Gigi Comes Home!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone." —Isaiah 9:1

Praise Jesus, the newborn King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

There were some dark alleys and gloomy roads along Jen and Drew's travel but together they pulled and picked each other up when the times were tough and fixed their eyes on the great light of HOPE and LOVE, Jesus. And in doing so they streghthened Gigi when she was weary and weak, they helped others see His Glory and be saved, they brought many to know Jesus more deeply this Christmas and experience our Father's gift of His Son, our Saviour; more personally and more profoundly. Thank you Jen for sharing your story openly with all.

Gigi's homecoming occurred at around 6PM on Christmas Eve!! Thanks to some clever designing by some friends, Jen and Drew were able to set Gigi's carseat carrier at the front door, place a wrapped gift box (with three open holes in the top for fresh air) over the carrier and ring the doorbell! Kelly opened the door to find the surprise Christmas gift, her baby sister was home! The whole neighborhood proabably heard her scream "Gigi's home!" when she saw the little baby inside that present.

What a fitting Christmas story, babies arriving and the people around them being delighted and amazed by their sight. Thank you God, for your baby Son, our Saviour and thank you Father for baby Gigi's arrival home!

Thanks to some kinks in the world wide web (or what I think was divine intervention) this post was not able to be made public until now. I think that is fitting because it gave them a chance to be together as a family, quietly (as a baby will allow) and and relish their little miracle that has come home.

Merry Christmas to all!

Healing Beautifully

Our Gigi is healing beautifully since Monday's surgery. Her neck and belly are a bit sore, but improving greatly. Her shunt seems to be doing it's job well, based on her first head ultrasound. They are now treating her like a month-old baby.... none of this "preemie" nonsense anymore(ha,ha). She weighs 7.5 lbs (!!!!!) and is back to bottle-feedings and eating when/how much she wants. She's been dealing with reflux which required thickened feeds and a switch in formula. Fortunately she tolerates breastmilk well and we hope to have her fully breastfeeding soon. She sleeps well and is very alert when she's awake. She nearly gave herself whiplash yesterday when her nurse walked-by... she was wearing a very colorful and festive holiday smock which caught Gigi's eye. I laughed out loud as I watched Gigi's reaction... her eyes were so big & they just followed her nurse around the room.

One of the biggest joys is that we are allowed to hold her for long periods of time now that she has her internal shunt. Previously, the external drain limited us to about 20-30 minutes. So, it has been wonderful to hold her while she eats AND while she cuddles up to sleep. It's getting more difficult to leave her each day, and we are so very thankful for the loving and caring nurses to which God enables us to entrust her care. They are all so wonderful and so special to us!

She'll undergo some final pre-discharge tests next week (vision and hearing) and will complete her final round of IV antibiotics. Her neurosurgeon has planned for one more head ultrasound ealry in the week, and if all is well, we are hopeful to have her home sometime Christmas week! Please pray for continued healing, as well as protection from infection and obstruction of the shunt.

Thank you for the emails containing specific scripture, as I know God uses you to reveal Himself to us! I always print them to read and pray over Gigi.

Moving Along In Recovery

Hi friends,
So excited because Gigi is moving right along in her recovery. Drew and I arrived at her crib to find her awake and looking all around. Her pain medicine was stopped early this morning, but she'll still be a little sedated for a day or so as it leaves her system. We each were able to hold her, and she seemed very comfortable dispite the incision on her head for the shunt and the incision on her belly where the surgeon tucked in her tubing. She even started back on the bottle today much to our surprise! Like I said... moving right along... Praise God!

Our hopes of having her home for Christmas are probably not an option, as we found out today she will require IV antibiotics for a "few weeks"... still waiting on the details. After her last bout with menigitis, we certainly won't push skimping on antibiotic coverage, and will gladly wait as long as the Infection Disease expert deems neccessary. She is in wonderful care at Fairfax Hospital and I hope she can remain in their NICU during the full length of her stay (instead of being transfered to a Peditric unit).

Please continue to lift her in prayer for healing and protection from infection and shunt obstruction!
Blessings to you all!
Jen

Quick Update on Surgery

Hi friends,
Thank you for your continued prayers! Our sweet girl is resting comfortably on the ventilator after surgery yesterday, still receiving lots of pain medication which keeps her sedated while she recovers. Drew's parents were with us at the hospital yesterday, as well as Pastor Bowman. My mom was home caring for Kelly and Conor.

As difficult as it was realizing surgery was a probablility for Gigi, God carried us in the palm of His hand. We asked Him to guide us.. He told us to trust Him, and He faithfully revealed Himself around each turn. Praise Him for the peace He gives us!

Please pray for continued protection from anything unseen or unknown(infection, blockage), strength and healing. Please pray for continued wisdom to be given to those caring for her. Our prayer is also that she will be discharged home next week... in time to celebrate the gift of Christ with Kelly and Conor!

Blessings!
Jen

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight!

Here is another Update from Jen with her Happy Feet!

Hi friends, I am so excited to share our news... could barely sleep! God has healed Gigi! I believe what we saw as a decline in her health over the last few days was a final attemp by satan to attack our girl. No doctor can explain what happened. All labs/scans came back normal, yet she was not responding for 2 days. This morning Drew & I were led very strongly in our devotions to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinth 5:7)...... trust was once again the word and the feeling God placed in our hearts. We prayed strongly for satan and all evil to leave Gigi... that God had already claimed victory through Jesus's sacrifice. We prayed for God's protection, for Him to command His angels over her. I am so happy to tell you that we left the hospital this afternoon after spending over an hour with an alert, interactive Gigi!!!! Praise God!!!

The other hours we spent there were with doctors... the time was truly a blessing from God! We know He orchestrated every second and every detail, as they listened to our concerns (that Gigi is healed and doesn't need the shunt) and they felt it needed further investigation on their side. Praise God...... He got our foot through the door! It's the first time anyone would hear it without immediately discounting the possibility of healing!!! Drew's parents also arrived to join in the discussion... timing truly orchestrated by God. We've also been able to glean info received by our brother-in -law Steve.. a radiologist in Pittsburgh. God has placed so many people around us for His purpose!

A specialist... a neuroradiologist... re-read her brain scans yesterday, and finds no occlusion in her ventricular canals. Because she has very little drainage from her external drain, there is now more acceptance medically to the idea of removing her drain, with hope she will manage the fluid on her own and not need a shunt. Her neurosurgeon has been away all week, and this will be presented to him Sunday when he returns.

Ultimately it will be the decision of Drew and I in giving consent for any surgery. PLEASE pray for us in the days ahead... that we keep our eyes fixed on God.... that He continues to reveal Himself... that He continues to bless Gigi in health.... and for protection against the enemy. Please pray for God to guide us and give us strength, as this may all result in us having to stand against medical opinions. Most importantly, please pray that God will draw closer those who don't know Him... that they may know of His love for them personally, and the price Jesus paid on the cross for their eternal life! May they see His wonderous works in all of this!

Thank you for your prayers and your love!!!
Jen

More from jen

Thank you friends for your prayers! I just wanted to give you a little update on Gigi. She had a great weekend... very alert and active.... playing with her mobile and all-around amazing. Her staus suddenly changed Monday....and she now is very lethargic, barely eating with some vomiting after almost every feed. Lots of tests are being run. Please pray for wisdom and clarity for us and for her medical staff.. In the midst of the healing we've witnesses, it's very hard to be in a valley again... very confused. We've placed it all in God's hands, and are seeking His guidance. I am praying He will use this all to reveal the Good in His works.... that in some way He will reveal the truth about her not needing the shunt.
She is scheduled for her shunt placement Monday, at which time we will be asked to give consent. We will use this time over the next few days to push for justification from the doctors, and to seek the Guidance of the Lord. I thank you, my friends, and continue to request your prayer, encouragement, scripture, and testimonies. I know God is working through YOU in all of this. I am praying He gives us the strength as we attempt to walk by faith and not by sight. When it's the health of our baby....I want to be sure we are fulfilling God's will and not stepping out in fear instead.
Blessings!
Jen

Gathering Strength in Prayer

Hi Everyone,

Jen sent an email last night and she could use your prayers for strength and for continued healing with Gigi. After a really nice weekend of normal baby stuff: lots of cuddling, feedings, playtime and happy sleep; Gigi has had a serious decline inthe last two days. She is barely waking for feeds and having some issues with vomitting. They ran a CT scan and labwork and results should be in today.

