Miracles

Malachi Samuel Lockhart was born February 1, 2011. He weighed in at a whopping 10 lbs and 9 ounces and has 22 and 1/4 inches to spread it out over. After 12 hours of labor and 1 and a 1/4 hours of pushing, it became clear that this 'sunny side up' baby (OP is the medical term, basically face up instead of down) was not going to be turned, or turn on his own, no matter what I or the doctor did to try and convince him. I as taken back for a C-section and in a short time our beautiful boy was here. Malachi was looking straight up at the doctor as she opened me up and reached in to pull him out; as if to say, "It's about time - my head really hurts!" Yeah buddy I feel your pain - believe me!

We enjoyed 24 hours with our precious boy when it became clear that something was not right. In a matter of moments there were x-rays, and doctors, then Malachi was moved to the NICU. In another matter of moments (I am not kidding) there were more doctors and specialists and then, a conversation I barely remember except for these words, "Malachi needs to be transported to Children's." And then he was gone and I was there.

There is something especially brutal about that kind of alone. I did the only thing I knew to do and that was become a milk making machine and a pumping nazi; whatever you do, don't get in the way of my pumping schedule - you might lose a limb or two or three! At least I could do something while he was enduring all of this.

Sam was with him through it all and I will just say that you don't really know love and romance until something like this happens. There are no words absolutely no words for what it means to walk through something like this together with your spouse; your eternal partner in good and in hard times. It's not about date night, flowers, 'romantic' dates or getaways, it's not about diamonds, presents, recognition, or anything that can be measured. It's simply about pure love, and commitment to what is. Sometimes what is, is not what we would choose, and sometimes it's not very pretty, or fun, or exciting, or even a tad bit interesting, sometimes it's plain horrible; BUT it ends up being exactly, perfectly what needs to be. I will walk through what is forever with you my love and I know you'll do the same and that, that right there is the most romantic thing I have ever seen or been a part of. Thank you so much for your strength, your wisdom, and your complete commitment to me, to us, and to our family. You are amazing.

Malachi is a trooper and has had many tests and procedures to figure out what is wrong with this amazing little boy. They need special diapers for his linebackerness in the NICU and are smitten with him for sure. His size, we've been told by all of his doctors, is a huge (pun intended) advantage for him. What a miracle.

I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and was able to hold Malachi for the first time in way too long last night. We met with wonderful, make that amazingly wonderful, doctors and are happy to say we have a diagnosis and surgical plan that should restore this strapping young man to full health.

He has Hirschsprung's Disease which basically means that his colon doesn't function. If nothing can come out, nothing can go in, and a baby that cannot eat, cannot survive. So they pump his tummy and irrigate his bowels to try and get everything all cleaned out for him meanwhile giving him nutrients through an IV so he can maintain that sleek figure of his. He has nasty bouts of gagging/choking where he can't breath and his whole body is just rigid with what seems like certain death until they get him suctioned out and give him some oxygen when he can take air in again. It's not the easiest thing to watch, in fact it's quite horrific but he's where they can take care of it quickly and spare him any long term damage because of it.

He was also having bladder and kidney problems which were a bit baffling to the doctors but all of that was resolved last night. Apparently, the colon being so full and distorted in size and shape because of that, was pushing his bladder into a position where he could not empty it himself. Last night after his 8 pm bowel irrigation he peed enough to make up for an entire day of IV fluids. Way to go big buddy! Yay for victories large and small and all those of the peeing variety.

As of right now he is scheduled for surgery on Thursday to determine by progressive biopsies how much of his colon will need to be removed. After the diseased portion is removed they will pull down the remaining healthy colon and reattach it to the rectum. There are always risks and possible complications but we have full faith, as do the doctors, that all will turn out well. He is in more than capable hands and we are blessed to be able to have such great care for him.

We will keep you updated through the blog as best we can. Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, and help (especially all those that have so graciously taken care of our other beautiful children while I have been in the hospital and Sam has been splitting his time between us all).

And a special word of gratitude to three women who are selflessly, graciously, and more than willingly, taking time from their own lives to drive an hour (or more) and go hold our little angel for us when we can't be there. It has meant everything, truly everything, to know that he is being held and loved. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and then some.

We are truly blessed in so many ways and feel a deep sense of gratitude for life, love, and family (of the blood relation as well as all those we hold as family in our hearts). Please continue to pray for our little guy as he makes his way through this with flying colors.