by 7:10AM. 

“Then God’s peace sustained us” ~My Momma

I was out of surgery by 10AM and they told my parents that all went well. 

“Then at 12:30 we saw our baby- So sleepy but she knew we were there.  She lifted both needle filled arms and made the only moan she could.  The battle continued…” ~Momma

The next day (March 3) I had a blood transfusion.  I had to get an IV put in so I could move out of the ICU. 

“She did not talk, only shut her eyes in pain and cried” ~Momma

“…then in the late afternoon the storm was outside and in our hearts- our nerves were shot.  God answered with His Promise… a RAINBOW!” ~Momma

Romans 4:20-21

This rainbow was so big and bright and right over the hospital!

My brother and sister made me a tape of them singing and praying for me that I listened to in the Hospital.  So sweet!

On day three (March 4) I was able to be “unhooked” from the IV and monitors.  This meant I could get pulled around the hospital in a wagon.  Mom said they knew I was uncomfortable, but… “All Dani would say is ‘NO ROOM’~ that was a clear order! She was almost FREE!” ~Momma

 

The next day (March 5) it was time to GO HOME! I took my last ride in the wagon OUT of the Hospital!

This was definitely a difficult, scary time for our family.  But God reassured us that He would bring us through it.  He keeps His promises.  He cares for you.  Cry out to Him, and He will get you through!

I believe that He has a plan for my life.  He saved my life as a baby.  He allowed me to stay alive and have this surgery, and it be successful!  I have not had ANY problems since!  He gave me the greatest gift of all-LIFE. And for that I am so thankful.  Live life with a purpose! Glorify God in everything!

Guys, we serve a good God.  A BIG, POWERFUL, ALMIGHTY GOD! 

Remember Philippians 4:6-7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead PRAY about EVERYTHING.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s PEACE, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 34:17-18 “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Thank the Lord today for all He has done in your life.  Thank him for allowing you to wake up!  If you are going through a difficult time, pray to Him.  Pour out your heart to Him.  Trust in Him.  Hold on to His promises.  Listen to what He says to you.  He is always with you.  He is your comforter, your healer, your provider.  He is a good God.  Thank Him!

You are sooooo loved!

                               Dani xoxo