He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Anna Update

Anna has now been in the U.S. for almost a week and has spent all of that time in the hospital.  Part of me hates that, as I cannot wait for her to meet her brothers and sisters and see her new home.  But in reality it has been such a blessing!  She is scheduled for her first surgery tomorrow.  It was originally scheduled for last Tuesday but they found some fluid in her lung and wanted to wait.

This surgery is a good thing!  It should eliminate the cause of the hydrocephalus and get the fluid in her head flowing as it should again.  The surgeons also told us that in about a month, they should be able to perform surgery to correct the shape of her head!  We didn't know if this would be possible.  She has a large bump on the back of her head that makes lying on it uncomfortable and it is so heavy that she has never been able to sit up on her own.  I can't wait to see what God is going to do in her life!  I feel like there is no limit. 

She has an NG tube now for her feedings, which is also a blessing.  It takes all the pressure off her and us to get her to eat and drink.  Once the surgery is complete, they will begin to assess her swallowing.

Thank you again for all of the prayers!  God is answering them!

I have two prayer requests today. 

First, remember sweet Henry who I posted about a few months back?  He was adopted and passed away after complications from surgery.  Well, his family has just announced that they are returning to Eastern Europe for a sibling group of three!  I am so excited.  You can read more on their blog here.  To donate to help them bring this group home, go here.

Our agency just posted this morning that on April 18, there will be a new hearing in Bulgaria for the old director of the Pleven orphanage who wishes to be reinstated.  It is because of the conditions that she allowed that Anna went so long with untreated hydrocephalus and weighs just 24 pounds at 4 and 1/2 years old.  Please pray that the courts will deny any petition she has!  For Nora and all the children we left behind there, she must never be allowed to step foot in Pleven again.  Please also pray for the new director, as she faces much opposition in all the good reforms she is trying to implement.

I will update after surgery tomorrow!

4 comments:

  1. So thrilled for you and Anna with all of this wonderful news! will be praying for the court date. Sending you and your beautiful girl love from Canada.

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  2. Katya's plastic surgeon has done surgery on a child from Nepal with untreated hydrocephalus. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/rare-surgery-shrinks-boys-extremely-large-head/story?id=16470581#.UWcoNFdvAn8 The technology he used there to plot how to do the surgery he tested first with Katya to enlarge her head in March of 2011. If you have concerns or questions, PLEASE get in touch with him and tell him Katya's Mom sent you.

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  3. Definitely praying Anna to health, and I will also be praying for Nora, as well as the situation with Anna's former orphanage!

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  4. We are praying for your family and for Anna. It was such a blessing to get to meet you guys in Bulgaria. God has this! YOU are all in HIS hands.

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