From the Beginning

Lance was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease when he was just 18 years old. It was then he made the decision to freeze his sperm in hopes of having children someday. After 3 years of dating and 3 years of marriage we decided to finally start our infertility process. The Lord completely opened up that opportunity for us through Lance's medical insurance, they covered it. We then found out I had cystic fibroid tumors in my uterus blocking my right fallopian tube. In order to continue with IVF, a surgery was in store to remove the tumors. One year later we completed the process and on April 2nd, 2007 we received the most incredible news. Our first IVF attempt was a Positive pregnancy. A mere 5 days later on April 7th they heard two heart beats; twins.
We found out we were having girls, Grace and Faith, only 2 weeks before I went into labor.

At 22 weeks 3 days, I went into labor On August 6th. I went to triage at PMC. Once they discovered I was in labor with buldging membranes and dilated to 2.5, they explained to us we had less than a 5 % chance of our little baby girls surviving at this gestation; our goal was at least 24 weeks. Our choices were to abort or keep on and they would send us to U. I was put on an ambulance with heavy medicine to stop labor, and made it to U where my contractions nearly stopped within 2 days. I was there on bed rest; head down, for 9 days before it all started again.

 
At 23 weeks 5 days, Grace Deanna was born, naturally, at 1:04am weighing only 1 lb 4oz and 12 inches long. Since the chances of her surviving were so little and I did not progress labor, the doctors wanted to give Faith (twin B) every chance of survival. So back on bed rest I went for 2 days until me and baby Faith became very ill and needed immediate delivery.

Faith Merryann was born by C-section two days later at 24 weeks even. Born at 5:09pm weighing only 1 lb 3oz and 12 inches long.

Brought immediately to the NICU at the University, our little baby girls stayed there for only a short while before needing multiple surgeries and were then transferred to Children’s Hospital (CHRMC).
 
When Grace was just 6 days old she was developed Necrotizing Entero Colitis (NEC) and was transferred to Children’s within 4 hours for immediate surgery. Dr. W wasn’t sure she would pull through but didn’t let us give up hope. When she came out of surgery Dr. W said the next few days will be the challenge, she is very critical. Grace was put on all the “code” drugs to keep her alive. But it wasn’t working. The attending Dr. S pulled us aside and let us know we were once again on the verge of loosing Grace. She said on a scale of 1-10 she is at a 9 and fading quickly. She was put on a high frequency ventilator and was on the maximum amount of medicine they could give her to keep her heart beating. We had several nurses with us crying, hugging and comforting us the whole time. After an extensive few days Grace was finally put back on the regular ventilator but still required maximum amount of medicine.


They were 6 weeks old before we held them for the first time.

 
 
Grace was facing NEC, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Nutritional Support, Gastro esophageal Reflux, IVH Grade III left & II right (brain bleeds), Chosestatic Jaundice, Osteopenia, Anemia, Respiratory Support and Retinopathy of Prematurity Plus Disease (ROP).

 
Faith was still at the U and facing a PDA ligation surgery at only 14 days old. However, upon discussion with the doctors, they were able to have her transferred to CHRMC to be with her twin sister. She was facing: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Anemia, Abnormal BAER (Hearing Screen), Gastroesophageal Reflux, Bilateral Grade 3 Vesicoureteral Reflux (VCUG Kidney Reflux), Osteopenia, Retinopathy of Prematurity Stage 2 (ROP), Pancreatic Insufficiency, Respiratory Support and Nutrition Support.


Grace slowly weaned herself off some of the meds and began to make progress. She later suffered 2 more surgeries on her abdomen, a laser eye surgery and a PDA ligation which she barley pulled through yet again. She was intubated 4 different times for a total of 98 days.

 
Faith had no other surgeries but faced severe reflux and a major condition of apnea/brady cardia. She was intubated for a total of 73 days.

 
We were transferred to a hospital near our home in January for our final discharge. To prepare us for home. After only 2 weeks we did just that, went home.

Grace spent 156 days and Faith spent 152 days in the NICU at Children’s Hospital.

We were finally discharged with oxygen, oximeters, a laundry list of medicines and our miracles babies, we made it home.

 
On July 25th, 2008 Faith was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. Within 5 days of her bilateral cochlear implant surgery, the doctors discovered she has slight hearing in her left ear which no longer makes her eligible for a CI. It's been 2 years of struggling to understand Faith's unique and profound hearing loss.  We are currently on the CI 'hold' list.  Grace’s hearing is completely normal, as they can tell right now but her vision is diminishing.  She has a negative refraction {nearsided} of -20 and is getting worse.

We are actively involved with 6 different clinics at Children’s including: pulmonary, ophthalmology, GI, Nutrition, Urology and Audiology and the cochlear implant department.

Doctors at U say they have no records of a 23 weeker making as much progress as our little Grace has. With as many complications as she has faced as well.

We still face many, many challenges, but with strength that can only come from HIM and with the peace HE gives us, we take it day by day!
 
Grace
 
Faith