Busy week ahead

We have a busy week ahead and ask for everyone's prayers for our Jenna. She has consultation at the surgeon's office tomorrow at 2:30. They will do another EKG and Echo cardiogram on her. Wednesday Adam has open house at JCC for college. Thursday is Jenna's procedure at Kosair, we are suppose to be there at 6am, the procedure will begin around 8am and last 2-3 hours and she will be recovery 6 to 8 hours after that, a very long day. We should have a good idea what the plan for future surgery will be when we leave that day. Friday friends from Okoloma are coming in for a visit, this is extra special because their daughter Sarah and Jenna were best friends in the orphanage together, this will be the first time they have seen each other in 3 years.
We are in the process of fighting with the IRS with our adoption tax credit they are now not wanting to pay which is $3500.00, if we don't get that money it will really add more stress because we are counting on that for travel. I know it will all work out so right now I'm trying to put that one out of my head, just is frustrating to fight with our own govenment about money they owe us and now don't want to honor.
Let's pray it's a good week.

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry about yesterday, it was a real tough day. I think a lot of things were building up. Stress and worry with Jenna's health, then to think someone says I can't see my baby's face anymore for 5-6 months, just broke this camel's back.
I had a much needed cry and thank you to all our friends and family for letting me vent on you. It really did help.
I woke up this morning determined and refreshed. I am determined that we are going to China this year! Some how, some way we will have Leah in our arms for Christmas. I am determined to get a few more updated photos of her before we go. I have a few friends in China that I hope can help with this situation with the orphanage. So right now I'm staying positive. We are very thankful Leah is are daughter and can't wait to bring her home.
During these last few months before she gets here we will focus on getting her big sister healthy and strong, raise the rest of the money we need for the adoption, momma will continue to lose weight and we will figure out where everyone is going to sleep in our house.
By the way, I can't share details, but I did get a little bit of good news today. It was much needed and we are thankful for any good news that comes our way. Every small step gets us closer to Leah.

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say, Then Don't Say Anything At All...

I've heard heard that saying a million times and said it a million times to my own kids. Well today I'm not going to listen. I'm having a really rotten day and I'm feeling really down in the dumps so I'm going to say what is on my mind.

My day started off with my money being returned from the wonderful ladies who handle getting our updated pictures of Leah from China. They returned the money stating that the orphanage was no longer going to allow us to get updates on Leah. One reason given was because in the past parents have asked for updates then once they receive them stop the adoption because the child appears to have something more wrong then what they were told, so they have to be careful. Ok, you have given me 3 updates in the past few months, I have sent her numerous presents and letters, does it appear that we are going to change our minds? Then the next statement really rubbed me the wrong way, they feel they have given us plenty of updates on her and will not give us anymore we should be good until we come get her! Are you kidding me? For one, I pay for the updates, they are not free!, second not that I think they would understand but she is my daughter and she is thousands of miles away from us and this is the only link we have to her. The only way we know she is healthy and ok. We are spoiled by the relationship we have with Jenna's orphanage, and I know how lucky we are to have that.I get you may be short staffed and that taking photos of a lot of babies takes up time. But don't tell a mom that is worried about her baby and who just wants to feel connected to her that she can't see her or know how she is doing for 5 months, it's cruel.

After today's news on the pictures I contacted our agency only to find out more depressing information, we will NOT be getting our LOA (Letter of Acceptance) this week, which means no travel for 2011. Crushing, bummed, mind blowing and power for the course for the Olges family. We start the adoption process both times and things slow down that is just our luck. How do some families have to wait 90 or more days for their LOA and some get theirs in 45 days. It doesn't make any sense. We have been waiting 62 days. We know a family who have been waiting 5 days less and got their LOA yesterday, I just don't get it, I'm sure I never will. We want to bring Leah home so bad. We hoped for a Christmas break travel so Jenna could go and not miss school since she would be out for so many weeks coming up for her heart, but doesn't look like that will be in the cards. I know it will all work out, goodness I have heard that, and I know that, but right now I just want to complain and well be cranky!

ONEREPUBLIC - GOOD LIFE LYRICS

ONEREPUBLIC - GOOD LIFE LYRICS

I sure do love this song.

Jenna update

August 4th we have to be at Kosair Children's Hospital at 6:00am, they will perform the procedure around 8:00am. We were told the procedure will take around 2-3 hours and she will be at the hospital for 6-8 hours after in recovery.

Why perform a catheterization?

Heart catheterizations helps cardiologists gain information needed to fully evaluate a condition and recommend treatment for your child. It is a test that shows how the heart chambers, valves, and vessels are formed, and how they are functioning. A cath also provides cardiologists with information about specific areas of the heart and lungs. For patients who need surgery, a cath provides surgeons detailed information not available through other testing, such as the precise location of abnormalities and the specific structure of your child's heart. A heart cath may also be used therapeutically, to treat a condition or to correct a problem.

They will be able to determine the exact amount of leakage from her pulmonary valve from this procedure. If they decide that she needs her valve replaced they will schedule this a few weeks later.

We are saying a lot of prayers for God to keep his hands on her little heart and help it heal and let her recover very quickly.

We are also saying some prayers that our LOA comes from China this week, so that we can travel in 2011 to bring Leah home.

