A Note From Nana Tigchelaar

* Originally posted as a comment at the end of the day yesterday. I thought that everyone would want to read it. ~ Robin


Hello everyone,

Its been a very long, emotional roller coaster of a day. We were up at 4:30 a.m. so that we could get Yana to the pre-admit clinic for a 6 a.m.workup. We said a tearful goodbye as Heather & Yana were wheeled to the OR together; Heather then handed a drug-induced sleepy girl over to the anesthetist. She has remained in a semi-comatose state all day.

When Dan & I left this evening Yana was still intubated, which means that the tube that is down her throat does not allow her to talk. At one point when I sat with her, she opened her eyes wide, a small tear trickled down and she mouthed the word "mommy" ~ it broke my heart.

She has a fever, which we are told at this point is normal, she has a host of tubes poking into various parts of her little body that either feed her, reduce her pain, oxygenate her or provide vital information for the care team. Heather, being 8 months pregant has been a tower of strength and endurance - the power of prayer & the unswerving love of a mother.

We thank God for the miracles that took place today and we thank you our dear friends and family around the world for your kindness, your words of encouragement and most of all your prayers. Please don't stop!

Love,Ida & Dan for Heather & Mike and Yana