How to Hope When It’s Hard: Advent Hope
3 days ago
Friday, April 6, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Our Easter Miracle 27 Years Ago Today
It was a day much like today, 27 years ago. That year, like this year, April 4th fell during Holy Week; in fact, April 4, 1985, was Maundy Thursday. Barely making it to the hospital in time (!), Michael James was born at 7:10pm, and we were filled with joy at the new little addition to our family.
However, around 9:00pm, our joy was shaken by the news that Michael had begun to turn blue, and efforts to get more oxygen to him indicated a possible heart problem. The cardiologist briefed us, wanting us to be prepared, saying that he suspected that Michael had an underdeveloped aorta, and that there was no surgical way to correct that abnormality; meaning, that Michael would not live--even through the night. But, they were doing tests to confirm exactly what the problem was, and when he got the results, he would be back. We prayed for a miracle that night.
And God answered our prayers! The tests revealed that Michael did not have an underdeveloped aorta; but he did have a complicated heart abnormality: Tetralogy of Fallot. The tests also revealed that his heart, lungs, and upper chest organs were all mirror-imaged, which was why the cardiologist thought the problem was his aorta. Michael's pulmonary artery was where a normal aorta was. Michael's underdeveloped pulmonary artery was the first issue for the Dr.'s to address--but that was a situation that had a surgical option! A wonderful surgeon placed a little shunt in Michael to act as his pulmonary artery and a temporary fix until they could completely correct his heart defects. Then we waited to see if it would work. The NICU nurses wanted us to have a picture of Michael because they knew the odds were he wouldn't make it. Here's our little guy:
But he did make it! The Lord had plans for Michael and for us, and we brought him home just a few short days later to a very excited big brother!
Despite having such a major heart issue, despite knowing there would be a major heart surgery in the future, the Lord allowed Michael and us to have three wonderful, grace-filled years together.
Here are some snapshots from those precious years-
However, around 9:00pm, our joy was shaken by the news that Michael had begun to turn blue, and efforts to get more oxygen to him indicated a possible heart problem. The cardiologist briefed us, wanting us to be prepared, saying that he suspected that Michael had an underdeveloped aorta, and that there was no surgical way to correct that abnormality; meaning, that Michael would not live--even through the night. But, they were doing tests to confirm exactly what the problem was, and when he got the results, he would be back. We prayed for a miracle that night.
And God answered our prayers! The tests revealed that Michael did not have an underdeveloped aorta; but he did have a complicated heart abnormality: Tetralogy of Fallot. The tests also revealed that his heart, lungs, and upper chest organs were all mirror-imaged, which was why the cardiologist thought the problem was his aorta. Michael's pulmonary artery was where a normal aorta was. Michael's underdeveloped pulmonary artery was the first issue for the Dr.'s to address--but that was a situation that had a surgical option! A wonderful surgeon placed a little shunt in Michael to act as his pulmonary artery and a temporary fix until they could completely correct his heart defects. Then we waited to see if it would work. The NICU nurses wanted us to have a picture of Michael because they knew the odds were he wouldn't make it. Here's our little guy:
But he did make it! The Lord had plans for Michael and for us, and we brought him home just a few short days later to a very excited big brother!
Despite having such a major heart issue, despite knowing there would be a major heart surgery in the future, the Lord allowed Michael and us to have three wonderful, grace-filled years together.
Here are some snapshots from those precious years-
We are so thankful to have had Michael with us for 3 years. As difficult and painful as it was to say goodbye, we know God gave us extra time with him, we know where Michael is, and we rejoice that Michael's life was a testimony to God's love and power. We will see him again someday!
Happy Birthday, Michael my love.
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