Well, This is going to be quite the post. I really just want to share what is going on with baby Chappell and ask for prayers from all who will read this. Later I'm sure this will be a place where I will share my and Dan's emotions and prayers and tears and joys! For now, I'll try to stick to the facts as we know them.
We had gone to a 3D ultrasound place to have an ultrasound to try to find out the sex of this baby. So far all our attempts from previous ultrasounds haven't been successful but they had always said that the baby was curled up and just not wanting us to know. The heartbeat has always been strong and we've seen movement each time which of course always made my heart just swell with love. I'm a mommy. It still doesn't feel like I'm old enough, wise enough, godly enough to be given the responsibility to raise a child in the way of the Lord. But I love that I have so many women who have become mommies that constantly show me how God is using their little ones to refine them into the women God wants them to be. I have prayed for that from the beginning, That God would use this child to help make me into the Godly woman that I've longed to be.
We weren't able to find out the gender of the baby so of course we were bummed... I so want to know what to call this baby! And it was pretty obvious that our ultrasound lady wasn't liking what she was seeing... I thought it was because she couldn't see anything, but Dan knew that she was seeing something and she didn't like it. So, his fears were realized when our Dr. called the next day saying they were scheduling us a level two ultrasound at a perinatal specialist the next day. (which was yesterday Monday the 9th) So we went yesterday and my hopes were high, I still just was hoping they would finally tell us to go out and buy pink or blue.
So they did a very long ultrasound and checked everything out, and I'll never forget the words the Dr. said when he said your baby does for sure have an omphalocele . Dan and I had both seen a Discovery Health Special Delivery episode where a baby had been born with this So we knew what it was. **The baby's intestines and several organs are growing on the outside of its abdomen. We knew it was operatable, and that it was serious and our baby would have to have surgery right after it was delivered via c-section and that it would have an intense recovery at the hospital. But we also knew that there was associated dangers with this Omphalocele that surgery wouldn't be able to fix.
The Dr. also told us that the baby was measuring at only 24 weeks and I'm 28 weeks pregnant.
Also, he noticed curvature of the spine and those things both point to chromesonal disorders such as
Trisomy 18. This is almost always fatal to the baby. The Dr. said that with the information he has the future looks pretty bad for our baby. But he hopes he's wrong.
Though the Dr. encouraged us to have an Ammiointecis to know for sure if this baby has Trisomy 18 and though we would like to know for sure and maybe we will closer to the time of my due date, the reasonings he gave us for knowing this early really didn't sit well with me. Such as if the baby does have the Trisomy 18
then he wouldn't see the point in monitering us closely as he would if the baby didn't. I really
didn't think that aligns with my ethics at this point. I think my baby should be monitered and celebrated
right now as if it's going to live regardless. And due to the slight risk of the Amnio putting me into labor prematurely we really feel that having one done right now would not be worth it. The Dr. will continue to closely monitor me and the baby. And I think I"ll probably have to have appointments weekly from this point on.
Dan and I both would really like to know some answers and we would love to know if the baby is a boy or girl because I would really love to pray for him/her by name. But for now we are going to be just having a heart echo that will tell us if our baby has any heart defects. (already I hate that word defect, it sounds so manufactered and not personal.) So we'll have that appointment tomorrow.
I told Dan yesterday that I don't feel strong enough emotionally and especially spiritually to walk the road we're being led to walk down. I guess no one would. I know that we have to trust in a Hand of a Good God that has only our best in mind. It's hard to understand and it's hard to even trust this big Hand that created this child inside me that I"m being told is probably not going to live more than a few hours or days. But He is Big and He is Good. I know that, Dan knows that. But now we are being called to Live that day by day in a very real and hard way.
Please be praying for us as we face the facts but lean on faith. We need the prayers of the Children of God on our behalf. I'm going to ask that each of you stay updated on things by checking this blog, my email inbox gets so swamped that I think this will be much easier to manage. I will try to post as often as I can. So walk down this path with us and hold our hands even if you are miles away. Most of all Pray to the Creator of this little life and Celebrate with us no matter what, the life of our firstborn child!
This was taken at my sister's wedding a few weeks ago! This baby is blessed to have such a huge amount of aunts and uncles and friends that will be praying for him or her.
Dan and Casey,
Your opening verse says it all, "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Please hang on to this fact and to the Almighty Creator and know that you all are in my prayers.
