Pray for our Sweet Caroline

Caroline with her little earmuffs on.  She wasn't tolerating all of the noise in the NICU too well :)

Our precious Caroline surprised us by arriving 5 weeks early on August 15, 2012.  She weighed 6 1/2 pounds and was 19 1/2 inches long.  We had quite the difficult pregnancy - Caroline was diagnosed with hydrocephalus very early on in the pregnancy.  We could also see in the dozens of ultrasounds that were performed that she was not able to swallow, her jaw was small and there was a deformity with one of her feet.  We met with a number of doctors and there were a few educated guesses as to what genetic disease Caroline may have.  Trisomy 18 was a strong possibility but Doug and I chose not to test for this while she was in the womb.  The genetic tests were run soon after she was born and all of her sweet chromosomes are in perfect order!  PRAISE THE LORD!!!

As expected, however, Caroline does have many health problems and has been in the NICU at UMC since her big arrival.  Thankfully, she doesn't have esophageal atresia which was the diagnosis she was given to explain why she wasn't swallowing.  We still don't know why she is unable to swallow but our best guess at this point is that it's a neurological issue.  Her jaw is on the small side but it's not causing any problems at the moment so we'll cross that bridge when we get there.  She was born without any toes on her right foot which, I'll admit, is heartbreaking to her Mama but, at the same time, isn't life threatening so, again, we'll do what we have to do to help that precious little foot out when it's time.  Along with her pre-mature lung development, the hydrocephalus is the most pressing issue these days.  When she was only 8 days old, Miss Caroline had surgery :( She had a shunt put in her head to begin draining off all of the extra fluid.  The shunt is definitely doing its job.  We can see a very drastic change in her head shape already!

Unfortunately the sudden changes on her brain as the pressure has been taken off has produced some seizure activity and some pulmonary distress.....but our sweet Caroline has already proven to be a F.I.G.H.T.E.R.  On Saturday one of her lungs began to collapse, the doctors had to "bag" her, she had to get some blood to help get oxygen to her body and she got put on nitrogen (or nitrate?) to help better move the oxygen throughout her body.  THEN on Sunday she began having seizures and she had to be put on several seizure medications.  Fortunately,  I can say that she hasn't had any setbacks since Sunday night and we're praying that her lungs and brain activity begin to improve each day.  Caroline is still considered in "critical condition" so PLEASE continue to pray for her.

Doug and I want to let all of our friends and family know how much your calls, texts, emails, acts of service and, most importantly, your prayers have meant to us.  You have rallied your churches, small groups, prayer warriors, etc. to intercede for our family as we have faced many medical issues this year with Benaiah and Caroline.  Don't stop praying!  Please continue to join Doug and me as we plead with the Lord to show his sweet mercy on our babies and provide healing to their bodies.

Love,
Elaine