Wednesday, March 24, 2010

update on gavin

well, it has been quite a week. i am going to start from the beginning - last wednesday. my hope is that this blog will help everyone stay updated on newest developments. also, i think it's important that everyone has the correct information and now you can hear it straight from us! so...here we go!

up until last wednesday, i had the most perfect, textbook pregnancy. i felt great and i loved being pregnant! we had an ultrasound at 19 weeks to find out the sex of the baby and then were asked to come back at 22 weeks for additional measurements that they were unable to get at 19 weeks. after our 22 week ultrasound, they asked us to come back yet again for an ultrasound 2 weeks later at 24 weeks (that was last wednesday). when we went back, we were told that there appeared to be a few areas of concern.
the first area of concern was a spot in gavin's stomach/intestines that they had been monitoring since 22 weeks. they are still unsure of what this is, perhaps blood, but it doesn't appear to be anything of huge concern at this time...just something to monitor. the next thing they told us was that my amniotic fluid was abnormally low. normal is anywhere between 8 and 25 cc's or some term like that! my fluid levels were at a 7.7. this was alarming to them. the next thing (yes, something else) they brought to our attention was the fact that there was no endiastolic flow through the umbilical cord. let me explain...when his heart contracts as it's beating, there is blood flow, called cistolic flow. however, when his heart releases, there is supposed to be blood flow, called endiastolic flow. our little guy had none. again...this was cause for huge concern with the doctors.

as you can imagine, jeramy and i were so shocked and quite frankly, caught off guard by this news, especially since we have had such a wonderful pregnancy thus far. we then scheduled an appointment for friday with our ob. we met with her to go over questions/etc. she didn't really have any answers for us. she told us this is not something they see and we were a "puzzle" to her and to the perinatologists. we talked with family and friends immediately following our appointment on wednesday and began praying for God's healing touch on our little one. since there were no answers/explanations from the doctors, we knew that this was giving God such a huge opportunity to show His strength and faithfulness to us. boy did He ever!

we went in this past monday for yet another ultrasound. the doctor came in and told us that my amniotic fluid doubled since wednesday. he said, "what have you been doing to get your levels up like this?" jeramy's response..."we prayed". he looked at us again and said, "yeah, but in addition to that, what have you been doing?". my response..."having other people pray". we believe with all our heart that God alone provided more amniotic fluid over those 5 short days. my fluid levels are currently at 15.2 (well in the range of where they should be). the next thing they looked at was the cord and the blood flow in it. they were able to catch movement in the cord when his heart was releasing. they said it wasn't strong enough to get through to him, but there was some movement...which is progress!

they had me go into the hospital yesterday to begin steroid treatments. i had my first round yesterday and my second round today. the reason they are giving the steroid is because it helps lung development for babies born prematurely. the steroid needs to be in my system for 48 hours prior to delivery in order for it to work on his lungs the way that it needs to.

when we met with our ob last friday, i asked her if i am going to lose the baby, deliver early, or carry full term. she said she doesn't know yet. there is still a chance that we will lose the baby although, each day that goes by, i am confident about the progress he is making. and keep in mind that now that my fluid levels have increased, this is less of a possibility. it is pretty apparent at this stage that this baby is coming early. just how early is the question. we want him to stay in there as long as possible if it is the best place for him. however, if the environment becomes to "hostile" for him, and they can grow him better outside the womb, so be it.

at this stage, jeramy and i are living day to day, not knowing what tomorrow brings. but we know one thing......GOD is more in control of our lives now than He has ever been! we have been so thankful to go through this trying time together, to grow our relationship in Christ and with each other. it's a scary place to be with nothing to hold to but your faith, but i have to say, there is no other place we'd rather be.

we are also so thankful for friends and family. people have come through for us in ways we have only dreamed of. a dear friend from church has organized meals for us on mondays, wednesdays and fridays. we are in awe of that! people everywhere are praying...even on the other side of the world. gosh, we feel your prayers. please, please, please, keep them coming!

i realize that this post is extremely long. they won't all be like this as i will be able to update daily...since i am on complete bed rest from now until this little guy graces us with his presence. i hope you feel free to comment, follow, or just occasionally check in with us on here. we will keep you updated as soon as we have more information. like i said, we are going at it day by day.