Love,
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea Patterson | June 16, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Casey and Dan,
I want you to know that I am and will be praying for you. Like Kevin and Melinda, we, also, had the ultrasounds and triple screen come back with risk factors of Down's and also declined an amnio while pregnant with Emma. We left it up to God and she was born with no problems. I just want you to know that you are very loved and I will be thinking of you and praying for you and your family. If there is anyone strong enough for this, it's you, Casey.
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen | June 12, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Casey and Dan,
We had a somewhat similar experience when Melinda was pregnant with John Michael. The doctors said he was at high risk for Down Syndrome and heart defects, and encouraged us to do invasive testing on him. They were perplexed when we decided not to have the amnio; like you, we had issues with putting our baby in danger just to know some information. In our case, the screenings were incorrect, and John Michael was born healthy. However, he would have still been a gift from the Lord no matter what his health situation would have been. We will be praying for you and this precious little baby. May the Lord give you both strength to persevere in this difficult time. Love, Kevin and Melinda Crouch
Posted by: Kevin and Melinda Crouch | June 10, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I cannot possibly imagine what you and Dan are going through right now, but I do know that the Lord is going through it all with you. James and I will continually keep you and Dan and the baby in our prayers. I'll also be asking my co-workers and friends to be praying for you all.
Posted by: Temarie | June 10, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Oh Friend,
We will lift our hearts to our Father. He is an awesome God. I can think of all these very encouraging things to say, that through e-mail, or blogging sound so shallow. So I will let you know that we will pray. We will Pray for God to use this time of your clinging to him to help you grow and seek his shelter. We will pray that God would provide healing this little life. And we will pray that God will send people to minister to you and to bless you. And I will pray that God will give you peace to allow people to care for you. Let them. It makes us feel better to be the hands and feet of Jesus...don't deny us that blessing. I wish I was there, to hold your hand, give you a hug, put my hand on that baby bump and pray. But for today, I will pray from far-away. Know that you all are being lifted up, for we are daughters of the MOST HIGH GOD! Elizabeth & Family
Posted by: elizabeth | June 10, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Casey and Dan,
We will be praying for you guys as you face this tough time. If there is anything more we can do, don't hesitate to call us. We love you! Ryan and Christy Campbell
Posted by: Christy Campbell | June 10, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Dan and Casey,
Your blog saddened my heart as I am reminded of the pain and unsurity this life can bring. But I was also so encouraged by how the grace of God is so evident in your lives during this time. Please know that we are praying for you and the baby every day. Let us know if you need anything and we'll be there. We love you all!
Posted by: Jennifer Cox | June 10, 2008 at 07:03 PM
I found your site through a friend of mine on Facebook. I will certainly be keeping your family and the baby in our prayers. Our 10mo. old son was diagnosed prenatally with a heart defect (I know I don't like the word either) and has to have a total of 3 heart surgeries to correct the problem. He's already had 2 surgeries and is doing great. His first surgery was when he was 2 days old so I know the range of emotions you are and will eventually be facing as your sweet little baby goes in for surgery so soon after being born. You'll be amazed at the amount of strength God will give you to pull through this! Look us up on Facebook if you want to talk - we're here for you!
Posted by: Julie & Dan Miles | June 10, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Wow. Praying for you all. I'm 32 weeks and can't even imagine how hard this must be. What an adventure God has hand picked for you. At a wedding shower last week I met a girl who had a baby with this same thing. I will call her and get all the info I can for you. Loves to you and the baby inside you. Praying with all my heart. Sara
Posted by: Sara Wulbecker Hess | June 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Casey and Dan-
I was wondering why I woke up last night and thinking about you? No really, it did happen and I prayed for you and went back to sleep. I have no reason at all why God does that, but He does with me sometimes. Casey, I know how excited you were talking about your ultrasound just the other day when I saw you and now there must be such a mix of emotions, just remember emotions come and go, but God remains constant! (that sounds like something a very wise hair dresser said to me once :) Love you Casey, Amanda Willis
Posted by: Amanda and Robert Willis | June 10, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Hey Casey and Dan,
I've been watching your blog for updates in your pregnancy, since I heard you were pregnant. Thank you for sharing this request with us and for being so transparent.... I pray that knowing that others are praying for you, you will feel His strength and peace. And this is a very special baby for you guys, so treasure these moments of carrying him/her and keeping him/her close. We'll be praying for you and will spread the request through my blog, so my friend and family can pray for you as well.
