After 521 days of waiting for that perfect heart match for Ela, we got the call around 3:30 AM on September 6 that her new heart was in! At around 6 AM a couple of the doctors came to update us on how the surgery went. They said things like:
“She has all 4 chambers and both ventriculs. She isn’t blue anymore. The transplant went better than expected. The bleeding wasn’t as bad as we expected. This was probably one of the smoothest transplants I have seen in the OR. She still has those collaterals (they should disappear now with time) and there are some things to watch, but she is doing great so far.” Words that we have longed to hear for so long…Words that we didn’t know for certain we would hear…but GOD…! Thank you, LORD! Thank you, donor family, that chose to selflessly give in their time of immense suffering. We will be forever grateful for the heart that now beats in our daughter’s chest. Thank you to every medical professional that had a part in the process. The logistics of the transplant process still boggles my mind!
The surgeon is closing her up now and we will transition over to the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) for a long day ahead. The team does expect the heart and kidneys to struggle some as Ela’s body learns to adjust, but pray that the LORD will continue to sustain her through the challenges. Pray as we navigate this new post-transplant life. There will be new challenges, new medicines, new lifestyle habits and I’m sure more that I am not even aware of yet. But just like we have done (or tried to do) since Ela’s heart journey began over 4 years ago, we plan to take it one day at a time.
521 days listed.
71 inpatient.
Psalm 139 is the chapter that I found comfort in when we first heard Ela’s HLHS diagnoses at her 20 week anatomy scan. On this special day, September 6, 2024 where a huge milestone has been crossed, I want to again reflect on these great verses that remind us of God’s omnipresence no matter where we find ourselves.
“You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:2-14
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! We will continue to pray throughout the coming days for all of You. Your faith is truly inspiring to all who struggle in this life. Thank you for reminding us where our strength comes from. We love you all.
Aw Leslee&Miguel & family. This is such great God news! We r so happy with & for yall! I know its gonna still be a long, hard recovery road but gabriela & yall have been through so much and done so great that we know yall will get thru this. As always we love yall and will continue praying🙏🙏💕💕
What beautiful words. All of this. We praise God with you! And as always, prayers and love.
Hallelujah. What’s wonderful update. Rejoicing with you and continuing to pray. Psalm 139 indeed.
Praise the Lord! Such wonderful news! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Oh Miguel and Leslee, this brings tears to my eyes and I am not a cryer! Praise God and His blessings on you and Ela. We will continue to thank Him and pray for all of you!! Buddy and Bonnie
Oh my goodness, this is such positive and uplifting news. I am so happy for all of you, especially Ella- and still send thoughts and prayers to the family who is grieving a different battle. Please keep us updated!
Praising God for this miracle for Ela! Praying for her recovery!
I have chills!!! God still is a miracle- worker and healer!
That is wonderful news. I know you have waited a long time to hear those words. Praise God for answered prayers.
Praise God! We praise you and thank you for this gift! We pray for the donor family. We pray as Ella moves forward she continues to give you all praise and glory and honor for this greatest blessing Life! Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers and lifting them up to our father in heaven. Thank you Holy Spirit for being there in the darkest moments hearing our groanings and taking them to God the father on behalf of Ella. Thank you that we serve a living God who hears and answers our prayers. Thank you for answered prayer for Ella as she adjust to this new heart and new life, thank you for all the Doctors Nurses and caregivers, Amen!
Hallelujah! Praise God for answered prayers. The journey is not over and will require a long recovery time but with God’s continued blessings she will be a healthy little girl. Ela is a walking, talking testimony of God’s love and His answers to our prayers. Continuing to lift her, her family and the donor family up in prayer. God’s continued blessings on each of you.
Hi, We express our gratitude to God with you for giving Ela a new heart. May the Lord bring healing. Love in Jesus, Drs. Joseph and Joel Pinter 🙏
Ps. 34:1–“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
I have been sharing your story with the students today as we have prayed for your family, the donor’s family, and Gabriela’s surgery and recovery. We are thankful for the Lord’s provision!
So thankful everything went well.continued prayers
Once again we praise God for being with Ela and your family.
Now we begin to pray for the recovery process.
God is gracious, God is good, God is ❤️ loving, God is kind. He has heard numerous prayers for Ela and the family. “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion …” Prayers for you all.
Simply rejoicing with you. Our God comes through again…humbling. Praying continually.❤️
All Glory to Almighty God who has done great things! We praise His name for answered prayer. At the same time we pray for the donor’s family as they grieve the loss of a loved one. We continue now to ask God to help Ela’s body to adjust well.
Mom and Dad you have been faithful with what God has entrusted you with and you have been an enormous testimony to the faithfulness of God. You really should write a book!❤️