When Life Gives You Melons...



Zechariah and Alexandria showing off the Kindberg Family Advent Tree Calendar

When life gives you melons...we've all heard the famous quote,
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

 But, what do you do when life gives you something you never expected, something you never asked for, something you never anticipated, wanted, desired, liked, loved, looked for, smelled, or even had on your radar? Melons.

You know what I mean, right? Have you ever felt like life was going well and then you keep on getting knocked down. What is your plan to get back up? Do you have a plan? I mean, even in everyday life have you spilled mustard (or your favorite condiment) on your work clothes on your lunch break and have to finish the rest of the work day with yellow stain on your shirt until you can get it into the washer. What about life?

Sunday, November 28th was a great day. We just said good-bye to my (Scott's) parent's, from IL. Our entire family celebrated a wonder Thanksgiving holiday with both sides our families. The next day, Monday, Nov. 28th Zechariah had a scheduled cardiac cath procedure. This is where he has the biopsy to test for rejection and to get a closer look at his heart and see how it is doing. Typically, we receive a call the next day to let us know how the test resulted. Later that night Kathy received a call to say Zak needed to come in the hospital because he was in rejection.

Zak received an extra dose of steroids for the next three days to combat any rejection occurring. After the three days Zechariah was home and ready to get back to some sense of normal life. I thank God for Zechariah going through home school at this time. We are using the www.k12.com curriculum. Zak loves to learn and has been doing very well with it.

The very next morning was Thurs., Dec. 1 and Kathy and I were woken up by Zak complaining of headaches then throwing up shortly afterwards. In a matter of few short hours Zechariah continued to throw up and was not able to keep down any of his medicines. Our Transplant Coordinator said that we should bring Zak back to the hospital to have him looked over.

While he was in the ER he did not throw up any more, but his Ped Cardiologist had mentioned his headaches may be caused by the tachycardia (high heart rates and irregular heart rythmn) he has been experiencing. His medicine has been regulating his heart rate and rythmn, but that was up for question now.

Today is Sunday, December 4th, 2011. As I write this blog post we are working with the doctors every step along the way.

This was going to be the week we put our Christmas tree up, but life gave us melons. This was going to be our week to....life gave us melons.

WE THREW A PARTY!!

We decided to make the best of every moment. On Wed afternoon I took Zechariah and Alexandria outside for a sledding. Check out the [VIDEO] The Kindberg's First Snow Day 2011 video here.

Plus, we made a great Advent Calendar while still in the hospital.

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WHEN LIFE GAVE US MELONS...

...WE MADE FRUIT SALAD!

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Alexandria celebrating her first day of sledding. Hallelujah!

Zechariah enjoying a day of sledding this week. What a great smile!

Zechariah and Alexandria showing off the Kindberg Family Advent Tree Calendar

[VIDEO] The Kindberg's First Snow Day 2011...REMIX'ed

[RE-POST] The Five Year Celebration...

Today we so thrilled to say that Zechariah is no longer in rejection and he no longer has a PICC line in his arm for IV medicines. His heart is getting stronger. He loves school and loves life! November 9th, 2011 is Zak's 6th birthday. 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAK!!! 


If you have a birthday greeting or birthday joke for Zak please send a comment below for others to see or to thezakupdate@gmail.com


Please take a moment to read the following post. 


The following post is being re-posted unedited as written by my wife, Kathy. What a difference a year  makes.


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Zechariah is 5 years old today. We are so excited to celebrate his birth and his life because he is here because God gave us a miracle. Zak was born with aortic stenosis and almost didn’t make it when he was 36 hours old. By the time he was one he had been through as much medical treatment as some people in there 70’s. We love our big guy and we thank God everyday for our praying friends and family that have surrounded us and held us up in some of the most difficult times we have faced in our lives. This is just a reminder of God’s amazing healing power.

So Zak has a few favorite things in life. He absolutely loves bacon, trains and adventures. So we are helping him to have a day filled with his favorite things. We are having bacon cheeseburgers for lunch before we go on the light rail train to the Mall of America to go on rides.

Please join our family today as we praise God for the miracle that He gave us on 11-09-05 and pray for continued healing and wholeness for Zechariah’s heart as we continue on the journey with the pediatric cardiologists to watch him as he grows to figure out what is next for him.

