Kind Comments and Precious People...

A few very kind people have sent notes and left comments thanking me for posting early information about Megan, Kreig, Evie Caroline and Holden Bell on my blog. I want to assure each of you that I've read your extremely gracious words and I'm humbled by your gratitude...BUT...honestly, it was an honor and a calling to be able to send out a plea for prayers two weeks ago and I am thrilled to know that so many have prayed fervently and faithfully.  Having the ability to stand in the gap for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ is one of the most precious blessings associated with being part of God's family, and how wonderful that we can all celebrate the real and tangible evidence of the miraculous work He's done.

Megan, Kreig, babies...you have touched my heart and continue to inspire me every day!  I pray enormous continued blessings for each of your lives and believe with all my heart that you are going to be used in incredible ways for His glory in the days to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:17~ let's keep praying!

CaringBridge site for Megan, Evie, and Holden...

I'm happy to report that Megan's Caringbridge site is up and running and you may now check for updates and praise reports there.  To access it, click this link:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/meganbell

I know the family is so grateful to each of us who are praying, but they need the prayers to continue and the encouragement to be frequent, so let's do it!

Prayers are being answered...

Here's the most recent update I have from Donna on Megan and the twins:

...Both babies had sonograms early this morning (yesterday) to ascertain their brain development. Learned the results this afternoon. Given that the blood vessels to their brains are fragile and barely developed, Evie has a little blood on the outside of her blood vessels. In medical terms this is graded as a "1," the least severe. Holden, however, has a little more blood on the outside of his blood vessels and some has seeped into the brain. The amount of blood around his blood vessels is graded as a "2" and the amount of blood that has seeped into his brain is graded as a "4," the most severe. The doctor assured us that it's still early and he is not worried at this point. Multiple sonograms will be performed on their little brains over the next several months with the 2nd sonogram scheduled this Friday, 6.18.10.

 
Megan's day started well. She is now able to piece together several words to form short sentences! At times her brain cannot recall facts, (i.e., she stated that she had eggs and toast for breakfast, which she did not; she did not recognize a picture of Holden and Evie this afternoon and that upset Kreig). She made such huge progress between Monday and Tuesday that Kreig wants her recovery to continue at that pace, but she simply is not going to. His head understands, but his heart is having a more difficult time accepting that one. He hasn't lost faith, he's just anxious for his wife to recover and meet their babies.

In addition to Tuesday's milestone, another one was reached late today. Megan was able to pump breast milk so that it can be fed to Evie Caroline and Holden. Breast milk is vital at this point in the babies' growth as Megan's milk would have been feeding them if they were still in her womb. They need the nutrients. The next few days are especially critical in this area as Evie and Holden's bodies may not easily accept the milk. Keep in mind, it's not the milk itself that can be an issue, it's the process of administering the milk. At 26 weeks babies are supposed to still be in Megan's womb. The nurses will place a very small amount on each baby's lip and monitor their reaction. If all goes well milk will be placed in their mouths. This baby-step process will continue for a few days until the nurses determine that the milk can be fed via a feeding tube into each baby's stomach.

Thank goodness Megan is hard-headed, strong-willed, and a fighter as it's these character traits that enabled her babies to grow inside her an extra 10 days and also brought her back to us! However, that fiesty girl became impatient tonight and wanted to use the bathroom in her room. Megan has a few tubes that connect her to various objects, (i.e., catheter, IV, etc.) yet she wanted to find her mom who she knew would take her to use a real facility. Thankfully the nurses at the station saw her just as she stood up and was falling, but did not make it to the room to catch her. Fortunately, God caught her as she does not have an visible signs of breaking, ripping of staples, etc. Let's pray that there are no internal injuries. As a result, Megan now has to have someone in the room with her at all times..

I can only imagine the mixed bag of emotions this family is experiencing.  I know they've felt the highs and hallelujahs associated with deepest gratitude, and I'm guessing there are also the occasional bouts of fear and concern about how this journey will progress and how quickly Megan will bounce back from the trauma she's endured.

If you're checking for updates here it's probably because you feel as compelled as I do to keep on praying fervently, so until the Caringbridge site is up and running I'll continue to share what I know so that we can all pray specifically for the Bells! 

Three Miracles in Mississippi!

Today's update on Megan and the babies comes again from Grandma Donna (I don't know what she is going to be called yet, but for now "Grandma" will work!).  God has been so gracious to hear and answer our prayers, but as I mentioned yesterday (and as you'll read in Donna's note below) there is a long road ahead for this family, so I'm encouraged to remember the instructions of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18 ~  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thank you to all who are continuing to pray!  Isn't it beautiful to know, see, and be a part of the miraculous?  Most women do not survive an AFE (amniotic fluid embolism) which is likely what happened to Megan from the description that Donna gave us yesterday.  Megan's life will never be the same, but I'm believing it will be better than she ever imagined possible as God restores her memory, revives her spirit and reinvigorates her body, making all things new for her.

