We have a date for surgery!!!

[Leslie Nelsen]

Hi All,

Please mark your calendars and pray for us! We have scheduled Eliana's surgery for Monday April 16.

I feel good about this date. It was hard for me to get my head around just choosing a date. After much prayer and pondering, this seems to be best for all of us. We'll go in the Friday prior to her surgery For her pre-op. (Lots of labwork and testing)

I know that this is a good thing - a necessary thing. I know that things will be so much better for Eliana after the surgery. It's still hard to walk this road getting there though. I'm praying for peace as I can feel fear washing over me at times. I've been told that this will really heighten the closer we get to surgery. I'll post more on the Prayer place then as we definitely will want to be bathed in prayer!

I've written more on my blog if you'd like to go there to read. (Sorry if I'm being lazy about this.) If someone can't read the blog for some reason and would like me to post or send you what I've written, just let me know.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/

Any prayers, encouragment or words of wisdom are appreciated. :) Thank you for being with us through all of this. It means the world to me. :hcry:

With love,

[BethCO]

As I have told you before, my niece had open heart surgery as an infant. She is healthy, beautiful (and a little spirited too) 18 year old girl now! I will be in prayer for you all!

[Ronette in CA]

You know I will be praying, friend!

Have you taken a tour of the unit yet? When we were anticipating Katherine's open heart surgery (which, of course, never did happen), a case worker from the PICU came and got me from the NICU and took me over to look at the cardiac units so that I would know what to expect.

They gave me an idea of how many meds she would be on, how swollen she might be, how her chest may look, what to expect from the nursing team, etc. It really helped me get mentally prepared.

I know nothing can prepare you for your child going through such a surgery but I felt this really did a lot for me.

:group: :group:

[Hollie in SC]

So glad you have a date. Praying for you all. Give Eliana kisses on her cheeks for me. :kiss:

[Kendall in GA]

Thanks for the update!!...The 16th is marked on my calendar...I'll definitely be in prayer mode! :group:

[Esther-Alabama]

I will be praying here, too, Leslie.

[Amy in Cinci]

Praying for you and Eliana as you prepare for her surgery! April 16th is marked on my calendar.

[Katie]

I have drawn a red heart on our calendar and have prayerfully decided to fast that day ~ praying throughout the day for your baby girl.

Praying for wisdom for all physicians and medical staff involved, for God to prepare your heart and mind for the surgery, for child care to go smoothly and for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of your whole family.

Love you!

Katie

:group:

[Ami]

Thanks for the update!!...The 16th is marked on my calendar...I'll definitely be in prayer mode! :group:

:yes:
:group:

[Jennifer Unsell]

That will be easy for me to remember Leslie as it's the day after our Emmys birthday. Please know I am praying!!!! I so wish I was right next door and could do more for you guys!

[Loree']

Ralph & I both will be praying!

[Olivia]

I'll be praying for you and your darling daughter.

[Jill S]

Praying for you now and then.

[Sarah in SC]

Oh, Leslie.

The date is on my calendar, and we will be in serious prayer for your sweet precious girl.

Much love.....

[Amanda]

Praying Leslie! :group:

[Sheri]

It's on my calendar and we'll be praying daily for her!!!

[Judy]

I came across an excerpt from this song on another blog and I thought, Wow! It's spelled different but it's still Eliana! Have you heard Elliana's Song by Watermark? Here are the lyrics and you can listen to the song on Rhapsody. Praying that our sweet Lord will conquer your fears, answer your prayers and provide you with the peace that passes all understanding. Looking forward to your first post that says Eliana came through the surgery with flying colors and is doing great!! We are praying to that end!

Elliana's Song


Baby woman tiny in stature now, but you heart is a treasure
Little princess come follow behind, now
I am reaching for you Elliana

(Chorus)
God has answered my prayers
Elliana
God will concur my fears
To mother a daughter
To look you in the eye
To know that I did everything to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus that he will in part
The wisdom that I long for to mother your heart
Elliana
God has answered my prayers

There will be others to lead and to guide, girl
But only one you'll call mother
The honor is all mine to show what a woman's like
I'm so glad your mine
Elliana

(Chorus)
God has answered my prayers
Elliana
God will concur my fears
To mother a daughter
To look you in the eye
To know that I did everything to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus that he will in part
The wisdom that I long for to mother your heart
Elliana
God has answered my prayers

Oh, the tenderness of God is twirling around in our living room tonight
Oh, lighten up your daddy's eyes
And know that he just wants to freeze you in time

Elliana
God will concur our fears
To care for a daughter
To look in the eye
To know that we did everything to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus, that he will in part
The wisdom that we long for to love your little heart
Elliana

[Scarlett]

:group: It's on my calendar, Leslie. Thank you for keeping us updated and allowing us to walk this difficult road with you.

[mariah m]

I'll be praying.

Ronette's suggestion was a good one. It will be good to familiarize yourself with everything. We had a month to get used to it all:eek:

It is normal to be nervous. "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you". You're not alone. Lots of people are praying for all of you!

[Lisalyn]

I know your feelings are so mixed right now! :group:

Try to arrange that tour as Ronette suggested. It will definitely be helpful to have an idea what you will be facing.

Remember, knowledge is power!

:kiss:

[Michelle]

Another series of red hearts going onto the calendar! I will red heart several days leading up to the surgery as I reflect on which days I needed it most before my own ;)

:group:

[Alicia]

Dear friend {Eliana},
I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you. :kiss:
3 John 1:2

[Mary FL]

Thank you for letting us know the date. I'll mark it down. :)

[Shawn, Northwoods-MI]

Thank you for keeping us posted on your little one's journey. What a sweet blessing, I will be praying for the Doctors and quick healing. Blessings, Shawn <><

[Lynn,NC]

Leslie, I read your post last night and your blog, and honestly all I could do was cry. Not sad tears--of course I am sad for the burdens you are bearing right now for Eliana, and there were sad tears, but just all kinds of tears! Your children are so lovely, and I saw the picture of Becca and Hannah, and your children in front of the tree, and well, I just cried! :) There were happy tears, too, because you are such a good mommy and your children look so content and so sweet together.

I will certainly pray for you and Eliana and your entire family during the coming weeks and for the surgery. Her date is on my white board.

Lynn

[Leslie Nelsen]

I am so touched by all of you! :hcry: That so many of you are committed to praying for our little girl is so very sweet. I'm in tears over here. :hcry:

All of you are so very precious to me. What a sweet reunion it will be when we all finally meet. I love how being here has knit so many hearts together and touched so many lives in both small and profound ways.

Beth - I do remember your story and it is so encouraging to hear those positive stories of others who have walked this path.

Ronette - I have had a brief tour by the lactation consultant. I didn't have some of the detail that you received though in terms of what to expect. I've written a note in my notebook to ask about this on Monday when we visit the cardiologist. Thank you for the suggestion!

Judy - I love that song! I haven't been able to listen to it, though I have loved reading the words. (I'm on a new - to me - laptop that doesn't have the sound capability or I need to download something. Need to ask my dh as he is the computer guru around here.)

Love to you all!

[BeckyOK]

I sent you a private message.

becky

[Leslie in CA]

Leslie,
I had no idea that your precious baby had a heart issue. I will definitely keep you all i n prayer.

[Sharon C]

Leslie we will be praying for your family and especially for Eliana and the surgeons on that day. :group: