Ruthie and I had a follow-up doctor's visit today. In case you didn't hear the last installment, Ruthie was hydropic; meaning where her heart was under so much stress she developed hydrops or swelling all around her. It was a sign of heart failure. The procedure she had done took the stress on her heart and her heart is fine but the hydrops (swelling) was still there. If she were born with the hydrops, it could be fatal. She also had fluid in her "healthy" lung; the left one.
As of today, she is NO longer hydropic!!! Also, the fluid in her left lung has resolved. Every time we put something on here for you guys to pray for... the next appointment, it's gone! No, our doctor is not a quack. Our GOD is AMAZING! Our doctor is so smart and capable. I've seen these things on the ultrasound myself. I know I'm not trained to read those things but I saw the swelling. Today, THERE WAS NO SWELLING. I'm so sorry to say that I am surprised by this. I have never ever questioned whether or not God could accomplish these things... I've wondered what his will is for our lives. He is faithful and good. He hears and answers prayers. Even if we didn't get good news today, he's the same God!
So, as we continue to live through this trial, please continue to pray for our little Ruthie. We continue to cross these hurdles. We've got one more. I sincerely ask you to pray for her. I know God is listening to our cries for her. The mass that was on her lung was a combination of fluid and solid. The shunt they put in got rid of the fluid but the solid mass is still there. It's pretty sizable. It's large. They can't see any of the right lung. They are concerned about the function of the right lung. It's possible that she could have surgery after she's born but even after that we're not sure if she can live with her lungs the way they are. Please pray specifically for her little lungs to develop and be healthy and for the lung mass to DISAPPEAR! Get smaller or disappear! Also, pray for us as we meet with neonatal surgeons and getting more info on her care after birth.
God is Great! Amen.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Living Life Online
Hello Again, friends and family!
Over the past few days, I've been blessed to talk to and see a lot of people. They all say "Hey! I've seen your blog. How are you?" I know to some (even me) it may seem strange to live our lives so transparently online. Blogging about something so personal where so many can see and feel involved. I've felt this week like.... maybe we "told" too many people about our situation. Maybe we've let too many people in. Agreed... it's not the best place to air your innermost thoughts because everyone from your best friends to mere acquaintances can know all about your business.
We decided to let everyone in for two reasons. 1) Ruthie has what feels like a million people praying for her. This was the easiest way to get the word out for prayers for her sweet little lungs and heart. 2) Some of our closest friends live literally around the world. The world has gotten so small to us. We have dear friends from all over... from as close as walking distance to Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Washington, Michigan, and lots of other states to Nicaragua, Haiti, Central Asia, Tanzania.... not just acquaintances.... dear dear friends and family who we want to know and be involved in our lives AND praying for our little girl.
So, know that we didn't just flippantly post our most personal stuff online. We considered keeping it close but, in the end, decided that we'd rather our random acquaintances know everything than to exclude loved ones. I've said this once and I'll say it again and again.... We are so encouraged by ALL your love and support through this. Thanks for your prayers! We mean that! We know that God listens and answers prayer! If we didn't before, we do now! A sincere thank you for thinking of us.
Over the past few days, I've been blessed to talk to and see a lot of people. They all say "Hey! I've seen your blog. How are you?" I know to some (even me) it may seem strange to live our lives so transparently online. Blogging about something so personal where so many can see and feel involved. I've felt this week like.... maybe we "told" too many people about our situation. Maybe we've let too many people in. Agreed... it's not the best place to air your innermost thoughts because everyone from your best friends to mere acquaintances can know all about your business.
We decided to let everyone in for two reasons. 1) Ruthie has what feels like a million people praying for her. This was the easiest way to get the word out for prayers for her sweet little lungs and heart. 2) Some of our closest friends live literally around the world. The world has gotten so small to us. We have dear friends from all over... from as close as walking distance to Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Washington, Michigan, and lots of other states to Nicaragua, Haiti, Central Asia, Tanzania.... not just acquaintances.... dear dear friends and family who we want to know and be involved in our lives AND praying for our little girl.
