Our daughter Carolyn is currently fighting for her life in the hospital.

What began as a hopeful step forward in her heart journey has turned into a much longer and more uncertain road than we ever expected. Carolyn recently underwent a major open-heart procedure known as the Glenn surgery. While the surgery itself went as planned, the days that followed have been filled with complications that have required constant medical attention and intervention.

Since February 25th, Carolyn has already endured four procedures, three of which required reopening her chest, including two open-heart surgeries. What we expected to be a single major surgery followed by recovery has instead turned into a series of urgent interventions as doctors continue working to stabilize her and address complications as they arise.

Following her surgery, Carolyn developed multiple serious infections including pneumonia, a urinary infection, and bacteria in her bloodstream. These infections forced doctors to place her back on a breathing machine while her body fought to recover. In the midst of treating those infections, a CT scan revealed a large pocket of fluid in her chest near her heart that required another surgical procedure to drain and clean.

Even now, Carolyn remains in the ICU under very close monitoring. Her doctors continue to run cultures, blood tests, and imaging as they search for answers to the fevers and inflammation her body is still battling. At times her oxygen levels fluctuate, her heart rate rises, and new concerns arise that require careful evaluation by her medical team.

At this point, we simply do not know how long this road will be. What we hoped might be a recovery measured in days has turned into weeks of uncertainty. It is also uncertain whether additional procedures or surgeries will be needed as her doctors continue responding to complications and monitoring her recovery.

Carolyn continues to fight through every obstacle placed before her. Her doctors and nurses are working tirelessly, and we remain deeply grateful for the care they are providing.

As parents, we spend our days and nights beside her hospital bed. Watching your child endure this much is something no parent is prepared for. Yet in the middle of it all, we continue to trust in the Lord. Our faith has been our anchor through this storm, and we believe God hears the prayers of His people.

Our church family and friends have surrounded us with incredible love and prayer. We have witnessed firsthand the power of people gathering before the Lord on Carolyn’s behalf, and we are deeply grateful for every person who has lifted her up in prayer.

As this season has stretched on, the financial realities of living through it have also grown heavier. Because Carolyn’s care is taking place in Houston, our family has had to temporarily relocate from our home. We are currently renting an apartment near the hospital so that we can remain close to her bedside while she fights to recover.

At the same time, we are still responsible for our mortgage and household expenses back home, along with the normal costs of providing for our family. In many ways, we are now living two separate lives at once, carrying two sets of living expenses while navigating an extended and uncertain hospital stay.

This fundraiser has been created to help ease some of those financial burdens so that our focus can remain where it belongs — caring for Carolyn and walking with her through this difficult and uncertain recovery.

If you feel led to give, any support is deeply appreciated. More than anything, we ask for your prayers.

Please pray for:

• Healing and strength for Carolyn

• Wisdom and discernment for her doctors and medical team

• Peace, endurance, and faith for our family

God’s Word reminds us:

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

— James 5:16

We believe God is still working, and we believe the prayers of His people matter.

Thank you for standing with our family and lifting Carolyn up in prayer during this difficult season.

With gratitude,

Austin & Eleanor