Wednesday, July 9, 2008

McKinzie

On June 1st I called my sister Jana to talk, and she told me that she thought that her daughter McKinzie might have pneumonia and that she was really worried about her. She asked if I could watch her two-year-old, Madison, while they went to the hospital. A little while later I got a call that the doctors were saying that McKinzie was in congestive heart failure and that they were going to fly her to Banner Dessert. At Banner Dessert they were working to stabilize McKinzie, but on Wednesday of that same week she totally crashed and once again they needed to fly her to another hospital. This time it was the University Hospital in Tucson. Once there, it was determined that McKinzie would need immediate surgery. The surgery was successful. Although McKinzie was stable she was still very critical. The doctors were observing her and we afraid that she might have to have a heart transplant. After many, many, many prayers and much fasting, McKinzie began to show good progress. They were able to remove the pump from her heart and she began doing better. Just before they removed the pump it was discovered that McKinzie had had a stroke. Many more prayers were and are being said, and McKinzie is doing amazing. She definitely has a long road ahead of her with a lot of therapy for the stroke, and they are still working on stabilizing her heart; but she is once again smiling, laughing, joking and being the amazing girl we all love and adore. Last time we visited we were all giving her hugs before we left, and my sister said that David (one of their cousins) tried to sneak out of her room without giving her a hug. She caught him and pointed at him and said, "heh!" There was no way she was going to let him out of that room without giving her a hug. I know that the reason McKinzie is doing so well today is because of the blessings she has been given and because of the fasting and prayers that have been said in her behalf. We are grateful to a Heavenly Father who has blessed her family and our family so much.
Since McKinzie has been in the hospital, many days my mom has the other kids. We have enjoyed this chance to spend much of our summer swimming and playing with these cousins at her home, especially Kyler and Madison. They have become such good little friends. The other day when we went to leave she started to cry because she wanted Kyler to stay and play.
I couldn't resist putting in this picture of Danner taking Coleson down the slide. You can't really see it well, but Coleson has a huge smile on his face. He loves it. It is also funny to see Danner pushing him to the surface after they go into the water.

4 comments:

dustin and amy said...

I'm so glad to see that your niece is doing better! We miss you guys, we need to get together soon!

jen said...

Wow, what a terrifying ordeal. I can't imagine. I'm so glad that she is improving and pray that she continues to do so. Are you coming to Tenay's shower this week? Hope so! See you then!

Johnson Family said...

wow! you guys have had a hectic summer this year!!! I can't believe how old Bridon and Danner look in the pictures of swim team! Your family is growing so much! I am so glad to hear that your niece is doing well. That seems like it would be a mothers worst nightmare... I think we can all send her our love and prayers...
Hope the rest of the summer is uneventful!
Christa

thebigcookiefam said...

It is so good to see the little girl that we have been praying for. I am so grateful for priesthood blessings and answered prayers. I absolutely love the picture of Coleson's huge smile on the slide, and Danner's goggles can't be beat!