Right before the first snowflake fell last night, we pulled in our driveway, rockstar in tow.

We are home. Thank you, God!

At first I was a little nervous about going home so quickly, but the neurosurgeons convinced me that because Brooklyn was doing so great that it was actually better for her to recover in her home environment — it’s more comfortable and it’s healthier. So just 24 hours after her surgery, we were on our way home. We even got home in time to tuck the girls in bed. What a blessing.

Brooklyn is doing really well and doesn’t seem to mind the shunt. Jeff and I are still getting used to seeing it. We expected it to be smaller and unnoticeable, but it is actually quite large and sticks out of the back of her head. As she gets hair, you won’t be able to see it, but for now, it does take us back a little. You can also feel the tube as it travels down her body to her stomach, which is a little strange. It all still makes my knees a bit weak.

BUT it is helping her. Her head size has already come down, and the veins in her head aren’t nearly as large and dark as they were. Her soft spot is truly soft and she seems to be the same old Brooklyn. I tell you that nothing brought more joy to our hearts than seeing her smile yesterday morning…her way of telling us that all is truly well.

There is a bit more to worry about now that she has a shunt, but assuming things continue on the path they are on now, Brooklyn should have a BETTER quality of life moving forward.

I do have a lot more to share, but I really want to enjoy my family today, so that will all have to wait a little while. I just wanted to let you all know that we are home and say THANK YOU so very, very, very (very!) much for all of your prayers. You have no idea what a comfort it was sending our daughter off to surgery knowing we had an ARMY of warriors praying for her. Your many prayers not only covered and protected Brooklyn, they covered and filled Jeff and I as well.

We are humbled, blessed, and forever grateful to all of you. May He bless you as you have all blessed us!

So after 4 months of waiting it out, the time has come for Brooklyn to get a shunt. We were hoping she wouldn’t need one, but her head size is continuing to grow and has reached a point where we need to intervene.

Basically, brain and spinal fluid is slowly collecting in her head, which is causing it to grow at an increasing rate. The good news is that she has never exhibited any negative symptoms due to the slow build-up, but if we don’t stop it at some point, there could be complications for her down the road. It is also a good thing that we waited as long as we did because her body is now older and stronger, which decreases the chance for infection.

So the decision was made late yesterday to have the surgery this coming Friday. A shunt will be placed in the top of Brooklyn’s head that will drain all the way into her stomach. Jeff and I feel confident that this the right thing to do, and trust that God will protect Brooklyn throughout this major surgery. What a peace to know that He is in control!

So far, it looks like the surgery will be at 3pm on Friday. We ask that you pray for complete success during and after the surgery and that there is no infection or adverse reactions to the shunt. Sometimes, the brain can go into “shock” after the surgery, which could cause seizures, so please pray that this does not happen. We also ask that you pray for Emma and Kendall, as Jeff and I will be at the hospital for about 2 days.

We also found out yesterday that Brooklyn’s foot surgery wasn’t completely successful, so she will have to have another larger surgery right before her 1st birthday, which means more casting. This was a little discouraging, but our orthopedic surgeon said the serial casting we’ve already done was completely successful in correcting her knees and her hips. Her feet also look sooo much better, so this is (hopefully) the final step in making them ready for walking! 🙂

Please know that even though the end result is not what we prayed for, Jeff and I feel God’s hands in this, and we know He is still guiding our journey. In fact, God slowly prepared my heart for this news in the last few days, and Jeff is actually feeling relief. Please pray that His peace continues to fill our hearts. We never thought we’d be taking our baby in for brain surgery, but we also feel so grateful to live in a day and age where they have so many ways to heal and help our Brooklyn.

Also be encouraged that our little rock star is thriving and doing all of her baby jobs very well! She is growing like a weed and is smiling all the time. Jeff has even gotten her to giggle a few times! Her personality is really starting shine through, and we are loving every minute of it! 🙂 Through Brooklyn, God has shown us what a precious miracle children truly are, and we feel so blessed to have a renewed perspective on life.

As always, thank you for your prayers!!! We will keep you posted on Friday’s surgery.

*Reposted from the wonderful Colleen

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and we SB moms have on our minds, more than anything, the precious unborn babies who are so often terminated before they even have a chance to prove their lives have meaning and value to the world. To say that 50% of all Spina Bifida affected pregnancies are terminated is a conservative estimate. But we SB moms know there is no reason to terminate a baby because of SB. Our children are beautiful and intelligent gifts from God who have every opportunity to live full, productive, and totally normal yet extraordinary lives.

So we proclaim Wednesday, October 20 as the Spina Bifida Kids Worldwide Day of Prayer. We believe in the power of prayer, and we are excited at the prospect of many people praying at the same time for these unborn babies. We moms can make a difference individually and collectively, but that is nothing compared to the change that can come if we have God on our side.

We will begin at noon EST. Pray for as long as you feel led. Pray individually or with another person or group. On your knees, at your desk, while driving your car … the logistics do not matter.

Here are a few things you can pray about specifically:
1. There is one woman in particular who is on our hearts. God knows who she is. She is expecting a child with Spina Bifida, and she is afraid and considering termination. Today (Wednesday) is her appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon to find out the severity of her baby’s case and to learn more about the diagnosis. Please pray that she will go to this appointment with an open heart and mind, that the doctor will give her a prognosis that is realistic and hopeful (we believe these adjectives are not mutually exclusive when talking about SB), and that most of all, God will give this woman a peace beyond understanding and a clear indication that she should keep her baby or give it up for adoption. There are many mothers willing to adopt this baby.

2. Obstetricians are usually the doctors who first diagnose Spina Bifida based on a prenatal ultrasound. Unfortunately, most know very little about SB except for what to look for on the ultrasound. Many of us were told by our OBs very scary and inaccurate information, such as “Your baby will likely not survive,” “She will be a vegetable,” “Terminating is the most loving thing you can do for this baby.” If this is the first time you’ve really even heard of SB, and a doctor you trust tells you this, you’re probably going to believe it. Please pray that these doctors will be educated about the SB prognosis so that they can give the diagnosis accurately and compassionately.

3. We SB moms will always remember the day we received the diagnosis as one of the most terrifying days of our lives. An initial grief response is denial, which often presents as “Please make this problem go away.” Termination is offered quickly. Please pray for these mothers and fathers, that they will first and foremost trust God to get them through this scary and uncertain time instead of letting fear guide their decisions. That God will draw near to them and make His presence known, as He did for so many of us. That these parents will be so filled with His peace about the future and love for their child that they will consider carrying the baby to term the easiest choice.

4. These precious babies are absolutely innocent and helpless. They are being thrown away because they are not “perfect.” Not one of us is perfect. Please pray for the lives of these babies to be spared. That each movement and kick will remind the mother that God knit that baby in her womb exactly as he or she should be. That their lives will bring glory to our Father.

5. Many of us SB parents cite the support of our family members and friends as the biggest comfort during the time right after receiving the diagnosis. But there are also families and friends who are unsupportive and even encouraging of termination. Please pray for these family members and friends, that God will use them to minister healing to the parents’ breaking hearts. That they will be wholly supportive, not hurtful, and they will lift up and help these parents as their raise their child.

Feel free to add other suggestions for what we should pray. And please pass this on to friends, family, church prayer groups, prayer warriors, pastors, and strangers.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)