Three cheers for Zak our miracle. We named Zechariah because of what his name means (God Remembered). I look at him everyday with the understanding that when God created Zak He knew what He was doing before the beginning of time. God has great plans for Zak to give him a hope and a future.



Please take a moment and pray today for our precious son and give thanks to God for where He has brought us and also pray that God will continue to heal his heart so that one day it will be completely whole.

Where in the World?...

Where in the World in Zechariah Kindberg?

Zechariah was out of the hospital towards the end of September. This was his third extensive visit in six weeks. The second visit, which was to correct his high heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm. The electrophysiologist (EP doctor) at the hospital in Minneapolis was not able help after to attempts, so we opted for a second opinion.

After meeting with our doctors and talking through our best options we knew that we wanted to head to St. Louis Children's Hospital. After getting all the necessary okays to make our way to St. Louis we are so excited to know that could be one step closer to Zak seeing closer in his part of his treatment. The date was set for his third ablation procedure to take place on October 24th at St. Louis Children's Hospital...

...BUT...

What about all that time in between? What have you been up to? How have you been doing? Kathy and I are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family who have continued to pray, call, text, write, email, or send a care package. There is really not a day that has not gone by in the last two months where Kathy or I would say to each other something like this..."I just talked to (so and so) today and they wanted to let you know they are continuing to pray for us.  We know we are immensely  surrounded by some of the most caring people.

THANK YOU. 

So, What have we been up to? Let's just say...We needed to get about two months of business work completed in about two and half weeks. We needed to reinstate our family routine for the third time believing we would not need to leave again after two previous episodes. 

During this time Zechariah began home school Kindergarten classes. He has routine routine clinic visit once or twice weekly that can last from 4-6 hrs a time. We have learned to plan for this a part of our new routine.

NOW...

Zechariah was given another medicine to help regulate his heart rate. The last month his heart rate has been in the "normal" range 110/60 HR 90. Thanks to the medicine. We are have been given instructions to wean him of this medicine six days before the procedure. Then, to be completely off of it three days before it. So, to prepare for this we have made our way to St. Louis. (With a few stops along the way of course).

Our first visit was to Zak and Ali's Aunt and Uncle's house in Iowa. During our three day stay there we were  able to take in a little fishing. Zechariah caught the biggest one out of all of that weekend! (Thank you Keith and Andrea for a great time!)

Zak and Aunt Andrea with one his three fish he caught in Iowa.

Once we were on the road to and finally stepped into Missouri we made our we into the big town of Alexandria, MO (Population 166)

Alexandria striking a pose in the town of her name.

Once we arrived to St. Louis things we not all settled in for us. You see, before we left we talked with the the Pediatric Social Worker at the St. Louis Children's Hospital to help arrange for us to stay at the St. Louis Ronald McDonald House. She told us she can put in our request three business days before we need a room. So, we would need a room on October 18th. and the earliest she would be able to put in a request for us is October 14th.  and then she would call us back after three days. Now, we would already be traveling to Iowa before the request for be made. So, we left Minneapolis, MN without knowing where we would stay in St. Louis. This was not our way of traveling, especially under these circumstances. 

When we arrived in the St. Louis Metro area we received the phone call that we did not have a room waiting for us. So, we made our way to a hotel planned our week as if we would be staying at the hotel for the rest our trip, but would leave if we ever received the call. 

The next afternoon about 3:40pm the social calls again to explain that she had not heard from any of the three Ronald McDonald Houses about an open room available. She further explained that she would continue to call every afternoon around the same time if she had not heard anything from them. So, we continued on with our evening. 

Now, there is one other House like the Ronald McDonald House called the Haven House. We did look into this place, but their waiting list was very long as well.

Then, something amazing took place. About twenty minutes later I received a call from the same social worker. She said that a room had just become available at the RMcDH and we need to be there by 7pm. 

Have you every traveled and lived out of a suitcase? Have you ever traveled with toddlers or preschoolers and done the same? Then, you know that it takes a lot of planning, organization, games, toys, a playroom, more toys, and a great kitchen to cook family meals. The RMcDH gives us the ability to stay in affordable housing where a kitchen in provided and lots of room for our kids to play, as long as we need to stay.