Have a great week everyone.

Do You Need a Date Night?

Do you need a date night? Movie and dinner is always a nice treat. We are selling chances for a $50.00 gift card for dinner and movie. The chances are $5.00 each. Please email me KOlges@aol.com if you are intrested or leave me a message here.

Small update

Yesterday Jenna's cardiologist Dr. Villafane called back and said he spent the evening speaking to some of his counter parts regarding his favorite patient and her condition. He is referring her to his friend Dr. Ryan Leahy. Dr. Leahy now has all Jenna's test results and thinks the best thing to do is to order a cardio catherization test to meassure the exact amount of leakage from the valve. If the sonogram is wrong and it is way less then what it shows (not likely, but could happen) then maybe they can go in during the catherization with a balloon and inflate the valves to buy her some time before valve replacement. If the catherization shows it is a major leak then replacing the valve and doing open heart surgery will be the course of action. Dr. Leahy's office is suppose to call in the next week or so to schedule the test with us.
Jenna now knows something is wrong with her heart again and is very upset about it. She teared up but wouldn't allow her brave herself to cry. She looked up at all of us and said i don't want to have surgery again like i did in China, i think I remember I didn't like it and I'm scared. It broke all our hearts. I wish i could give her my heart so she would never have to go through another surgery or take another pill.

Not the news we wanted to hear

I think I had prepared myself yesterday that we may hear these words ( It's time for surgery) but it still knocked the wind out of me. I first thought we had made it through the visit without to much change. Dr. Villafane was pleased with the small amount of growth in her heart size in the past 6 months from the X-rays, but then the sonogram of her heart would change everything. The first small red flag to me was that she had gained 4 pounds in 6 months ( a growth spurt) something that never happens for Jenna, something that has been told to us over and over again that when it happens would cause more leakage of her valve. Sure enough, there on the sonogram bright color was tons leakage. The nurse finished up and told her to put her clothes back on and for us to wait for the doctor. A few minutes later Dr. V came back in the room, only to have Jenna take her shirt back off and back on the table and he started to re-do the sonogram on her heart, putting her in many strange positions they had never done before and they were talking about things we had no idea about. Panic was setting in with both Scott and I at this point. He finished up and said, well guys I don't think we can wait any longer, her leak is now a massive one and it's to dangerous to wait, she needs to see a surgeon. He discussed two procedures that could be done, valve replacement most likely with about a two month recover period, and then a possible balloon cath procedure that could buy her a few more years before a valve replacement is needed, he isn't hopeful that surgeon will allow it with the amount of leakage but we will have to wait and see. It will take 2 weeks to even get a call from a surgeon, then we have to get an appointment, then they want to try and get it scheduled ASAP, because right now she isn't cleared to go to China and she will need 2 months to recover before she would be cleared.
We have not discussed much detail with her yet as we waiting to talk to the surgeon first. Please say a lot of prayers for her.

Say some prayers

Jenna goes to see the cardiologist today at 3:30. We are praying there have been no changes since the last visit in January. I had to take her for X-rays and blood work yesterday. You can see here how enlarged her heart is on the right side.

A Pretty Good Monday

I started my Monday off right with a email of four new pictures of Leah, so that great! I just love getting new pictures of her and seeing how she changes and feeling apart of her life. Today's pictures she was wearing the dress we mailed to her in the first care package. She should receive the second care package later this week.
On the adoption status right now, we are praying really hard for our LOA (letter of acceptance) to come in by the end of July, this needs to get here soon so we can travel in 2011. It will be really hard not to have her in our arms for Christmas this year. We really want to be home and settled a little before Christmas, but we just want to be with her at this point.

3 years ago today we landed at Louisville airport with Jenna home from China, I can't believe it's been 3 years ago, time flies! I swore I would never go back, three years later I'm praying to get me there as fast as possible.

We also start our next fund raisor today, we are selling raffle tickets for dinner a movie gift card valued at $50.00, the chances are $5.00 each, please let me know if you would like some. We will be drawing the winner August 6th! Good luck and thank you.

New photos, I think she needs a nap!

Leah is getting some more goodies

Tonight I prepared a box of goodies to send to our baby girl. It just contained 4 new outfits, a thin soft blanket to cuddle, head bands (not that I think they will put them on her, but I just had to try) a magical wand rattle and another disposible camera.

We should be getting new pictures of her some time next week. It would have been this week, but the assistant director and helper are both out of town so they are the ones who normally take the photos. Hopefully by early next week we will have some.

Since our wait is long, we will be getting pictures as often as we can and sending her several packages, just makes us feel better.

What a great weekend

We had a wonderful weekend. We went to Hubers Farm with my parents on Saturday. Sunday we spent the day shopping and hanging out together. On Monday our best friends returned from their vacation, we ate dinner at thier house then watched fireworks together. We see each other almost every day so we really missed them for the week they were gone.

Sunday when we were shopping we priced Sit and Stand Strollers for the girls at Babies R Us, on sale they had been running around $140.00. After leaving Babies R Us we drove to Once Upon A Child Consignment Store and found one in excellent condition for $70.00. We love it and we ahead and purchased it. It's my first time buying used, but I have to say I loved saving the money and it looks great!