Tender Mercies

Kristen gets to hold Kiya today--a "skin to skin" hold. Before they would place Kiya in Kristen's hands and Kris would gently hold Kiya on her little bed. During recent visits, Kris was also able to keep her hand on Kiya's little head and bottom. Kiya can already tell her mother's touch and love, as she would calm down during those times, and her heart rate would also lower and settle. There is nothing like the love a parent has for their child.

Being able to physically feel Kiya against her, is such a tender mercy for Kris. So many times she has had an incredible need to hold her precious little baby. This is an answer to many heartfelt prayers for Kris.

Matt continues to be a source of strength for his loved ones. He spends every available second with his daughter. His gentleness and ability to calmly handle life's difficulties is a continual blessing for his family.

We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for his generous blessings. We are grateful for the wisdom and care from the doctors and nurses. We are grateful to each of you, for your prayers, fasting and loving acts of service. Because of all your unselfish service and kindness, Matt, Kris and their family can accomplish what they need to do.
Grandma Slatter

Daddy's Update...

Kiya is doing well. Her heart has shrunk down to the right size. They took out the iv tube in her belly and put a pic line in which should be a lot better. Her fingers were not extending all the way which was troubling but today the fingers are extending and the thumbs are getting better. There should be a therapist coming to work with her soon on that. She has had three small feedings and has produced some stool. They still are uncertain as to how well her intestines are working. We will have to see. She will be taken off the oscillator breathing machine and have her tube taken out of her lungs tomorrow and put on something less invasive as long as the doctors think its OK tomorrow. Kristen got to hold the baby briefly yesterday.

(What a TENDER pic... Kris is such a great mom!)

Kiya has shown great improvement but I am still very worried about the feeding and being take off the oscillator.

Steph's note - We are all routing for her!  She has made such positive improvements in the last week... We can just continue to hope that her little life will keep getting better!  :-)

Kiya had another great day today.  She is now completely off her heart medication and the edema has subsided.  Her kidneys seem to be functioning more normally as well.  What a miracle!  Kiya's life and health has always been in the Lord's hands, and so far He is blessing her beyond belief.  Thank you so much for your love and prayers on her behalf!  She is definitely a tiny fighter, just like her mama! :-)

From Matt & Kristen

Great news today. The heart is looking much better. The expansion has gone down a good deal. That will help her get more blood to the other organs which will continue to help her heart improve. Her lungs are doing better. They reviewed the brain monitor and saw no seizures which is great. Today they want to lower the pressure on her breathing machine and wean her the rest of the way off heart medicine. They want to get her eating in another day or two if she has enough blood flow to the bowels. So good news today. Keep praying.  :-)

From Grandma Slatter

From Kiya:  (As told to her Grandmother S)
Mom gave me a bath today!  She swabbed me with cotton balls.  She says I'm so tiny that she worries about breaking me!!!--but it was the best bath ever.  My Mom is so gentle and soft. I calmed right down and listened to Mom tell me all about how pretty I am!

Dad has never left my side.  Boy is he tall--I already know that my Dad can beat up your Dad!  I know I am going to feel so safe when I'm being held in his strong arms.  I can tell my Dad will take good care of me forever.  I love you Dad.

Mom and Dad, I love you so much. Already I have felt an overwhelming amount of love from both of you. I love that you sing to me and I love the gentle, caressing  feel of your touch. I am so glad that you are my Mom and Dad.  I know that one of you is with me at all times.  I feel such comfort having you so close.  I feel blessed to have you for my parents. Thank you Mom and Dad. I feel your prayers and your deep love for me. I'm sorry that you are having to worry about me.
I also want to thank all of my family and wonderful friends that have fasted and said prayers on my behalf. I feel the strength and healing power from each of you. I'm excited to meet all of you soon. I already feel a connection with you. Your love and prayers are helping to get better and stronger each day.

Thank you again, and all my love to my parents,
Kiya

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Today was a little rough for Kiya.  She is still retaining a large amount of fluid and has received large doses of diuretics to help reduce the swelling in her body.  Her heart is enlarged from the excess fluid and she has received two more transfusions in the last few days.  She is still covered and under very careful watch, with a nurse keeping vigil at all times. 

Several members of the family have decided to hold a fast in her honor on Sunday, and we would love to encourage anyone else who is able to do the same.  The Banzhaf family really appreciates all your prayers and love on their behalf!

Lex and Mason were able to go to the hospital for the first time today!  They were so happy to see their mom again! 

Kristen will be released from the hospital tomorrow evening and then she and Matt will alternate taking care of the boys and spending time at the hospital.  If you are interested in helping out, I will coordinate through Kristen and Matt as far as their needs are concerned.  Please feel free to call (801-755-5230) or email me anytime.

We love you Matt and Kris!  You two are amazing and Kiya is a lucky girl to have such great parents! 

Monday, October 25, 2010

She is SO sweet!  Her birth weight was 3 pounds, 2 ounces and she was a whopping 16 inches long!  Her condition today is stable, but she is on high levels of oxygen and they are trying to reduce her edema.  They have concluded that she had a congenital hemorrhage in the womb that caused her to have such little blood.  Matt and Kris feel that she has very good care from the Doctors and staff at Utah Valley Regional Hospital.

Kiya is so precious, and has such a strong will to fight.  We love her and continue to hope for the best!

October 23, 2010

After a few days without feeling much movement from baby Kiya, Kristen began to worry.  On the afternoon of Saturday, October 23, she and Matt went to the hospital to "make sure everything was OK."  After an unsettling ultrasound test, Matt and Kris received the startling news that they would soon be undergoing an emergency Cesarean section.  Kristen was quickly prepped and within 30 minutes baby Kiya was born.  She had a very white pallor and was instantly surrounded by medical personnel who gave her a blood transfusion and stabilized her condition.  Shortly thereafter, she was transferred to Utah Valley Regional Hospital with Matt.  Unfortunately, she had not been receiving adequate blood supply for several weeks in utero and her organs (mainly heart and brain) did not seem to be functioning properly at her birth.  Matt and Kristen were told that she would remain in the hospital until sometime around her due date.  At this point, not much is really known about her overall health or abilities.  Please pray for a miracle!

Respectfully yours...

In an attempt to keep everyone updated on the status of the Banzhaf family {and give Matt and Kris a little space to breathe and relax :-)}I have started a little blog in honor of Kiya.  Please excuse my lack of medical terminology, misspelling, syntax errors, etc... Also, please feel free to send me any email addresses of those who would like to be allowed to view the blog, or any additional comments, updates or suggestions to joeandstephlinford@msn.com.  I am hoping this will also serve as a journal of sorts to the Banzhaf family, so feel free to post comments to them!  I am sure they will love to read your encouraging words and will appreciate feeling your love and support!