I(a)n Due Time, Part 2: The Details

If you're just checking in and haven't read part 1, let me fill you in on what's going on. This is a two part post, with part one being my thoughts and reflections and part two being the details. My two reasons for separating it thus are to keep each post a good readable length and to make it easier to search and navigate to these details.

Again, if you've navigated straight to the second post because you want details, let me fill you in on why there are new details to report.

At our weekly Ian checkup (Thursday, Jan 19), Dr. H let us know that he had some new concerns with doing a natural delivery. It seems that Ian's normal sized head in connection with his small body and breach position means there's a good chance he could get stuck. Before anyone begins to wonder about his sudden change of mind, rest assured that Dr. H is a trustworthy and kind doctor and that Daniel and I have full confidence in accepting his professional and personal opinion. That being said, we proceeded to plan a c-section for next Friday, January 27th.

If you read my previous post with my prayer requests, you'll know that this is not what we were hoping for. For many reasons, this situation is less than our ideal. Of course, in the end, that matters little as we must do what we must do.

To that end, here are some new details and associated prayer requests:

1) My mom is flying out on Monday to be with me this week. I am so thankful that she is able to do that. Not everyone's work/life situation allows them that kind of freedom. Not everyone has a mom willing to drop everything. Not everyone has a mom that's around at all. I think I've never been more grateful to have the mom that God has given me, especially as I myself learn what it means to be a mom. All of that is first a praise. Prayer request: safe travel, all the details of leaving home and the dogs for an extended period of time might be worked out.

2) This delivery date means that my brother Mike can't be here to meet Ian at his birth. This pains me so very much. I am thankful that he can come at all and our family can be whole while we deal with this, but I am having a hard time letting go of the fact that it can't be sooner. Prayer request: safe travel for when he does come, that he would be able to focus on his work until he can leave (he's deployed in Afghanistan and lack of focus is dangerous), and that I would leave this too in God's hands.

3) The only possibility that the necessity for this c-section might change is that Ian would flip upside-down before next week. He's never been in a head down position that I know of. Because of his small arms and legs, it seems unlikely that he is able to; however, we can ask. Prayer request: that if God wills, Ian would turn and we would know in time to adjust plans.

4) There are a lot of other family members and friends making plans with work and school and traveling from various places to be here. Prayer request: for smooth arrangements and travel mercies.

5) Because we are going to do a c-section, no one can be in the room with me but Daniel. Since Ian isn't expected to live very long, we must choose how to spend that time. Will we keep Ian in the room with me or will we have Daniel take him out to meet the family in another room? I know very well what some of you are thinking--that we have no obligation to take him away from me for any period of time. The question is not that simple to us. I want to do what is right. We both want to do what is right. We want to look back on this with no regrets as far as we can. Prayer request: We need wisdom to understand this choice and to decide accordingly. Also, that with that final choice, we would have peace.

6)As I sat across from Daniel at dinner after we'd heard this news, I was never more thankful that God brought us together. I cannot imagine going through any of this with anyone else. I did not know I could love him as much as I do today. He has been to me as Christ to the church--providing, protecting, and lifting me up. I hope you will thank God with me for that first. Prayer request: That God would continue to bless our marriage through this trial and that God would continue to give Daniel all he needs to lead our family through this.

7) As far as we know, we have just one more week with Ian. I can't really wrap my mind around that. How do we cherish that properly? How do we love him best in that time? I don't think these are questions anyone's ever really prepared to answer, and yet we must and quickly. We must live those questions every day for the next week. Prayer request: Wisdom, leading, peace, grace, joy, strength, etc. This is so far beyond what we can know. Nothing short of the presence of God will measure up to the challenges ahead.

It appears that the first chapter of this journey is quickly approaching its end. I want to thank everyone who has been coming alongside us in thought and prayer up to now. I am grateful to know that you are out there lifting us up, lifting Ian up. You have blessed us beyond our understanding already, and I am certain that over the next week, God will continue to work through you to astound us with His love and care. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us. If you have a question, I'll answer as soon as I can. Otherwise, I'm not sure how much I'll be posting this next week. It might be never. It might be more than ever.

In either case, until next time, love and grace in Him...