Surgery #7

They were only able to close up one side of incisions, she doesn't have enough skin to close up all of it. They put in drain tubes and packed with a spongy material. The plan is to let Zoey recover until Tuesday and then they'll begin skin grafts. Pray that infection doesn't spread more so she doesn't have to undergo more surgery this weekend. Pray she continues to get more protein in her.

Day 6, another surgery after all

Unfortunately Zoey had to have surgery today after all. Not because infection was spotted, but because they wanted to start getting her incisions closed up so they don't begin to heal while they are open. Temporary closures began today, and they will try to fully close up tomorrow.

Surgery #5

Zoey's surgery went very well today! The surgeon said he saw NO INFECTION and NOTHING had to be removed! They have not closed up the incisions yet though. Tomorrow the plan is to have the surgeon look for no more signs of infection, but they will give her a day of rest and no surgery! Her tired body needs this recovery time! Also tomorrow, the plastic surgeon will be coming in to talk about what reconstruction will look like. Friday's surgery will have one last clean out, and then begin the closing up of incisions and reconstruction. All I can say is GOD IS GOOD and hears our prayers! He has been faithful to see Zoey Bryan and Valorie through this, and now the worst is over! Praising Jesus! To Him be the glory! Thank you Father for your infinite love and healing power! {insert tears of joy and praise}. We are all overwhelmed with happy tears. Feels like a huge weight lifted off. Thank you to every person who has been praying for our girl, your support is cherished! On another note, Zoey is doing her best to get more nutrients. She is currently sipping on a PediaSure.

A message from Bryan

From Bryan: "In the past few years I have been diagnosed and beaten cancer, seen my wife roll her car, I as a pedestrian got hit by a car, and now Zoey is going through all of this. God worked miracles with us every time. Even as I type this he is working on Zoey's miracle. I truly believe that he is raising me up to be a soldier for Christ. I want to thank everyone for the love and support through all of this. Your prayers have been felt by my wife and I. Quick update on Zoey. She will go in again for surgery this morning and this time they will stitch a feeding tube in so she can't rip it out like the last one. Thank you all for your prayers and god bless you all. Thanks!"

You two were destined for greatness, and so are your three beautiful daughters! Sometimes we don't understand why He allows things to happen until it's over and we can look back and clearly see how every step was guided by His hands, and that He never once left your side. Also to see how the body of Christ is working in all this right now makes us stand in awe. Just to think of how many people, many we don't even know, are covering our girl in prayer! We couldn't go through such difficult times without the faith and hope that is Jesus Christ. I am excited to see how much more God blesses you in this life!

Prayer request for today: Surgery #5 is planned within the next 1-2 hours. Again we are hoping this is IT and the can begin to sew up all of Zoey's incisions. Jesus let them find no more reason to keep these incisions open. Let Zoey begin the next chapter of reconstruction and healing! 

2 steps forward, 1 step back. Surgery #4

2 steps forward, 1 step back. The PICC line is in, which should make things a lot easier for Zoey to receive her antibiotics and pain meds. They did put in a feeding tube as well, which we knew was going to be a struggle. She really needs the nutrients in her body to be able to heal, but unfortunately the NG tube didn't last long before Zoey pulled it out. She is a feisty little fighter! This evening she is doing her best to try to eat; she was able to eat 2 chicken nuggets and an egg yolk. Way to go Zoey!

Surgery #4 today did find more infectious tissue. This is definitely disappointing news. We really believed that today would be it. Her poor little body is going to have to endure yet another surgery tomorrow. This infection needs to STOP spreading! Her body has been through enough, and it's time to begin healing and the next step of this crazy journey. Our hearts are hurting for her tonight.