Could you please step away from the everyday today and momentarily lift them up in your prayers for strength, understanding and for healing.

Lord, we ask you to send your Holy Spirit unto the whole Family. We ask for your wisdom to know the right decisions to make, we ask for the gift of peace when worry sets in, we ask for patience to let the healing take place that needs to, we ask gentleness and kindness for those who come into contact with them today. Heavenly Father, bring Gigi peacefully past this and into the health we know you desire for her. AMEN

Jen, Drew, Kelly, Conor and Gigi, we love you and we are praying for all of you. God Bless>

A Full Week of Updates

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for the reason for your hope" 1 Peter 3:!5
and our hope is Jesus Christ!

"Brothers and sisters:If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,you will be saved.For one believes with the heart and so is justified,and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.The Scripture says,No one who believes in him will be put to shame.There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;the same Lord is Lord of all,enriching all who call upon him.For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?And how can they hear without someone to preach?And how can people preach unless they are sent?As it is written,How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" Romans 10:9-15

Jen, you have beautiful feet!! Gigi when you read all of these posts someday...tell your mommie what beautiful feet she has! Because she is always updating and praising and giving Glory and bringing people to Christ and letting the reason for her Hope be known. Jesus Christ. She believes in the bigger picture. She believes in His divine purpose....for her, for Gigi and for you who are this!

FROM JEN:Gigi had surgery Monday (11/27).... removal and replacement of her temporary external ventricular drain. She still has considerable inflammatory effects from the menningitis, leaving her CSF thicker than hoped for at this point. I am thankful her neurosurgeon made the decision to postpone placement of her permanent shunt.... there would have been a higher risk of occlusion now. He plans to place the permanent internal VP shunt in 2 weeks, anticipating her CSF will be more clear and pose less of a blockage-risk. She also has a wonderful Infectious Disease specialist following her.... praise God for his genuine concern! Her nurses are truly God-sent. They have shown so much love and compassion that I can leave her each day KNOWING she is well-cared for. They have been a huge blessing to us each day and each night.

Please pray for continued protection from infection and overall healing for her... and for clear CSF! It has been a hard day... watching her go through this. She was happy and playful this morning, and is now sedated and on a ventilator. It makes my heart so heavy, but I'm so thankful to be able to see God's fingerprints all over this. I know He is carrying us all through. On the way home, I was crying and angry... having to leave her in such a state. Praise God for His perfect timing in the song I heard "Hold on to Jesus.... He's Holding on to you". I instantly had this vision of Him holding Gigi TIGHT... like there was a force He was protecting her from. What a blessing to receive that gift!

Wednesday: I just spoke with Gigi's nurse.... she said Gigi had a great night... awake and alert, and even is taking the bottle again!!!! She bounced back so quickly after her surgery Monday! I can't wait to go see her!


A word from me.....As Christmas appoaches and we are in this season of waiting, are you filled with hope or dread? Retailers and Marketers are sending a LOUD message that your Christmas will not be perfect unless you follow their lead and purchase their product. Does it not fill you with dread to think that you might not "get it all done". But your Christmas will BE PERFECT if you know that each of you has already been purchased by the Son and each of you has the same HOPE mentioned in 1Peter, despite that you may not have spent so much on somebody or completely decorated the house or finished all the baking. Have beautiful feet this year and spend the next few weeks spreading God's Love in our words and actions and Christmas morning you will not be worried about material gifts as much as spiritual gifts. If we can bring Jesus Christ to someone that is a much greater gift than anything the local department store is advertising!

Waking Up to Miracles

Good Morning Everyone! I woke up early, to feed my little one, and there was a part of me that just was restless, I could not fall back to sleep. When will Jen have this same wonderful experience, Lord? were the thoughts on the back of my mind that were to painful to bring to the front of my mind. So, I went to the computer, because I wanted, desterately to hear something from Jen. I am still in a fog, it is 2AMish but I need to share this, now!!

This is an update from Anne, Jen's dear friend who has motivated me & encouraged me, and many others to pray for a miracle for little Gigi and to do so through God's powerful Scripture. I cannot do this update justice, so I hope Anne will not mind that I am copying it straight into the blog. Forgive me Anne for not asking in advance, but it is 2AM and I want so desperatley for everyone to get this message as soon as possible!!

"How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God. Yes, the sparrow has found a house and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young-even Your alters, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long!.....O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!." Psalm 84: 1-4, 12 (AMP)


Praise God! Give Thanks to the Holy One! Give Thanks!!!!

Spoke with Jen tonight, God is moving friends in some very powerful ways. You have front row seats watching God be God, okay, second row seats. God tells us in James 1:2, "Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials and temptations." When there is a trial we get to sit back and watch God be God and be glorified! Thank you Lord!!!! Gigi is doing wonderful! Jen has been able to nurse her the last two days and Gigi is doing great with that, no hitches just great mommy and Gigi bonding time. Gigi is a happy little girl!

Listen to this......and give thanks!!!! On Thursday they did an MRI. (God is watching over His Word to perfect it as He promises!) The MRI showed absolutely no canal stenosis or blockage at the original site where the shunt was placed in the first surgery. Praise God!!! Thank you Jesus! Further more the MRI shows that the temporary drain that has been placed is not properly in place and therefore not doing anything. The only time it drains is when they manipulate it to. Her fluid is draining somewhere...her soft spot on her head is still soft which is a clear indication there is no backup. The radiologist thinks that he sees a congenital defect down much lower and is speculating that there may be a perforation down in the 4th ventricle area. They want to do an MRI with dye contrast to see where the fluid is flowing and if it is flowing down through the 4th ventricle. Now remember the medical team is looking for stenosis or blockage as it is impossible for Gigi's previous Hydrocephalus to just clear up on its own. But remember Our God is in the business of doing the impossible! They saw something on the previous CTs that led them to do surgery and place the first shunt where they did. But whatever it was is now GONE! Praise The Lord for His signature mark He leaves so we know He's been there. "All things are possible with God." With God it is possible that whatever caused Gigi's hydrocephalus is gone. The whole medical team has not seen all the films and read the written reports yet, that should all take place tomorrow. Pray for only the hand of God to move over Gigi and nothing else these next few days.

Praise GOD! HE IS SO AMAZING!!!! Keep praying and praising the Lord! Pray Gigi home to her family....praise her right on home!

"Lord we praise you for the amazing work you are taking to completion in your precious Gigi . We praise you for your Word that we can stand on. Your Word that is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Your Word O Lord that says you are the God who heals all our diseases and by Your stripes we are healed. Praise you Lord that no weapon formed against Gigi can prevail. Thank you Lord for the wisdom and clarity you are giving the doctors so that the decisions they make tomorrow will allow your complete and total healing of Gigi to be revealed. May you be glorified O Lord. Lord we pray for all those who are part of the medical team that each would come to know you as their Lord and savior through this manifestation of your power and holiness. Lord we thank you that the mountain has jumped into the sea in the name of Jesus (Mark 11:23) and the Egyptians Gigi saw she will never see again (Exodus 14:13). Thank you Lord that you have fought for Gigi and that Jen and Drew can hold their peace and remain at rest in you. Lord we thank you that Gigi will be given a clean bill of health and that she will be sent home to her loving family this week. Lord we thank you that you will remove all obstacles and you will bring Gigi home to Jen and Drew and Connor and Kelly. Thank you Lord that your ministering angels surround and protect this family. Lord we give you praise and thanks and all honor and glory for the mighty works of your hand! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen"



"Walking by Faith and not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Don't Worry

Time stopped for a few minutes today when I picked up the phone and saw Jen's number displayed and heard her voice. It was such a blessing for me to hear her voice and by the end of the conversation I was blessed again by her faithfulness in this whole journey. It is more than a journey of health and healing for Gigi. It is a journey of faithfulness for all of us.

