When Will Caleb Arrive?

It is likely that Janet will be induced on August 9th, with the baby being born on August 10th. This is not definite, but quite likely. He'll be born at South Miami and transported shortly thereafter to Miami Children's Hospital.
Prayers have been prayed, doctors have been consulted, bags have been packed. Fasten your seat belts......

Appointment Today

At this moment, Mommy is at the cardiologist where they are performing another fetal echocardiogram. This is a very detailed sonogram of the babies heart. The information they obtain is used to decide when the baby will be delivered and when the first surgery will be performed.
We are thankful for the incredible advances in medical technology which will allow little Caleb to live far longer than if he would have been born ten or twenty years ago.
Each of our days is planned by the Lord, and we look forward to the joy and ministry that this young man will bring to the world.

The Latest

Today we found out that Caleb now weighs 7 lbs, 9 ounces. That's good news! This means that he will be at least 6 lbs, 9 ounces when he is born.
Although the due date is August 17, the doctors are planning to have him come into the world a bit before that, around 38 1/2 weeks. That will be around August 7 or so. The exact date has not been set yet. He will likely be born vaginally, not C-section.
He will be born at South Miami Hospital. Once he is stabalized, he will be transported to Miami Children's Hospital. The ensuing surgery will take place shortly thereafter. We will be trying to update this website with information as we learn it.

Thank you to all of our friends who have been praying for us.

Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome

Caleb has a condition called "hypoplastic right heart syndrome." Here is some information about it.

HYPOPLASTIC RIGHT HEART SYNDROME (HRHS)

Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome is a condition in which the right side of the heart is underdeveloped including the right atrium, and often the pulmonary and/or tricuspid valves. With HRHS, the baby's stronger side of the heart - the left side - is functional. The right side of the heart usually pumps blood to the lungs to be oxygenated. When the right side of the heart is underdeveloped, it is not able to get blood to the lungs. Babies born with this condition are OK at first, because the patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) is a connection that allows blood to go to the lungs. In all babies, this PDA usually closes within the first few hours or days of life. Once this connection closes, a baby with HRHS will not be able to get blood to the lungs to be oxygenated.

The treatments for HRHS are similar to that for HLHS babies. Prostaglandin is usually administered once the baby is born to keep the PDA open. Children with HRHS usually undergo 3 surgeries, with the first one being a BT shunt (and not the Norwood like with HLHS.) In some cases, the BT shunt will not be necessary, and a PA banding (pulmonary artery banding) will be done instead. The second and third stage surgeries are usually the same as for HLHS - the Glenn (or Hemi-Fontan) around 6 months to a year of age, and then a fontan surgery around age 2-5. (The timing of the surgeries can vary depending upon the child's condition.)

Cardiologist

All of the Fetal Echo's so far have confirmed Caleb's condition. The cardiologist has been pleased with what she has seen so far. We continue to trust the Lord and seek His strength.