First, let me thank you all again for covering our family in your prayers. We really have felt at ease.
Now, for the news. The news is… the same. They confirmed the diagnosis and, worse yet, the anticipated outcome. We got a better look at the defect – which we found includes the liver, bowel, stomach, and part of the right kidney. One end of his heart is also at the tip of the defect. I’m not sure what is wrong with the heart. It didn’t look “normal” to us. His spine makes a 90 degree turn not too far below the rib cage. His feet are okay, though. That was one thing that was better than what we had previously thought. Basically, though, there is just too much to fix so it’s not possible for them to fix it.
Their main concern is for my health. If I have any leaking, bleeding or contracting I am to call the doctor and go to the hospital immediately. Because Gabe’s cord is extremely short (I think the measurement was 4-5 cm) I am at risk for placental abruption. They were also concerned about uterine rupture due to my previous c-section. Neither of those things would bode well for me. SO, it looks like we’re on baby watch for the next 10-15 weeks. They wanted to make sure that the hospital back home has a good support system and we told them that they do. The OB also asked if we had used Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep when we had Felix. We did not because we didn’t know about it but I told her I had been looking at photographers and plan to contact one. (I would like to have a family photo shoot prior to Gabe’s birth – for us to have some family pics and so we can get to know each other; not meet under less than happy circumstances.)
So, there it is. It’s okay, though, because at least we know we had someone familiar with the condition assess him and can be comfortable that we’ve done what we can. And it’s not over yet. God has the final say and we will NOT stop asking for a miracle for Gabriel.
I’m going to wrap this up with some scripture. I signed up for the Beth Moore simulcast again this year. She will be speaking on Psalm 37 so I decided to read through it tonight. I can’t wait to hear all that God wants me to get out of this as I stew on it.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
We will not wither, we will delight ourselves in the LORD.
(P.S. – please feel free to leave a comment so I know who’s out there! :))
i’m here. totally here. thinking of you all…
Amanda, Brian, Chloe, Dylan, and Ezra,
I know that your faith will bring you through and I am so glad that you both get to feel little Gabe kicking and saying his piece! God bless you and your family! I will pray for continued peace!
Felix and Gabe will have fun together! And better times than any of us know, for sure!!
Praying for the entire fam.,
Julie
It’s 11:20pm. I’ve been watching Hulu for almost 3 hours, checking every now and then to see if there was an update. After getting over the initial shock of the first ultasound, it seems that there is a lot of peace surrounding the situation. I’m thinking of all the people who are in similar situations but don’t know God. Where is their hope, their peace? We will hope and pray for healing. We may end up grieving, but there will be peace. This is not the end.
Amanda and Brian….I know that you both have done all you could do to give Gabe and yourselves every moment possible. He lives….in your womb…in all our hearts and that will never change. I like to imagine that Felix is waiting for his brother and both will join their little hands together and smile because they had the best parents and siblings ever! love you all,,,Bip
Psalm 37 is the Psalm that Byron Easterling spent time in that lead him to write Dream Big, Dream Often. I’m sure that you will receive much comfort from it too. We love you and are looking forward to seeing you today. Still praying and asking for Gabriel’s miracle. I told God that I intend to wear Him out with my asking.
You are amazing! I am still praying for the miracle and for time with your precious baby, Gabe. My favorite verse right now is “For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37. Luke 1 is the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus. Both were miracle births. John was born to Elizabeth, a barren woman of advanced years and Jesus was the virgin birth. God is still performing miracles today and I believe in your miracle. I am enjoying getting to know Gabe and can’t wait to see more pictures.
Amanda – Just wanted to let you know that my heart both aches and rejoices for you and your family. God knew exactly what he was doing when He made you to be Gabe’s mother. He knew you would cherish every moment with him, just as He does.