Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Chloe...Blooming

Chloe Elyse

We want to start out by letting you know that from the beginning we never once forgot about all those little ones, nor their parents, that have experienced similar situations.
Abbey
Matthew
Mason
Gabby
Nicole
Ezra
Those names kept rolling through our hearts and minds.  We remembered hearing about how their parents processed and went through that time; those times in their lives.  Some of them still make trips and visits to hospitals.

It was a little after 11:30pm on Monday, October 27, when Amy said the words "All right.  Let's go."  It feels like an eternity.  We got to the hospital, got registered and were escorted upstairs.  We were placed in LDR 6.  Time: 12:10am, Tuesday, October 28.

Our little Chloe Elyse was born at 1:58am just under 2 hours later and like the last two without any pain medications (GO AMY!).  She weighed 7lbs 6.2oz and was 20in long.  She came out just like all three of our babies have come out.  Perfect.

Moments after delivery


We had a great couple of Facetime sessions with grandparents as they were introduced to their newest granddaughter.  We were excited when it seemed she was going to nurse well and latched on well.
The nurse came to us in LDR 6 and needed to take Chloe to get her shots, etc.  They moved us in to Rm 444 (I think it was because we now had 4 kids? Ha!)  We decided now would be a good time to get some sleep.  Time: 5:04am, Tuesday, October 28.

It was 20 minutes later when the nurse arrived into the room.  I was going to ignore her and keep sleeping because I figured she was there for Amy and not me.  So I started to drift off.  That's when I heard from Amy, "Chris.  CHRIS."

I took the covers off and sat on the side of the little "chair" bed that I was on.  That was when the nurse told us that Chloe was having trouble getting warmed up.  They were trying to do this because they wanted to give her a bath.  They kept taking her temperature under her arm but needed a more accurate reading.  So she decided she was going to try a rectal thermometer.  But she couldn't find a place of entry.  There was no opening.  We were informed that she had an impatent anus.

This wasn't totally unsettling until the words came out of her mouth.  "We're going to have to transfer her to another facility." That's when we realized this was no small matter.  But praise be to God because not less than 10 minutes after we were told, a dear friend from our church, who is also a nurse, came into our room.  She gave Amy a hug and then asked, "Can I pray with you guys?"  

Just when we needed it the most God put her in our path.

The next hour or so was spent trying to make plans for our other three kids.  A huge thanks to Bev (Amy's mom) who canceled the appointments she had to come down and give our kids a sense of comfort and normalcy.  What a blessing.  We also had to see if Amy could be discharged and what hospital were we going to send our little baby girl.  During this time we posted a few statuses to Facebook and the prayers, texts, emails and calls started to pour in.

One such call was from a teacher friend of Amy's from Justice Intermediate where Amy works.  Amy and I had just discussed money and me missing work, etc.  The teacher said she'd take care of it.  A collection was taken.  An hour later two teachers showed up to Amy's room.  A significant amount of money was given to us.  

God knew what we needed and He reminded us that He wasn't going to leave us.

Amy's doctor came in and gave his consent to release her early so she could go down to Indy.  Meanwhile Riley Children's Hospital was called and the Lifeline ambulance was dispatched.  We waited, prayed and prepared.

I'm very thankful for the nurse (I never did get her name) who came to me and explained that when Lifeline would arrive they would come in with a team of EMTs and it might be overwhelming.  It allowed me to prepare my wife.  It allowed me to be prepared.  When they arrived we learned she wasn't kidding.  I took Amy back to the room to get dressed and to finish the discharge process.

A few minutes later the team arrived with Chloe.  We had to sign some paperwork.  We thanked them.  We prayed for the safety of the ambulance.  Then we touched our little one and with tears let her go on her way.
Time: 11:30am, Tuesday, October 28

 
Amy touches Chloe's little leg as she is strapped and ready for transport to Indy

It took us another 45 minutes to get ourselves loaded up and ready to head out.  All the while we were still receiving texts, calls, and FB comments.  People were praying.  Many took the time out of their day to kneel at the throne of God to ask for help for Chloe.  I even received a call from a friend in Indy.  He offered his home if needed and said he would come visit once he was available.