Usually, I start with the update, but tonight I am going to start with what Conor taught me. Conor and Kelly have grown in this journey, they are still the same sweet kids but they have become such a big help for Jen and Drew. We were discussing this when Jen brought up the scripture that she read that morning. She referred to Matthew Chapter 6 beginning at verse 25, I believe. The message He sent to her: DO NOT WORRY. You know this Gospel story, where Jesus tells the people not to worry about their lives, what they will eat or will drink, nor about their body or what they will put on it. ....look at he birds of the air, they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather, yet the Heavenly Father provides for them, how much more value are you to Him than they are....DO NOT WORRY! So then, I learned again from Jen. Because she told me that instead of rushing into the hospital that morning and then picking up her Bible, she picked up her Bible, calmed her worries and then drove peacefully to the hospital....without WORRY!! God is so good to give us what we need and in helping us to handle all. He has done this for little COnor when Jen needs him to be a big help and he has done this for Jen and I am sure for Kelly and Drew, too but time (cell phone minutes) did not allow for examples.

So, that is why I started with His message, because the main prayer requests for Gigi are:

• That she continues to do well with bottle feeding and increases her feeds so that she can come off of nutritional support.
• That the fluid drainging from her head will continue to become cleare and clearer, a sure sign that a new shunt will not be needed. That the entire issue is resolved and miracously healed. Therefore we will not need to worry about which diagnosis is the correct one or the next steps to be taken.
• That she remains protected from infection.

I saved the prayer requests for last because I wanted to give God the Glory first throught Conor and Jen's testimony. I think our faithful little princess would want it that way if she could tell us. I think she would say "Don't worry, can you not see who is with me, My Heavenly Father" Praise Him and then ask anything of Him, knowing that He will provide.

Many Blessings to all of you and Good Night!

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.......

Thank you for your prayers! Gigi is improving steadily.... she came off the ventilator very quickly after her Monday's procedure. Her labs show no sign of infection...praise God!! By Thursday she was back to her sweet self.... alert and hungry! I was able to hold her and begin bottle feeding again, and was just overwhelmed at the joy I received in such a simple act! She is very responsive when she's awake, and sleeps very peacefully. I am so thankful for the loving staff at Fairfax Hospital. The NICU nurses, neonatoligists, and neurosurgery team have been a huge blessing to us - thank you God! Our family and our friends have supported us with such love... we don't know how we could have managed without them! We still have a long road head.... antibiotics for a few weeks and surgical replacement of her shunt sometime near Thanksgiving. Please continue to lift Gigi in prayer... for protection for infection and drain blockage, for strengthening and healing. She is such a strong little girl! Please pray for Drew and I to keep our eyes fixed on God. He has shown us the way and carried us faithfully with each trial. Please also pray for Kelly and Conor... they have handled all of this so well... but it is getting harder for them. It's hard to believe it's been 11 weeks... I am so proud of Kelly and Conor!

Blessings!
Jen

Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise in the morning, noontime, and when the sun goes down :)

Prayers and Another Procedure Update

Once again, thank you for your prayers!! God is soooo great! I prayed for God to guide our decisions today regarding this unexpected surgery for Gigi. I was so worried that if we allowed the surgery to replace her "obstructed" drain, that we might stand in the way of God's miracle healing. Boy-o-boy... did He show me a few things about faith today!!!!!! Basically, I was putting God in a box by thinking such things. He is WAY too big for that!!!

I prayed for Him to show me very clearly if the surgery today was neccessary.... if it was His will. I stressed the word "CLEARLY", and asked Him to open doors specifically pointing to the operating room if He was for it, and to close doors/place obstacles if He wanted us to decline the OR today. (Kim, thank you for Rev 3:7-8). The neurosurgeon was very understanding of my concerns during our morning phone conversation, and said he would postpone the surgery if I wished. He expected to be able to add her in to the hectic OR schedule in the late afternoon or evening, and we would have plenty of time to decide.

Well, I walked into the hospital at 11:00am and the receptionist at the front desk told me the doctor was on the phone... yikes! His news was that an operating room would be available at noon and he needed to know our decision now. Could God have opened the door any more clearly (and quickly)than that???? For extra confirmation, I went to see Gigi and found that her soft spot was getting more firm... a sign that pressure was building in her head due to lack of fluid flow. It was all the comfirmation I needed. Off to the OR she went!

The neurosurgeon removed her temporary shunt (called an EVD-external ventricular drain) and replaced it, and noted clots in her old tube... an obstruction, just as he had predicted. I am truly amazed at the depth of his skill in such tiny babies! Praise God for opening my eyes and granting me peace in this decision.

Gigi did very well...she is sedated and on the vent but should wean off vey quickly. The infection is responding nicely to the antibiotics! She'll need continued antibiotics for about 2-3 weeks, and is expected to have her shunt placed sometime near Thanksgiving. Today, November 7th, is her "due date" and she weighs 6 pounds....yippee!!

Please continue to pray for healing, strengthening, and protection against infection! Thank you, thank you my dear friends for your prayers and encouragement!!!
Blessings!
Jen

Good News From A Trusting Mom!

Hi friends,
Thank you, thank you for your prayers! Gigi turned the corner and is improving after her surgery! Praise God for the strength he has given her! He is casting this infection from her body..... hopefully to never be seen again! She is breathing fine without the ventilator and has had no sign of seizures recently. She continues to need pain medication, which makes her sleepy, but wakes up easily. He has blessed her with wonderful, caring staff at the hospital. My heart is filled with JOY!! I am so ashamed that I let fear creep in this week.... my trust needs to remain strong in the Lord, and only in HiM!

Please join me in praying for complete healing for Gigi. The Lord's power is so strong, and I believe that all the suffering she experienced this week was not in vain, but preparing her body for healing.... complete healing! I pray that Jesus is opening the canals that carry the CSF fluid in her brain, and allowing perfect balance and flow.... that she will not need a shunt to be placed ever again! I pray He will reveal this miracle to her surgeon and doctors as well! And that His name will be glorified!
Jen

Mom sends a prayer request

Please pray for victory over this infection... I know Jesus is fighting for our girl! She is doing a little better today (praise God!) She opens her eyes and looks for me when I kiss her and talk to her. I believe the infection is weakening. She is needing less help from the ventilator!!! She's receiving wonderful care from her nurses and physicians... we are truly blessed! God is so good and so in control!
I keep praying Exodus 14 in entirety over her.... so many parallels!
The Lord is (our) strength and (our) song! Exodus 15:2

Exodus 14:14

"Rest and be still for the Lord is fighting for you." Exodus 14:14

This is the scripture Jen referred to when she left her update today. She found comfort in it today as she watched GiGi, sedated and on the ventilator again, with the infection raging on inside of her, BUT she was still and looked peaceful.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray over the infection as it is appears to be worse than the doctors initially thought. In Jen's words, "it is really bad."

Please continue to pray for the hospital staff caring for her, that they use perfect care in providing for her needs.

Please continue to pray for Gigi to wean off the sedation meds and the ventilator as quickly as possible.

Please lift Jen up as she continues to glorify the Lord and trust & lean on Him. Please lift up Drew with her. Please pray for them to rest too and find time to be still in His word to strenghten them during this battle.


"No one who comes will I ever reject." Jn 6:37

God Bless all of you for your prayers, kindness, and goodness.

Would you share your prayers in the comment section to record and keep for The Gilfillians? Comments are being moderated, which means I must okay them (not because of you all, but because this is after all the world wide web.) Thank you. I think it would be beautiful to have these prayers for Gigi, written and recorded years from now so she can see, hear and reflect on the love all of us have for her.

