Please keep Alicia in your prayers. On top of all that has transpired with Mikayla, we just found out that Alicia has a blood clot in her leg. Right now it is just a superficial clot, but we are concerned because she is already on blood thinners.
The Lord has carried us through this difficult day by his grace and we trust he will continue to carry us. We appreciate your prayers and all the sharing in our burden. We love you all. You have brought us before the throne of God and we know we have seen him.
We appreciate any verses and thoughts of comfort
-Mark
Update Tuesday : we're going home today. Alicia is going to need an extra shot of blood thinners for the next six weeks. We found out this morning that Belgrade Bible Church is going to be providing meals for us for the next while. We are so thankful. Thanks to all for your support and love.
Update Tuesday afternoon: I'm writing this from the pharmacy in Augusta. We are just waiting on a couple of prescriptions before we go home. It will be good to hug our girls and get some rest.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Mikayla Jean McKeen
Born today (Saturday) at 31.5 weeks. She weighs 2 lbs and 1 ounce. Please pray for her development. We are so thankful for the chance to hold her hand and touch her hair. These are precious moments. There are going to be challenges ahead for all of us.
Thanks be to God for this great gift to us.
Mikayla means 'who is like God' and Jean means 'gift from God'. We are learning those truths more and more with every passing moment.
Update Sunday 9 am : Mikayla is not doing well this morning (Sunday) her breathing is a serious problem.. There are many complications to fight at this point. We are praying for miracles.
Update Sunday 12:45 pm : We are waiting on some test results on brain and lung function. The machines are doing everything for Mikayla right now. Her heart has some normal premie issues that are secondary at this point, but could become a bigger problem down the road. Thanks to all for your continued prayers and support.
Update Sunday 5pm: Mikayla desperately needs to show some response. Please pray for her development. Most recent tests show some underdevelopment in the brain. We don't know what the effects of that are. Again, thanks for the showering of love and prayers. The Lord is sustaining us. We need a miracle.
Update Sunday 8:30 pm : they're giving Mikayla a steroid shot to help her blood pressure. She is maxed out on two other medications for blood pressure. God is giving great grace as we wait. We love you all and can sense your prayers for us. Thanks for all you are doing.
Update Monday 5 am : the nurse let us know this morning that Mikayla is maxed out on a fourth blood pressure medicine. She is still having a hard time maintaining her blood pressure. We will be seeing her shortly. Pray for our courage today. Also pray that Jodie, Kendra, and my parents make it down here to see Mikayla.
Update Monday 6:30: Mikayla is not coming home. Her blood pressure is not good and she is maxed out on all her medication. We are thankful for some time with her this morning. We will get to hold her and love her after we take her off her medicines and breathing machine. Thanks for your prayers.
Mikayla passed away this morning at 9:25. She is with Jesus. We got to hold her for her last minutes with us. Thanks for your prayers.
Mikayla means 'who is like God' and Jean means 'gift from God'. We are learning those truths more and more with every passing moment.
Update Sunday 9 am : Mikayla is not doing well this morning (Sunday) her breathing is a serious problem.. There are many complications to fight at this point. We are praying for miracles.
Update Sunday 12:45 pm : We are waiting on some test results on brain and lung function. The machines are doing everything for Mikayla right now. Her heart has some normal premie issues that are secondary at this point, but could become a bigger problem down the road. Thanks to all for your continued prayers and support.
Update Sunday 5pm: Mikayla desperately needs to show some response. Please pray for her development. Most recent tests show some underdevelopment in the brain. We don't know what the effects of that are. Again, thanks for the showering of love and prayers. The Lord is sustaining us. We need a miracle.
Update Sunday 8:30 pm : they're giving Mikayla a steroid shot to help her blood pressure. She is maxed out on two other medications for blood pressure. God is giving great grace as we wait. We love you all and can sense your prayers for us. Thanks for all you are doing.
