Dear Friends,
First of all thank you for all of your prayers. They are sustaining us right now. I definitely feel them. Thank you, thank you. I just wanted to update you all on the follow up tests on the baby. This is so hard to write.
On Friday we went in for a Nuchal Translucent Ultrasound. This can look at all of the baby's structures a little more closely. Upon further investigation, what they originally thought was a cystic hygroma on the back of the baby's neck is actually an encephalocele. What this means is that the sutures at the back of the baby's skull have failed to fuse together. This forms a sort of bubble at the neck area, sometimes filled with fluid and other times filled with tissue. It looks like there is some tissue in our little baby's sac, it also looks like because of the position of the encephalocele that it is also involving the vertebrae and spinal cord. As you can imagine this is not good. This will involve respiratory function, brain function, swallowing, walking, etc. all of the major body systems.
We are devastated. If I am able to carry the baby to term it will most likely not survive soon after birth. I am still praying for a miracle because God is bigger than all of this. If it is His Will. Regardless of the outcome I know their will be blessings. There always are when we carry a cross.
The next step is to go back in four weeks for another ultrasound. Eventually they can do an MRI of the baby's brain and we could possibly get a neurologist involved. They asked us if we wanted genetic testing done. We didn't feel that was necessary as it won't change anything for us or the outcome for the baby.
I know this is all so very personal and it pains me to write all of this but I know you are all praying for all of us, and we so desperately need your prayers. Thank you.
Love,
Kirsten
Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
Those who go forth weeping,
carrying sacks of seed,
will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves.
Psalm 126:5-6
Blessed Margaret of Castello pray for us!
St. Gerard pray for us!
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February 24, 2013
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About Me
- Hi, my name is Kirsten. I am married to my best friend and we have eight awesome children. We are Catholic, loving, living, and learning about our faith every day. It is who we are. We have had some big changes for our family recently. We've moved from a small family farm in Florida to a neighborhood in Kentucky. We also homeschool some of our children. I enjoy reading, gardening, and running, and I just learned how to knit. I try to enjoy, laundry and cleaning bathrooms and sweeping floors. But what I really love is to be home, with my husband and children, living this life. This blog is where I write about the good stuff (mostly). Thanks for stopping by.
Growing In Our Garden
- Thomas Joseph ~due in August 2013, our special blessing with encephalocele
- Henry 17 months
- John Paul 4
- Amelia 6
- Catherine 8
- Patrick 9
- Mary Jane 12
- Julia 14
- Joe 15
Today in the Church
how nice
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St. Josemaria Escriva
- "Here is a piece of advice I shall never tire of telling souls: Love the Mother of God madly, for she is our Mother, too."
St Francis De Sales
Prayer to St. Joseph
- PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH THE WORKMAN Composed by Pope St. Pius X O glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.
A Considered Childhood by Elizabeth Foss
- As much as I am able, every day, I will ensure that my child will: * Live the Liturgy * Experience loveliness * Breathe deeply: Fresh air and exercise * Serve others * Listen to, contemplate, and exchange ideas. * Develop expressive skills. * Practice logical reasoning. Math. * Receive focused attention and affection
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- "The scariest nine words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." -Ronald Reagan
- "The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." Norman Thomas Socialist Party of America
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Prayer Kirsten for you and your little precious baby.
Posted by: Maryan Vander Woude | February 24, 2013 at 07:41 AM
Praying for peace of heart for you and your family, and for a miracle for your little unborn one.
Posted by: Lucy | February 24, 2013 at 09:46 AM
So sorry. :-( We'll keep praying.
Posted by: Jennie C. | February 24, 2013 at 11:35 AM
I've been checking every day waiting for some news. I'm so sorry. This will be a hard road to walk but you've got a powerful God carrying you each step of the way. Your desire to carry this baby in spite of the issues that you know are there will be a witness. I'm praying for strength and comfort for you and your family and a miracle for your baby.
Love,
Tiffany
Posted by: Tiffany | February 24, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Praying for a miracle!! And loving you!!
Posted by: Julie | February 24, 2013 at 02:37 PM
My verification word was "Blessed"!!
Posted by: Julie | February 24, 2013 at 02:38 PM
Like Tiffany, I have been praying and checking for an update. I'm sure this must be so hard to write and share but please know that many prayers are being spoken for you, your family and your baby.
Posted by: Debi | February 24, 2013 at 06:23 PM
Oh my! Is that what the little Dominic Pio baby had? Have you followed his story? His bubble was in the front, between the eyes, and just had a successful surgery. Oh, what a cross - we are praying for you and your dear baby!
Posted by: tracy | February 25, 2013 at 03:39 AM
Thank you for keeping us updated - I know it must be painful to have to do so. We will continue to pray for your family and for the baby.
Posted by: am | February 25, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Praying for you and your precious baby! Our God is faithful in all things. Praying for that peace that passes all understanding. Lots of Love, Caryn
Posted by: Caryn | February 25, 2013 at 04:45 PM
Praying for you my sweet friend.
Posted by: One Blessed Mamma | February 25, 2013 at 08:08 PM
Dear Kirsten,
I'm so sorry to hear about your baby. I, too, have been in a similar situation. Different condition but same scenario. I will pray that you get the love and support that you need. For me, the switch from the regular OB to the high risk OB's at a major medical center made a huge difference. From the doctors down to the receptionist, they were very supportive and simple better skilled to help me through the pregnancy.
I commented once on your blog when Henry was born. You e-mailed me and I've always meant to e-mail you back. I stumbled on your blog once when I was goggling something about homeschooling. We have much in common....Catholic homeschooling moms & similar philosophies. I laughed when I discovered that you too joined CC for the first time this year! All my children are really enjoying it.
Our family does not live in the US. Last year we travelled for about a month and didn't have regular internet access. One evening when we had returned home, my husband heard me say, "I need to check and see what my friend Kirsten's up to." He was confused, "Who is Kirsten?"
You are in my thoughts and prayer,
Peggy
Posted by: Peggy | February 26, 2013 at 06:35 PM
Kirsten,
We are keeping you and your baby in our prayers. I went through something similar a few weeks ago with our baby, and I know how it feels to be completely devastated. Everything turned out good for us, and I pray that the same will happen for you. I will pray to St. Gerard for you and your baby. You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Kim Folgore
Posted by: Kimberly Folgore | February 27, 2013 at 07:17 AM
Oh Kirsten! I'm so sorry! I will be praying. "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Ps 34:17-18
Posted by: Melissa | February 27, 2013 at 01:49 PM
We are praying for you and your precious baby!
KAMMiller
Posted by: Kiri Miller | March 12, 2013 at 11:13 AM