So, Zak's procedure is expected to only be a one-day procedure, but in can be two or three-days depending on how we he does with the after care.

St. Louis Gateway Arch

Please continue to pray for Zak, Ali, Kathy, and, me as we trek on through our next leg of this amazing journey. 

Please be sure to leave a comment, an email, or text.

P.S. If you have a joke to share with Zak, please share it at thezakupdate@gmail.com

Scott Kindberg

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Change Isn't Change...

A great pastor friend of mine once told me..."Change isn't change until you change." Now I don't know if that quote has been around long as the ages, but the moment I heard it I have to tell you I had one of those "Ah Ha" moments. The lights came on and from that moment forward change had greater meaning.

Once again, during our routine heart rate and blood pressure check Zak blood pressure was high in the 180s and from morning to evening he had gained about two pounds. These are sure signs to make the call to have him admitted.

So, Zechariah was admitted for the second time to the ER late Friday evening on September 16th. He arrived in the PICU around 12:30am early Saturday morning. During the weekend the Drs. watched his HR rise higher and his irregular rhythm continue. The doctor need to form a plan.

They had come back to us saying on Tuesday they would do a second round of the ablation procedure in the same area and look through the rest of his heart for further affects tachycardia. Then, that was pushed to early Monday when his heart was elevated most Sunday around the high 200-220s and 240-250s for a brief moment.

After the five hour procedure Zak came back looking well, but the EP doctor said to us she was not able to take care of the tachycardia that he came in with. So, we asked the EP doctor what would the next option be and one option she mentioned was surgery...

I understand the first six months of the transplant patient can be full of potholes, but surgery on something like this more than a pothole.

So, to relieve the high heart rate they started him on another medicine, which he take twice daily. So far after three days of taking the medicine his heart has been coming down around 90-140. Every now and then it will still spike to the 180-200 for a second or two.

Kathy and I know that medicating Zak is not the final answer and we are looking further into taking care of our son.

Thank you for all continued care, prayers, and support as we are going through this....

The Kindbergs

Scott, Kathy, Zechariah, and Alexandria

Between A Rock and an Apple Place...

Zak leading the way at Taylors Falls State Park

Motivation can be a tricky thing. It is an art and a science. 


This week Zechariah celebrates his four week 'anniversary' date since receiving his new heart. In the past four weeks, we have seen amazing healing in our son. He spent the first weeks recovery in the hospital. Then, after just five days home we found ourselves back in the hospital for nine days. 


Many of you have seen the pictures of Zak hitting the baseball just one day after returning from the hospital. It really is amazing what happens when you give some fresh air to a little boy. 


This past Thursday, we decided to help Zak with a little physical therapy - "Kindberg Family Adventure" Style. We all loaded in the van and made our way to Pleasant Valley Apple Orchard for some pre-season Apple Orchard enjoyment. 

On Top of the Hay Mound at Pleasant Valley Orchard 

Comin' down...

Ali showing us the way...

We even made time for school work this week...

Home school  Math time!

**Please pray for Zechariah this weekend. He has a scheduled biopsy test for Monday, Sept. 19. We have to arrive at the hospital at 6am. Thank you for continued prayers and support.**

Swing...Batter...Batter...Swing...

Today is our first full day back from the hospital and boy - what a change of pace...and life!


Today, Zechariah made his way outside for a little bit of rest and relaxation (after 12 hours sleep). This is certainly something you do not get when you are at the hospital.


Zak was excited to get out his baseball at bat to hit a few. So, I thought I would share a few pictures with you. God is Good! God is Great! And we thank Him for our Zak!

Zak making a solid hit with the ball. Great hit Zak!

...and it's, it's...

...outta here!

Up, Up, and Away...

'Up'
















As of Wednesday night, [UPDATE] Zak came back from to the room at 7:30 and is doing well. He is alert and watching TV as of 9:00pm. The Drs. said they were able to ablate or "zap out" nearly all of the area in the right atrium of the heart. A part of it was blocked by an area that was sutured from the last surgery. His HR is around 105-120. And he is breathing on room air not a breathing tube. : )
They did the biopsy and it came back negative. This is good. It shows there is no sign of rejection. Zechariah has been doing better.

