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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Update

We had an appointment with Dr. Tabor, our specialist on Monday. It was a good appointment so we are very thankful for that. He said that Ella's heart is continuing to look strong and there doesn't seem to be any stress at this point. She is continuing to grow like she should be as well so that is reassuring. He also is measuring her abdomen and the size of the sack holding the organs every time we go to monitor their growth in relation to one another. At this point the abdomen is measuring larger than the sack which is an answer to prayer. This is important as far as surgery goes and getting the organs back inside her abdomen. The organs inside the sack are still the liver, part of the stomach and part of the small intestine, so there is no change there. I am 31 weeks so we will start seeing Dr. Tabor weekly now until delivery to continue to monitor Ella's heart, growth and the growth of the abdomen and omphalocele. C-section is still set for September 8th unless other complications arise.

We are so thankful to have had an uneventful appointment and to hear that Ella is continuing to grow like she should be. As time is flying by and September is getting closer I find myself getting more anxious. Overall, I feel very hopeful about everything but I definitely have my days when I don't know if I can do this. The Lord has been so faithful to us and I sit in amazement every day when I think of all He has done for me. Even though I know everything will be okay because I have the Lord, I am still scared. I am not scared without hope or peace but just scared of the unknown. I want my baby to be okay and it's hard to know what okay means. I find comfort a lot in Psalm 91. I love the whole passage but I really love verse 14 and 15 where it says "Because he loves me, says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." I love that! Sometimes when I pray the only thing I can get out is His name and I know He hears me and knows my heart even when all I can do is whisper His name. So comforting. As I look back on how far we've come I see so many ways He has answered my prayers. The fact that this is the only problem for Ella is a direct answer to prayer and something I am so thankful for. As hard as it is I feel that the Lord has rescued me and continues to deliver me through everyday.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement. It really is such a blessing to our family. Please continue to pray for these specific things:
- Ella's heart- that it continues to be strong and that there are no complications
- That the omphalocele is the only defect and there are no other complications
- That her abdomen coninues to grow and that the organs will all fit back in at surgery without any stress
- For our doctors, Dr. Robbins (OB), Dr. Tabor (Specialist) and Dr. Black (Surgeon)
-For peace and comfort for our family

I thought I might add on just a brief history of what all has gone on with this preganancy just to help answer some questions. Not that I mind when people ask about it but I just thought it would be helpful to have a little background. So, here is a shortened version. We found out at 12 weeks that there was something wrong with the baby when Dr. Robbins, my OB saw what she called a large abdominal wall defect during our sonogram. She explained that it looked like some of the baby's organs were in a sack outside the abdomen and that the baby would need surgery following delivery to put the organs back in. She referred us to Dr. Tabor, our specialist, that same day to confirm the problem. He confirmed that it was an omphalocele and told us that there was a 50% chance this was the only problem and there was a 50% chance there could be chromosome abnormalities and other defects as well. This meant that we could be looking at Trisomy 13, 18 and Downs Syndrome being the more life threatening syndromes if there was a chromosome abnormality. The only way we would know for sure if there was a chromosome problem too would be to do an amniocentesis so we had an amnio done at 15 weeks. This would be important in order to know how to really help the baby once she was here. The amnio came back showing there was no chromosome abnormalities which was a HUGE answer to prayer and it just gave us a new sense of hope. This problem is medically unrelated to what happened with Eva and there is no known cause. I did not have a c-section with Eva but will with Ella due to the fact that the omphalocele is moderate to large in size and could possibly rupture during a vaginal delivery.

So, from there we have continued to meet with our doctors and we met with a surgeon to discuss options for surgery. Like I have said before it's hard to say what they will do as far as surgery. Surgery will take place within the first two days after delivery to put the organs back in her abdomen. We don't know if that will be the only surgery or not. Depending on how it goes and how well everything fits back inside her abdomen will determine whether more surgeries will be needed. We are looking at a hospital stay of at least a month. Hopefully that will help explain a little more about what has happened and what we have ahead of us. Again, thank you all for joining in prayer for our family. We are so blessed by all of you!

Okay, so next post I'll try to lighten the mood and share some funny Eva stories and pictures so check back soon!

19 comments:

Mere Ware said...

