Pray for Hannah Mae.

Because this is so urgent, I'll start with the prayer request and then move on to the story.

Friends,

Please pray for Hannah Mae - a baby girl who is currently in the operating room receiving a heart transplant. Pray for her family - mom, dad, and two brave big brothers - as well as her physicians. Lastly, please pray for the family who said goodbye to their baby earlier today so that Hannah Mae will live.

Isaiah was born on the evening of May 17th, and approximately 8 hours later and about 30 miles north, a little girl named Hannah Mae was born to a wonderful family - a sweet mother, a strong dad, and two energetic older brothers. Unlike us, Hannah's family had no reason to think that their baby girl would not be heading home with them in the day following her birth. There had been no indication of heart abnormalities at all through her mother's pregnancy (Josh and I knew about Isaiah when I was at 20 weeks gestation).

Shortly after Hannah was born, though, the doctors realized there was something wrong. Her heart rate was going into the 250's. She was taken to Children's Hospital's NICU, where her parents sat by her crib-side in shock. A few doors down in the NICU, Josh and I were sitting next to Isaiah's crib. Both babies were so sweet, so patient... so covered in tubes, wires, and surrounded by monitors.

When we could sleep, Josh and I had a small room at the hospital where we were allowed to stay while Isaiah was in the NICU. There were only 3 "double" rooms, meaning the bed was a full size mattress instead of a twin. We were in the middle room, and unbeknownst to us, Hannah's parents were staying right next to us.

After a few days in the NICU, you got used to the familiar faces and names being thrown around during morning rounds. I'd heard about a baby named Hannah, and I saw her dad going in and out of her room frequently. We passed in the elevators and halls, both of us exhausted and with extreme tunnel-vision, focused solely on our babies.

After a few days (or what I think were a few days - it is impossible to keep track of times and dates when you're inside the same 4 walls without reprieve), Josh convinced me to go to the hospital's cafeteria with him to get some breakfast. I agreed, since we'd already been through rounds that morning. We sat at an unoccupied, 6-person table next to the window. We hadn't really even started to eat yet when this man, the same man I'd been passing in the NICU and hallways, asked if he and his wife could sit at the table with us. Of course, we said they were welcome.

It took a second, but then I recognized the man and asked if he had a child in the NICU. I will always consider that one question to be one of the greatest ways that the Holy Spirit has prompted me to speak. Soon we were talking with this incredible couple and learning about their little girl's heart. Her mom and I shared a bond that no one but another 'heart mom' could understand. We found out we had so much in common, too, as I used to live in the city they were from, among other things.

Fast forward a few days and Hannah was sent home. I rejoiced that the Lord answered this family's prayers, though a small part of me was sad to see my new friends leave. The Children's Hospital Overly-Exhausted and Totally Terrified Parents of the NICU Club is not a club one ever hopes to join... but when you do, and you find an empathetic friend in the midst of your worst nightmare, it suddenly doesn't seem so bad. Still, I was glad to see them head home with their sweet baby girl.

A few days later, Isaiah was able to go home too. Then I got the news from Hannah's mom: after only 11 days at home, Hannah was taken back to Children's with more heart problems.

Fast-forward more than 100 days later and look back - you'll see sweet Hannah, ECMO, ventilators, pacemaker surgery, frustrated doctors with a final decision that she needs a heart transplant... and the most incredible parents, with the most unshakable faith I've ever seen. Through the most terrifying things a parent could ever imagine, Hannah has been loved and lifted by her parents through prayer, long nights at her bedside... you name it. 

Isaiah constantly reminds me of God's grace and provision. And so does Hannah and her family. They have affected lives around the world - and that is no understatement! Literally thousands upon thousands of people have rallied around this little girl. Strangers are praying for her and holding fundraisers. People are raising money for her through bake sales and benefit concerts. They are holding blood drives in her honor to raise awareness of blood and organ donation. 

This little girl is an incredible instrument in the symphony of God's glory.

Hannah Mae has been waiting for a long time for a new heart (a website was dedicated to it - visit www.HannahMaeNeedsaHeart.com for more information), and today she is receiving it. As I asked above, please pray that her surgery will go well, that her physicians will be guided by our Ultimate Physician - the Lord God, that her family would be comforted, and that her body would be in optimal health to accept this new heart.

And friends, please pray for "Hannah's Angel," as her family calls the heart donor. Her family has been praying for the donor and the donor's family ever since they learned Hannah would need a transplant. 

UPDATE
It's currently 9pm PST and the heart for Hannah arrived to the hospital about an hour ago. She's now in surgery!

UPDATE
Hannah's new heart is beating! Halleluia! They say it's a perfect match in both size and blood type!