On Thursday afternoon Zak was doing well enough to be transferred up to recovery floor. Now, his #1 job was to get back in to his "routine" of taking his medicines. Once again, Zak has shown himself to be my hero. After almost a full week of being out routine with something as important as his medicines, he has gracefully jumped back on his routine.




'Up & Away"

 He is looking more and more like himself. We ask that you continue to Zak and our family in your prayers as we transition back to home routine.

• The next few days are critical as we head back home and settle into our home routine.
• Please pray for a normal heart and heart rhythm . (That's was brought him into the hospital in the second time.)
• Stay in touch...Drop a comment below or an email from the link at the The Zak Update

Blessings,

The Kindbergs,

Scott, Kathy, Zechariah, Alexandria Kindberg

Break On Through - 24 Hour Prayer and Fasting UPDATE...

Walter Payton -  The Great Running Back of All-Time

Please keep on Praying...

Today, Zechariah's doctors have decided to move all major procedures to tomorrow. This includes the biopsy, the potential ablation procedure, and a newly added procedure known as EP ablation or electrophysiology ablation.
The later procedure is the when the doctors will be able to find the exact area they need to take care of his irregular heart rate.

Today, Zechariah heart rate has spiked between 200-220. The normal heart rate of five-year old is between 90-110 beats. Even then, Zak's heart rate has been up and down all week.

We came in to the ER last Wednesday afternoon with his heart rate at a "stable" 170 - 180.

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"Never Give Up"

So, Zechariah needs a break through!

Just like every great running back has a great team of linemen to help clear the way. Your prayers are powerful!

Your prayers...And I know there are thousands of friends and family fasting and praying for our son and our family. Your prayers do not go with out void.

We are so blessed to have you all on our team!

Scott, Kathy, Zechariah, and Alexandria Kindberg

In The Trenches...

I love watching shows like, The Band of Brothers, that show the "ins and outs" of war. The men of Easy Company of The Band of Brothers were frontiers in the tactics of war. One of those tactics was utilizing the trenches as way to overtake the enemy.


It has been said that when you pray it can be like "being in the trenches". Good thing we know that our weapons are not of this world...



We also know...



Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 

11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 

14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, 

16 and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

18 With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

On Tuesday,  September 6th, a Band of Brothers and Sisters in Christ are coming together to pray and fast for our family. I need to give a big shout out to our friends, Mike and Becky Vandausdall, for arranging this day.

To be a part of this day and join others praying, you can see the Facebook Event here and the link below.

24 Hours of Prayer and Fasting 

for the Kindbergs

Thank you for all for your continual prayer and support with our family and our champion

**UPDATED** In Wisdom We Trust...

**UPDATE**

As of Friday morning, the doctors have decided to postpone the ablation procedure until further notice. The doctors are wanting his new heart to be strong since it is only a few weeks out of surgery.

We are wait with Zak as the doctor are looking on with his best interest in mind - to help him get well and be home.

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Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011

Proverbs 8:11 "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her."

Our prayer today has been..."Wisdom...not just wisdom to come. Be with the doctors and our son."

Today, we have talked with the doctors a few different times about why Zechariah's heart rate has consistantly stayed around 170 for the past few days. They have come back with a the answer of tachycardia and artial flutter. So, today was a routine course of trying a certain heart medicine, then they gave him an EKG, then a different medicine, and another EKG, and another EKG. Over the course of the last twenty-four hours Zak has had about nine echocardigrams.

He has so many stickers and medicine lines around him I call him the Bionic-Kid. He even has Spiderman stickers!

The doctors have been able to look at his EKGs and listen to him throughout the day. They have noticed that the medicines are not doing what they were expecting them to do...

So, the next step is to a cardiac ablation. It is scheduled for Tuesday along with other tests for his new heart.

We know that he is less than one out from having a heart transplant. His new heart is trying to learn how to function now.

Please continue to ask of God for wisdom who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

**Prayer Needed** Rest and Arrhythmia

Monday, August 29th was Zechariah's first checkup with his Pediatric Cardiologist. For the next few months, can look forward to visiting the doctor twice a week and then once a month for about four months after that. A typical checkup can take any where from 2-4 hours, sometimes more. This can depend on how well Zak is responding and feeling during his appointment or what the doctor has to tell us.

