Mary Vishalam Balakrishnan

Mary Vishalam Balakrishnan

Precious in the sight of the LORD... Psalm 116:15

Mary Vishalam

Mary in NICU

Mary was born July 31, 2001 at 1:16 PM. She weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces and was 17 1/2 inches long. She was born with a head-full of dark hair just like her big sister, Rachel.

She was diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She underwent open heart surgery (the first of three stages), called the Norwood Procedure, on August 6, 2001. She was in surgery for over 9 hours and the surgeon had trouble keeping her oxygen saturatation at a reasonable level following the surgery. Once stabilized, she came out of surgery at 7:30pm and had a rough time the following night because her blood pressure levels were fluctuating. She was given various medications to keep her blood pressure stable, but it proved to no avail when the doctors started giving her CPR at 5:00am on August 7, 2001. She was ushered into the LORD's presence at 5:49am when the CPR proved futile to keep her alive.

After 7 short days on Earth, she is with the LORD Jesus Christ in glory enjoying His Blessed Presence.

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and intercessions made on behalf of Mary and our family. It has indeed been a tough time, but we take comfort in the God of Comfort to Whom all things are known from the foundation of this world (Acts 15:18). Also, that He has been Good (Psalm 100:5; 145:9) and Faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Lamentations 3:22-23) and with us through this time of loss and grief, for He has promised to never leave us nor ever forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). We rejoice, knowing that we will be re-united with Mary someday, yet are sorrowful that we only spent such a short time with Mary on Earth. We thank the LORD for the time that He gave Mary to spend with us (Psalm 139:13-16).

Mary would now be 7 years old and enjoying another year. Your big sister, little brother, and little sister would love you so much!

I miss you, Mary, so very much. And look forward to being reunited again someday. My arms ache to hold you, but I know you are safe in the arms of Jesus. I love you, my precious angel. -Love, Mom