I wish I could list all those that offered a prayer, offered to help or bring us anything (several that were either coming to Indy or who live in Indy).  But the list would be way too long.  A fact that awed and amazed us.  We spent a lot of time with tears in our eyes.  Many times it was because of how grateful we were for God's provision.

God knows what we need when and where we need it.  Always.

We arrived at Riley and headed straight to Chloe's room.  There we sought information.  And praise the Lord, we received answers.

We were told that she HAD an opening!!!!!  After being told all the possibilities of what COULD be going on, the answer was so much BETTER than we could have hoped for.  But there still is an anomaly.  Our little Chloe has what is known as an imperforate anus.  The anus isn't in the proper location and is higher than normal.  The nurse said that we would be here at least 4 or 5 days.  When we asked if there would be surgery, we were told not during this visit.  Why was she being kept then?

We still didn't know if she had a functioning bowel.  The doctor also informed us that many times a baby with this condition also has other things that are wrong.  There would be several tests.  They needed to make sure.

The next several hours we discovered new and wonderful things about Riley.  We were given a room at the Ronald McDonald House that is within the hospital.  This place provides three meals daily for free to parents.  It also provides a free washer and dryer.  I've never truly understood humility until now.  How humbling is it to receive love from others you don't know!

This morning the surgery team came into the room to inform us of some news.  Our little Chloe was clear of any other anomalies!  The test results all came back negative!  God is good!  We even received better news when we learned that we would be able to take Chloe home on FRIDAY as long as she eats and gains some weight!  Please be praying for this to happen!  We miss our other kiddos too!

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!  HE IS REAL!  HE IS FAITHFUL!  AMEN!

The road ahead...

We will be taught how to dilate Chloe's anus (which will need to take place 2 to 3 times daily) as we wait 6-8 weeks for her to grow so she can have surgery.  When that time comes we will come back down to Riley for a 2-3 day visit.  The surgery will move her anus to the correct location.  This will give her back the muscles used to push, etc.  We will then have visits every two weeks.  This will get longer in between until hopefully and prayerfully simple annual checkups.

What HOPE God brings to us during the times when there seems to be none!  HE IS GOOD!

We just want to thank everyone of you.  ALL of you who have been there with us on our journey.  We are so blessed.  AND HUMBLED.  We know we don't deserve your love, but you have given so freely.  Thank you for being Christ to us!





10 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing, Chris. May God's peace be with you and your family through this difficult time.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the beautiful and heartwarming story of Chloe. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Laurie

Kim Moses said...

Prayers and gratefulness to the Only One that hears, comforts and heals!




Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story of God's grace and mercy. We know there are NO coincidences. God is good!

Jane said...

We serve a big God who wasn't surprised by any of this. He's got your precious Chloe in His hands and we praise Him for being your strength these last few days! We will continue to pray for His healing touch and peace,love,and comfort for you all. Much love, Rick and Jane

Trish said...

We stayed at the RMH there when Kyleigh had surgery and issues at age 5. What a wonderful place FULL of genuinely loving and caring people....most of whom are volunteering their time. Prayers for the days ahead!!

Pastor Steve said...

The grace of our God to provide for our needs before we ask is great! God already knows what little Chloe needs and He will provide through caregivers, doctors and by His healing touch! You are loved and prayed for often.

Dave and Linda Jones said...

Thank God this issue can be resolved! You both have to be so tired. Get some extra rest and let others serve your needs for a few days. (It's a gift to them to allow them to help.) Know how much you are loved by our Lord God, and by all those you've heard from about Chloe. Continued prayers for all of you for peace, rest, comfort, and joy in your new little girl. Our love to you. - Dave and Linda Jones

Angie said...

Awesome news and we are still praying!

Diane Lapp said...

Great news Chris & Amy! Praise God for knowing all before it happens and providing for every need. God is so good!