Yesterday's appointment made us aware of something that we need prayer for...

At different times of the day Zechariah's heart rate would below his normal heart rate and than minutes later we would take his blood pressure within minutes and it would be within the normal parameters. His energy level remains normal as he recovers at home. He is gaining more energy everyday as he rests and recovers at home. His pediatric cardiologist has said to continue watching this closely and will see him on Thursday morning. Please pray it will not be signs of arrhythmia. 

"I really do get better sleep at home than I did at the hospital. I'm glad to be home."         - Zechariah Kindberg

Thank you for your prayers concerning this. We know God will come through...


The Kindbergs

14 Plus 1

Kathy and I have had a great experience with the Pediatric Cardiology team that gave Zak his new heart. One of the surgeons is a strong follower of Notre Dame University. I found this out after wearing a N.D. T-shirt the first day we arrived at the hospital. Then, fourteen days later I was wearing my college team t-shirt of choice, U of W - Madison Badgers. 

Did you know most competitive sports games, like college baseball, basketball, and even football are won or lost by just a few points? It's the extra free throw, the missed field goal, or the slide to home plate that can win a game. This is what separates the Champions apart from everyone else! 

On August 27th Zechariah was only ONE day out of the hospital  from getting his heart transplant. Yes, we have seen great victories in the last two weeks thanks to amazing prayers and continued support. We would not be here without all of the amazing support of our friends, family, and loving God.

Now, we are on the next leg of our journey. The part that separates Champions from all others. In this part of journey, we look forward to establishing a new routine for our family. 

This routine includes...

• Helping Zechariah take his daily medicines, multiply times throughout the day. 
• Going to the doctor 2x's a week for checkup for the next few months.
• Keeping a "germ-free" home, as best as possible. This includes not having friends or family at our home who are sick with even a sniffle. Wiping down door knobs and drinking bottled water instead of water from a water fountain.
• Zak also needs time to laugh. (This prescribed by his Mom, Dad, and sister.) Check the sidebar -under SHARE A LAUGH - to see how you can help keep Zak's spirit high.
• We will, forever, be avoiding places like the McDonald's PlayZone or Chuck E. Cheese. However, you will find us at the park riding bikes, scooters, and playing at the playground.
• Sanitizing toys after they are played.

We know that we have been surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to cheer us on. We have felt that we have had "home field advantage" as we have gone through this. We also know that we have a GREAT BIG GOD who cares for us and knows how to handle what we are going through, yet GENTLE to speak to our son and tell him that Jesus' lives in his new heart.

Moving On Up...

So, it's been a few days since our last update. We appreciate all of the prayers and support that are continuing to pour in for Zechariah and our family. Over the last few days quite a bit has happened... 

• Zechariah left the PICU on Sunday afternoon. He has been on one of the recovery floors gaining strength, trying to rest, and learning all about the importance of taking all of his medicines.
• The one area Zak could really use your prayers is in the area of helping to take is medicines. We are all learning about the total number of meds, as of the time I am righting this update. The total number of meds can be around 30 meds or more a day for at least the first six months. The previous four days Zak has had to face anxiety, fear, and other battles. God's grace IS sufficient for him and we know Zak will be victorious through time. We are working with him to help talk the medicines and have found may useful techniques from the nurses and friends who have help others before. The last two days Zak is starting to show progress and we would ask that you would pray in that way.
• Zechariah has gained a lot of strength back. He has worked with the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist to help him walk on his own use the simple things, like a tooth brush.
• The other day he sat up for about 15 minutes in the play room coloring a picture with Mom and today he scored 10,000 points playing bean bag toss. He was very excited to share that!

Overall, we are amazed at how well Zak is doing. God is the one who receives all the glory for making it possible to give our son new life!!!

In fact, we were even able to sit down, at the table and have a Kindberg Family Meal together, with Zak, Ali, Kathy, and myself for the first time since since Aug. 11. We treasure these little routines we have know that it is what makes us sparkle.

Scott Kindberg

V is for Victory

 

Today has been a day of going down...and up...and up...and up. Zechariah has had some minor set backs earlier in the day. Then, as the the progressed the victories started to come - one after another.

