One More Week

It's been one week since the fetal intervention procedure in Boston, and little Maddox is still going! The fluid has returned, and the shunt that was put into his heart to allow blood to flow through the upper chambers of the heart seems to be clogged, but he's still going. His heart looks better than before we went to Boston, and we have definitely bought ourselves a little time.

I have been having tons of Braxton Hicks contractions, and so have been taking it easy, but the doctor didn't seem to be overly concerned. Maddox has been moving quite a bit, which is a change for him. Before the procedure was done I hardly felt him, but I have felt him much more since. He seems to have decided that he likes playing footsie with my ribs. Gotta love that!!

I have started my "three-a-week" appointment schedule and feel like I should just roll out a sleeping bag at the doctor's office for the next month. The kids are being bustled off to many kind people's homes, but are feeling displaced and unsure of life. All three have been grumpy, disobedient, and tired. I've been feeling the same way. Tonight Jeff said that he was just ready for all of this to be done. Seriously. I wish we could fast forward to six months from now and find out what happened, but the waiting and just constant stress of things is starting to wear on all of us. I hate even saying that due to the fact that just last week we witnessed miracles. How quickly we forget. Despite hard days, we are still very hopeful and are reminding ourselves of the many blessing we have and are receiving.

We are specifically asking in our prayers now for the fluid/hydrops to go away. It is possible for this to happen if the heart can function well enough. The hydrops is still a big problem since it is making it hard for Maddox's lungs to grow.
I just keep thinking that maybe at our next visit with the doctor, all the fluid will be gone, his heart will look great and we'll be good to go. It's sometimes hard to think about the months of care in a NICU that are on the horizon. Oh, my sweet little baby. I just wish I could fix this. Isn't that what moms are supposed to do - kiss it and make it better. We do feel like we have done everything we can for Maddox by going to Boston. Now we wait and we pray.

Honestly prayer is probably the most helpful thing since it is through prayer that we can be led and directed and know what to do and where to go. This little babe of ours has people of many faiths and beliefs praying for him. It has been very touching to hear nurses, and doctors say they will pray for us. In fact, one of the main doctors we saw in Boston said, that the fact that Maddox was looking better was a miracle with a touch of fetal intervention. I love that he and others there were recognizing the role that our Heavenly Father plays in life and in their profession. My brother Nick served his mission for the LDS church in Boston, where he met and became good friends with a Catholic Priest, Father Peter. They have great theological discussions and just mesh mentally. Nick told Father Peter about our situation and he has enlisted an order of Nuns to included us in their prayers. They have hours devoted to prayer each day. HOURS. Can't get much better than that!! Father Peter lives with his Sister and they had flowers delivered to us while we were at the hospital. So sweet, and I don't even know him.
My parents sell corn regularly to a Baptist man who had our family put on his congregation's prayer roll. We have had our names put on the prayer rolls at several temples. It is humbling to know all the faith that is being exercised in our behalf. Baptists, Catholics, Mormons, and others are petitioning a loving Father for help for our unborn baby. There is great strength in that, and great comfort too. There are good people in the world. Many.

So, here's to another week in the womb. We are hoping to get to at least 34 weeks, but I've set my expectations high and am saying 35-36 weeks. One more week of praying...we'll see what we can accomplish!!