So, know that we didn't just flippantly post our most personal stuff online. We considered keeping it close but, in the end, decided that we'd rather our random acquaintances know everything than to exclude loved ones. I've said this once and I'll say it again and again.... We are so encouraged by ALL your love and support through this. Thanks for your prayers! We mean that! We know that God listens and answers prayer! If we didn't before, we do now! A sincere thank you for thinking of us.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Update on Ruthie Grace
Here's the latest on Ruthie:
We checked in to the hospital on Monday. We had the procedure done on Tuesday. First of all, the procedure they did must have been fairly new because we had a room full of doctors, residents, nurses, etc. All wanting to get a glimpse of little Ruthie. Our little girl is already causing a fuss! There was a mass on her lung filled with fluid that was putting a ton of pressure on her little heart causing some signs of high stress. Her heart was under so much stress that it caused her to swell/retain fluid. Using a giant hollow needle (don't worry; I was numb and couldn't see a thing), they put in a shunt to drain a fluid in the mass. It must have been cool because the room was pretty quiet when the shunt went in. The doctor standing nearest to me said the ultrasound looked very cool! She could see the cyst going down instantly. Before the procedure, her heart looked squished and was against her spine. We saw a follow-up ultrasound today and we got to see all 4 chambers of her heart and they all look normal and it's going back to where it's supposed to be.
She is still swollen/retaining fluid, the solid mass is still there (but much smaller), and she does have some fluid in her left lung. She is in no way out of the woods but they have given her the best shot. Over the next 3-4 months we'll be watching these things and praying that they resolve and just go away! She may have to have some surgery after she's born. There are so many things that we just don't know. There are several ways this could go. There are just too many variables.
As for me, I'm feeling okay. I'm having some cramping (totally normal) and my back is sore from the spinal. But I assume these things will go away soon. My mind is okay too. I, of course, have my moments of total hysteria. But, in general, I'm hopeful, happy, and anticipating the arrival of Ruthie.
With all this good news, there is a small bit of bad news. Well, not bad.... i guess it depends on who you ask. I'm on modified bed rest from now until the end of the pregnancy, hopefully a full 3 1/2 months. You know what this means..... i'm not going back to school this August. I was totally bumbed. I was really looking forward to getting back to school, but modified bed rest says no working. Modified bed rest means I can walk around my house and I can do one outing a day for around 2-3 hours. But this limits me a tad. A tad more than I like but I will do anything to give this sweet child the best possible outcome!
I told our doctors, I (and many others) have prayed and prayed that this lung mass would just disappear or get smaller so that she could have a shot at life. God didn't just make it disappear, but He used them to make it go away. I don't care how God answers our prayers. I am super thankful to all the doctors who were able to help me and Ruthie this week.
There are too many stories of how God has showed up this week to explain them all. We are just praising God for showing his favor on us and sending us so many blessings. Jimmy and I are so so so thankful to everyone who has been praying for us. We can definitely feel everyone's prayers. God is so good. We will continue to pray and not doubt. We are trying to be guarded but faithful.
We checked in to the hospital on Monday. We had the procedure done on Tuesday. First of all, the procedure they did must have been fairly new because we had a room full of doctors, residents, nurses, etc. All wanting to get a glimpse of little Ruthie. Our little girl is already causing a fuss! There was a mass on her lung filled with fluid that was putting a ton of pressure on her little heart causing some signs of high stress. Her heart was under so much stress that it caused her to swell/retain fluid. Using a giant hollow needle (don't worry; I was numb and couldn't see a thing), they put in a shunt to drain a fluid in the mass. It must have been cool because the room was pretty quiet when the shunt went in. The doctor standing nearest to me said the ultrasound looked very cool! She could see the cyst going down instantly. Before the procedure, her heart looked squished and was against her spine. We saw a follow-up ultrasound today and we got to see all 4 chambers of her heart and they all look normal and it's going back to where it's supposed to be.
She is still swollen/retaining fluid, the solid mass is still there (but much smaller), and she does have some fluid in her left lung. She is in no way out of the woods but they have given her the best shot. Over the next 3-4 months we'll be watching these things and praying that they resolve and just go away! She may have to have some surgery after she's born. There are so many things that we just don't know. There are several ways this could go. There are just too many variables.