Update Monday 5 am : the nurse let us know this morning that Mikayla is maxed out on a fourth blood pressure medicine. She is still having a hard time maintaining her blood pressure. We will be seeing her shortly. Pray for our courage today. Also pray that Jodie, Kendra, and my parents make it down here to see Mikayla.
Update Monday 6:30: Mikayla is not coming home. Her blood pressure is not good and she is maxed out on all her medication. We are thankful for some time with her this morning. We will get to hold her and love her after we take her off her medicines and breathing machine. Thanks for your prayers.
Mikayla passed away this morning at 9:25. She is with Jesus. We got to hold her for her last minutes with us. Thanks for your prayers.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Your Prayers for Our Baby are Being Answered
Alicia and the baby have had normal two-week checkups for the number of weeks since we found out about the trisomy 18 syndrome. The baby's heart rate has been consistent around 160, and we have just continued to pray for miraculous healing for our baby girl. We have received many encouraging emails and messages from friends and family that are praying for us. There are a number of churches that we have had contact with that are praying for us and our baby.
Today we had an ultrasound appointment with a doctor from Portland. After the ultrasound technician took a bunch of pictures and measurements, the specialist doctor came in. Just for a little background, we saw this doctor when the cystic hygroma was first diagnosed. He was quite focused on the percentages that were stacked against us. When he came in he looked for a bit at the ultrasound of our baby, then said:
"It is abnormal when a baby with trisomy 18 has organs as well-developed as this."
The kidneys looked normal. The heart looked normal as far as they could tell. The hands and feet seem to be developing normal. the height and weight is average or just under average. The doctor kept saying things like, "this baby just isn't following trisomy 18 protocol" and, "its not normal". The technician kept saying, "I'm trying to find the normal anomalies for trisomy 18." She couldn't find them. The cystic hygroma (fluid under the baby's skin) has cleared up on its own. Finally, the doctor said, "I see no reason why this baby shouldn't make it full term and be born alive."
We were in shock for this good news! God has heard us and is answering our prayers. We are overjoyed to hear that our baby is developing much better than expected. We praise the Lord for his working and are just so moved to be a part of this miracle.
Our baby's future is not without challenges. The only thing that concerned the doctor was there is a possible underdevelopment in the front part of the baby's brain. It is still early--only 18 weeks--but please keep praying for our baby's growth and development.
Thank you for holding us up before the Lord. Your prayers are being answered every day! We are looking forward to continued answer to prayer and meeting our little girl!
Today we had an ultrasound appointment with a doctor from Portland. After the ultrasound technician took a bunch of pictures and measurements, the specialist doctor came in. Just for a little background, we saw this doctor when the cystic hygroma was first diagnosed. He was quite focused on the percentages that were stacked against us. When he came in he looked for a bit at the ultrasound of our baby, then said:
"It is abnormal when a baby with trisomy 18 has organs as well-developed as this."
The kidneys looked normal. The heart looked normal as far as they could tell. The hands and feet seem to be developing normal. the height and weight is average or just under average. The doctor kept saying things like, "this baby just isn't following trisomy 18 protocol" and, "its not normal". The technician kept saying, "I'm trying to find the normal anomalies for trisomy 18." She couldn't find them. The cystic hygroma (fluid under the baby's skin) has cleared up on its own. Finally, the doctor said, "I see no reason why this baby shouldn't make it full term and be born alive."
We were in shock for this good news! God has heard us and is answering our prayers. We are overjoyed to hear that our baby is developing much better than expected. We praise the Lord for his working and are just so moved to be a part of this miracle.
Our baby's future is not without challenges. The only thing that concerned the doctor was there is a possible underdevelopment in the front part of the baby's brain. It is still early--only 18 weeks--but please keep praying for our baby's growth and development.
Thank you for holding us up before the Lord. Your prayers are being answered every day! We are looking forward to continued answer to prayer and meeting our little girl!
"I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath dealt bountifully with me" Psalm 13:6
Friday, September 20, 2013
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