Posted by: Kelly B | June 10, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Will and I both have been thinking and praying for you guys. We do not understand this road you are traveling but are so encouraged by your honest faith, although it is being tested! We will be praying and our small group is praying to. This baby has been such a source of rejoicing no matter the future, we especially rejoice to know you and Dan will be parents. We love you both very much and miss you a lot too. I hope Will and Dan can get a chance to talk soon. We love you!!
Larissa
Posted by: Larissa Douglas | June 10, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Casey, I will be praying for you and Dan and this precious little one. I'll be checking back to see how y'all are doing.
Much love,
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Schoenling | June 10, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Casey and Dan,
I cried as I read your post. And words aren't enough now, but our God is enough, this you know. Your post was so encouraging to my heart, so convicting. Thank you for being one who continually says 'Blessed Be His Name' through trial and triumph. David and I will continue to pray for you three, and we will have people on the other side of the world praying also: Lord, give the Chappell's your wisdom and grace, comfort their hearts with your steadfast love, and help them to abide in you. Amen.
we love you guys. David, Lorraine, and Sophia
Posted by: Lorraine Coker | June 10, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Casey,
My heart breaks for you and I can not imagine the emotions you are having. Know that our family is praying for all three of you and that the peace of God would overwhelm and comfort you in this incredibly difficult time.
Posted by: Ginger DeBusk | June 10, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Casey,
My heart breaks for you and I can not imagine the emotions you are having. Know that our family is praying for all three of you and that the peace of God would overwhelm and comfort you in this incredibly difficult time.
Posted by: Ginger DeBusk | June 10, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Hey Casey,
Just know that in all things God works together for good and He will give you the strength to get through it, even if you think you can't. Our family went through a similiar trial about three years ago with my brother and sister in laws first son, Tucker. If you need anyone to talk to that understands a little bit how you feel just please give me a call or email me and let me know. I love you and I am praying for you and Dan
Love,
Abbey Medcalf Cooler:)
Posted by: Abbey Cooler | June 10, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Wow guys, I will be praying so much. I am encouraged even at the strength I sense you have now by God's grace. With hard things (something I am learning as I walk through a very difficult time...) I don't always understand why it has to be this way but God has promised to be with me and to show me more of himself, this is hopeful. I will be praying you will know he is walking with you and it will bring comfort when your heart is tempted to doubt his goodness. Love you guys.
Posted by: Miranda Martin | June 10, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Casey and Dan,
Please know that you and baby Chappell will be prayed for continuously. Love you guys. Big hug.
Posted by: Alicia Wong | June 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Casey (and Dan) - I can't put into words how I feel reading this news. Just know that I am praying for all three of you and that God will show Himself to you in a very real way and give you the Peace that Passes All Understanding.
Will be praying for you and will pass this on the prayer chain!
Posted by: Toni Reitter | June 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM
i have tears in my eyes. these things are so hard to read. you, dan, and your precious little one are in our prayers. God will be glorified.
Posted by: Andie Wade | June 10, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Praying for you. I can't even begin to imagine the emotions, questions, fears etc. Praying for peace that surpasses all understanding. Rest in Him. Your baby is loved and cared for by not only you and everyone else but by our Heavenly Father.
Posted by: Alaina | June 10, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Dear Casey,
First of all I want you to know that baby Chappell is being prayed for by our family. Everytime the Lord brings this baby to my mind I will pray for him/her and pray for your family. You are right in saying that our God is good and Big and this is under the sovereign care and rule of His hand, the same hand in which He will uphold you with. Is. 41 is one of my most favorite chapters in all of the word. He will give you the strength for the moment in which you need it. No need to think about tomorrow or what it will bring. His grace is sufficient for now, today. I pray that He will speak plainly and clearly to your heart and that you would know His presence and that He would comfort you in ways that you have never known before. I pray that He will be very real to you as you cry out to Him. I have not been in your situation and cannot imagine what you are going through and have great compassion for you and will seek to walk with your family through this in any way I can.
Your sister in Christ,
Miranda
Posted by: Miranda Bennett | June 10, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Casey,
My heart is breaking for you and Dan. I have no words, only know that you, Dan, and Baby Chappell are on my heart and in my prayers.
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie Horton | June 10, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Hi Casey,
Im a friend of Angela Gilbreaths.. just wanted to let you know we will be praying for you and this precious babe... you seem to be handling it well.. and its comforting to see your strength through Christ.
Posted by: Drea | June 10, 2008 at 09:14 AM