So several months ago we posted this picture on Facebook for all of our friends and family to see and celebrate the coming of the newest addition to the Hatch family! Ashley and I were so excited to have a newborn on the way and our girls were equally excited to be big sisters as you can see. Our son Landen Jeffrey was loved by many long before he entered the world, and my wish is that all children have such a great start to life!
The day we found out we were having a boy was a pretty amazing day, but much more complex and emotional than we had anticipated. You see, what the picture above does not show, is that we also discovered that day that our son had a series of very complex heart defects that meant his future was uncertain. At the time, we didn't know much beyond the fact that he may have two or three major heart abnormalities and we were to be referred to Boston Children's Hospital for further testing. Ashley and I were pretty scared, yet we knew we were in good hands.
The plan that day was to pick Maddie up from the bus with either blue or pink balloons, but now we needed to change plans in order to have a follow up fetal echocardiography. It would have broken our hearts to have her get off the bus to no balloons, no parents there and no idea why, so we improvised. We had a couple hours to burn in between the first ultrasound and the echo so we decided to pick up some balloons and meet her at school. When she came down the hall you could see how excited she was that Dad was wrong (which of course doesn't usually happen...) and she was right. We gave her the option to come home to be with her grandparents or stay in school (which is actually something she had to consider for a moment....she loves school) and she chose to come home. Once in the car I turned to Maddie with the car in park and Ashley in the passengers seat to tell her a little more. We told her that even though we were excited to have a boy in mommies belly, we also found out that there were some heart complications that we needed to look at which is why we would not have been there to get her off the bus. Now, what happens next is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received as a dad. She was quiet for a moment, and then she asked "Dad, does this mean that he could die?". With a heavy heart, and a tear in my eye I had to answer "Yes" but also explained that it doesn't mean he WILL die, but that we need to know more about his heart. She then made one statement that ensured her place as a teammate with Ashley and I. She said "Dad, I think that God just needs more time to work on his heart"..... As parents who strive to be an example for their children, and share the heart of God with them the best we know how, this was a moment where I felt the roles reversing. It was obvious that God was using her in that moment to help us remember who the real doctor was! And that this verse would be the structure of our attitude moving forward.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart"
Jeremiah 1:5
The most amazing thing about this story so far is this. Through every step of this journey we have felt the prayers of those close to us praying fervently. So much so, that it has minimized the emotional impact of this scituation for our family and given us a hope and peace beyond our comprehension. But even more importantly, that prayer has shown us that Maddie was right again! In most cases each of of these defects would be a major problem by themselves, yet in Landen's case each work together in some way to help minimize the impact of the other! We don't know everything yet, but tomorrow morning (May 20th, 2015) we will welcome Landen to the world with open arms! The plan is once he is delivered to check vitals (specifically oxygen levels), and if all is well he will be transported to the BAW NICU to be stabilized. Once stable, he will be transported to Children's (which is physically connected by a bridge) and be placed in the CICU there for a very long (2-3 hours) echocardiography. Once that is done, we take appropriate next steps which range from major invasive heart surgery to a small catheter procedure. What really happens next is not certain, yet we find strength in the Creator of all things as he clearly has His hands on Landen already! Nothing is impossible, and we have no reason to believe that Landen won't come out on the other end of this as a strong young boy with an amazing story to tell!
We are sharing this for those who wish to join us on this journey. We are surrounded by so many family and friends who support us through each step, and we don't take that blessing for granted in any way. We will use this blog as a way to update those who care to watch his progress and join us in this journey!
Enjoying the Journey,
George, Ashley, Madison and Lyla Hatch :)