Quick Update on the Surgery

This is from Jen:
Hi friends,
Just a quick update. It's hard to be quick, because I want so badly to share with you all of the many ways we saw God working today (and imagine all the ways in which He worked where we DIDN't see him, too)!!!

Gigi underwent surgery this evening. Her neurosurgeon removed her shunt and added a temporarty external drain. She will receive antibiotics to stop the infection, then undergo a second surgery in about 2 weeks for a new shunt placement. Currently she is back on the ventilator and sedated on pain medication. They will taper her tomorrow to see if she can begin weaning from the ventilator. She does look comfortable and well, just precious. Her strength is beautiful and inspiring.

God has revealed His presence over and over again! Praise Him in the name of Jesus Christ!

News About the Infection

I humbly bring this newest news to you :

The Medical Side of this Update: GiGi has a confirmed infection at the site of the shunt. She has been placed on a mix of antibiotics and will undergo surgery either this afternoon (tuesday) or tomorrow morning. This means that she will be placed back on the ventilator. After the infection clears, the neurosurgeon will replace the shunt in a new site. This will delay her homecoming by a few weeks. She is not as responsive as she appeared last week. In someone so small the infection can tire her out abd it is all her liitle body can do to fight it. There isn't any extra energy for feeding, cooing, breathing on her own. She underwent another blood transfusion last night.

Prayer Requests:
1. For the antibiotics to fight the infection and the site to heal quickly and without incident.
2. For the neurosurgeon and the OR Team handling her, that they will use wisdom, dicernment and good judgement in her care.
3. For GiGi to be protected from the long term effects of being on a ventilator, Lord please, protect her from any ill lasting effects.
4. For the nursing staff to follow her closely as she rides this storm of infection and to not be burden by anything that would hinder them from caring perfectly for GiGi and all of their little patients.
5. For Jen and Drew, that God will protect them from worry and dark thoughts. May they continue to find strength throuh Him and with Him.
6. For Kelly and Conor, who are waiting fo rtheir baby sister to come home, may they trust in the Lord with childlike understanding and faith.

Personal Thoughts:
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are fixed upon you" 2 Chronicles 20:12 ;we walk by faith, one of my favorite songs, Lord let us not walk by sight because it is hard to see this from a human perspective. Let us walk byfaith and keep our eyes, ears, hearts fixed on you. Love and hugs to all of the Gilfillians

Setbacks & Prayers Needed for GiGi

Hello Friends,
PLEASE lift our dear Gigi and her family up to the Lord in prayer. She has had several setbacks during the last 24-48 hours. There is swelling around the shunt area and it's possible that the spinal fluid (or cerebral fluid?) is infected. They did a tap to test the fluid today. Don't know results yet. Gigi is lethargic and not responding well like she has been. I don't know many details.

I feel like Satan is really attacking because Gigi was so close to coming home and was doing so well. Of course, Satan wants to delay her going home as long as possible. We must pray against the spirit of fear that is creeping in and for protection for the whole Gilfillan family.

Isaiah 50:10

"Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

It seems pretty dark right now, but we must TRUST in the NAME of the LORD and rely on HIM for Gigi's healing. HE alone IS our LIGHT when we feel surrounded by darkness.

Thank you dear ones.

Courtney

Latest News...She is off Oxygen

Hello Everyone!!

The latest news I have recieved here is that GIgi is off of her oxygen. Thank you Father! This means that she is so close to coming home, it is amazing. What a little blessing and what a great miracle and what Good News :)

Yesterday I had the oppurtunity to speak with Jen live, on the phone, and I cannot tell you how good it was to be discussing carseats, JCPenney pictures, baby blankets, cooing, and all that fun stuff that surpasses ventilators and pulse ox machines. I got off the phone and thanked God for his kindness in that conversation. We were both multitasking as we spoke (because there was much to be done in those precious hours between the kids being at school and trips to the hospital) but even though, it was just sheer JOY to be talking about GiGi coming home!

The way Jen explained it to me, GiGi has to pass a carseat test. She has to be able to sit in it for two hours
without needing any oxygen at all. With the above news, I am hoping this means that she is able to pass the test, too and that her homecoming is shorlty forthcoming! But how wonderful that they make a device called a carbed so that if Gigi's lungs are not ready yet for the carseat position, she can still ride home like a Princess in a Care Seat bed!

Is this not just so wonderful to be talking about her homecoming instead of ventilators and medications and temperatures. It is amazing!! We thank you Father for that!

"To Him Whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more
than we ask or imagine — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
through all generations, world without end. Amen." —Eph 3:20-21

More news from Mom!

All is GREAT here. Gigi is wonderful and is now at Fairfax Hospital!!!! Although I am sad to leave the many special people behind at Children's hospital, this is definitely a step closer to her coming home! She was welcomed by a kind and familiar face - one of the nurses from her previous visit. We both remarked on how special it felt that Gigi was back in her care. I had prayed for God to orchestrate every aspect of Gigi's care... so for her to receive this nurse (Barbara) on her first day back was just one more way we see His works! We truly feel Hand upon us!

Gigi has progressed leaps and bounds this weekend. She is just over 4lbs and is taking full feeds from the bottle, so her NG feeding tube is history! Her breathing has greatly improved, and she requires only a small amount of oxygen.And she passed her hearing test today! It's amazing to look back and realize how I took these "little things" for granted with Kelly and Conor. Now each one is a checkpoint we must pass, and we praise God each time we hear good news. Next will be an eye test, where she will be tested for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Please pray for good results!

She is now 37 weeks (8 weeks old) and reminds me so much of Kelly... very alert and active with the same exact mannerisms and facial expressions, but her eyes are very different from Kelly's. She is doing everything Kelly did when she was a newborn, so I'm hopeful she is on-track neurologically for her age (or close to it).

Her new Neonatologist had not yet examined her before I had to leave, but I was happy to have a chance to meet her. So... all is well!!

My mother returned home today, and Drew's parents will visit Thursday. I'm praying she'll be home very soon!! I think she's almost ready. Kelly and Conor will be happy to finally have her home (as I'm sure you can sympathize with having been on bedrest with Emily). It's been a few weeks since they saw her. Our neighbors had a little "big sister" party for Kelly, where the girls all decorated beautiful burpcloths for Gigi. Each one is so cute, and it was so special for Kelly.

Praises from Mommy!!

Jen's words:

SATURDAY:Our hearts have been so deeply touched through the encouragement, prayers, and outreach from our family, friends, neighbors, school community and church family. If you only knew how your love has supported us!! We see God working in so many ways and it blesses us tremendously! Our pastors and church elders have continually reached out to us and are committed to praying over Gigi. We thank you all and wish we could do it in a way more personal than an email right now! Please know how much you have touched our lives... some day Gigi will hear all about it!
Through the love, healing and strength of Christ
Jen

FRIDAY:I have so much I want to share! But I'm so very tired that I need to make this brief and head to bed....
Thank you, thank you for your prayers!!! God's works are so good!! Little Miss Gabrielle is having a grand day! Held her again today, and she is drinking from a bottle! It was priceless to see her checking out the nipple with her tongue, tasting some drops of milk, checking out the nipple again, wrinkling her eyebrows, then charging after the nipple and gulping down her whole bottle in 10 minutes!!! Praise You Lord Jesus for your healing power!! What a beautiful miracle... and my mom was there right beside me for it! The nurses are now giving her a bottle when Drew & I aren't there.... hope she can have the NG feeding tube removed soon.
Her physician said they plan to transfer her to Fairfax Hospital Monday for continued care in feeding and weaning from the air support. She doesn't require much oxygen, but she is needing about 2L of air via nasal canula to keep her lungs aerated. Her neurosurgeon is pleased with the shunt drainage and Gigi's head size. She looks like a different baby now that the excess fluid has drained... so much more happy and alert and comfortable!
Please pray for restoration of her brain (I believe Jesus has healed her), as well as His continued presence as she transfers to Fairfax.

