My Daughter Gave Birth to Quadruplets!

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalms 112:1-2







Sunday, August 29, 2010

Baby D- Samantha Update/Sarah Came Home!



This morning we thought we were going to lose Samantha. The resident came in to tell Sarah that Samantha is septic and the sickest baby in the NICU right now. The doctors decided to try one more time to get an IV pick line, but if unsuccessful, they would have to transfer her to Children's for a surgical pick line. They don't want to transfer her because it is dangerous to move a baby so ill. When Sarah began to cry, the resident cried with her.

Meanwhile, Tom and I prayed for Samantha. Then we asked our family, our friends, our church, and everyone else to pray.

One of my concerns has been that Sarah is not able to hold three of her babies, so they don't have her to comfort them after the painful procedures. I started thinking about how hard it must be for a tiny little baby to be alone in a plastic warmer with nothing to look forward to but needle pricks. "Maybe she'll just give up," I thought.

As usual, when Satan tries too hard to scare me, I realize who is behind my fear. That's when I get angry. I started praying harder, asking God to hold Samantha and let her know that she is loved. God doesn't need Sarah to hold Samantha right now. HE's got it covered.

All the way to the hospital, I had my own tearful talk with the Lord. My private requests included the following:

-That God would spare Samantha and let her parents raise her to serve Christ
-That He would make the veins pop up in a miraculous way so the medical team involved would have no doubt that there is one true God in Heaven who knows and cares and hears and heals
-That He would send the best nurse qualified to do the procedure
-That no matter what happens, we will be a testimony of the love of God for His people
-That Satan would be bound and unable to touch Samantha or the people caring for her
-That the doctor who pressured Sarah and Tony to abort their babies would have no cause to feel justified that he did so
-That angels would stand behind the pick line nurse and guide her hands
-That Samantha would feel the presence of the Almighty God, and would not be in pain or afraid
-That Sarah and Tony would experience God on a whole new level

When we got to the NICU, the best-of-the-best for pick lines was scrubbing in for the procedure. She gave Samantha a sedative and painkiller so she wouldn't suffer. We waited outside while she began, hoping and praying that it would work this time. I don't remember how long it took, but it seemed like forever. Sarah waited in her wheelchair holding Jackson.

Finally, the nurse said over the intercom, " I got it. Did you hear me? I Got It! " Then she asked us to put our hands together and pray that it was in the right place. We prayed quietly while they wheeled in the X-ray machine, took the pictures, and rushed them off to be developed.

Since phones are not allowed in the NICU, I left to text Tom and everyone else with an update. Tom gathered the employees and led them in prayer for Samantha. I thought about God's timing. The nurse that did the pick line was also in the delivery room. She accompanied the girls to the NICU and so did I. We had a long time to talk and get acquainted. I told her Sarah and Tony's story, and let her know that people all around the world were praying for her and the babies. She was grateful. Now, she was the one helping Samantha. I was glad she was the one they called.

The resident came around the corner and said, "It's perfect!" We cried and thanked God. Then we thanked the pick line nurse. She said, "Don't thank me. It had to be God. I wouldn't have gotten it otherwise. She doesn't have any veins."

The resident told us that a couple of veins had "popped up." She had tears in her eyes when she told us the good news. She calls the baby "Sammy Jo." My darling little namesake is not out of the woods yet, but now they can help her. She will get the fluids, antibiotics, nourishment and rest that she needs.

While Devon was praying for Samantha, God gave her this Scripture:

"Let everyone in all the world men women and children fear the Lord and stand in awe of Him. For when He but spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command! And with a breath He can scatter the plans of all the nations who oppose Him, but His own plan stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation. The best equipped army cannot save a king for great strength is not enough to save anyone. A war horse is a poor risk for winning victories. It is strong but it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are watching over those who fear Him, who rely upon His steadfast love. He will keep them from death even in times of famine ! We depend upon the Lord alone to save us. Only He can help us; He protects us like a shield. No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting Him. We trust His holy name. Yes, Lord, let your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in you alone."

