The Happenings

The Loves of my Life

I got an unexpected night off last night so I thought I would sit down and write a quick blog post.  I actually had somewhere to be, but Baby Girl got sick and I ended up at home.  She handles being sick so well...I'm fortunate.

Our family had a difficult week.  My cousins are expecting their second child, due in February.  They were excited to find out the sex of the baby at the regular ultrasound.  They were given the exciting news and my cousin left his wife and daughter there while he rushed off to an appointment.  His wife waited for the doctor to return to do whatever it is doctors do after ultrasound technicians are done.  The doctor entered and said, "Yes, it's as bad as we thought."  Surprised, my cousin asked what in the world he was referring to.  "Didn't the tech tell you about the brain?"  Nervous about the news she was about to receive, she called her husband and told him to get right back.  As luck would have it, he was stuck on the highway with no way to get off or turn around.  She had to take the news alone, with her 5-year old.

She was told that they couldn't see any brain tissue in the ultrasound.  There was swelling in the brain and not enough (or too much?) space between the brain and skull.  I am still sketchy on the details, but the diagnosis was labeled "serious."  Spina Bifida and Down's Syndrome were mentioned.  As expected, the future parents flipped out.  They talked to their parents and agreed not to tell the rest of the family until they had more news.

We got the news Sunday at church.  The expectant parents were to be named the pastors of the church soon after the arrival of their baby.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, they announced the heart-wrenching news to the congregation.  Special prayer was conducted over the family and we planned on using up a lot of faith in the next few months.

Monday, one set of parents flew in from Florida and they all went to the neonatal center together.  The ultrasound was long, and they were given a counselor who would attend all appointments with them from that point forward.  One thing the doctor said is that brain tissue cannot be seen on an ultrasound.  The person who told them that was sorely mistaken.  My cousins were irate.

They were told that the baby's heart and spine were fine.  There was swelling in the brain that was still labeled as severe.  Yet, the parents were told that if the swelling stays exactly as it is now, they have a 70% chance that the baby will not suffer any serious problems.  That was such a huge relief to us all!  The best case scenario is difficulty learning.  That's something we can deal with, so we're all sitting on pins and needles until she delivers.  At birth, the baby will have minimally invasive brain surgery, but we've got several more months to prepare for that.

It really made me stop and realize how blessed I am.  I've always known that, yet I've taken it for granted.  It's hard to find any fault in your own child when you hear what others so close to you are going through.

So, that's what's been on my plate lately.  Both side businesses are thriving, so Hubby and I are working A LOT.  (Another blessing.)  So, I'm tired and worn out, but sleeping like a baby at night.

Hopefully I can keep you better updated, but only when I have extra time.  I've got to take care of life first.

Thanks for reading.  I think of you all often.