Hannah's Hope

This guest post is penned in loving memory of Ava Elizabeth Reed and Karina Nicole Robledo; and in honor of their Mommy's, Amy Paulsen-Reed and Jessika Robledo, TS moms who held their tiny stillborn daughter's for only a moment here, but will hold them in their hearts forever.

"Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Every good thing you've ever been told about grandparenting is true, and then some. Hello, I'm Patti Hayes, and I'm a grandmother of four, two-year-old Nathanael, one-year-old Sarah, and two miracles  on the way, one of whom we know is a girl because she has all the indicators of Turner syndrome.

The first cyst was discovered at nine weeks gestation, but my youngest son and daughter-in-love left that appointment hopeful. Four weeks later, at Leslie's next OB appointment, a second ultrasound revealed another cyst on the back of baby's neck. A Maternity21 blood test followed, and our days of brutal waiting, painful trust, and agonizing hope began. As a family we entered what some have called God's Waiting Room where Peter & Leslie, Hannah's parents, continue to have front row seats.

Prior to January 13 I'd never heard of Turner syndrome or any of the other medical terms, cystic hygroma, aortic coarctation, lymphedema, and hydrops, just to name a few, that have since become part of my vocabulary.

I accompanied Peter and Leslie to their first appointment with the specialist, a Perinatologist who specializes in fetal and maternal medicine. He drew a diagram to explain the ultrasound pictures and answered our questions. When we left that meeting our hearts were heavy and our heads were spinning with the grim prognosis.

Now, almost twelve weeks later, following three appointments with the Perinatologist and one with the Pediatric Cardiologist, I'm happy to report that  Hannah's condition has improved immensely. There is only a small indication of the cystic hygroma that for so many weeks posed the threat of hydrops, and baby girl was even given a cardiovascular score of nine out of ten by the cardiologist. Though our specialist has cautioned we're not out of the woods yet, he is guardedly optimistic.

Our darling third grandchild is due July 15, so we still have some weeks remaining in God's Waiting Room, where the waiting is anything but passive. Rather, it is a time for believing God for a miracle, hoping in His Word, giving thanks no matter what, and trusting in His Sovereignty.

Hannah means grace of God, and Beatrice, her middle name, means bringer of joy, so this sweet little girl who captured our hearts long before we dared hope to get to meet her has already lived up to and beyond both names. If you'd like to join us in prayer and be a part of Hannah's hope, we would be humbled by and deeply grateful for every prayer offered on behalf of Hannah Beatrice and our family. 

Patti, Hannah's Grandmother

Tampa, Florida