On a brighter note, some encouraging news! They feel that for the time being she is safe enough to not have to be in ICU! Tonight Bryan was able to have some precious father-daughter time, carrying his baby girl to her new isolation room outside of ICU. <3

Prayer request from Valorie

Just got an update from Valorie:

"We really need prayer right now- Zoey is really struggling. She is in so much pain. She is having a hard time keeping an IV in and she doesn't understand what they are doing to her. She thinks they are torturing her. I just hate to see her suffering.... They finally decided to sedate her and got the IV in that way. They should have done that from the beginning. The last two and a half hours have been incredibly difficult, both for Zoey and us. Having to watch her go through this, holding her down, listening to her scream from mommy to help her is taking it's emotional toll. I need some prayer too. They will be putting in the PICC today so at least we know that things will be a bit easier on poor little Zoey, and the prayer is that hopefully there will not have to be anymore clean out surgeries after today and we can move on to reconstruction and healing".

A few things to be in prayer for today: Zoey will be having another surgery today to check again for infected tissue, and she will have surgery every day until no infection is found. As of last night there is no sign of infection in the bone, but this bacteria is still not controlled. We are believing that they will not find any more infection and they can start to close up all the incisions. She has not been able to eat on her own and she needs to or they will have to put in a feeding tube. Today they will also be putting in the PICC line, so pray that goes smoothly and successfully on the first try. This is going to be a very long road for Zoey, Bryan and Valorie. Please continue to pray for them, and for the team of doctors and nurses at Children's. Pray for Valorie...this is very difficult to watch her baby go through so much. Whenever you think of their family today, pray for peace. 

Day 3, surgery #3

This morning Zoey was in a great deal of pain after a rough night. She unknowingly pulled out her IVs and went awhile without any pain medication. The redness on her leg continued to creep upward so they again had to make the incision larger, as well as another new incision on her thigh. Unfortunately they did find and remove more infected tissue in her thigh. The good news is they made cuts down to the bone, and NO infection was found in the bone! This is great news! Also, the worst part of the infection in her lower calf is receding! Praise Jesus!

However, with the find of more infected tissue today, this means another surgery is for sure going to happen tomorrow afternoon. Please uplift Valorie, she is have a very hard day. As you can imagine, this is such a gut-wrenching emotional journey. At the end of the day, Valorie was able to hold Zoey for awhile. This was a much needed moment for both Valorie and Zoey. Mama cried a sweet sigh of relief when they put her baby girl in her arms after a couple days of not being able to hold her girl. <3

Pray tonight that Zoey has an appetite. She needs some protein in her system. If she is unable to eat tonight, they are considering the option of a feeding tube. Praying for rest and peace tonight.

2 surgeries on day 2

Late last night Zoey was transported to Seattle Children's Hospital by aid car when they thought she had a skin infection needing surgical attention, called Cellulitis. Zoey came out of surgery in the wee hours of the morning, along with the daunting diagnosis of Necrotizing Faciitis, otherwise known as a flesh eating bacterial infection. NF is a fast spreading disease that destroys the body's soft tissue, and can infect surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The cause of this infection is unknown, but thought to be from bacteria entering her body through either an insect bite or a small cut. She is on 4 strong antibiotics to fight this infection. The surgery was to remove dead infected tissue to help stop the spread of infection. Doctors prepared the family for the worst possible outcome, that Zoey could possibly need an amputation of her leg if infection could not be contained, and the more scary possibility of loss of life.

After the first surgery, Zoey was left sedated in preparation for another surgery. Redness on her leg continued to spread upward today, and surgery #2 was performed this evening. They had to extend her lower incision, and make another one in her thigh to check to check for more infected tissue. Praises to Jesus, NO additional infection was found. She will still have another surgery tomorrow, but at the moment no infection being found is very encouraging news! Sadly, Zoey is having a hard time with pain and discomfort coming out of this surgery. Her poor little body is undergoing quite the traumatic ordeal.

Surgery #3 is scheduled for mid-morning tomorrow. This is a very rapid spreading infection, therefore the need for aggressive treatment and close monitoring. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!