Here's Donna's update today:

The day started with a visit to see Evie and Holden. Still in what is called the "honeymoon" phase, which means the period of time right after premature babies are born. The honeymoon period usually ends around 36 hours after birth. Nurses and doctors tell us post-honeymoon is the time when the rubber meets the road, so to speak. If the babies are going to improve or decline, this is it. We're thinking positive that improvement will continue!! Sonograms were performed on the brain of both babies and we'll learn results by tomorrow morning. So far Evie and Holden are doing well; both are fighters. Evie is a fiesty little girl; during her sonogram she moved her arms and legs and mouth because the nurse was disrupting her sleep. Once the sonogram was over Evie's arms and legs stopped and she went bquickly ack to sleep. Holden's blood pressure dropped some last night, but his nurse quickly responded and his blood pressure retuned to normal.


Megan's doctors explained that, while Tuesday was a big day and much progress is made, still a long road ahead! Megan is able to put words together today, but not many. Her memory of various past events is blank, but the doctor explained this is normal. After all, her brain suffered greatly when she seizured during delivery. The nurses sat Megan on the side of the bed this morning, but they quickly laid her back down as she bacame ill. Keep in mind she's been flat on here back and inverted, at times, for 2 weeks. In addition, her body is still recovering from such trama that a slight movement can be traumatic. The doctors are discussing possibly moving Megan from ICU to a surgical room this coming weekend. Nothing definite yet.

I am in the process of setting up a Caring Bridge website. Once complete I will send the website address to you all.

I will post the Caringbridge website address on this blog as soon as I receive it so that you can continue to marvel and pray.  For now, let's just keep storming heaven with thanks and prayers for continued health and healing for these three miracles in Mississippi!

Megan Update and Praise Report!

After a widespread power outage that has kept me unplugged this afternoon, I was thrilled to hear the hum of lights and the beep of my computer when our energy company restored electricity just now so that I could post this wonderful update from Megan's Mother-in-Law, Donna.  Here is the word straight from her:

God is still in the miracle business, thanks to all your prayers!! Was greeted with a miracle in MS mid- morning!

Megan began waking and stirring this morning. She is still quite groggy but she recognizes family and friends. When she was asked if she wanted to see her babies she smiled and shook her head yes.

During delivery Megan had something occur that we're told by doctors only averages once per year. When it does happen, rarely does the mother survive. During the c-section the amniotic fluid somehow mixed with Megan's blood. As a result, the fluid interfered with the oxygen in Megan's blood and prevented Megan from getting oxygen to her lungs. Immediately after Holden was lifted out Megan stated "my chest hurts," her eyes rolled back in her head and she stopped breathing. Kreig was immediately taken out of the room and work began on Megan.

Megan's day today, Wednesday, is 180 degrees from yesterday! She is still in critical condition but this afternoon the doctor shared that her numbers, percentages and vitals look good. She is sleeping so that her body can heal.

I met Evie Caroline and Holden today. They are beautiful! Evie has long feet like both her parents and lots of dark hair. Each premature baby at their hospital is in a private room with a dedicated, round the clock nurse. Spoke with their doctor and he confirmed a long road, but so far both babies are responding well.

Thank you all for your prayers! Please continue! I love you all!
Donna

Bell family, the prayers will continue for your sweet babies and precious Megan!  I know there are tough days of recovery ahead, but I plan to keep praying and believing on your behalves-- and I trust that everyone who reads this will join me.

I also want to send up some serious praise and thanksgiving to The Lord!  Thank you God for hearing the pleas of Your people.

Prayers Needed!

I have very much been a blogging slacker since taking on a huge freelance project that involved writing 25 scripts just over a month ago, but this morning I am compelled to take the time to post this prayer request for Megan Bell and her family.  Megan is a friend's daughter-in-law who was joyously expecting her first children (twins) in a few months. 

Last week, she went into premature labor was hospitalized so that doctors could try to keep the babies in utero until 28 weeks (two more weeks I think) but yesterday they had to perform an emergency C-section.  The babies, Evie and Holden, each weigh less than 2 pounds and are in the NICU--so they surely need prayer. 

Even more urgent though, Megan was deprived of oxygen during the delivery and is unresponsive.  Kreig, Megan's husband has been by her side during the entire ordeal and now faces the heart-wrenching dilemma of leaving his children at one hospital to accompany his critically ill wife to another.

Kreig and Megan are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and have many friends who are praying fervently for them. Will you join the prayer army by asking that God do the miraculous on Megan's behalf?  Doctors have told the family that she will need to FIGHT to stay with us.  Please pray that she'll have the strength to do that, and that The Father will lovingly, restoratively touch her body and the bodies of her little babies.  Also, please pray for Kreig and the rest of the family who are all struggling to make sense of this sudden, unexpected trial, but are holding on to their faith and hope with tenacity.  I so appreciate that I can make this ask of just about everyone I know who reads my blog.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,
Sandy