As for me, I'm feeling okay. I'm having some cramping (totally normal) and my back is sore from the spinal. But I assume these things will go away soon. My mind is okay too. I, of course, have my moments of total hysteria. But, in general, I'm hopeful, happy, and anticipating the arrival of Ruthie.
With all this good news, there is a small bit of bad news. Well, not bad.... i guess it depends on who you ask. I'm on modified bed rest from now until the end of the pregnancy, hopefully a full 3 1/2 months. You know what this means..... i'm not going back to school this August. I was totally bumbed. I was really looking forward to getting back to school, but modified bed rest says no working. Modified bed rest means I can walk around my house and I can do one outing a day for around 2-3 hours. But this limits me a tad. A tad more than I like but I will do anything to give this sweet child the best possible outcome!
I told our doctors, I (and many others) have prayed and prayed that this lung mass would just disappear or get smaller so that she could have a shot at life. God didn't just make it disappear, but He used them to make it go away. I don't care how God answers our prayers. I am super thankful to all the doctors who were able to help me and Ruthie this week.
There are too many stories of how God has showed up this week to explain them all. We are just praising God for showing his favor on us and sending us so many blessings. Jimmy and I are so so so thankful to everyone who has been praying for us. We can definitely feel everyone's prayers. God is so good. We will continue to pray and not doubt. We are trying to be guarded but faithful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Ruthie Update
Ruthie and I had a follow-up doctor's visit today. In case you didn't hear the last installment, Ruthie was hydropic; meaning where her heart was under so much stress she developed hydrops or swelling all around her. It was a sign of heart failure. The procedure she had done took the stress on her heart and her heart is fine but the hydrops (swelling) was still there. If she were born with the hydrops, it could be fatal. She also had fluid in her "healthy" lung; the left one.
As of today, she is NO longer hydropic!!! Also, the fluid in her left lung has resolved. Every time we put something on here for you guys to pray for... the next appointment, it's gone! No, our doctor is not a quack. Our GOD is AMAZING! Our doctor is so smart and capable. I've seen these things on the ultrasound myself. I know I'm not trained to read those things but I saw the swelling. Today, THERE WAS NO SWELLING. I'm so sorry to say that I am surprised by this. I have never ever questioned whether or not God could accomplish these things... I've wondered what his will is for our lives. He is faithful and good. He hears and answers prayers. Even if we didn't get good news today, he's the same God!
So, as we continue to live through this trial, please continue to pray for our little Ruthie. We continue to cross these hurdles. We've got one more. I sincerely ask you to pray for her. I know God is listening to our cries for her. The mass that was on her lung was a combination of fluid and solid. The shunt they put in got rid of the fluid but the solid mass is still there. It's pretty sizable. It's large. They can't see any of the right lung. They are concerned about the function of the right lung. It's possible that she could have surgery after she's born but even after that we're not sure if she can live with her lungs the way they are. Please pray specifically for her little lungs to develop and be healthy and for the lung mass to DISAPPEAR! Get smaller or disappear! Also, pray for us as we meet with neonatal surgeons and getting more info on her care after birth.
God is Great! Amen.
As of today, she is NO longer hydropic!!! Also, the fluid in her left lung has resolved. Every time we put something on here for you guys to pray for... the next appointment, it's gone! No, our doctor is not a quack. Our GOD is AMAZING! Our doctor is so smart and capable. I've seen these things on the ultrasound myself. I know I'm not trained to read those things but I saw the swelling. Today, THERE WAS NO SWELLING. I'm so sorry to say that I am surprised by this. I have never ever questioned whether or not God could accomplish these things... I've wondered what his will is for our lives. He is faithful and good. He hears and answers prayers. Even if we didn't get good news today, he's the same God!
So, as we continue to live through this trial, please continue to pray for our little Ruthie. We continue to cross these hurdles. We've got one more. I sincerely ask you to pray for her. I know God is listening to our cries for her. The mass that was on her lung was a combination of fluid and solid. The shunt they put in got rid of the fluid but the solid mass is still there. It's pretty sizable. It's large. They can't see any of the right lung. They are concerned about the function of the right lung. It's possible that she could have surgery after she's born but even after that we're not sure if she can live with her lungs the way they are. Please pray specifically for her little lungs to develop and be healthy and for the lung mass to DISAPPEAR! Get smaller or disappear! Also, pray for us as we meet with neonatal surgeons and getting more info on her care after birth.
