Rebecca Story's ongoing heart condition:
The following is a recent report from Becca's mother, Denise. There will be followup reports on her condition.
Dear Friends and prayer partners,
I know each of you over the last 12 years have prayed for Rebecca and her heart condition.
We have just arrived home from our trip to Rochester, MN where we see specialist at the Mayo Clinic that have been monitoring her for many years. We have been blessed with the fact that she has been able to weather her severe condition this long. Unfortunately, the time has come.
With great sadness in my heart, Rebecca will be having Open Heart surgery in May, 2010. As parents, we don't have a lot of choices. If the heart remains, even though she is strong now and doing very well, her right ventricle will eventually collapse under the pressure and leakage from the tricuspid valve. She will eventually die due to right sided heart failure or would need heart transplantation if a donor is found.
This does not paint a pretty picture. So with that said, we will have the surgery. Even though I am so scared and at this time can not imagine the magnitude it will bring, I know that this is the only way we have to go. Her surgery will be performed in Minnesota. We will be there no longer than 2 weeks if all goes well. The surgery is intense and very complicated. It will last at least 4 or more hours. I can begin to describe its magnitude, but I know that God will be there with her and us during it all. If I did not have that hope, I could not go on.
With that said, I want to "thank you" for remembering her over the years and pray that you will continue to remember us during the upcoming months. Pray that I will have strength to deal with this and be strong for her. My heart is heavy now. It was unexpected at this early age, but I am so "Thankful" they can help her.
Love to each one of you. I could not go on without you!
God's Blessings
Denise
