Current Prayer Requests

It has been some time since I have put out an updated prayer request list. If this were a marathon, I would guess we are at about mile 21 . . . we can't believe we have made it this far and we have no idea how to get across the next 5.2 miles that are left.

Our two big immediate concerns for little Annabelle are her shunt and her feet.

The VP Shunt:

As a refresher, children with SB often have trouble with fluid building up on their brain. To combat this, the the doctors inserted a tube into Annabelle's head just behind her left ear. The tube runs under the skin and into her abdomen where any excess fluid is absorbed by the body.

The critical window for shunts is the first 6 months. Usually, if someone is going to have trouble with their shunt, this is the window in which the trouble starts.

So far, we do not have any reason to believe that Annie's shunt is causing any problems what-so-ever. The Neurosurgeon is scheduling us for a CT scan and Shunt Series of X-rays just to check on everything and we hope to have that done in the next 4 weeks or so.

It will be a big relief to hear that everything is working just as it should be.

Club Feet:

As you probably know, we started the casting process this past week. Every Thursday the Doc will cut off last week's casts, bend little Annie's feet a little more and then recast them. The process is expected to take 6-9 weeks depending on her progress. We are, of course, hoping that we get through this as quickly as possible.

When the wife met with the Doctor last Thursday, he remarked that Annabelle's case was severe and that (if the casting does not do the trick) surgery might be needed on both her ankles.

=begin aside=
If I never hear the the phrase "so severe" again it will be too soon . . .
=end aside=

So, of course, we are hoping to avoid surgery.

Those are the two immediate biggies.

Of course, we are also constantly praying that Annabelle develops bladder and bowel control and the ability to walk.

On the up side, she is just the sweetest, happiest, non-fussy child anyone could hope for. A true joy!

Thank you for all your continued prayers and support!