Win the Day

In this summer of great wildness I've constantly reminded myself to concentrate on what's in front of me, today. As a part of that I have embraced the Oregon Football adage "Win the Day" esposed by Coach Chip Kelly. Thought I'd drop him a line this week to let him know how much I appreciated that - outside of football. Class act Kelly hit me right back with the following message.

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Scott,

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear of the chaos your family has had to go through. It is great to hear that the "Win the Day" mantra helped you and your family push through. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time and on September 9th. I look forward to your support in the future. Thank you again for your email.

Go Ducks!

Chip Kelly
Head Football Coach
University of Oregon

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Class act Coach - got a kick out of it. I take back the criticism for why you didn't go for it on 4th down in the Rose Bowl. Often small efforts make a world of difference. Pull for the Ducks that much more this year and Win The Day!

SEPTEMBER 9

It is set. September 9th. Date for Special K's open heart surgery. Gearing up for what will surely be a wild late summer lead up. Roch-cha-cha here we come again! As a reference point Evie had her surgery at 5 weeks old (Kellyn's current age) so we will be in a who different situation. At that point she will be 3 months old and her body will be better able to tolerate surgery.

Of course my big girl Evie's 4th birthday is September 8th and she'll be starting a new school pre-k program that week. Something tells me the surgical date is less negotiable than a dental appointment - did't think that "Uh yeah, that's a tricky week can we adjust that schedule my older girl starts Pre-K that week" would work.

Sure I'm scared, but then again very thankful for Kellyn to have surgery that could help her increase her system's oxygen and assist her ability to function "normally". Of course its already very clear that she is not a normal gal. Sassy, wild, gorgeous and bound to change the world.

Please send us and kids who don't have opportunities to have this life saving surgery - www.babyheart.org - consider joining us this fall in coordinating a fundraising effort for these folks. More details to come.

Mighty Warrior Cardio

Last Monday found Kellyn, Ruth and I back at the cardiologist for a scheduled appointment. Although I would have loved to have heard them say - "I don't know what you've been doing with her care at home, but you've mended her heart" - what we did hear was fairly positive.

She still has pretty rough oxygen levels as is expected with Tetralogy of Fallot, though she appears to be tolerating things very well. Since her last cardio appointment she gained over a pound and a half and as we can attest she is feisty as all get up. These two items will certainly bode well for her for surgery.

They anticipate discussing her case at surgical conference either the Thursday before or after the 4th and pull together a schedule from there. Our cardiologist, Dr. Gaum (real solid guy), anticipates a likely Fall surgery. Who knows though things can change pretty quickly on hospital schedules.

We are about two weeks out from the age when Evie had surgery (5 weeks old)which we've come to realize is quite early. As solid as Kellyn (Special K) is I struggle with thinking of her little body going through this intense procedure. I have confidence in the team in Rochester though and pray daily for my girls and their heart health.

Another fantastic item to note is that genetic tests came back indicating that Kellyn does not have a chromosomal 22 defect that some of the physicians alluded to a likelihood of her having. It includes a whole host of complications including Tetralogy of Fallot. Doctors continue to be floored by the fact that we have two children with the condition. All but one we have seen have never seen it in siblings. One cardiologist said it best in that pretty much every ailment we wrestle with is genetic - we just don't know exactly how. Just lucky to have these distinct ladies beautiful and bound for greatness. They are so very lovely, but incredibly trying to manage.