"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them close to his heart, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11

Friday, May 21, 2010

Arrival with Great Joy!



I am a guest blogger for Kendra.  I'm Val, Dave's sister and proud Auntie of Ethan, Abigail, and Rachel.

We have been preparing for this day for quite a few months now.  Finally all the the tests are completed, the wait time is over, and surgery is complete.  Family has travelled to be here for this special day.  We had lots of unanswered questions about what the day would bring.  What would Rachel present like?  Would she take a breath?  Would her heart beat?  Could we love her and hold her and watch her facial expressions?


We are so thankful for how the day has played out.  The C-section was booked for 1pm today.  Little Rachel was born a tiny 4 pounds and 12 ounces.  She breathed and cried.  Not a strong and lusty cry, but a cry none-the-less.  She turned pink and was given to her loving parents.



Rachel has a good amount of dark colored hair.  Her eyelashes are very long.  She sticks her tongue out a lot.  Ethan introduced himself "Hi!  My name is Ethan!" and wanted to tickle her.  Abigail is a very proud big sister.



The specialist came in to do an Echocardiogram.  Of the multiple issues that Rachel Amariah has, her cardiac anomalies determine the length of her life.  Things post birth are very much what was seen before birth with the addition of one more cardiac problem.  Her circulatory system is rather amazing.  Her little body has figured out how to compensate for some of her problems by creating vessels not seen in "regular" babies.  

Post birth the pressure in the lungs of a baby is quite high.  That pressure will drop in the next few days and as that happens Rachel's heart will begin to fail.  Her color will change and her breathing will become more rapid.  We expect to be able to enjoy her life for 2-4 weeks.  The next few days will tell us more.  The specialist says that she will likely experience no pain as her condition changes.  This is a big blessing!

Kendra is doing well post-op.  David is spending the night with them at the hospital while the other kids are with their Grandparents.  Kendra and Rachel will spend the next few days in the hospital and then decide whether to go home or to a hospice setting.  In the hospice food is provided and the family can just focus on being together and making good memories.

We are so thankful for all of your prayers today and request that you continue to lift us up.  We are relieved that things went so well and that we have had the chance to create memories with this beautiful baby.  Things will change.  Her heart will fail and Rachel will die.  The grief is different for all of us and most painful for her parents.


Welcome here Rachel Amariah Funk.  You are so loved!  Fearfully and wonderfully made....

10 comments:

Carol Taves said...

She is beautiful! And so loved by all of you, and by so many of us who will never get the chance to meet her on this earth. Our prayers will continue to be with you.
Carol

Angie said...

Thank you so much for the update, I have been anxiously waiting to hear! She is a beautiful little girl. Enjoy your moments together Funk family, I know you will treasure them as few do. Love to you dear friend and to your precious miracle!

Wodzisz Family said...

She is an amazing and beautiful little girl. My prayers go out to your family.

Lorissa said...

Thanks so much for the update. She's beautiful, and so loved by her Creator! You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. May you cherish these days together...

amy said...

She is so beautiful! Such a little miracle. God has so richly blessed your family with this little gift. Love and hugs to you all.

Kathy said...

Praise God that she is here! Thank you for sharing the beautiful picture of her and how you are all doing. May the next few days be days where you can focus on being together as a family, in the arms of God. We will continue to pray for you.

QueenB said...

Thank you so much for the update - I have been praying for this family and am humbled to be a prayer warrior in this difficult, but faithfilled journey. She is utterly beautiful, and perfect in His sight, praise God we serve a risen Saviour and have the promise of eternal life. I pray peace, strength, and comfort for the family. This world is NOT our home, praise God we know the "end" of the earth life story!

Unknown said...

Dear Kendra & Dave;
Jesus says, "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me!" (Matt. 18:5). Congratulations on the way you are welcoming your daughter!
We praise God that beautiful,little Rachael has arrived, that you, Kendra are O.K. and that your family is able to hold her in their arms. (I think she looks like her mom!)

Our thoughts and prayers will continue. We have been so blessed by you in the short time we have known you.
In Christian love, Gloria & John Block

fawne said...

What a beautiful, precious little bundle. We're so happy that you have been allowed time to love and cherish Rachel. Thank you Father for this lovely gift.
We continue to stay on our knees, asking for strength and courage to face the days ahead.
We love you Dave and Kendra.

Love, Ben and Fawne

Mark and Neena said...

Dear David and Kendra,

What a beautiful, darling, baby girl Rachel is! Well done, good and faithful servants...you have lovingly carried Rachel into this world, and now carry her in your arms.

With continuing prayers...

Love,

Mark & Neena and David