Happy Fontanniversary!!!

It's amazing what can be accomplished in a year...

A year ago today, Jan. 21st, Dr. Walters performed Sydnie's Fontan. As with any surgery, we were all scared. Scared to hand her over to others... trusting that they would take care of her and love her as we all do, scared of knowing what she would have to endure during surgery and recovery, scared of all the unknowns and knowns, scared of the helpless feeling we knew we'd feel as soon as she woke and gazed her pleading eyes at us... Luckily, Sydnie sailed through her surgery and recovery. Slowly our moments of being scared faded and were replaced with moments of confidence and peace. Each day Sydnie improved by leaps and bounds. Even with painful tubes, Sydnie made the best of it...

Once she made it through draining her endless drainage and clearing up her Chylus Effusion we were cleared to go home! This was very exciting and scary all at the same time. We didn't want to leave the comfort and knowledge of the hospital and their staff, but we were so anxious to get home and establish our normal lives again. We figured if something were going to happen the best place to be is the hospital!!! Eventually we felt confident enough to take that leap. Once cleared, we were on our way home with our PINK baby girl.


Since then so much has happened. Sydnie has come a long way. One thing quickly changed after her surgery. Since she had a Fontan with out a fenestration, she developed loads and loads of energy! Her surgery left her with oxygen saturations in the high 90's! Compared to low to mid 80's she had before surgery! Even though she had lower sats before her Fontan, she still was very energetic! It's amazing to see such an energetic little girl and know what she's been through. People always say to us, "Wow! I never would have know anything was wrong with her just by looking at her". This is so true, we too forget briefly that her heart is different from ours. Even with these brief moments, we still know!!

We are so blessed to have her here! She is so strong and amazing! She amazes us every day She's a happy little girl who loves to make people laugh...

Sydnie with her CRAZY eyes!

She's a little girl who LOVES to try new things, especially if it involves going fast or jumping...

or...

and even...

Can you believe it! She only has the left side of her heart sustaining her life! Her right side works, just doesn't do much to for her!
She is amazing!

Sydnie is a little girl who loves to draw...

and sing...

and create snowy friends...

She's a little girl who wanted something and worked hard to get it...

(she earned a "pamastics" (gymnastics) class for learning to use the potty)

Sydnie is a little girl who has come a long way in a short amount of time! We are so grateful and aware of the blessings we've received! She is an amazing little girl who loves to love everyone. ...and if you're lucky enough to receive her love, she'll often tell you... " I love you so much in the whole wide world, ever, ever, ever!"

We love you too baby.... so much in the whole wide world... ever, ever, ever!

This is the thank you video we created a year ago for you all from Sydnie and us, her team! If you have time, take a look!

We love you all so much in the whole wide world, ever, ever, ever and are thankful for all the prayers for our special little girl! She is where she is today because of you all and we will forever be grateful!!!

Our Thank You:

Love,

Sydnie