Introducing.....Cayden Matthew

It has been a stressful week around here, but I am excited to introduce to you CAYDEN MATTHEW!!!

We had our 18 week ultrasound on Tuesday. Cayden was very proud to let us know that he was indeed a boy in every aspect of the word!!! He waved to us and even seemed to "pray" periodically throughout the US. Despite all this, it was a very stressful US to say the least. The sonographer didn't have much to say and when she was "done" she left the gel on my belly and said "Well, I need to go see the Dr and make sure I have everything." Let me point out that the Dr. was in his office with another patient on a different floor. I knew right away that something was not right. The minute that the door reopened...I saw my Dr. I knew then that something was array. The sonographer had her doubts about the appearance of Cayden's heart....and of course she would only whisper to the Dr. I was so close to loosing my cool!! There was also fluid in his chest cavity. The Dr informed me that it looked abnormal and that he was sending us to a specialist in Indianapolis for a second opinion.

So Jesse and I stressed and didn't sleep until today when we saw the specialist. We were really hoping for a complete healing, or to hear that everything was fixable. As much as we wanted to hear good news, I am saddened to report that Cayden in fact appears to have some abnormalities. Cayden has a significant nuchal fold (flap of skin on the nape of his neck) and pleural effusion (fluid in chest cavity.) Both of this are red flag markers for Down Syndrome. The fluid must be monitored closely to prevent lethal changes. We are optimistic because all the other soft markers for Downs were not evident. His brain, heart, bone measurements, lips, etc are all absolutely perfect. The Dr has recommended that we do amniocentesis to specifically pinpoint the chromosomal abnormality, but the risks of the procedure are not worth his life in our eyes. Yes, it would prepare us for what we can accept at birth, but honestly, I know that I can't change the outcome, so we will lean on our Faith.

We are taking the news very seriously, and we are praying for a divine healing in Cayden's body. This just isn't the picture we had painted. But, once again God has reminded us that it is not our picture it is His. We will cherish and love Cayden just the same. My fear is that others will not. As a special education teacher, I know the troubles these kiddo's face, and it pains me to know that my son may have to endure them. I don't find it ironic at all that I went to school to work with special needs children, or that I have always said I would love to adopt a Downs baby, or that we have "special needs" animals that require a lot of care. This must just all be a part of God's plan. It is still hard to accept and we are still hurting from the news. My heart aches for the son we couldn't help, and now for the son that is ill.

In light of all of this, Jesse is still convinced that the fluid in the neck and chest will dissipate, and that Cayden will be a super healthy baby boy. Would you please add Cayden to your prayers, specifically for the fluid in his chest to drain.
He is an absolute darling, and when I am upset, he never fails to give me that "I am ok" kick.

We return to the specialist in 10 days for another US to monitor the fluid. We are praying that both abnormalities are gone (this would obviously be a healing and would at least decrease the risk of Downs.) I will keep you all informed as we know more.

"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27