“Let the storm rage on, The cold never bothered me anyway”

Could she possibly be any more adorable? I especially love the "pssshhh" hand motion after she sings "the cold never bothered me anyway". LOL! That's our Zoey Rene! :)

As you might have imagined, the Chalk girls' favorite movie is none other then Disney's Frozen. We are frequently graced with those lyrics :) It brings me to a deeper meaning though, the storms of our life. We have all faced a storm or two in our lives, had times when life just didn’t make sense, when our problems were big and faith seemed too little, when we are utterly afraid that we would be overtaken by the raging storm whether it be emotional or physical. The Chalk family has experienced a number of those storms themselves in the last year alone. And little Zoey has fared her storm with such courage and determination.

April 2014

Zoey’s story became public when she contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh Eating Bacteria) in May of last year. After 8 surgeries to save her leg and ultimately saving her life, she miraculously recovered when all odds were against her. But you see, even though the weeks in the hospital, afraid of losing her leg, afraid she might lose her life…. All the sleepless nights spent storming heaven’s gates pleading our merciful father for healing, for a miracle…. All the pain that Zoey suffered, and the impact her scaring still has on her life today and might for many years to come… Through all of that storm, we still see it all as a blessing in disguise. But aren’t the most beautiful testimonies paved with stormy weather? In the testing to save her life last year, another scare was discovered. A hole in Zoey’s heart. If left undiscovered, it’s possible that the condition could have eventually taken her life. We knew last year that it was going to be a surgical necessity reasonably soon, but her depleted tired body needing some time to recover from all the surgery, for her leg to heal, and to be sure that the bacteria would not continue to spread. We were told in one year they would revisit this.

Now three years old, and as we reached the one year mark of Zoey’s brave battle with Flesh Eating Bacteria, she was again within the walls of Seattle Children’s Hospital last week. Only this time it was in cardiology, hooked up to heart monitors.

photo copyright of Komo 4 News http://www.komonews.com/news/health/Doctors-discover-heart-defect-while-treating-toddler-for-flesh-eating-bacteria-260341351.html

The hole is causing her heart to pump so much extra blood that the right half of her heart is very enlarged. Without some kind of surgical intervention this will eventually cause complications for her. Scary stuff. The verdict of the top surgeons is this: the hole in her heart is large, so large in fact and too close to the lining of her heart that a surgery via catheterization is not an option, as it comes with too high a risk of causing damage that potentially could lead to her bleeding out. With that said, Zoey is going to be scheduled for open heart surgery sometime within the next month. She will be in the hospital for one week, then have a 6-8 week recovery at home as her sternum will be broken to perform the surgery. In the weeks leading to surgery they have her on a heart monitor to catch the abnormalities of her heart rhythm.

All things said, let the storm rage on…. The cold never bothered us anyway, right? Not when we know who goes before us, and who will keep our girl safe yet again. Zoey will fare this storm too. Our God is faithful and has never once left her side. This too shall pass and we will again glorify His mighty name! Please remember Zoey, her family, and all of the medical team at Children’s in your prayers in the weeks leading up to her open heart surgery. And again, your support and love is cherished by all of us! 

You can follow her story on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZoeysHope

"When you fall, you can get up again"

Here's an update from Komo 4 News. Thank you to the amazing community! Your help is much appreciated! Thank you to Molly Shen, The Problem Solvers, and all of the Komo staff for your continued support as well! The Chalk family is beyond blessed and thankful for all the support! The end of the video brought me to tears: "Zoey is proof that when you fall, you can get up again" <3

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Dad-Amazing-recovery-for-young-flesh-eating-bacteria-victim-215313041.html?tab=video&c=y

Also a huge thank you to the BOEING FAMILY who put together some fundraisers on behalf of the Chalk family. Your compassion, efforts, and generosity have touched the family so deeply. Bless each and every one of you!

Thank you all for being Zoey's hope, and for your continued prayers and support. More updates will come as we face more surgery to fix the hole in Zoey's heart, and try to figure out whatever autoimmune condition she may have. 