here are some specific prayer requests...
  • pray for gavin's next milestone of making it to 28 weeks inside my belly. the doctors say that this is a huge step in his progress and lessens his chances of ongoing complications.
  • pray for jeramy...he is feeling under the weather (understandable right?). he is the most amazing man ever and i respect and admire his strength and Godliness during this time. you have been my rock honey.
  • pray for me to get better rest at night and for my mind to stay out of "dark places" (the what if's i often ask myself)
  • pray for God to continue to strengthen our marriage and grow us during this time.
  • pray for our families as this has been affecting them so much too.
we love you all so much and look forward to going through this time with all of you. GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Psalm 112:7
"he will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord".


12 comments:

  1. I love you Trace (and your little baby:) I'm praying for you and your family. If there's one thing you taught me when you were my mentor, it's that God is so much bigger and stronger than anything we face, and we can hold fast to His promises that this is His plan and He will carry us.

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  2. Thank you for posting this. I've been hearing so much 2nd and 3rd hand! We are praying for your specific requests. God is going to use all of you as a ministry to others in ways you don't even know! You are such a witness and model of living a Christ-like life! Stay courageous and trust in God's promises! He is carrying you right now!

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  3. While Baby Gavin is very small right now, I know your God is very BIG. My prayer is that our BIG God will overwhelm you with His presence and the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing how trustworthy He has proven Himself to be in your lives. We love you loads!

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  4. I am so glad to know what is really going on. You, Jeramy, and baby Gavin are in my thoughts and prayers. We miss you at work! I know you have so many people-but if there is anything I can do let me know. I love you!

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  5. Namesake:
    I am on my knees for you. I love you and am trusting in the Lord to bring all of you through this. Continue to cling to Him! May His peace that transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds in the days to come. We love you and Jeramy and precious Gavin.
    Tracy and Chad Steel

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  6. All 3 of you are in our prayers and will continue to be. We will be praying that Gavin will thrive and continue to amaze everyone with his progress! The Lord definitely has HIS hand on your precious little boy, how sweet it will be when he does make his debut! Blessings and may you be able to rest in the arms of our STRONG and MIRACULOUS Lord and Saviour.

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  7. I am blessed to be able to read from your perspective and to share each and every day with you as we walk through this life together. We are finding a lot of new trails these days, huh?!
    Love you - Me.

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  8. 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

    Tracee, my constant prayers are with you and your family. Your testimony and show of faith during this trying time is a true inspiration for me.

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  9. Tracee, Jeramy, and Gavin:
    You are all so on my mind. Let your faithfulness bring you strength. Our almighty God is in control. He is the gaurdian, holy, Immanuel. I will pray specifically for you daily. May God be with you and comfort you know and always.
    Love, Melissa

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  10. Tracee, Jeramy, and Gavin:
    Thank you for sharing and updating your story with us all. I succumbed to tears after reading your Blog. I knew right away that something was wrong when I didn't see you at work on Monday. I asked yesterday at TCT and was alarmed right away when some of your colleagues told me to check your Blog. Please know that I am praying for you, Jeramy, and baby Gavin. God works in miraculous ways and your inspirational story and way you speak your mind show how powerful God is working through your lives. I believe all of us will undergo a powerful faith transformation through your story as baby Gavin gets closer to his next milestone.

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  11. Although we would never choose to walk down some of the paths that God has us walk down..those places are our opportunity to experience attributes of God that we couldn't any other way. My prayer for you is that you will experience peace that goes beyond human understanding, as I did. God is amazing in the hardest of moments...look for His hand every day...He is there just as He promises to be. Take one day at a time.... Pam

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  12. Hey Tracee, just wanted to tell you that Emily has been keeping me updated on your pregnancy. And now that I read your blog I can fully understand what is going on. I am so sorry you are going through this! I will pray for you, your husband and Gavin. Ive been through the bed rest, steroid shots, premature baby, nicu roller coaster ride so if you have any questions please feel free to ask! Praying for YOU!!!! - Rachel Knapp and Cole too!

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