This afternoon he could keep anything down. He is beginning to take more medicine by mouth, like anti-rejection and immunosuppresent  meds, this is very important for him.

Then, later on he did complain of a some pain. Soon, he was comfortable and able to talk to us better (still in his cute "frog" voice).

After a little rest he was finally able to each a popsicle. Zechariah was beginning to see victory. Shortly after the  popsicle I gave a few spoonfuls of Cherrios, which he was able to keep down as well. Another victory.

Now, he was on a good and was able to rest a bit with a movie in bed. During the entire movie he was still able to keep all food down. His energy was growing. After a short game from his Leapster he ready to take more meds. This time with come candies to cover the taste of meds. Another victory.

Mary Poppins was right when she sang, "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down." Even if it comes in the form a Jolly Rancher.

Our champion is now sitting up in a chair. He has gained so much strength in such a short time. It has been amazing to watch him rebound like this. Another victory.

Here is Zak enjoying a moment sitting up for the first time since his heart transplant.

Zechariah being the goofy Zak that we know...Victory!

Zechariah sat well in the chair so the nurse called for a chariot to escort him around the floor. He was positioned well in his "Red Flyer" and away he went to explore the rest of hospital floor. Another victory.

Here's Zechariah crusin' along in his Red Flyer wagon in the hallway of the hosptial.

Today was a day of victories. Please keep on praying that he continues down this path. We know (and I hope you know as well) that when you are pray you share in these victories. 

We could not do this without your prayers and without God on our side. 

Today we can rest with a V for victory.

It's Good Good Day...



Today was a good, good for Zechariah. It started early this afternoon when they removed his ventilator tube. Then, from that time on he has been slowly making steps forward talking, watching TV and interacting with Kathy, the nurses, and I.

After having the breathing tube in for six days his voice has been pretty coarse and will take a little bit of time to fully recover. Until then, our champion five-year old has quite "the frog" that he has captured in his throat.

Word has it this frog may even have a name...

Help name Zak's froggy voice...his frog.

Some suggestions have been.

• Bob
• Ribbet
• Kermit
• What's yours...

Zak has been is great spirits all day as he is recovering. He has been interacting and at times he may say some fun things due to the meds he is on.

Proverbs 17:22  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Thank you for prayers and continued support. We have continued to tangibly feel God present in Zak's room. God's peace reigns over our family. Please continue to pray for all our family - Scott, Kathy, Alexandria, and Zechariah as we journey together.

Blessings

The Kindberg's

More Progress For Our Champ...

Today has been another good day. When I saw Zechariah this morning around 8:30 he was doing well. His color has continued to stay consistently the same color he has always been.

Zechariah has had four chest tubes in his chest to help remove any fluid that may build up around his heart. Today they have removed three of the four chest tubes. This is good because it is showing that there is a little less fluid around his heart.

They did lower the pressure of the Nitric Oxide quite a bit as well and he was not so comfortable with all of the action just yet. A few times he would clinch his eyes and lift hands show he was uncomfortable. We are so appreciative of all of the nurses, the doctors, and staff here and U of M Amplatz. During their care for Zak they have done everything possible to make him comfortable. Both Kathy and I feel this a top notch hospital from the surgeons on down.

Right now Zak still has the ventilator tube in. This to is good because he will be able to rest. Once the ventililator tube is out he will be fully breathing on his own and slowly begin to interact and play with us. While it is in he can rest. Please pray that it only stays in as long as it needs to be in.

So, today was a great day of progress and Zak is resting for the rest of the day into the night. We are hopeful to see what tomorrow brings. Continue to pray for peace, strength, and God's spirit to rest here.

Thank you for your support.

The Kindberg's

Day 2 of the New Heart

Today has been another great day for Zechariah. He is still not out of the woods yet, but we are beginning to see progress down the road of healing for just having a new heart put in last Friday evening.

Today's big news has been his ventilator. Currently the ventilator has been helping him breath since receiving his new heart. The nurses has told that he will be on the ventilator for a few more days. Having the ventilator help him breath is good while his body and his heart are "getting to know each other" along with all of the medicine he is on.

As I am writing this, Zak's overnight nurse has informed me that they will be weaning him off of the ventilator over night and through most of the day on Monday. This is good news! This meaning that his body is showing signs of strength and he is able to breath on his own a little more and more.

