So here is a bit of our little girl Lian&'s story. Lian was abandoned at 3 months old at a baby safety island (which is a "safe" place that parents in China can leave their unwanted child with no questions asked) due to her heart defect called TOF. Shortly after she was found, Lian received partial heart surgery for her condition. This surgery saved her life and is sustaining her now, but was not the permanent procedure she needs. She will require full corrective open heart surgery shortly after we come home with her (praise God for insurance!). She is currently on a feeding tube because she has 70% lung functioning due to the TOF so eating/drinking takes a toll on her. She is also very little so she could use the extra calories. Doctors say once she has received the surgery she needs, she should no longer need the feeding tube and will be able to have a full, healthy and normal life (aside from the yearly cardiologist visits and possible restrictions on things like competitive sports). A side note - Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn White has TOF so I am encouraged! She may or may not need an additional surgery in her teens or twenties but this surgery we hear is definitely much easier and not as complex. We are already so blessed by this little girl and cannot wait to bring her home!
