Today is Friday, July 14. One week ago today I was running errands, cleaning out the car and packing our family up for our annual beach vacation. It was late afternoon and our babysitter had stopped by when my phone rang. Becca's name popped up on caller ID but I silenced it to finish my conversation, figuring she was just calling to say hi and that I could call her back in a bit. And then the text came.
"Please call me. Urgent."
You ever get that feeling in the depths of your stomach where you know there is bad news coming, and yet you're scared to find out the specifics? That's the feeling that encompassed my entire body one week ago today.
The hours that followed felt like a cruel nightmare. How could this be happening? What can I say to my friend? Is my children's birth sibling going to die in these next moments, and then what??? My kids were running around, oblivious to the scene unfolding over the phone. I closed myself into our kitchen pantry, sank down into a sitting position, hugged my knees, and sobbed with Becca.
One week later, Canaan is here. She's alive and she's fighting. We have such hope for her, and yet we also know she is still in such a precarious position. The prayers have expanded, from just one family, to another, and to another, and yet another. And now there are thousands of you praying for her, and we all hold on for this hope of a miracle within her little body. So thank you for your prayers and for all the encouragement you're sending to Becca and Nathan. We are one week in, so let's please keep that coming for them. Here are today's praises and prayer requests.
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| This is Becca's hand holding one of Canaan's diapers. Just to give you perspective on how tiny our warrior is! |
PRAISES -
She is still extubated. Her doctor says she really is a miracle baby and so to be alive and doing this well is amazing! Oxygen levels look good - go Canaan go!
PRAYER REQUESTS -
Canaan's echo came back and she does have PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), which they'll watch closely. They don't want to give her medicine or do surgery unless they have to. Her left ventricle looks good (praise!). We just need her body to close up the PDA on its own. It can take quite a bit longer to close up with preemies. This is an important step towards having a healthy relationship between lungs and heart. Right now her heart is having to work twice as hard, so pray the PDA closes up!
Please please keep praying for her bowels. Many micro preemies can have bowel issues so please pray for her to absorb what she needs.
Also pray for the other families in the inner core of the NICU. Two families went to regular rooms yesterday, but two new ones came in. It is so hard to watch and will probably never feel normal. If you know Becca and Nathan, you know they will take any opportunity that comes up to minister to other families there, so lift them up as they look for those moments.
Continue to lift the Daniel family, specifically Fenley and Wake. They are being so great, and Becca and Nathan are trying to keep some sense of normalcy, but it's hard for kids.
OTHER UPDATES -
Thank you to everyone giving and sending cards! Becca and Nathan received a package from a friend in Tennessee who had a preemie and they sent blankets and encouragement to give to other NICU families. What a blessing!
And the mystery family who put 7 flamingo's in Becca and Nathan's front yard at home in Tennessee? Awesome. Flat-out awesome.
They went to a taco place called Tacos 4 Life (you know how the Daniel's love Mexican!) and it's a Christian-based restaurant. One taco = one meal for a kid in Honduras. One of the guy's who works there paid for their meal!
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| Sign at Tacos 4 Life |
They've also seen the Duggar family a couple times. They have been so kind and encouraging and have invited them to church! Arkansas is becoming their new home, and they love their rental house. Even though every single day is tough and has new battles, God blesses them with gifts, too.
Songs they feel blessed to hear:
Thank you all again. God bless each of you!
Blessings,
Courtney
Sometimes i feel bad No one understands me. But I do not like explaining to anyone.
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