Please keep this in your prayers for Monday and the next few day. Thank you.

Thanks to a wonderful new media system in the ICU room we have been able to play Pandora.com Shout Kids Radio Station, a Christian radio station right above his bed. The music has helped keep a peacful atmosphere in the hospital room.

Thank everyone for your prayers and to all our friends and family who continue to show supports. : )

Day 1 with the New Heart

Thank you everyone once again for your continued prayer.  We continue to feel God's comfort, grace and peace  that doesn't make sense and can only be from God.  I just want to encourage you that if you are feeling at all stressed about everything we are sharing that is going on with Zak to stop and look to God and ask him to help you along the way.  In the Bible we can read about many of God's promises and the amazing thing is that they aren't about stories from the past but about what God has for us today.

I am going to share a few of the promises that I hold onto on a daily basis and I really encourage you to search out God's grace, peace and presence yourself.  God is being tangibly felt by both Scott and myself along this journey and we are filled with His supernatural peace.

Here are just a few great verses:

^{Hebrews 4:16}

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

We love to be reminded about all that God has for us so if you have any verses that you look to for strength please post them in the comments below or email or facebook them to us.

Today we had many small things happen.  Zechariah is in a very critical state but he is stable.  This afternoon a fever broke out and getting that to lower was the focus for most of the afternoon into the evening.  Zak also had a blood glucose level of over 600 today so they are giving him insulin to lower that.  We thought that they would try to get him off of the ventilator tomorrow but he is still needing nitric oxide which is helping to lower his pulmonary pressures so that his new heart doesn't fail.  Zechariah is hooked up to 18 different medicine ports that are continually giving him medicine to help stabilize and support all that he has been through.

The hospital staff continue to assure us that everything is going as could be expected and that we have come through a lot of victories so far.  The journey we are on is a very long marathon and not a sprint.  Even after we leave the hospital and take Zechariah home to recover we will remain in a fairly critical state.

We so appreciate all of your continual support as we are traveling down this road.  We love to hear your comments, emails, and facebook replies.  We are going to do our best to continue to post once or twice a day.

Blessings,
Kat Kindberg

Surgery Went Well

I just want to say another quick thank you to all of you have been standing beside our family on this journey.

Zak got his new heart and is doing well.  The surgery was over around 11PM tonight.  Zak is now settled back in his room in the PICU.

Everything that we have been praying for is going great.  Their was concern before his surgery that his new heart may need some assistance pumping against his high pulmonary pressures but his new heart is doing great all on its own.  We also were told going into surgery to expect him to be out at 2AM.  He is doing well in his room and it isn't even 2AM yet.

The prayers that we have for the next few days:

1. That his body doesn't reject the new heart.
2. The first 24 hours he will be at a high risk of having a stroke. So we need to pray that he doesn't.
3. That he doesn't have any extra bleeding.

And I sure their are a lot more things that I am not thinking of because of the hour of the day and all of the different events of the day.  Please just pray for full recovery and that our little boy will be able to go home healthy and strong.

We so appreciate all of you and look forward to talking to you in the days and weeks to come. We have come along way on this journey and have a long way to go. Thank you in advance for your continual prayers.

Sweet Dreams!!:)

Blessings,
Kat

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

                                 

Today is a great day. Zechariah is receiving his new heart. We are so excited for our son. 

We thank you for your prayers and support.

• 9:30am: We received the call this morning around .

• 11:00am: Zak arrived at the hospital to prepare for the procedure.

• 2:00pm: Zak was sent to the OR.

• 2:00pm - Present (8-12 hrs.) Zak is in the OR for the heart transplant.

So, Zak will have about 14 days of recovery in the hospital after the procedure. Then, he has 3-6 months of at home recovery.

The twenty-four hours after he is out of surgery is the most critical.

We know that all of you have been praying for us all day. We can truly feel God's presence and peace with us as we have been waiting for news from the doctors.  God is BIGGER than all of this. We know that it is through Him that we will not just survive the heart transplant but we will thrive and continue to experience his peace in the mist of all circumstances.

Blessings to you and your family.  We look forward to hearing from you. Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,

Scott & Kat