Encouraging Words

Well we just got back from Jackson and its 7:45 p.m.!!! It has been a very long day and of course event filled. You know how last night I made the comment when it rains it pours? Well I now believe we faced a worse storm today...maybe one like Hurricane Katrina. Thankfully the doctor's appointment did not cause this storm to brew. First things first. Our doctor's appointment went well and we left encouraged. I will give details later on. But afterwards we all went to eat in Jackson. Well we were leaving the restaurant and we walk outside...guess what...NO CAR!!!! My mother's car was stolen from a very busy section of Jackson in broad daylight at 1:30 in the afternoon!!! Well praise God that Shea was able to make the trip today...but he had to go in his own car to stay away from me. This way we had another car with us in Jackson. He was not running fever this morning and felt like he was okay to make the trip. On a personal note I was VERY relieved for him to be going. It was comforting having him by my side along with my mom and dad. Well after filing police reports we all (mom, dad, shea and I) loaded up in his truck and traveled back to Hattiesburg one vehicle short. If Mary Glenn makes it into this world we will have one heck of a story to tell her!!!

Now for the doctor's visit. Dr. Perry was encouraged by what he saw today. The amount of amniotic fluid is normal. Mary Glenn moved the whole time which really made Dr. Perry excited. The calcium deposit on her heart is still there and there is also a "sliver" of fluid around the heart. Dr. Perry said that we definitely need to take a further look at it with a pediatric cardiologist and get another opinion. He has hopes that this is nothing major. Mary Glenn is still small but also still four weeks behind in development. She has continued on an uphill climb and has not flattened out...this is GOOD news. She now weighs 506 grams or 1 lb. 2 oz. All of her measurements are in proportion to each other. Her brain and spine look normal. Her blood flow to the brain and the cord look good. Dr. Perry does not see any major birth defects...PRAISE OUR GOD!!!! Dr. Perry's biggest concern is the baby is small which we have been aware of this since the middle of August. He feels if we can carry this baby to 34/36 weeks (my gestation) then we will take her then. The reason for this is because with a baby that has had a growth restriction like Mary Glenn the chances of a still birth increase around this time and we do not want to take any chances. As of today I am 27 weeks and 3 days. Now what? I will see Dr. Shores (pediatric cardiologist) in Jackson next Thursday for a further and more in depth look at her heart. This Friday (October 10th) I will begin fetal assessments (NST) with Dr. Benton. I will continue the NSTs until we deliver.

Our God is good! This journey has been long and overwhelming but at the same time it has bettered me as a person. We have wanted to use our baby to glorify our Lord and Savior and I pray that we continue to do so. When Mary Glenn makes it into this world I can thank her for strengthening my relationship with God. I don't think I have stopped talking to Him today!!! One thing that was left in my mom's car was my Bible and journal. I pray that whoever did such an evil thing today will look in the back seat and look into the Bible and read His words. My writings in my journal can not be replaced but maybe they will read those words too and see how awesome of a God we have!!! Maybe they will read about our baby girl and how she fights each day and how God has changed our lives with her.

Thank you so much for all the prayers. Prayer is very powerful and I ask now that you please don't stop! Our visit next Thursday is important and I pray that we will be encouraged once again by the doctor. I pray for God's will to be continued and that Shea and I will guard our hearts with the news that is to come. Please begin praying for our cardiologist Dr. Shores. Pray for Mary Glenn and that she will continue to fight and grow for us each day! As always pray for Dr. Benton especially right now as he has been under the weather today. Words can not describe how I have been overwhelmed by the support of our family and friends. One last thing...pray for the person who felt lead today to steal my mother's car. Obviously they are a lost soul and need help. I pray that they may find help on the back seat of mom's car!! Much love to all of you...

In His Word,
Bethany