Last night, I was reading in the Psalms. The verse I read carried me through today:

The Lord nurses them when they are sick
and restores them to health.
Psalms 41:3

Sarah got to come home today. She took her first breath of summer air after 10 weeks in Special Care Obstetrics. She said that leaving her babies in the NICU was one of the hardest things she has ever done. But she did it. She slowly got in the car and we drove away.

Thanks to all of you who are praying. You are God's gift to us.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Praise God. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes at the glory of him and his awesome power. Still standing with you in all for the babies

Jacqueline said...

Praise God! I am praying every day for all of you, and our 7 children pray also. God is merciful and sustains all. He sees the big picture through heaven's eyes, I pray for His peace and abandonment to His holy will for you all. May the Holy Spirit guide you!
God bless you, from Canada.

Becky said...

I can barely see the screen through my tears. Praise the LORD. Continuing to pray....

The Ramseys said...

Your update has touched so many. I have shared the quads story with some dear people on a conservative news forum called Free Republic. There have been other babies, even smaller than Sarah's quads and in horrible shape in the beginning, that we have prayed for and have seen go home healthy little babies. Universally, they wanted me to let you all know that they are praying for the babies and for the family and have been so very touched by their story. Our family is praying as well. Your Sister in Christ, Janine.

The Ramseys said...

One other comment that I was asked to pass on, a little boy named Logan and his Mommy will be praying for the quads as well. Logan is a miracle baby himself. He was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighed 1 lb 9.4 oz at birth and was 12 1/2" long. They have had their ups and downs, but Logan has made it through it all and just turned 7 years old.

chrystal said...

Mrs. Head,
I just found your blog, but wanted you to know that I have been and will continue praying for all of you. I don't know if you know anything about my Zach's "history" or story of his birth, but I know EXACTLY how all of you are feeling, and the roller coaster, exhaustion, joy, fears, tears, and pain that you are all going thru. My hurt aches for you. I am not sure if you have a facebook account, but would love to invite you to go to my notes on there and read his story. I learned so much thru Zach, but the lesson that took me the longest was that he wasn't mine!!! He belongs to his Father...to our Father. I love him with all my heart, soul and mind..but Christ loves him even more. He wants what is best for him, and He will do what is best for him far and above what I can do for him. After reading your blog, with tears streaming down my face, I got on my knees and begged God to show Himself strong to all of you during this time...and rest assured, that He will do just that. You have seen my Zach walk down those halls, run on the playground, sing, laugh, cry, pray...we were told he would never do any of those things many, many times. But God is bigger!! I am sending you a huge hug! Please let me know if I can do anything at all. If anyone ends up at Children's, I know my way around every dept. there, and have sat with just about every specialist there, so let me know if I can be of any assistance at all!!
With never-ending prayers and much love, Chrystal Snell

Janet said...

Still praying for your family! My small group is also praying for everyone as well! Hope you guys are hanging in there! Sadly, I've been through the NICU roller coaster of hell so I know how chaotic your life is right now. All I can say is...Keep your faith! I know that right now satan is trying to attack all of you. Our God is Great and HE will protect you all! Blessings to you & your family!

Cassidy said...

2 day without news I hope that no news good news for samantha and that she is free infection and stable.
tomorrow, hacker quads will be born at 32w, please for their also
hackerfive.blogspot.com

TheBunches said...

I heard about your family's quadruple blessing from some friends on Facebook who I used to go to church and high school with. I just found this link and started reading your blog... and I wanted you all to know that we are praying every single day for your family and those precious, precious babies. I have also passed along the request to my fellow prayer warriors, and here's what we came up with:

Ohio's praying!
Kentucky's praying!
Indiana's praying!
New Jersey is praying!
New York is praying!
South Carolina is praying!
North Carolina is praying!
Massachusetts is praying!
Arizona is praying!
Michigan's praying!
Texas is praying!
Illinois is praying!
and last but not least, Florida is praying!! (that's me and my family personally!)

Oh, and one more...I have family in FRANCE who are praying!

Just wanted you to know that there are people praying for each and every one of you, whom you've never met and probably will never meet this side of heaven. You are all being lifted up with prayer and supplication on behalf of those darling little ones.

GOD IS ABLE!!!!