Much love,
Zoey's family

Quick Update and Photos

It's been 10 days since Zoey came home from the hospital. Her leg is healing pretty well, with only a couple of the wider places struggling to stay closed up. Zoey is doing pretty well getting around now- she started crawling a couple days ago! Being able to move around has made her so happy! Although if she over does it, the pain is inevitable :(

She is still not eating very well, but she does drink her PediaSure to supplement. Her favorite snack is Mickey Mouse shaped cheese and hard boiled eggs :)

Monday the 24th is her next doctor's check up and to have her stitches removed. Later next week she also has an appointment in cardiology to have another echo cardiogram, and to talk about what she needs to fix the hole in her heart.

There are still no results back yet on the autoimmune condition. Labs have been sent out of state for further testing. Prayers for provision are needed in this area, as insurance is not going to pay for these very costly testings through an out-of-state laboratory.


Here are some photos from the last 10 days:

Zoey's favorite mode of transportation, a wagon donated by an amazing local family! It's perfect, because one side can be up in the chair position, and the other side down flat with a comfy pillow to support her leg. Of course she brings the whole Disney gang along on her rides! We call her new wagon "Zoey's Minnie Mobile"

Out enjoying the gorgeous sunshine with Mommy.

Sweet girl loving her stickers, a cup of PediaSure, and a Minnie Mouse movie :)

And Auntie's personal favorite: her new hat. We were in Target and she saw this hat and immediately exclaimed with glee: "DAISY O'DARE"! (her favorite Disney movie this week). She puts the hat on and Zoey becomes miss Daisy O'Dare! Too cute!

Welcome Home Zoey!

This evening Zoey was welcomed home with much love and excitement.

Her sisters and two of her cousins worked hard on making Zoey a giant welcome home banner!

We all enjoyed some quiet times visiting with Bryan and Valorie, and playing with Zoey. And of course Zoey got lots and lots of kisses!! 

Kisses from Ama (Great Grandma)

Playing with sissy Hayley

Lovin's from Auntie 

Playing Minnie Mouse, of course, with her Mammie.

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMMIE! What a gift, to see her grandbaby 

come home from the hospital on her birthday!!)

Our hearts were beyond happy tonight, seeing Zoey at home, full of spunk and laughter. This is the Zoey we all know and love so much. It's crazy to think that just two weeks ago, we were in such a dark place when Zoey was fighting for her life. Today she looks amazing, considering all that she has been through! And what courage this little girl has.... I can only imagine how I'd feel after 8 surgeries, but Zoey doesn't fail to have the most beautiful smile upon her face. She is feisty, she is a fighter, she is full of LIFE! 

Zoey, in Greek means "Life". Rene, in Late Latin means "Born Again". How awesome is that?! Zoey Rene is life, and she will have life abundantly! Though she may have quite the journey ahead of her, there is no doubt in our minds that she will overcome again and again. Her life is destined for greatness! 

Day 12

Still no update on the underlying autoimmune condition today, but tests did produce an unexpected result. Zoey has a heart defect, Atrial Septal Defect. What this means is Zoey was likely born with a hole in her heart and it never closed on it's own. Not at all something any of us were prepared to hear, but we're also thankful to be aware of it. Without all the testing for a possible autoimmune condition, this diagnosis probably would have continued to go unnoticed. In future months, she will likely have it treated by a cardiac catheterization procedure, but it's not a high priority at the moment. Her doctors agree that her body first needs time to recover from all her surgeries in the last week!

Doctors are hopeful that Zoey should be able to come home by the weekend, so long as nothing changes between now and then. They were hoping she would be able to regain some strength, which being able to eat solid food would help. But as of yet she has had little to no appetite. They are talking about sending her home with the feeding tube still in place, to make sure she continues to get the much needed nutrients to continue her healing and recovery.