Amy- the post was written like an English scholar. we are so glad that prayers are being answered! We will continue to pray for Ella's safe arrival and your sanity! We love you guys!!!

Brooks Inc. said...

Amy-

I am so thankful for the update. we are always praying for you guys and precious Ella...knowing that the Lord is receiving the glory as you walk this path...and praying you feel His presence escorting you every step of the way. We love you all so!

May you continue to feel His strength and His comfort...We will lift up each of these requests and continue to anticipate the Lord's answers.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us...

Becky

GPaty said...

Amy, we continue to lift you and your precious family up to our loving Heavenly Father. Thank you for the update and thank you for your testimony of courage. You are ministering to others every day.
Love and hugs,
Ginger and Cody

Jennifer K said...

We will continue to lift up your entire family and the doctors. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Jodi said...

Precious Ella is going to have an AMAZING story to tell... how the Lord was using her before she was even born to touch the lives of so many! I can't wait for you to tell her all about her success story so she can someday share it with others. Until then, know that your sweet girl and family are covered in prayer daily in our home in Houston, and we consider it an honor to do so. Love y'all!

angela said...

Sounds like God's hand has already been covering her! We will continue to pray for that sweet girl and your family. I love the scripture that you shared with us!. Resting in His faithfulness is the only way to go.

Anonymous said...

Loving you and Baby Ella today. And of course ol' Rick and Amazing Eva!

Julia said...

So thankful that baby Ella is still strong! We love her already & can't wait to meet her. We'll keep on praying!

Marta said...

Amy, just want you to know we are praying for your family today and throughout the rest of your pregnancy. Thank you for sharing your feelings with such transparency. God bless!

Marta Dugan
(Jonathan Goudeau's sister)

Shanta said...

Amy, thank you for keeping everyone posted. We are glad to hear that things are coming along smoothly. We love you four so much and will be praying for the things you mentioned. I can volunteer for Eva duty once that fabulous month-long hospital stay begins!

Shelly said...

I can't imagine how anxious and scared you have to be getting of all of the upcoming unknowns. Thank you so much for your transparency and letting us know how you REALLY are. God gave me Psalm 91 the morning Tra went in for his colonoscopy---before we knew what was about to unfold. I got home that evening and it was still open on my kitchen table and I just cried. He is so sweet to give us those encouraging words during our hard times. I love how personal He is and how strong He is---He'll continue to carry you all through this time and I have no doubt that a few months from know you will be saying how good it feels to be on the other side and to look back and see all He did for you! Praying for a miracle---still!!! So happy to hear that her abdomen is bigger and that the possibility of only one surgery is higher and higher!! Love you guys--

Kelly Vaughn said...

Thank you for taking the time to share such intimate details. We are praying for you often. Praying that the Lord's presence surrounds you at all times. It is obvious He is near.

Macy said...

Amy, I obviously knew nothing about this when we saw you last night. I would have mentioned it. I am glad you mentioned your blog and I am glad to know what I can be praying for. What faith you have. Chad and I will join you in believing in the the healing hand of our God. I pray that those who don't know Him would see him in new ways because of His faithfulness and healing in Ella's precious life.

Lynnie said...

Rick and Amy - Susan sent me the link to your blog today. My heart aches for you. I know that our God is mighty to save and I will hold you close in prayer. Once we become moms our hearts are never our own. I hear your heart and from one mom to another I send my love!

Hill Country Hill Tribers said...

What a great post. We can't wait to meet baby Ella. Love you!

Jess

Jennifer said...

Just wanted you to know that I'm reading your blog and that I'm praying for you guys every time you enter my thoughts. I'm so glad our paths are crossing more often - you are such an example of faith and strength. I pray God's richest blessings on your sweet family and precious Ella.

Ashley said...

Still praying for sweet Ella. I know she is in the Lord's hand and still being knit by His hand as we speak.

Natalie said...

Thank you Amy for updating us again. We will continue to lift up the whole family, but this week, I'll definitely be praying for a peaceful spirit for you. As a worrier myself, I want you to be able to fully enjoy the next few weeks without being hindered by doubt or worry. We love you!

Summer said...

I just found your blog for the first time. I am thankful for the good report and that Ella continues to be strong. We will be praying specifically for the things you mentioned in your post. We love you guys and are amazed at the way that God is revealing himself through your faithfulness during this time.