God is Great! Amen.
Living Life Online
Hello Again, friends and family!
Over the past few days, I've been blessed to talk to and see a lot of people. They all say "Hey! I've seen your blog. How are you?" I know to some (even me) it may seem strange to live our lives so transparently online. Blogging about something so personal where so many can see and feel involved. I've felt this week like.... maybe we "told" too many people about our situation. Maybe we've let too many people in. Agreed... it's not the best place to air your innermost thoughts because everyone from your best friends to mere acquaintances can know all about your business.
We decided to let everyone in for two reasons. 1) Ruthie has what feels like a million people praying for her. This was the easiest way to get the word out for prayers for her sweet little lungs and heart. 2) Some of our closest friends live literally around the world. The world has gotten so small to us. We have dear friends from all over... from as close as walking distance to Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Washington, Michigan, and lots of other states to Nicaragua, Haiti, Central Asia, Tanzania.... not just acquaintances.... dear dear friends and family who we want to know and be involved in our lives AND praying for our little girl.
So, know that we didn't just flippantly post our most personal stuff online. We considered keeping it close but, in the end, decided that we'd rather our random acquaintances know everything than to exclude loved ones. I've said this once and I'll say it again and again.... We are so encouraged by ALL your love and support through this. Thanks for your prayers! We mean that! We know that God listens and answers prayer! If we didn't before, we do now! A sincere thank you for thinking of us.
Over the past few days, I've been blessed to talk to and see a lot of people. They all say "Hey! I've seen your blog. How are you?" I know to some (even me) it may seem strange to live our lives so transparently online. Blogging about something so personal where so many can see and feel involved. I've felt this week like.... maybe we "told" too many people about our situation. Maybe we've let too many people in. Agreed... it's not the best place to air your innermost thoughts because everyone from your best friends to mere acquaintances can know all about your business.
We decided to let everyone in for two reasons. 1) Ruthie has what feels like a million people praying for her. This was the easiest way to get the word out for prayers for her sweet little lungs and heart. 2) Some of our closest friends live literally around the world. The world has gotten so small to us. We have dear friends from all over... from as close as walking distance to Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Washington, Michigan, and lots of other states to Nicaragua, Haiti, Central Asia, Tanzania.... not just acquaintances.... dear dear friends and family who we want to know and be involved in our lives AND praying for our little girl.
So, know that we didn't just flippantly post our most personal stuff online. We considered keeping it close but, in the end, decided that we'd rather our random acquaintances know everything than to exclude loved ones. I've said this once and I'll say it again and again.... We are so encouraged by ALL your love and support through this. Thanks for your prayers! We mean that! We know that God listens and answers prayer! If we didn't before, we do now! A sincere thank you for thinking of us.
Update on Ruthie Grace
Here's the latest on Ruthie:
We checked in to the hospital on Monday. We had the procedure done on Tuesday. First of all, the procedure they did must have been fairly new because we had a room full of doctors, residents, nurses, etc. All wanting to get a glimpse of little Ruthie. Our little girl is already causing a fuss! There was a mass on her lung filled with fluid that was putting a ton of pressure on her little heart causing some signs of high stress. Her heart was under so much stress that it caused her to swell/retain fluid. Using a giant hollow needle (don't worry; I was numb and couldn't see a thing), they put in a shunt to drain a fluid in the mass. It must have been cool because the room was pretty quiet when the shunt went in. The doctor standing nearest to me said the ultrasound looked very cool! She could see the cyst going down instantly. Before the procedure, her heart looked squished and was against her spine. We saw a follow-up ultrasound today and we got to see all 4 chambers of her heart and they all look normal and it's going back to where it's supposed to be.
