Anibella's Heart ♥

Please pray for our precious baby girl.......

 
because we just found out this morning that our sweet little Anibella has an "Atrial Septal Defect".

ASD is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the atria (the upper chambers of the heart).  It is a congenital heart defect which means that a baby is born with it.  A congenital heart defect changes the normal flow of blood through the heart. The heart has two sides that are separated by an inner wall called the septum.  With each heartbeat, the right side of the heart receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs.  The left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body.  The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart.  This kind of heart defect allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow across the atrial septum into the right atrium instead of flowing down to the left ventricle as it should. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with the oxygen-poor blood, causing the oxygen-rich blood to be pumped to the lungs a second time.  This is inefficient because oxygen-rich blood gets pumped back to the lungs, where it has just been, instead of going to the body.

Here is a diagram showing what a normal heart looks like & what a heart with ASD looks like.

 

Figure A shows the normal anatomy and blood flow of the interior of the heart. Figure B shows a heart with an Atrial Septal Defect, which allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to mix with oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium.  

An ASD can be small or large. Small ASD's allow only a little blood to flow from one atrium to the other. Small ASD's don't affect the way the heart works and therefore don't need any special treatment. Many small ASD's close on their own as the heart grows during childhood.  Medium to large ASD's allow more blood to leak from one atrium to the other and they are less likely to close on their own. Most children with ASD's have no symptoms, even if they have a large ASD.  If an ASD does not close on it's own, cardiac catheterization or open heart surgery may be required to repair it.  We are praying that Anibella's will heal completely on it's own!   


We were told, very briefly, over the phone this morning that Anibella's ASD is small but our Pediatrician didn't tell us the size.  Anibella's heart is tiny because she is only 9 months old so saying the hole is "small" doesn't tell us much.  I have called my Pediatrician's office to request more information & we will be learning as much as we can about it.  We are hoping & praying, earnestly & with all of our hearts, that the hole in our sweet baby's heart will heal quickly & on it's own without needing medical intervention.  


SO.......I've been asked, "How are you doing?".  Well, this is how I'm doing.......my heart is sad, fearful, disappointed & confused.  I certainly did not expect to hear that my sweet baby, who I adore & passionately love with every fiber of my being, has a hole in her heart!  No parent ever wants to or expects to hear that!  BUT.......I know my God is good!  I know my God is worthy to be trusted!  I know my God loves & adores my sweet little Anibella Hope Palmer more than I could ever imagine!  I have cried many tears & my heart has cried out to God!  When I am tempted to fear, doubt & worry, I think of the words that my kind, loving, amazing God breathed from the beginning of time & they comfort me. 

Psalm 43:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."
 
Psalm 9:10, "And those who know your name put their turst in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 62:8, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
 
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you for your love & care!  It means more to us than you could ever know & we are so grateful!  Please continue to pray for our sweet baby!  We are trusting & resting in God & praying for Him to come to our aid.  He is good & worthy of our praise.  My heart is fearful but my Father knows & cares for every detail & I am so grateful!  He has given us our precious little Anibella ♥ & we are so very grateful for her & all that God has done for us!