I decided it would probably be a good idea to put an update on the homepage so you could easily get updated as to the latest with our family and Micah's surgery/progress.
To make sure everyone is up to speed, let me back track a few days to April 11. The craziness that preceded April 11 (which could is quite normal for our family) included Micah's birth on February 14, our move on March 19, sickness that struck the whole family the week of April 2 (lasting about the whole week) and then we got to April 11. Sarah had been sick with the wonderful stomach stuff and had been feeling better. However, she started feeling bad on April 9 and 10. On April 11, she awoke with a fever of 104. Of course, she went to the doctor. It was an infection and for which she was prescribed an antibiotic. However, while at the doctor's office, her doctor's were concerned about Micah's yellow coloring. They insisted Sarah take him immediately (which we would have done ourselves and had even been concerned about his coloring) to the pediatrician.
Our pediatrician did a simple blood test to determine if his yellow coloring were simply normal newborn jaundice or something related to the liver. On Thursday, April 12, we got the news that Micah's liver was not "functioning properly." From the simple blood test, there was no way to know more detail than that. But the following day, Friday, April 13, we made our first trip to Duke to start tests. We did tests on that Friday and then had to wait until the next Thursday to do a more precise and intensive scan. We returned again on Friday, April 20, for the second part of the scan. On Friday afternoon, the doctor informed us that his conclusion based on all tests and scans was that Micah has a rare, but serious disease called Biliary Atresia.
Biliary Atresia is a condition where either the bile ducts do not form or they narrow thereby not allowing bile produced by the liver to be excreted out of the liver. This condition is rare with only 300 new cases each year in the United States. If left untreated, this condition is life-threatening and fatal. In some cases, the liver is already too damaged to allow anything but a liver transplant. For Micah, the doctor's believe his liver to still be all right, even though there is already some damaged that has occurred. Therefore, they wanted to perform a procedure to create a new passage way from the liver to the small intestines to hopefully allow for bile to leave the liver.
On Thursday, April 26 (exactly two weeks from our first Duke visit), Micah had surgery. The surgeon was pleased with the surgery saying "it was as good as we could hope for." Now we wait. We wait to see if the new passage will work. We wait to see if the liver can remain healthy. Statistics don't give much hope. In 85% of cases, individuals with this end of having to have a liver transplant. But this could be in 1, 5, 10 or 20 years. But those are the statistics that do not account for a God who can do the impossible. And He may...and He may not! Regardless, He is worthy of all of our praise.
So we wait. Likely, we won't be taking Micah home until Wednesday of next week. But he is doing well. Of course he has pain from time to time, but he is recovering well. Isaac and Ethan came to visit their "little bro" today (April 28). I think Micah enjoyed hearing those familiar voices, but grateful he was caged in so he could avoid those familiar bumps and swats from his brothers who don't quite understand they are much larger and stronger than him at this stage in development.
Sarah and I do want to express to each of you our sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude for your prayers on behalf of our family and our son, Micah. And for the notes, cards, calls and visits, thank you! We count it a great joy to have you as our church family and we give thanks for you every time we think of you (Philippians 1:3). Thank you!
Finally, may I remind you of what I have been constantly reminded of throughout this time. In every place of life--the good, the bad and the ugly--we always have need and means to praise God. He is worthy and He has been better to us than we ever deserve. All the good gifts we have come from Him. Second, in every place of life--the good, the bad and the ugly--God wants to and will be glorified through our lives. He can use us right where we are, even if where we are isn't pleasant and is filled with pain. The past two weeks have afforded me several opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ in a practical and tangible way. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share some of those awesome times with you in the near future.
May God continue to use you for His glory! May He use you this day to share the love of Jesus Christ with others.
