February 2020 Articles

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Spiritual Corner February 2020

Instead of my normal Spiritual Corner, I’d like to update you on why I didn’t write a February Spiritual Corner: It’s been a long (almost) 7 days. I went to Northern Louisiana Medical Center last Tuesday at about 1:00 pm and discovered my water had broken. After complications with my epidural, then my epidural not working, and just an overall long and difficult labor, I finally had a C-Section, where I had to be put on some strong meds since the regular ones had no affect on me. At 2:17 am, Hayden Rebel was born. Randy and I got to spend about one full day with him, but then found out that he had had some seizures and was being sent to St. Francis to their NICU where he would be monitored and undergo multiple tests. Randy was able to go with him, while I had to stay in Ruston. I had to have 2 blood transfusions and a blood patch, due to my low hemoglobin counts and my severe head and neck pains. I was discharged Friday and joined Randy and Rebel at St. Francis that same day. Since being at St. Francis, Rebel has had cat scans, an MRI, been on fluids and antibiotics, and seizure medicine. He was found to have bleeding on his brain and has what is called “honeycomb skull”, which is basically extremely thin bones at the top of his skull. He also has a small blood clot on his brain. The neurosurgeon believes the clot will dissolve and the bones will continue to develop and grow. He was very optimistic about Rebel and told us he feels like he’ll be fine, even though we will continue to follow up with appointments with his neurosurgeon. The seizures have stopped since being on the meds and the neurosurgeon thinks the bleed is what was causing the seizures. We are still supposed to meet with Rebel’s neurologist sometime this week to discuss the results of his MRI. Meanwhile, Rebel is eating up a storm and having reflexes and reactions like a regular baby. He seems perfectly healthy in all aspects, besides the bleed and seizures. I am still having intense head and neck pain and so I will possibly be getting another blood patch tomorrow to hopefully alleviate that pain. We have been getting to visit Rebel and feed him (me not as much as Randy because of how bad I’ve felt). They have not told us when we may be discharged, but we’re hoping it might be later this week. We are so thankful for our sweet, handsome, Hayden Rebel and as scary and bad as all of this has seemed, we can’t help but look around the NICU and realize that we are so blessed with the health of our sweet boy. So many people have it worse off than we do—the NICU will humble you very quickly. As hard as it’s been, we are looking at our situation as a way to strengthen our faith and to glorify God through all the things He’s already done in these circumstances. I can’t wait to one day share all about God’s provision through these difficult times. God is so good and so faithful and it’s so comforting to know that He has had his hands on our sweet Rebel since conception when He formed him and now during tough times. We appreciate any and all prayers for us during this time! And we are so thankful to those who have called, texted, visited, sent things, bought us food, and especially prayed for us. We love all of y’all and ask that y’all will continue to pray for our little family, especially our sweet, precious son. Dana Alexander An additional note: As the paper is being sent to the printer, Rebel should be released from St. Francis on Wednesday the 5th to come home with us.