Brea is in Surgery...She's Getting a NEW HEART!!! ** Updated Sunday @ 6:15pm **

Praise God! He has provided a new heart for sweet baby Brea...and at the perfect time! (As He always does!!) She'd been having troubles with bleeding yesterday and while she was being prepped to go back into the OR to stop the bleeding the transplant doctor called to say they have a heart for Brea and it's a PERFECT match!!!

Brea was taken into surgery within the past hour and they've begun to prepare her to receive the new little heart which should arrive at the hospital (from out of state) around 8am Central time which is 9am here. Surgery is expected to take until about 1pm CMT.

I think one of the reasons the family has grabbed onto my heart (sorry, couldn't think of another way the phrase it) is their faith and testimony that is shining through this entire time.

Today while her little girl is in surgery, her mom is not only asking for us to pray for Brea, the doctors, nurses and all involved, she's also thinking of, praying for and asking us to pray for the family who has just lost a young child in order for Brea to have life. So at this time I ask you to please do the same. Please remember Brea and her family but also the family of the child who died in order for Brea to have life.

I will keep you posted as I hear more.

**Update #1 @ 10:30am **
The heart arrived safely (after a little delay because the flight ran into bad weather) but the heart was not compromised. PTL! One of the OR nurses has seen the heart and said it's 'pretty.' Ahhh...

Brea's old heart has been removed and she is currently hooked to a heart/lung bypass machine. The doctors have started to put her new little heart in.

A few days ago Mary (Brea's mommy) mentioned that the helicopter landing pad was above Brea's room so they often heard the helicopters coming and going and prayed. Today the arrival of that helicopter indicated that Brea's heart had arrived! I can't imagine how that must have felt.

Thank you to all for your continued prayers for all. God is in control!

**Update #1 @ 10:30am **
The heart arrived safely (after a little delay because the flight ran into bad weather) but the heart was not compromised. PTL! One of the OR nurses has seen the heart and said it's 'pretty.' Ahhh...

Brea's old heart has been removed and she is currently hooked to a heart/lung bypass machine. The doctors have started to put her new little heart in.

A few days ago Mary (Brea's mommy) mentioned that the helicopter landing pad was above Brea's room so they often heard the helicopters coming and going and prayed. Today the arrival of that helicopter indicated that Brea's heart had arrived! I can't imagine how that must have felt.

Thank you to all for your continued prayers for all. God is in control!

** Update #2 @ 1:30pm **
Brea's new heart is in and beating! Praise God!!!

While doing the transplant surgery the doctors found a blood clot the size of an adult fist. They are still trying to determine the source of the bleeding so that they can fix it. Because of this, Brea is still currently on the heart/lung bypass machine.

Please pray for the doctors as the search for the source of bleeding. Also, for wisdom as to whether to close up her chest wall or leave it open for 48 hours. This is a common practice due to the swelling that can occur during the surgery.

Thank you for the prayers you have already offered up for sweet Brea and also for those that are yet to be offered up to God. She's doing great but the next 48 hours are crucial.

** Update #3 @ 3:50pm **
Brea is out of surgery and her new heart is beating like a champ! Mommy and Daddy have seen her and say her toes are pink and she has better colour than she has had in a while! Praise God!

Thank you for continuing your prayers for this precious baby girl and also for the dear family that lost a child in order for Brea to have life. I pray that God will hold them extra close today and give them the comfort only He can provide.

** Update #4 Sunday @ 6:15pm **
Thank you for praying!! God is answering prayers! Brea is doing AMAZING and is already off the ventilator and was blowing kisses this morning! As can be expected she's uncomfortable when she coughs but overall is bright eyed and happy!

Another answer to prayer has come in the availability of a room for Mary across the street at Ronald McDonald House. Can you believe she's been sleeping in a lounge chair in the waiting room for the past 6 weeks? I'm sure we'd all so it given her situation but she is thankful for the room at RMH.

It is anticipated that Brea will be in the hospital for another 10-14 days and then will be released to live at RMH for 30 additional days. After that she and mommy will need to remain in the Little Rock area for 3-6 more months. Please pray for all the logistics involved in this.

Also, they are having difficulties with insurance covering their medical costs. Please pray that minds will be changed and that existing and new costs will be covered.

Also, please pray for Brea's big sister and brother who are currently living with family in another state (their home state) while mommy and daddy are with Brea.

Thank you for praying! God is hearing our prayers and answering them! Praise God!!