Praise His Name

GIGI IS OFF THE VENT!!! She is breathing well on her own and additionally she has a suck reflex so she appears ready for those bottles again!!! Jen had the oppurtunity to kangaroo style hold her yesterday! This all ahead off schedule and very good news. Thanks for pounding on the door in prayer!

The following is daily email I receive and I thought worthy of today!!!


Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33, Luke 12:1-7 Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/102006.shtml

BORN TO PRAISE
"We were predestined to praise His glory by being the first to hope in Christ." —Ephesians 1:12
We are tailor-made for praising God. Our voices are for singing. Our hands, eyes, and hearts are made just right to be lifted up to the Lord.
With our feet we can dance before the Lord. Our entire bodies can be offered "as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship" (Rm 12:1). Our minds and emotions can be trained and inspired to make music unto the Lord and to articulate our love for Him in words.
We are born to praise the Lord, or more precisely, re-born to praise Him.
Almost all our other activities will pass away. Soon we will not be preaching, teaching, healing, working, and suffering. However, we will always be praising. Praise is the eternal activity.
So don't be afraid to praise Him. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nothing hidden that will not be made known. Everything you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight; what you have whispered in locked rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops" (Lk 12:2-3). Even the quiet, hidden workings of God will be proclaimed. You will be the one to proclaim them.
In the end, every knee will bend and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11). So why wait? Praise Him now. Make praise your priority. Isn't that what life, and eternal life, are all about? The Lord is worthy to be praised (Rv 5:12). The old spiritual says: "I don't know what you came to do, but I came to praise the Lord."

Prayer: By the power of the Spirit, may I bless the Lord at all times; may His praise be ever in my mouth (Ps 34:2).
Promise: "The hairs of your head are counted! Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows." —Lk 12:7
Praise: St. Paul praised the Lord with his life by being a "good and faithful servant" as a missionary for fifty years.

Praise Him for healing her lungs!!!

A Marathon Healing

Little Gigi will have to be on the vent another week. She was due to come off on Sunday, was down to her lowest setting on Saturday but some complications prevented that. She is also starting some medications, a steroid regimen. She is in a full fledged Marathon.

Lord, We lift Little GiGi up to you. We ask that you heal her lungs and help her to stay strong. We ask that you protect her while this unexpected course of action rides out. Father will you bless her and Jen and Drew with a sense of your presence near to them, carrying them. Let us remember that they are going THROUGH the valley and you ARE THERE with them. We praise you for how you have provided for all of them thus far and we ask to continue to provide, Father. Amen.

Streams In the Desert October 16th: "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked for us. Hebrews 12:1

The feeeling of despair or hopelessness and the heavy heart it brings upon us will drag us down in our usefulness and holiness. We should never give ourselves the freedom to doubt God or His eternal love and fatihfulness toward us in everything. The Holy Spirit will cometo us in victory when we refuse to: doubt, worry and wonder if God has forsaken us and thinking after all we have been through that our hopes will end in failure. Let us consider it pure joy, even when we do not feel any happiness (James 1:2) The devil has two great tricks 1. tempting us to be discouraged and 2. and tempting us to doubt. Do not be tricked either way. If we cultivate a spirit of happiness, it retunes our souls and keeps them perfectly in tune so that Satan is afraid to touch them. Sadness discolors us and produces a mental paralysis. Nothing has any appeal. Sadness clips the wings of happiness, it causes us to become useless.

Jen and Drew, may sadness not envelope you but may you be cheerful, rooting GiGi on in her marathon of healing. In her biggest tounament yet. MAy she feel you rooting for her and to hear you singing the praises of God who has a plan for even the smallest amongst us. THough we did not plan for GiGIi's recovery to take so long, it has, but do not doubt that He is there. Chase away any doubt with the happiness of the miracle of the little life before you.

Knock on the Door

Sometimes, when we are at a loss for the circumstances around us and how they are unfolding, we may hear things like "well, that is just life, that is the way it is, deal with it" That sounds like hopelessness. Doesn't it? We know where our hope is, in our Father and we can find it and be reassured by it in His written word.

Gigi, our little fighter, is still on the ventilator. Could you please knock, knock and knock on the door with your prayers, asking God to open it, ask Him to get her off this ventilator. He will do whatever we ask. He wants to ask. Join with me, in praying "Dear Heavenly Father, We love you and we love this little life that you have sent to us. We ask to breathe your breath of LIFE into Gigi's lungs and into her soul, continuously. Give her back the strong lungs she had before the sergery, give us the healthy little girl we had before the bleeds and the swelling. We ask Father because you have told us in your written word to ask You. We petition and implore you to send your healing hand down on this sweet little baby and make her whole again. The God who raised Lazarus, the God who cured the sick and forgotten, the God who is there whenever we call on Him. Come to Gigi now, Father. Come and Heal her and make her well. We want to see her home with her waiting, loving family. We want to see her cooing and suckling. Father, we love you and we believe in your gift of healing. Thank you for your healing hand. Amen"

The book of Saint James tells us specifically to have the elders pray over you when you are sick and in need. All of us are elders in this little baby's life. We all have the power to pray over her. I think she needs a visit from the church elders, to pray over her and the hospital and the staff. I hope they will go.

God bless Little Gigi

Happy Birthday Jen

Three Things :)

First, Happy Birthday, Jen!! I know the greatest gift you recieved yesterday, on your birthday was the answer to prayer: That the operation to place the shunt was successful and that GiGi was responding well. The older we get, the more we appreciate the "little" presents :)

Second, GiGi had her operation on Monday. As mentioned above, she is doing well and all praise to God, she had no complications during the procedure. Jen was able to notice a difference in the swelling as soon as that same day. GiGI was placed on a ventilator to help her as she came out of the anesthia, it made the breathing process easier and was less work for her in recovering from the procedure. They were to give her some packed RBC's Monday night to help give her a boost, too. But all in all, Jen said it went well.

Third, I am sorry the updates have been slower than usual and more sparse. Life has been moving along and that is a fortunate and good thing, however my family has kept me a little busier thatn usual this last week. Never the less, I do intend to keep blogging away about this littlest angel in our midst. God Bless GiGi!!

If I could give you one birthday gift, Jen, It would be the gift of Peace. Although as I hear it you are doing a wonderful job of trustiing in God with all your heart, leaning on Him fully. Let me leave you with this verse, to keep with you as you fall asleep or wake in the night, to reassure you that God is with you at all times: Do not be anxious about anything Philippians 4:6

Update from Tuesday

4 pounds!!! Gigi achieved a whopping 4 pounds Monday, and was sporting her double chin quite proudly today! Praise God for her weight gain, growth and health!!!
We are finally settled in to Children's Hospital. It's a longer drive each day than previously(1hour 15 mins), but we are fortunate that I can go during off-peak traffic times while the kids are in school. I get to drive by the many beautiful sights in Washinton DC... the monuments, museums and our Capitol Building and am in awe of their powerful presence.
Gigi is doing fine! She underwent a ventricular tap this morning where the neurosurgery staff drew fluid from her head(approx 15cc). This will hopefully relieve some of the pressure she has encountered as a result of the hydrocephalus. She may need another one later this week as she awaits her surgery... we'll take it one day at a time. She is scheduled Monday for surgery... a VP shunt placement. The shunt is a small tube that runs from her head(ventricle) down to her abdomen where it will drain any excess fluid from her head. It runs beneath her skin and will be barely noticable. The physicians will be able to control it's rate of flow through a valve. This will greatly reduce the pressure inside her head. She will be treated with antibiotics to manage the risk of infections. For as much as I hoped she wouldn't need this procedure, I know it is the best thing for Gigi's long-term health. This surgery is the first step in her road to discharge! She is really thriving on her tube feedings, and will attempt to progress to bottle feedings again soon. She also still requires oxygen , but only a small amount and should be weaned fairly easily. We're hoping she'll be home very soon!
We've been so happy with her neurosurgeon, Dr. Yaun. She has a gift of communiating gently yet is direct and thorough. Gigi is in great hands (in addition to the Lord's, that is)!! God has shown us in so many ways His faithfulness. His love is so strong and overwhelming at times! There are days when we have emotional lows, and God shows us the other infants in her wing who are VERY ill and are just beginning their NICU journey. We realize how far He has brought Gigi and praise Him for his powerful works in her.
Please pray for Gigi to remain healthy as she awaits surgery! Also, please consider praying for the other babies sharing the NICU with her. Sometimes I feel like we are at Children's Hospital partly because God wants us to pray over the other sick babies!
Thank you for your prayers!
Jen

GiGi has been moved to Children's Hospital

Friday was supposed to be an "easy" day. Gigi was doing great on Thursday... perky and responsive, so we "expected" to coast through Friday with an early morning visit to see her, then back to Leesburg for a luncheon and baby shower for Gigi hosted by some dear friends at Kelly & Conor's school. Then Drew's parents were coming to spend the night and watch the kids... offering for Drew and I to have a date night. Well, what was I thinking!?!

