One woman just had a baby the other night, at 33 weeks (the baby is doing great, needs some help breathing, but has a great platelet count - which is the main concern for NAIT babies). They took this baby even earlier than planned c-sections for NAIT babies because she lost her last baby two days before her scheduled c-section due to NAIT.
Oh....my....heart....
The reality of this condition is frightening. She had a scheduled c-section, weekly IVIG treatments, everything to fight this nasty "disease" and even after all that, she unexpectedly lost her baby, two days before her scheduled, early c-section. TWO DAYS. 95% of the time the IVIG treatments are supposed to work, this time it didn't.
I can't imagine.
I am so thrilled for her to have a healthy baby boy after her last pregnancy.
Reading her story ripped my heart out and I know my pain doesn't even come close to how she felt. NAIT babies are SO closely monitored, SO closely, but really, you never know.
After crying for what seemed like hours at my computer, I went in the girls room and kissed them through my tears. They are miracles.
Ironically, that same day, my friend Melissa sent me an email listing out the ways God took care of Abby's birth....Most of these blessings were before we even knew about NAIT and what kind of damage we should "expect" from Abby's bleed.
I think it’s important to remember all the ways God has already blessed the Klenkes.
Jen and I sat with Carey last night and wrote down some praises and hung them in Abby’s room.
I thought it was important to pass them on to you girls, too.
Our God is SO faithful!
It’s so obvious that He’s in the details!
Here’s the list I sent Carey on Thursday…
-Your Mom was in town, even though it seemed like she was coming a few weeks early.
-We went to the hospital on Monday to do paperwork and the tour, even though I was convinced I was only there to help ask questions.
-We had an awesome (long) tour and conversation with the nurse, Carol, even though she "just had a minute."
-I was able to drop everything and come be with you, even though I have a baby at home and my husband was at work.
-You had a snow day from school, even though there was no snow and the roads were clear making it an easy drive to the hospital.
-You didn't have to go in the triage room, even though we were told the day before, "Everyone has to go there first."
-We had treats for the nurses, even though bags weren't packed and treats were not made.
-You were able to avoid IV fluids while laboring, even though "there was an order for it".
-You had one of the nurse midwives you knew, even though there are a bunch of them who rotate through and it was unlikely she would be there.
-You got to video Skype with Steve, even though there was no internet connection.
-You got to talk with Steve numerous times throughout laboring, even though he's on the other side of the world.
-You were able to walk around to get labor going on its own, even though the staff wanted to get Pitocin started right away.
-You labored for a long time without pain medication, even though it was really hard and you were really tired.
-You responded very well to the epidural, giving you the relief and rest you needed.
-When things got a little stressful with Abby's heart rate, the nurse staff responded so quickly and efficiently.
-They stopped the Pitocin drip, which is what you wanted to avoid in the first place. You knew what was best for Abby.
-Labor picked up on it's own, even without Pitocin.
-You were able to deliver Abby, no c-section needed, even though (in my opinion) the night midwife gave the impression it would likely end up that way.
-Steve was on the phone when Abby was born!, even though it was the middle of the night there and I had a really hard time getting in touch with him to let him know it was time.
-We were able to take TONS of pictures and videos throughout labor, birth, and right after, even though we were told, “No pictures or video are allowed during birth.”
Ones we can add to that…
-Being transferred to Memorial was a blessing! Visitation has been a LOT easier. Carey and her mom have easier access to home/showers/beds/food/etc. Abby is getting fantastic care there.
-Steve coming home!! Even earlier than we thought just last night!
-Holly and Cathy are so close to Memorial Downtown. They're able to be there with Carey at a moment's notice.
-Carey has been staying with the Downings, so she can easily and quickly get to the hospital. She’s also been sleeping well there.
-The seizures are a side-effect from the blood in the brain issue, not a separate concern.
-Steve and Carey get to experience Abby’s “firsts” together! They’ll get to dress her in her “coming home” outfit, put her in her little car seat, first car ride, etc. They’ll get to show Abby her home together. This is huge!!
I still feel confident our God is taking care of the medical issues Abby is experiencing.
Please continue praying for complete, miraculous healing!
Please continue encouraging Carey and Steve.
We worship a God who is a Healer.
We worship a God who is a Healer.
We can trust Him to take care of Abby.
He is worthy of our praise!
Side Note: We were told that Abby's bleed would cause "significant developmental delays"
I write all of this to remember it. The pain of NAIT is pretty real. When I hear a story like that it brings it all back to the night I had Abby when they put her in a little incubator and drove her away in an ambulance...I don't even think I had showered after having her at that point and I got in a car and followed....Not knowing what was happening or how severe the issue was...Steve was in Afghanistan and was flown home on a Red Cross Note.For those of you who are still reading, I am impressed. This is a long post. There is a youtube video that shares some of the stories of NAIT babies and tries to explain this horrible thing and how it affects babies. For me, it's pretty hard to watch. It's long, but I wanted to post it here.
I know that Abby's healing is divine. Lucy's delivery, from the Lord. I know medicine helped, but ultimately it was God's hand. I don't understand all of God's plans but I sure am thankful for my two gifts.
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