She is still swollen/retaining fluid, the solid mass is still there (but much smaller), and she does have some fluid in her left lung. She is in no way out of the woods but they have given her the best shot. Over the next 3-4 months we'll be watching these things and praying that they resolve and just go away! She may have to have some surgery after she's born. There are so many things that we just don't know. There are several ways this could go. There are just too many variables.
As for me, I'm feeling okay. I'm having some cramping (totally normal) and my back is sore from the spinal. But I assume these things will go away soon. My mind is okay too. I, of course, have my moments of total hysteria. But, in general, I'm hopeful, happy, and anticipating the arrival of Ruthie.
With all this good news, there is a small bit of bad news. Well, not bad.... i guess it depends on who you ask. I'm on modified bed rest from now until the end of the pregnancy, hopefully a full 3 1/2 months. You know what this means..... i'm not going back to school this August. I was totally bumbed. I was really looking forward to getting back to school, but modified bed rest says no working. Modified bed rest means I can walk around my house and I can do one outing a day for around 2-3 hours. But this limits me a tad. A tad more than I like but I will do anything to give this sweet child the best possible outcome!
I told our doctors, I (and many others) have prayed and prayed that this lung mass would just disappear or get smaller so that she could have a shot at life. God didn't just make it disappear, but He used them to make it go away. I don't care how God answers our prayers. I am super thankful to all the doctors who were able to help me and Ruthie this week.
There are too many stories of how God has showed up this week to explain them all. We are just praising God for showing his favor on us and sending us so many blessings. Jimmy and I are so so so thankful to everyone who has been praying for us. We can definitely feel everyone's prayers. God is so good. We will continue to pray and not doubt. We are trying to be guarded but faithful.
We checked in to the hospital on Monday. We had the procedure done on Tuesday. First of all, the procedure they did must have been fairly new because we had a room full of doctors, residents, nurses, etc. All wanting to get a glimpse of little Ruthie. Our little girl is already causing a fuss! There was a mass on her lung filled with fluid that was putting a ton of pressure on her little heart causing some signs of high stress. Her heart was under so much stress that it caused her to swell/retain fluid. Using a giant hollow needle (don't worry; I was numb and couldn't see a thing), they put in a shunt to drain a fluid in the mass. It must have been cool because the room was pretty quiet when the shunt went in. The doctor standing nearest to me said the ultrasound looked very cool! She could see the cyst going down instantly. Before the procedure, her heart looked squished and was against her spine. We saw a follow-up ultrasound today and we got to see all 4 chambers of her heart and they all look normal and it's going back to where it's supposed to be.
She is still swollen/retaining fluid, the solid mass is still there (but much smaller), and she does have some fluid in her left lung. She is in no way out of the woods but they have given her the best shot. Over the next 3-4 months we'll be watching these things and praying that they resolve and just go away! She may have to have some surgery after she's born. There are so many things that we just don't know. There are several ways this could go. There are just too many variables.
As for me, I'm feeling okay. I'm having some cramping (totally normal) and my back is sore from the spinal. But I assume these things will go away soon. My mind is okay too. I, of course, have my moments of total hysteria. But, in general, I'm hopeful, happy, and anticipating the arrival of Ruthie.
With all this good news, there is a small bit of bad news. Well, not bad.... i guess it depends on who you ask. I'm on modified bed rest from now until the end of the pregnancy, hopefully a full 3 1/2 months. You know what this means..... i'm not going back to school this August. I was totally bumbed. I was really looking forward to getting back to school, but modified bed rest says no working. Modified bed rest means I can walk around my house and I can do one outing a day for around 2-3 hours. But this limits me a tad. A tad more than I like but I will do anything to give this sweet child the best possible outcome!
I told our doctors, I (and many others) have prayed and prayed that this lung mass would just disappear or get smaller so that she could have a shot at life. God didn't just make it disappear, but He used them to make it go away. I don't care how God answers our prayers. I am super thankful to all the doctors who were able to help me and Ruthie this week.
There are too many stories of how God has showed up this week to explain them all. We are just praising God for showing his favor on us and sending us so many blessings. Jimmy and I are so so so thankful to everyone who has been praying for us. We can definitely feel everyone's prayers. God is so good. We will continue to pray and not doubt. We are trying to be guarded but faithful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)