Today is Bryan's birthday, so we brought the girls down to surprise daddy for a visit. When we arrived, Zoey was out for a quick stroll to the play room in her newest mode of transportation. What a breath of fresh air it was for Valorie, Bryan, and little miss Zoey to get out of her room for a short while! Looks like a cozy ride to me! :) I think I'm going to try and find her one for when she comes home to make moving about a lot easier and pain free!

Here is Zoey playing with a tiara and happily exclaiming, "I'm the princess!" Yes you are a little princess, sweet girl! Oh how my heart melted to see that beautiful smile coming back!

 Zoey got lots of lovins today. Sweet kisses from her Mammie:

And kisses and snuggles from sissy Hayley. Zoey said "Hayley come lay down with me" So precious!

Here's the birthday guy posing for a quick photo with Mama (Cindy). Happy birthday Bryan! We all love you!

More photos from day 11

Zoey waking up from surgery. Hello precious <3

 Her leg all bandaged up after surgery.

Sweet baby girl in her natural sleep pose, anesthesia still wearing off  :) 

Sleep well our precious little one. You are loved. Oh so loved. <3 

Road to Recovery Begins!

Huge praise report today! Zoey has done a huge turnaround!! She just came out of surgery #8, and for now the doctors were able to get the incisions closed up enough without having to do a skin graft!! Should she need any more surgeries, they won't be in the immediate future. Her precious little body is going to have a chance to recover now! Doctors are hopeful that Zoey should be able to come home this weekend! Zoey just needs to regain her strength enough to be able to eat on her own. For now they are confident that all the infection is gone and under control. Further testing, treatments, physical therapy and the rest of her recovery should be able to be done on an outpatient basis! Bryan and Valorie will need to keep a close eye on her for awhile, since we all know just how fast spreading of a bacteria this was. But, this is a total answer to prayer and we are all in awe of this amazing news!! There is still not an answer yet as to what the possible autoimmune condition could be, or if it was all a result of the trauma her body has gone through.

To every person who has faithfully been in prayer for our sweet girl, the family thanks you! To every person and family who has generously donated to Zoey's Medical Fund, THANK YOU! This will help lift a little bit of the burden off Bryan and Valorie's shoulders over the next weeks during Zoey's recovery. We are eternally grateful!

In the Media

Though exhausted after a roller coaster 10 days, Bryan and Valorie were brave to do interviews with the media to bring public awareness about Zoey's condition. Necrotizing Fasciitis, also known as flesh eating bacteria, is extremely rare but without early intervention can be deadly. To see their interviews, follow the links below.

Q13 Fox News: http://q13fox.com/2013/06/03/marysville-toddler-fighting-flesh-eating-bacteria/#axzz2VBr42PtT

Komo 4 News: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Marysville-toddler-hospitalized-with-flesh-eating-bacteria-210175931.html

For more information about flesh-eating bacteria, you can go to the CDC's website: http://www.cdc.gov/features/necrotizingfasciitis/

Eventful Day

Today was quite the eventful day. This was by far the best day Zoey has had since this all began.

The girls got to come down to visit with Zoey in her room! The quarantine has been lifted as of today!! The whole family got to spend some sweet moments at Zoey's bedside. Here is sister Peyton singing Zoey a song:

Hayley enjoyed a trip to get pizza with Daddy:

Q13 Fox news came to interview Bryan and Valorie about Zoey's condition. Tune in tonight at 10 o'clock to see the interview. 

Zoey had a lot of imaging done today, including an MRI and echocardiogram. The rash on her body has not subsided. Doctors are at this point still baffled as to what the cause is, and unsure what autoimmune disease she may or may not have. They continue to do more testing and cultures of her blood. Today Zoey also pulled out her feeding tube again, and this evening they had to put in another one. This time they put some mitts on her hands to keep her from pulling on the tube. We're praying that she gets lots of rest tonight in preparation for tomorrow's surgery, which will begin the reconstruction phase. Please cover our sweet girl  and her parents in prayer tomorrow during surgery.