All week we had been praying for God to show us very clearly what action should be taken to help Gigi deal with the hydrocephalus. Her head size had slowly continued to increase, yet she remained stable with no significant signs that it bothered her. Her primary neurosurgeon at Fairfax Hospital is away on vacation until Oct 3, and we (including Drew's dad, a peditrician) were concerned with the possibility of Gigi needing a procedure done emergently if she started having problems... who would help her??? We needed direction.

Well, our "easy" Friday morning soon became the busiest of all days! We casually arrived at the hospital for her 9:00am feeding and were soon discussing with her doctors plans to transfer Gigi to Children's Hospital within a few hours! Drew and I weren't really prepared mentally for this decision.... no solid info to base it. But God faithfully answered our prayers LOUD and CLEAR(both through the loud and unwavering advice of a consulting neurologist, and through that clear still small voice he speaks through our heart). We soon knew she needed to be in the hands of an experienced pediatric neurosurgeon and felt peace about approving her transfer to Children's hospital. The neurosurgery team there would be capable of managing her if she needed a procedure done.

So, running a few hours late, we rushed home and made arrangements for the kids after school... and our friends didn't hesitate to help! Then I arrived at Gigi's shower an hour late... but loved every moment! It was wonderful and we are so blessed by these friendships!! Then the journey began to NE Washington DC during rush hour to find Children's Hospital! We praised God for our friends who fed us directions through the intricate network of one-way streets as we weaved our way through the city. I always say God sends me angels every time I am in need! Providing someone great directions when they are stressed and in unknown territory qualifies as honorary angel status!

Drew's parents met us at Children's Hospital. It was a wonderful experience... we immediately met her neurosurgery team & neonatologists who made us feel very comfortable with with her care. Gigi looked great after her whirlwind day. That's twice she's gotten to ride in an ambulance (Kelly and Conor are a bit envious)!

She had a CT scan of her head last night which gave answers to some of our questions (Praise the Lord!!). It confirmed she has communicating hydrocephalus.. good news because she does have some flow of fluid between her brain and spinal cord (as opposed to complete blockage). They plan to do a spinal tap today to relieve some of the fluid pressure in her head. They still anticipate her needing a shunt in a week or two... when she is at least 4.5 lbs (She is 3lbs 13 oz now). The spinal tap will help her be more comfortable and safe while she is "fattening-up" and waiting for the shunt.

She seems very content and happy..... God gave us great peace today when we held her!
Please pray for God's protection and healing following the tap....also in regard to the e-coli bacteria that is colonized on her. We are thankful she is not infected with it. The tap will highten her risk of an infection entering her blood& CSF fluid, so she'll receive prophylactic antibiotics. She also has a small sore on her face (from tape?) and I ask for your prayers for healing of this area, as it also poses as a site for infection.

Please also pray for continued wisdom for her physicians... especially for decisions regarding any upcoming procedures. We know she is in great hands. As difficult as it is to switch hospitals each time (Gigi's nurses have been so very loving and caring each time!), we know God has a plan in ALL of this!

The blessings we have received are tremendous, and overwhelming emotionally. Many heartfelt thanks go out to our friends who have supported us by:
caring for Kelly and Conor and Skipper on a moments notice.
bringing us meals and treats.... a huge relief after draining days!
delivering clean laudry... what would I do without you my friends!
beautifying our lawn and flower pots... they look extra-loved!
helping with grocery shopping and keeping our fridge stocked.
driving or accompanying Jen to the hospital.
calling or emailing with encouragement.
communicating prayer needs or organizing help.
praying for our family and for Gigi's growth and health!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!

Waiting And Praying

An update from Jen:

Just wanted to let you know we all are fine. Still waiting and praying.


GiGi will most likely need the shunt soon, as her head size increases. Fortunately her weight is increasing (3lbs, 10 oz). They will do the shunt after 4lb is achieved. Everyone is hoping she can maintain her current status until her neurosurgeon returns from vacation on Oct 3 (there is neurosurgeon covering for him, but he doesn't 'know" our baby). If she shows a decline in her status and needs surgery earlier than that, then we know it is God's will and won't question His reasons. He has given me a peace about the surgery, and I see every day how he is at work orchestrating the many details of our life.

Please pray for God to bless Gigi's physicians and nurses with wisdom and clarity in determining when she will need a procedure done and which procedure... shunt or reservoir( to reduce the pressure the fluid is causing on her brain). Because she has a rotating schedule of care-providers, it is difficult for them to all know her "baseline". Pray for clarity!!!!!!


"He is a Shield to those who take refuge in Him." —Prv 30:5

GiGi is doing beautifully today... as she turns 4 weeks old! She's very alert and curious, and once again reaching for her tubes... she's got spunk! After not being able to interact with her very much following her ventricular tap Thursday, I was so happy to be able to hold her again and feed her a bottle! She seems to have bounced-back and is gaining weight well ...3lbs, 6oz today!

Since her ventricular tap Thursday, we received news from her neurosurgeon that the fluid in her brain is returning quickly. He believes she has canal stenosis, disabling the flow of cerebralspinal fluid from her ventricles. He anticipates the need for a shunt placement very soon. Although we are preparing for this and thankful this technology exists to help her, we continue to pray faithfully for a miracle... for the Lord's healing & sparing from this surgery.

Well, many have assured us that this would be a roller-coaster ride..... it now surely is! I'm so glad God is at the controls of this ride!!!

Once again, we had an enotional morning after hearing the news, but His word again spoke the truth to me! Friends shared Romans 4:17 and Acts 2:25 and Mark 11:23 yesterday, and Psalms 145...... Thank you ladies! God is so loving and faithful! He IS at my right hand, leading us. His angels ARE with GiGi, ministering to her right now! He WILL deliver her! Praise be to Him!

Drew and I keep hearing so many voices (numerous physicians, articles, test results).... it gets very confusing and heavy. I was so thankful for God's timing when hearing the song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns Friday on the radio. I've heard it so many times, but every word sunk into my heart at that moment as I tried to sort through it all, "Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will chose to listen and believe the voice of truth." We will rely on His word...His truth... His promises and claim them for GiGi! Thank you for your prayers!

About the Tap from Jen

Praise the Lord! GiGi is doing very well today following the ventricular tap and blood transfusion. When I saw a vial holding 50 ml of water in her room, I found it shocking to realize it was the same amount drained from her little head... quite a load for such a tiny girl!!! Her vital signs are stable. She is uncomfortable at times (probably a headache... I imagine), but moving well and more alert.

