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My name is Leanna. When I was nine days old I went into heart failure. I really scared my mommy and daddy.
On December 27th I just wasn't feeling well and so I decided not to eat. I just kept throwing it up anyway. The next day mommy and daddy took me to the hospital. They thought I had the flu. I was in heart failure.
When the nurse saw me she said "bring that baby with me now!" Another nurse took me from my mommy's arms and practically threw me on the bed. I was so weak I didn't care. They told my mommy I was in severe shock. I will let my mommy tell the rest.
My beautiful daughter was born on December 19th, 2002. She was perfect.
We took her home and when she was eight days old she was not feeling that well and she was throwing up. I thought she had the flu. I remember telling my husband that we better take her to the hospital in the morning cause she was so young.
The next day she refused any food. I was pretty worried. We got ready and took her in. What a shock I was in for.
When the nurse looked at her she said "bring that baby with me now!" I rushed behind her and another nurse took her and laid her on the bed. From then on I was in shock.
I could hear "code blue, code blue, someone from neonatal stat"
I could hear needle covers hitting the floor.
I could hear the steps of many nurses running to help my baby.
I started to cry and then bawl. What is going on? What is wrong with my baby?
A nurse led me and my husband to a room to wait. I was in denial. I still believed it was the flu. I called my mom and cried to her on the phone that something was wrong.
The wait in that room was the longest wait in my life. Finally someone came and told us to go to the neonatal unit. I thought ok, it's RSV ( respritory virus). When we arrived we could not see Leanna. I was so dissapointed. I thought what are they doing? She must be settled by now.
Little did I know that my baby was fighting for her life. Four hours later the doctor came to talk to us. He sat down and said "Your baby is very sick. She has congenital heart disease." I went numb. I said "Your joking, right?" He had tears in his eyes and said "No, ma'am. I'm not and she needs to be airlifted to the nearest children's hospital that can receive her for immediate surgery."
I thought what else are you going to tell us? How could you say this? He then said we could see her.
It was not a pretty site. She was in such shock that they had to take her umbilical cord off to insert an IV. They had to paralyze her with drugs so she wouldn't stress her heart. She could not move. She was fighting for her life.
I held her hand and prayed "God please keep her in your care."
I could only see her for five minutes twice.
She was airlifted to Montreal Children's Hospital. I could not go. She needed a full crew to work on her. I was devastated. Would this be the last time I saw her?
I took the first flight, along with my sister, at 7am the next morning. When we arrived I had a hard time going to the hospital to see her. I did not want to see her this way. Eventually we walked over and we went up to the pediatric intensive care unit on the 9th floor. When I walked into the room I saw her right away. I felt no emotion. I couldn't allow myself for fear of totally breaking down.
I went over to her bed and started praying and singing to her. I'll never forget the song. "Jesus Loves the Litle Children." She had tonnes of wires coming and going. She had about twelve pumps hooked up to her. It was very scary. I just had to touch her and make her know that I was there and that God was with her.
She had her surgery four days later on January 1st, 2003. She had two holes repaired (VSD,ASD), coartation of the aorta repaired and a suture put in her mitral valve to control a mild leak. We were also told that she has aortic stenosis and a bicuspid valve, and her left bottom heart is a little small.
I was delighted that the surgery was a success. I am so thankful to God for giving these surgeons the wisdom to do this kind of work.
Leanna remained in the PICU unit for two weeks. She was then transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit. She stayed there for two more weeks. Then she was able to come home.
We arrived home on January 21st, 2003. The day before my oldest daughter's birthday. I was so happy to see her as I had not seen her for a month. That alone, was very hard for me to deal with. We celebrated her third birthday at my sister's house.
Leanna has had several tests done since her stay at the Montreal Children's Hospital. We were told that she had suffered brian damage and all of her major organs had suffered due to severe shock. We were told she may have trouble walking (gross motor skills)or learining (cognitive thinking). At her first neurological assesment she showed delays in the gross motor skills area. She got prayed for at our local church and Jesus healed her. At the next neurological assesment she was actually advanced in that exact and only area. I beieve God healed her.
The doctor also told us that she would need a Ross-Konno procedure. Again our church pastor and members prayed for little Leanna. At her next ECHO (heart ultrasound)it showed that she just needed the Ross Procedure now. The muscle that was damaged had somehow repaired itself. I know that God had intervened.
I know you are probably saying "Why didn't God completely heal this child?" and I have an answer. Leanna has touched many lives through her testimony and I believe that she will touch many more lives as God continues to heal her and work in her life. I believe that God has a bigger plan for Leanna in the future.
Leanna is now a thriving two year old. She runs and plays. She is not on any medication. She is my miracle baby.
Look at the pictures seefor yourself what God has done for her and her family.
