UPDATE #1

So I can maybe type now without shaking. I was answering the door just as the phone rang and so McCaden answered the phone. "Shauntelle, it's Emily" is all that had to be said and I knew and at that exact second my heart broke in two. I have a breaking, thankful and joyful heart all at the same time. Who knew that was possible? The surgeon just called and said that the surgery has been pushed back to 3:00 am so we have a long night ahead. Kaidence is happy as can be. We gave her a bath and put her hair into pigtails (because it makes her spunky) and mike painted her toenails a lovely pink. Thank You for all of your prayers.

WE HAVE A HEART!

We just got the call. Kaidence is getting a new heart. The surgeons will go to pick it up tonight around 8:00 pm. The surgery won't be till after midnight and what a perfect Christmas gift. Kaidence will get a new heart on her 10 month Birthday. As you pray for Kaidence, please be sure to pray for the family that gave us this most beautiful gift. My heart breaks for them but I hope that they can feel of the love and gratitude we have for them. Merry Christmas. We will update through the night.

OUR CHRISTMAS LETTER TO YOU!

Dearest friends and family, December 2007

During this time of year we often reflect upon the many blessings that we have been given. As many of you know our family has much to be thankful for. We have been given a trial to overcome but through it we have learned so much about life and are living many of the important lessons that life lends us. We know without a doubt that this trial has been a blessing to our family as well as many others. It is our hope that we can all learn from life’s trials, because if good can come from them they will in turn bless our own lives as well as the lives of others. Trials are blessings not punishments, you just sometimes have to look a little deeper and wait a little longer to see the blessings arise.
One thing that we have learned is that despite all of the bad that we see in the world, there are many good people. People are good and most want to do good. It is not very often that we hear about all the good that people do. When we look at the world as a good place we feel that we will be more likely to radiate that good ourselves. We have been blessed by so many. We are so grateful to the many that have reached out to our family and for the many ongoing hours of service that have been so graciously given in our behalf. We have been served in so many ways and through it have taken the opportunity to continue teaching McCaden and Camden as well as ourselves about the importance of service and serving others. As this is the season of giving gifts, we thank you for the gifts of service that we have received. Our hearts have been touched by the kindness and love of others. We will forever carry with us the gift of service that you have imprinted upon our hearts.
Miracles do happen. We have witnessed this many times during our journey. Kaidence is still with us. Kaidence is our little miracle. Never before have we been in a situation where we have seen the Lord’s hand in everything that is done, until now. The spirit has guided our family and the doctors, to know what is best for Kaidence and he has provided a way to make it happen. We thank everyone for all of your many prayers that have been given. We have a bitter sweet miracle waiting to take place as we wait for a new heart for Kaidence and we give thanks to whomever it comes from for giving kaidence a new chance at life for a new year. We will hold this gift precious forever in our hearts and we will never forget. As we love and nurture Kaidence through the years we will also love and nurture the spirit of the heart that has been given in hopes that we can in a small sense give back.
Take peace in knowing that families ARE forever! Take the time to hold your loved ones a little longer. Spend more meaningful time together and remember that our Savior Jesus Christ loves and knows each one of us. Do what you can always and then he will do the rest.
We wish you the Love and Peace of the season and hope that it will be carried with you always in your hearts.

With Hope and Love,
The Stephenson’s
Mike, Shauntelle, McCaden, Camden and little Kaidence

GIVE THANKS!

First of all please notice that Mike put on some updated pics. Up in the upper left hand corner of the blog is another link that will take you to more pictures. Thanks a bunch love. Looking at the pictures I am amazed at how far we have come. I can picture what she used to look like when she was very sick ( I didn't take pictures of Kaidence when she looked really bad because if something happened I wanted to remember her happy and healthy).Things are very well and we are getting ready for a Christmas like no other. I think that although our Christmas will be very far from traditional we will forever hold this Christmas in the softest parts of our hearts. Every time I walk down to the cafeteria, I get emotional at all of the people bringing in wrapped Christmas gifts to donate to the hospital. That hospital could never be what it is without all of those that donate. Those donations of whatever it may be are put to very good use and the children love getting a special something brought to their bedside just because someone is thinking of them.
We also could never be what we are without all of you. Thank You for all that you have given. And a very special Thank You to the family that made special secret delivery to our home last night. Your gift and example will be carried on forever in our home as long as we are alive. We will think of the sweet sacrifice that was made by your children as we teach our children like you have taught yours. May you be blessed for your love and sacrifice. We will blog the big things that take place over the weekend, if anything different takes place. If Kaidence does get a special gift we will notify everyone by the blog and we will then keep it up more frequent during the Christmas Holiday.... So still check in every once in a while during all of the craziness. Merry Christmas and we love you.!

TIRED AND SWEATY!

Kaidence is still pretty sweaty today. She seems tired and a little fussier at times. I think that she has more teeth on the way because she chews on anything and everything. She also gets very excited when she she is about to get her numbing medicine for her gums. I don't think that she feels very well the last couple of days and I just hope that we can keep her healthy so that she can get a heart. I am starting to feel a little more anxious.

POOR RIGHT HEART FUNCTION!

So sorry that we haven't updated for a few days. Things have been pretty busy with Christmas on it's way. Kaidence has been sweating a lot the past few days and I felt that something was not right so they did an echo and found that her right heart isn't pumping well at all. The Berlin Heart is only helping with the left side because in the past her right heart was able to keep up. They are placing her back on IV medication to help improve the function. If that does not work they will look at once again replacing the pump but this time going with a bigger pump. The pump now holds 10cc of blood and I think the next size may hold 20cc (not positive though). I think that the medication will do the trick. We should know more in the next few days. I just don't want to place another Berlin Heart for her right side.

We are hoping that all is well with everyone and that you all know how much we appreciate your love and thank you for all of your generosity. We are so blessed.