Friends,
After an incredibly long and emotional day, Claire, Jeff and I are all home.
Claire's team of doctors, including the perinatologist, neonatologist, pediatric nephrologist, and obgyn all came to the same conclusion. The baby's kidneys have totally failed. In addition, the baby's lung development is behind (due to the initial lack of fluid before the blockage was found at 20 weeks), and cannot catch up... baby's lungs need amniotic fluid and the pressure that it creates to continue to develop. No man-made fluid can mimic that pressure, which is so crucial. So, the situation with the lungs can only get worse, not better.
With two major organ groups in such dire conditions, the baby just cannot survive outside of the womb.
The horrific conclusion, then, is that Claire & Jeff are in a holding pattern. They will be visiting the obgyn and perinatologist, each once weekly to check vitals. One of two things will happen. Either the baby will die in utero, and Claire will be induced to deliver him, OR Claire will eventually go into labor on her own and he will arrive but not be able to survive for any period of time.
No heroics, no extraordinary measures to sustain the inevitable. They will meet with the Northside Hospital Neonatal Loss Committee to develop a guide for any unknowing doctors and nurses who may encounter them when they come back for delivery. The purpose of that plan is to keep an unbearable situation from getting any worse.
Their minister, Vicki Harrington French, came to visit today and prayed with us. She prayed for God's guidance and wisdom in this hard time, and for God to take care of the baby- either here with us, or with Him in Heaven. She reminded Claire that sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to let someone go.
The next few weeks are going to be incredibly hard for Claire & Jeff. I am glad that, at least, they are together with Lydie and Bella (their dog) at home. The two of them have handled this situation with such grace, courage and faith- I am so proud of them, and only hope that they feel everyone's prayers, thoughts and support each & every day.
Please keep up the prayers, and continue to lift them up. And, thank you to each of you, for your kind words and offers of help throughout this difficult time.
Love
kathie
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