We had our 20 week ultrasound on Jelly Bean this past Tuesday and found out that we are being blessed with a baby boy!
A high-risk obstetrician we saw later the same day has tentatively diagnosed our son with a congenital heart defect. It is called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). It is not genetic, not related to our ages, and not related to anything the baby was exposed to due to Lisa’s gall bladder surgery. It's just one of those conditions you pray you aren’t faced with as a parent. Essentially, the left side of our son’s heart is not developing as it should. It is a fatal condition if left untreated. Currently, the number of hospitals that can treat this condition with proficiency are limited. Depending on the severity of our baby's condition and whether there are other problems present, we will need to decide whether to treat him with three surgeries before the age of 3 or a heart transplant. In some severe cases, the three surgeries and a transplant are required over the course of a child’s life. Our next step on this journey is to meet with a pediatric cardiologist at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to get confirmation of this diagnosis. This appointment should take place in the next couple of weeks.
We are doing as well as we could be under the circumstances, but we are also quite overwhelmed at the moment. As many of you know, Bill and I are both professional caregivers in our roles as mental health counselors, and we now find ourselves in great need of some TLC ourselves. However, our most immediate need is for prayer. We would ask that you place our family on your prayer list and “pray without ceasing.” We also ask that you add us to any Bible class, Bible study, or other church’s prayer list that you, your friends, or family members might be a part of. Our first priority is that our family be “covered in prayer” right now.
Our immediate prayer requests include:
1. PRAISE to God that we are expecting this child. Because we know that all situations can bring glory to God, we know that this situation will ultimately be a blessing to our family, our friends, our church, our care providers, and our community regardless of what happens. We’re just not sure what form that blessing will take yet.
2. PRAISE to God that our son has all four chambers of his heart, and blood is passing through all four chambers. Some children with this condition only have two or three chambers.
3. For complete healing for our son during this pregnancy (we are asking for the moon since God made it anyway!).
4. For an appointment with the pediatric cardiologist at Vanderbilt Children’s very soon.
5. For strength, guidance, and wisdom as we face treatment choices and decisions.
6. For good physical health and restful sleep for Bill and Lisa as we absorb this news and make decisions.
7. For God to show us the way financially so we can provide the best medical care for our son.
8. For the strength to let this child go home to God if it becomes obvious that this is God’s answer to our prayers.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
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