We prayed yesterday and early this morning for God to make it very clear to us and her surgeon exactly WHICH procedure to do.....the tap or the reservoir. They both had advantages and disadvantages. Well.... He once again answered us! We are thankful they found the e coli presence in time... as this was a major determining factor in the selection to choose the tap..... and pray she will not become infected. Now it's watch, wait and PRAY!!! As far as management of the ecoli colonization.... she received antibitoics yesterday. If she needs a surgery down the road, they'll treat her ahead with antibiotics again. There's not much they can do to get rid of it unfortunately. Please specifically pray for protection from this bacteria. It would be devastating if it entered her brain or body. God will protect her!

It was wonderful having Drew's dad here to guide us through the options. His mom came to the hospital this afternoon for a few hours, and my mom will be here for the weekend. Our friends have been pouring out love on us in countless ways.... meals, playdates, laundry, groceries, flowers, lawncare, scripture, phonecalls......and ENCOURAGEMENT!!! We are abundantly blessed!!!!!

Thank you, my prayer warriors!
Jen

update from kristy-noon on thursday

Jen just called.
The neurologist called and said that due to lab results showing colonized e-coli they did not want to do the reservoir today and increase the risk for infection for GiGi.
He went ahead and did a ventricular tap this morning and drained 50ml of fluid (roughly 1 1/2 oz.) This will result in a tough day for GiGi with headaches and irregular vital signs.
From Jen: Pray for protection for GiGi.
Because the fluid drained was clear, they now know that this is not residual fluid from the bleed, it is new fluid showing that this problem is not from the bleed and is probably due to her prematurity and that an area of her brain just pumping out extra fluid. Therefore the plan now looks to be surgery at some point to place a permanent shunt so that the fluid can drain from her head and be absorbed in GiGi's body.
Pray for Jen & Drew....the Lord keeps showing them His peace but they are exhausted.
They know that Satan is attacking but they need full coverage of prayer also.

Prayers for Surgery and PICTURES & Understanding

Our Littlest Angel

These pictures of GiGi were taken when she was about a week old.

Hello Everyone

Thursday morning Jen and Drew will need to make a decision as the neurosurgeon will

be taking sweet little GiGi in for surgery to reduce the amount of fluid in the brain.

It appears the fluid is not draining on its own and may possibly be increasing again. They do not know why this is happening at this point, they only know that they need to take care of it.

PRAYER

Wisdom for the decision Jen and Drew will need to make Thursday morning regarding the procedure that will be performed.

Wisdom and Courage for the doctors and nurses caring for her during this time and afterward.

Strength for Drew and Jen as they wait during the procedure.

Healing for Gigi after the procedure.

PRAISE

Gigi is three pounds!!

The neurosurgeon is leaving for vacation on Friday so Jen was relieved that this unfolded now, instead of after he was away.

Her nurses at the new NICU are very caring and supportive of her.

UNDERSTANDING

Understanding...our children do not always understand what we do to them, how we treat them, they simply trust us.....we do not have to understand all God's ways of dealing with us, or Gigi or someone else in our lives....we simply need to trust HIM...and someday we will see the glory of Him in the things we do not understand. J.H.M

just in FROM JEN:

GiGi will definitely undergo the surgery Thursday at 1:00pm, as long as she is stable medically. The procedure will involve placement of a "subgalean reservoir" under her scalp that will drain excess cerbralspinal fluid from the ventricles of her brain. It will also enable the physicians to have an easy access if they determine the need to actively drain her with a needle in the future. She will be sedated and will most likely be on a ventilator for a day or two.

This was a suprise for us today. we kept thinking this was "down the road" and hoped she could resolve the hydrocephalus on her own. We all (Drew, me & his dad) went in to see her this morning, as I felt something was "off" yesterday during my visit. Praise God for His perfect timing in getting GiGi's neurosurgeon, neonatologist, and nurse ALL in the room SIMULTANEOUSLY during our visit!!!!! We were all able to hash out her recent changes, and God provided wisdom and discernment, just as we had asked!!!! I know this was a miracle, because it has been difficult trying to connect with any doctor over the recent 5 days in this NICU...let alone 2 at the same time!!!!! Also, the fact that Drew and his dad(a pediatrician) were there, too, to make this decision, was in God's perfect timing!!!

We went back to see her tonight, and she looked so sweet as she rested. She looked at us when we spoke to her, and God gave me tremendous peace, through her looks and facial gestures, that she wants this. He is in control and will guide the surgery, with His angels right there. After struggling all day with this decision, I am so very thankful for His gift of peace.

Prayers are Urgently Needed

This is an update from Courtney....please read:


I spoke with Jen late tonight. She has a specific prayer request.

One of the previous cat scans showed some particles floating around in the fluid in Gigi's head (possibly from a previous brain bleed, not sure). At some point these could also cause blockage. Please pray that "God will protect Gigi from any damage that these particles might cause and also that they would disappear totally." The cat scan today showed that her head did swell a little bit, after not swelling for four days ... not sure why.

God put these verses on my heart as I'm typing this ... Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." and a previous verse, Ephesians 3:18, "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."

monday update from jen

Hi!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend! Things here are going well... finally getting used to the GIANT changes associated with Fairfax Hospital's huge NICU. GiGi's had great nurses... praise God! They make it bearable for us to leave her each day!

We do have several praises!!!!! She is now 3 weeks old, and weighs 2 pounds, 12 ounces!!!!!!!(one more ounce and she will have hit her "1-pound" growth goal)! Also, her head circumference continues to be unchanged, which is an answer to prayer. I am hopeful this means the production of Cerebral Spinal Fluid is balancing-out with her flow, and reducing any pressure on her brain. She is being followed by a Pediatric Neurosurgeon, and we'll to talk to him within the next day regarding GiGi's plan of care. She had an ultrasound of her head last night, but we haven't heard the report yet.

She looks beautiful and is doing all of those wonderful "baby" things... I just love to stare at her face. I see a lot of Kelly in her... time will tell. And she's starting to show her personality. I am actually feeling like I "know" her.... her favorites and her dislikes. What a blessing as her mom to feel this and to be able to tell her new nurses such things as her "voice".

I have to be honest, this week's transition has been overwhelming, and we have all felt tremendous stress. To top it off, Conor had a 4-hour emergency room visit Saturday evening after swallowing a toy. Although thankful he was not harmed, I was discouraged that "something else" had been added to our already overflowing plate. As God's timing is always perfect, we received a call from our pastor in the height of the chaos Saturday evening. The fact that he took time on a Saturday night to call (when preparing for 2 services on Sunday) shows what a true shepherd he is, but also that God laid it on his heart at the perfect time. He was deeply encouraging and shared God's truth and promises in scripture from Isaiah. But he also reminded me that Satan will try to attack us when we are tired & weak, out of desperation. But our faithful God rescues us, even sometimes at the "last watch"... and He did! And He will continue to be faithful on our journey with GiGi. After all, He loves her even more than we do!


God Bless!
Jen

Something to Ponder

The smell of rain

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the
doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was
still groggy from surgery.

Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the
latest news.

That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only
24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver
couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they
already knew she was perilously premature.
Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.
"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and
even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could
be a very cruel one"

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described
the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.
She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be
blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic
conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on
and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of
the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four.
Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away
But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and
Diana.
Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw',
the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they
couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to
offer the strength of their love.
All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet
light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would
stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.
But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here
and an ounce of strength there.
At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to
hold her in their arms for the very first time.
And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly
warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of
normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just
as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with
glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life.
She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment.
Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending
is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in
Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local
ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.
As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several
other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms
across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"
Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana
replied, "Yes, it smells like rain." Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet.
It smells like rain." Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin
shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,

"No, it smells like Him.
It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with
the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and
all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their
hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life,
when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding
Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."

Update on the head swelling

Praise! Praise! Praise!

I just spoke to Courtney and Jen said GiGi's head stayed the same sizelast night!!! The doctor's feel that this is a turning point for her and the hope is even greater that she will not need any invasive treatment to reduce the fluid present in the brain!

.....perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10)

The Wind of Change

Happy Three Week Birthday GiGi!

