December 3, 2005

Praise the Lord for His manifold blessings! Friday evening we were finished with all the "things we needed to learn" to bring our little bundle home. Since being home, Brett is enjoying all the loving arms that want to hold and cuddle him. Like our social worker Betty told us, "Babies do better at home". Our first night was uneventful and we are thankful he is a content baby and easy to please. He has a feeding tube that runs down his nostril to his tummy. This tube stays in for a week and then it is removed for cleaning. Both of us had to show our competency in this procedure before they'd let us bring him home. We were also trained to run and understand the heart and lung monitor that keeps tabs of his vital signs. Typically a family would stay one night in the hospital in a special "rooming in area". But the staff decided we could skip this, especially since we did not get on this list in time and we seemed to handle the procedures with ease. We really can't say enough about the entire staff at Riley Hospital. What a great group of dedicated people.

What we Learned:

Brett has a deletion on his 4th chromosome. The syndrome name is called Wolf Hirschorn. At this time we have chosen not to focus on what they say about children with this syndrome, but we are focusing on his daily needs in this first step. We really believe God wants us to just wait on Him and trust Him as we move down this road. God is in control, and only he knows how Brett's future will unfold. He will give us the strength and the grace to deal with whatever Brett's condition brings into our lives. Right now, we just want to love him and bond with him. Some of the things for now that we must face is that our son will develop much slower than we are used to as compared to our other children.

In the near future

We have appointments scheduled with about 5 departments down at Riley over the next several months. We will continue to need help accessing Brett's eating needs, and the use of oxygen. In time there will be surgery for the cleft lip and palate, and hydraspadia. Again, God is in control. We must trust Him in our valleys and on the mountain top. He has a purpose for all that we experience, we can be assured of this. Let's face it, Brett will ultimately become just the person God created him to be.

Thanks again for all the cards and emails we've received which prove what a loving church family we have. Each expression of concern, love, and prayer is a treasure to us. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of such love and kindness. We know that your prayers are part of the reason we can face each day. Let's all keep looking up, for truly the day of redemption draweth nigh.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1Pet 5:6-7

Prayer Requests:

1. Brett's health during the cold and flu season

2. Strength for Val as she pumps the milk Brett eats, without having the pleasure of nursing him.

3. Endurance as we stick with a tight schedule of feeding him every 3 hours. We have never scheduled feedings with our infants.

4. Strength and humility to fight against Satan as he will come attacking with the "questions" that will never have answers.

5. Clear direction as we look to the future concerning surgeries, plans for MTI Training, and when to return to Haiti.

In His Love and Care, Jan, Val, and Family

Brett's "cradle" for a week

Derek and Alisha....Happy to have Dad and Mom home...and of course Baby Brett too!