Saturday, November 15, 2008

A Broken Heart

There are many things that create a foundation. One of the foundational pieces of our life is our understanding of how God works. God is in control of all. Everything that happens, therefore, is orchestrated by God. God does things for his own glory. Therefore, anything that happens, anything that is, was intended to bring glory to God. Regardless of how terrible, unfair or just plain pointless something may look as you're facing it, its grand scheme value is in the glorification of God.

This is why we continue to live.

About a week after our 20 week ultrasound, I got a call from my doctor. He reported that because the baby was breech, they didn't get a good view of the heart. He referred me to Fresno Community, for a second ultrasound on the baby, using better equipment.

I went to Fresno Community on October 17th, for the second ultrasound. During the procedure, the tech got an echocardiogram which shows the way the blood is flowing through the heart. The tech and OB/GYN there concluded that there was a defect in the heart and thought it might be Truncus Arteriosus or Transposition of the Greater Arteries. They also found the baby has a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), or a hole in the heart. The VSD is a common finding with major heart defects. They referred me up to Children's Hospital Central CA (CHCC) for yet further clarification.

Our appointment at CHCC was November 11th. Jason had the day off, so he was able to go too. Our ultrasound tech is specifically trained in congenital heart defects, making him specially suited for this type of situation. He quickly concluded that our baby didn't have Truncus Arteriosis nor Transposition of the Greater Arteries. He spent over an hour taking measurements, capturing video and echocardiograms, all while taking the time to explain it to us step by step. He told us what he saw, then called in a cardiologist to verify his findings and share with us in more detail.

It turns out our little baby has a variation of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a very serious heart defect. Without a series of surgeries the baby will die in the first four months of life. More information on HLHS is found here.

Because of these recent findings, we have decided to learn the gender of the baby. We wanted to be able to put a name out there for people to be praying. It's a boy! His name is Eli Ryan.

Right now our little guy is completely safe inside the womb. Since I am doing all the oxygenation for him, he is in no danger. The complications begin as soon as he is born. He will most likely have open heart surgery in the first week of life, then another at about 2 months, and a third before his fourth birthday. Until then, I am being closely monitored by a new OB/GYN in Fresno. We also will have several more ultrasounds and consultations with the Pediatric Cardiologist and Surgeons at CHCC.

We will be sure to blog any updates we are given as soon as possible.

We also understand that we have a huge network of people who surround us in love and support. Please know that if we do need anything, we will be sure to let you know. For now, the thing we are asking for is prayer.

Prayer requests:

  • That the mitral valve enlarges
  • The inadequacies found in the arteries and valves further down the line open and develop
Praises and thanksgiving:
  • That the defect was found before birth.
  • That we live so close to a top notch Children's Hospital
  • That God would choose us to see His glory fulfilled
To God be the Glory,
The Wedehase family

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You give me strength. I love you both and praise God you are who you are. Eli has the BEST...My prayers have always been with you since birth and continue. THANK YOU!!!

michele cabiness said...

I'm so sorry, My brother had open heart surgery at 1 week old for a heart defect as well. We will definatly pray for your baby boy and family. It is amazing how faith can keep you afloat in even the hardest of situations.

Anonymous said...

erHello,
My name is Bobby, a friend of Ceasare, and I want you to know that you guys and the baby are in my prayers. My wife and I have never been in your shoes so I can’t say that I know what you are going through but we have experienced 2 miscarriages in the last year and that was hard enough. I will continue to pray that He gives you peace in all of this and that He provides the best doctors and that He equips them with the steadiest and most accurate hands when the little blessing is brought into this world.

Isaiah 41:10 NLT
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Romans 8:28 NRSV
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God bless,
Bobby

Bonnie said...

We pray for Eli's development. We are only a phone call away if you need to talk or pray. God is glorified through your response to this news, with each Doctor, Nurse and Technician you meet. Love to you.

marcie favelo said...

You are in my prayers and I'm sure that all will be well.

Tamara B said...

Okay, after it taking me over 5 minutes to actually see your blog except the words "broken heart" and "here", and after reading comments first... my heart is broken in a different way. I'm sitting here at my office desk crying, oh my how I wish no one comes back here in the next few minutes. (I actually put make up on today and am sure it has run down my cheeks).

I love you dearly and I'm so glad that I was able to spend a little time with all of you when I was home. That little bump in your belly back in September had already caught my attention. And now, he will definitely have my prayers.

Much love and prayers my dear!

The Favelos said...

We have been praying constantly since you told us... it is so nice now to be able to pray by name. Your post was beautifully written, and I know that God will be glorified through Eli and his parents - He already is! You know we are here when you guys need ANYTHING! Love, Heather

Anonymous said...

You've always been in my prayers, but now I have a beautiful nephew I've been praying for, and will continue to do so. I love you!

Auntie Sarah

Anonymous said...

We will be praying for little Eli and for you! God has you all wrapped up in His arms!!
love you,
Beth