Claire's third and final open heart surgery has been set for Wednesday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. at Children's Medical Center, Dallas.
This surgery, the Fontan Procedure, is the third in a series of three surgeries to deal with her congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (click here for more information). Her surgeon is Dr Joseph Forbess, one of the foremost experts on these kinds of heart abnormalities. (If you click here, you can see a photo of the fantastic heart team at Children's; Dr Forbess is in the center-left of the photo, and her cardiologist, Dr Reenu Eapen is just below Dr Frobess is the bottom-left).
Her pre-surgery heart catheterization took place on Friday, March 13 and Claire was incredible. All the fixes from her past two surgeries (the Norwood and the Glenn procedures) looked exactly as they should and the doctors were all encouraged and positive. We will post some more details and photos in the coming days.
The encouragement and support in prayer that we received during the last two surgeries was an incredible experience of God’s grace. There is definitely more trepidation for both Kristen and I this time around and this has everything to do with Claire being older and aware of what’s going on. But we both were filled with incredible relief after how well things went this past Friday with her heart catheterization. All that to say: please keep our family, and Claire especially, in your prayers.
Matthew+, Kristen Claire & Isaac
Thank-you, Matthew+, for this note. Bless you all these next days, and esp. Claire. Love from Africa. Christopher
ReplyDeleteFr. Olver,
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for Claire and for the surgical team and for you and your wife. May God guide the hands and eyes of the surgeons and may He surround you with care and love and peace.
YBIC,
Deacon Phil Snyder
My prayers will be with you all on Wednesday! May the peace of Christ be with you.
ReplyDeleteDeacon Nancy Powers
Claire,
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers each day. May the joy of the Lord be your strength!
In Christ,
Charlotte
Our prayers will be with you all.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Kathryn & Bryan
Thanks for letting us know about Claire's surgery. We're praying for all of you. God bless!
ReplyDeleteLee, Ela, Moira & Oliver
P.S. What a BEAUTIFUL little woman Claire is growing in to!
Thanks for sending your blog info. The Wahlen family will be praying for all of you!
ReplyDeleteGod's peace,
Colleen, John, Mackenzie, Carolyn, Luke
The Ammermanns will be praying for you all, as well.
ReplyDeleteKristen, please let me know if I can help you with Isaac while you are staying with Claire.
Matt and Kristen,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you guys and Claire as you go through this surgery! May God's peace be with you-- I know that HE watches over his little ones!
Much love from China,
Katie
Padre and fam!!!
ReplyDeleteHey guys!i miss you all dearly!!! seing pictures of your shinning faces on this blog gives me so much joy!!! Your friends in pennsylvania are keeping you in our prayers!
I love you all,
Ellie Mack
Matt and Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sending your news and request. We will be praying for you all!
God's peace,
Beth, Kirk and Girls
Matthew, Thank you for this update. We will keep her in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteSeeca (matthew and noah)
Matthew and Kristen,
ReplyDeleteWe are holding you and Claire in prayer.
Seeking God's blessings and mercy,
Bob, Laura, Annie, and Anderson
Dear Kristen and Matthew,
ReplyDeleteMartin and I and the children will be praying for Claire every day. We send you our love.
Kristen,
ReplyDeletePraying for you and little Claire!
Also, Happy Birthday! Hope it has been a day overflowing with our Savior's kindness to you!
With love for all four of you,
Erin
Claire, you are in my special prayers. Much love to all the Olvers at this time of grace.
ReplyDeleteMatthew,
ReplyDeleteThank-you for including me in the opportunity to hold Claire and your family up in prayer. I will make her recovery both my personal and our corporate public Mass intention at the liturgy on the feast of the Annunciation.
We will pray!
ReplyDeleteNathan and Jessie
big O so I guess you dont want me to call. I can take a hint. I like the pics with your girls rather than your ugly mug. Claire is in our prayers. This is the first time I have ever blogged and its actually not me but my nephew who is doing it because i could not figure it out. A phone call would have been easier.
ReplyDeletepeace out.
love you guys.
jim wills
On Wednesday morning I will be at the 7am Eucharist at Holy Family, Chapel Hill, NC. We will pray specifically for Claire as she prepares for surgery.
ReplyDeletePeace, George Linney (Kristen, George IV, Kathryn, and William)
http://monkawe.blogspot.com/
You shall all be in my prayers, along with the care givers, and I look to hear the news of a happy outcome.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace,
Douglas+
Matt & Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sending the update. Usaully your parents keep us updated but it isn't until we see them at church. Our prays our with you as you face the upcoming procedure for your daughter. May God's hand be upon the surgeon and those who are helping. God's grace is sufficent for this time in your lives. Keep looking up. God is faithful.
Marlin & Phyllis
Matthew,
ReplyDeleteOur prayers--both personal and public in our services at St. Francis--are with Claire and with you.
God bless you all,
Jody & Anna Howard
Kristen and Matthew,
ReplyDeleteIn addition to our family's prayers, Moms in Touch at Parish Episcopal School are lifting Claire in prayer this week. I'm nearby if you need anything-food, care for Isaac, anything that comes up. God's peace! Laura Corley
Fr. Matthew & Kristen,
ReplyDeleteLauren and I will be praying for Claire, your whole family, Dr Eapen, and the rest of her staff.
Matt & Lauren Larsen
Thanks for keeping us updated. I will be checking back for progress reports. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Peace, Jennifer Hargrave
ReplyDeleteWe are praying at St. John's, Matthew and Kristin. Much love in Christ,
ReplyDeleteDavid+
Chris and I have been praying for your whole family and thinking of Claire all day. We will be checking in and looking forward to updates.
ReplyDeleteMeredith and Chris
We will keep Claire and all of you in our prayers this week.
ReplyDeleteFaithfully,
Bert+
You know we are praying for the fabulous little Claire over here at the Fergusons! Jenny sent a note that Parents' Time Out will be praying tomorrow morning. May you feel God's loving arms around your family tomorrow and every day.With love, Kate
ReplyDeleteGreetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are praying for the Hand of God to be on Claire and her doctors during the surgery. ¡Que Dios les bendiga!
ReplyDeleteLarry and Cindy Williams
You and your family are in my prayers, Matthew, as you and Claire walk through this surgery. The Feast of the Annunciation no less -- a good day, reminding us that God is specially present to the small, the weak, and those open to his grace. I'm praying for peace, trust, and healing.
ReplyDeleteTherese Lysaught
The first thing I thought when I opened the page and looked at the pictures was, "These are great parents." I don't know how it feels where you are, but from here it looks like you are living in peace beyond understanding. You are a blessing to your little girl. Be blessed.
ReplyDeleteJeff Dunn-Rankin
Father Matthew; my prayers are with you and yours. May the unfailing power and steadfast compassion of Christ the healer be yours in abundance. Father Steven Gamez; San Fernando Cathedral. San Antonio, TX.
ReplyDeletePrayers, prayers, prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove,
David, Lorinda, and James
Peter, Ginny, Anna Leigh, Lydia and especially Celia are praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderfully made, dear little Claire.