A Day to Celebrate

Today is a special day.  We are celebrating big sister's 4th birthday today.  What's even more noteworthy is that Miss B. celebrates her two month old birthday.  Why is this such a milestone?  For those few babies born with Trisomy 18, half of them do not survive past the first week. One study cites that only 5 - 10% of an already limited population live past the first two months.  So while the world mainly recognizes annual birthdays, we joyfully celebrate Brayleigh's first two months with us.

Brayleigh's story is certainly her own. This week, we met with the first in a series of specialist doctors - a genetics counselor, or doctor who specializes in chromosomal abnormalities.  I asked the question regarding the difference in the success of some babies with Brayleigh's disorder from those who fall into such a limited survival window.  The doctor said that one of the biggest differences is due to severely defective hearts that are poorly structured at birth.  Miss B.'s heart fortunately is not structurally and severely defective.  She has a small murmur, that could likely go away over time.  Chris and I were more than relieved to hear the doctor say that, as Brayleigh has shown that she is charting her own course in this journey. One nurse noted that she is especially strong and is extremely alert, traits that do not always accompany the syndrome. This weekend, I decided to turn off her oxygen because she has shown that she really does not need it, as she has recently been using her oxygen mask as a punching bag to keep herself amused.  She is approaching her third day without any supplemental oxygen, so we are truly grateful and looking forward to many more months with our precious angel.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:29-31