The winds blew and change came as GiGi was transferred to the larger NICU on Friday afternoon. She went by ambulance and after getting the older children settled with Courtney, Jen and Drew followed her to her new home away from home. Jen said that there is a neurosurgein available at the new hospital who will keep a close eye on GiGi's increase in fluid in the brain area. She said the immediate plan is to "wait and see" if GiGi can "move" this fluid on her own. It seems they are encouraged by her handling the bleed on her own and would like to proceed in the same manner before doing anything invasive. I will keep you posted on anything new as the weekend progesses.

I was encouraged that God provided this move on a Friday so that Jen and Drew would have the weekend to get used to the commute to the new hospital without the added burden of Beltway Traffic (at least not Weekday Beltway Traffic). And that they could get used to the new surroundings during a quieter time. However, I am sure that quiet is a relative term, as this new NICU has 80 beds and all of them are full.

Jen feels blessed by God's Healing Hand though because to quote her...."GiGi seems very comfortable in her new "home"..... she's a wee little fish in a giant pond... 80 beds in this NICU!!!! But God has used this to show us just how blessed we are in GiGi's health. There are MANY smaller babies in this NICU, and many with much bigger needs than our sweet girl. I know God is there with her, and His angels are right there in her isolet!"

All day Friday I ran across references to the Cross as I prayed for Jen and Drew and GiGi. I was hesitant at first to post the scriptural message but after seeing it again and again, I am relinguishing my fear and putting a verse out there for reflection. " Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad" Song of Songs 4:16

There is mention in Cowman's Streams in the Dessert of carrying one's cross in applying this verse and I quote: "What inexpressable charm seems to encircle some Christians, simply because they carry upon their pure countenance and gentle spirit the imprint of the cross! It is the holy evidence of having died to something that was once proud and strong but is now surrendered at the feet of Jesus."

I think of how much surrendering Jen has done with GiGi during all of this..in the past 24 hours alone, surrendering her to the CAT scan machine, surrendering her to the ambualnce, surrendering her to the new intimidatingly large NICU, surrendering her to the neonatal team as she left to return home to Kelly and Conor. And with it being the first full week of school (wouldn't you know that Drew had to work evenings this week) that she had to surrender the full blunt of motherhood to nurses, teachers, friends and neighbors as she travelled back and forth to be with GiGi. She has to "let go" and put so much of being a mother at the foot of the cross this week, yet the more she did it, the calmer and more peaceful she sounded. Don't get me wrong, she still has tears that overflow, but not out of hysteria. She still has moments when she feels Satan's bite of fear but she channels the fear easily into prayer. There is the nagging burden and overwhelming feeling that comes with the first week of school and a house put on "hold" ie.... all the paperwork, the mail, the cleaning, the caring for the older children. However, she rests in that God will provide the strength to do what is most critical and in the end, the rest will all be taken care of eventually,, she lays everything at the foot of the Cross. When people shake their head and nod and say "where does she get her peace and strength?" Well she got it by not running from the WINDS that blew into her garden of life but by turning her face to the cross and laying all those needs at the Cross.

Jen, thank you. You surrender your life and Gigi's life and allow His will to be done and the bitterness that could invade you turns into joy and gratitude to a loving God. Your fragrance is spreading abroad! You are letting God work through you and the people you touch in this experience, will forever be positively changed by it. Let the roots of their garden deepen in the soil and the growth overflow.

Specific prayer requests are for the fluid to decrease on its own and that the invasive procedures will not have to be done. And that the fluid will not have an impact on GiGi's neurological development.

Update on the Bleed and Fluid

Hello Everyone

There is a brief update on Gigi's condition. It appears the bleed has completely reabsorbed itself (PRAISE). However, the fluid has continued to increase (PRAYER<>

Please continue to pray for the doctors, nurses and other staff that they will use wisdom and discernment and that Gigi will be placed into the care of faithful hands. Also pray for Jena nd Drew and the kids, as this NICU move will place more limitations on them as a family as Gigi will be even farther from them (in distance but even more closer in mind and heart, if that is possible). Also pray for peace and understanding and that they continue to lean heavily and trust the Almighty. Please continue to pray for Gigi's health and that this will not impact her nervous system in any way.

I know we are all anxious to see her, to hold her and to do what we can for Jen and Drew. Let's turn that anxiety into prayer and good works that we can offer for them. If this is reaching someone who has not spent time with the Lord in a good while maybe this is an oppurtunity to get to know Him again. He loves you and would love to hear from you! Dust off that Bible and come to the Lord.

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for GiGi.....this update is from Jen an Kristy directly:

From Kristy: Gigi's head has been growing a little faster than what they would expect.
She has some extra fluid and they have decided to do a CAT scan today to determine the reason.
Please pray for the CAT scan to go well and for the result to show a minor blockage that is easily remedied.
Because the result of this will determine the next action to take which could include a transfer of Gigi to another hospital, I felt that it is imperative that we get the prayer warriors praying!

From Jen:Today (Thursday) we received news that her morning head measurement increased considerably since yesterday, so the physician has ordered a CT scan of her head instead of an ultrasound. I'm senseing urgency, and trying not to let fear creep in. God will give us peace and He will handle this in His way and timing. Please pray for her comfort & healing, and for God to bless her physicians with wisdom and discernment concerning the upcoming decisions and procedures.

Please continue your prayers....

Trusting

Good Evening Everyone,

I spoke with Jen tonight. We had one of those conversations that just stopped me in my tracks because I saw the issues we were discussing as so serious, so life changing, so challenging and my heart just cried for my friend. Here she is having discussions on a daily basis with specialists and nurses and physical therapists about this or that diagnosis, the long term implications, the overall tedious nature of the situation GiGi is in right now AND then she leaves the hospital to go out into the world....to deal with, say.. a crazy driver or listening to someone complain about gas prices or to hear about the weather report and not even be able to tune in to the simple mundane facts of life. I wonder how she keeps it all together so well for GiGi and Drew and the kids and I wonder if I could? I stand back and admire her motherly strength and yet I want to step forward and take the cup away and protect her from all of it. I want to protect her myself and I asked how could I possibly do it, even as I got off the phone with her, I was still asking myself, how can I do it...so I prayed and as it so happened, the Lord spoke to me that it was His job I was trying to do. As Jen so appropriately put it "He will take care of the details" So, as much as I argue with Him about it, I believe He is in control of the details. I need to trust Him with the sincere childlike trust that GiGi knows, that Kelly and Conor believe and that Jen displays.

Which brings me to tonights PRAYER REQUEST. Please realize this is second hand from Jen and I am not very good with the medical terminology or the details of all the procedures. What I do know is that GiGi's head size continues to increase and the scan yesterday showed fluid present in the head/brain area. Fortunatley, her plates are not fused so the head can handle the swelling/growth and that is a good thing. However, it is related to the bleed they saw on the last scan and there is concern about the situation. It appears the bleed is an old bleed, but the debris from this bleed may be causing the fluid increase. If the fluid is draining into the spinal cord then they will tap the spine and/or head to drain the fluid. If the fluid is not draining to the spinal chord, the debris is causing a blockage and then GiGi will have to be transferred to the Children's Hospital to have a shunt placed. The prayer request is for the medical staff placing these needles into her little spine, for the procedure to go well without any secondary problems. Also, God please, that there not be a blockage so that the spine can be tapped and that the fluid can be drained and that GiGi will not have to be moved to a hospital so much farther away from her family and will not have any long term neurological problems as a result of this situation.

The PRAISES are that she continues to amaze the staff by drinking TWO bottles a day. The ability to do this is weeks ahead of schedule and is a reassuring sight admist the concerns for her cognitive and neurological health. She is also up to 2lbs 6 oz. and is doing beautifully. Sometimes you have to look at the patient and not at all the tests and just trust that God is working here, in a way that we do not understand.

Which brings me to tonights scripture...Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.....Proverbs...I forget!! If you know, let me know the chapter and the verse.

Keep praying Everyone....and Jen & Drew when you read this, rememeber we love you all!