Category Archives: Family Life

They just came in and checked Amy.  The first drug worked well and left her 70% effaced.  The second drug hasn’t been working very well.  She was still only dilated to a 2.  That’s not a lot of progress over 19 hours.  The doctor came in and broke her water hoping that would speed things up.  So far, it has worked.  The contractions are getting stronger and much closer together.

  It seems like a very short night!  They came in at 6am and checked Amy.  The first drug did its job and now it is time to administer the second round; there are still no signs that Levi will be here soon.  They are letting her take a shower and eat a little before they begin again at 7 am.  She was thrilled to see grahm crackers!  She hasn’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday.

  They have changed the delivery plans a little, but, as of now, no c-section.  The birthing sweet is amazing.  I feel like I am in a little hotel.  They have a couch for me to sleep (or try to sleep) on.  The nursing staff has been great!  Usually everything happens in this one room (labor, delivery, recovery).  Dr. Silber has decided to deliver Levi in the OR.  They will let Amy labor in the room as long as possible.  Then, when things are ready, she will be moved to the OR.  WE only spoke to the resident doctor this morning, but this seems to just be a precautionary move.

  I will try to post right before we go, so that everyone knows when it is happening.  Think you all for your prayers; the countdown continues!

   We made it to the hospital and Amy is in bed resting.  When we arrived she was still not dilated enough.  They began a drug that will slowly start the process.  It could take up to 12 hours for this to finish its job.  When it is over, they will start another drug to induce labor.

  The resident doctor talked with Dr. Silber and they are trying to wait until the morning for Amy to fully go into labor.  Dr. Silber wants all the specialists to be on hand, just in case they are needed.  We are just waiting now.  Pray for a good night of rest so that Amy will be ready for labor in the morning; we will keep you updated.

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you all for your prayers and letters. There is not a day that goes by that Amy does not receive a letter in the mail of prayer and encouragement. Your support has been overwhelming over the last several months. Amy and I went to Akron for, what is now, her last official appointment. We met with the doctors today and they scheduled Amy to be induced next Wednesday night, the 2^nd, at 5 pm. They will start the process and after a lot of anticipation, Levi should be here by the next morning.

Our visit today was quite long and there was even a possibility they were going to immediately admit Amy. She was not dilated enough, so they scheduled it for next week. They main reason for this was they found two new abnormalities today. These two problems have raised there level of concern. First, during the ultrasound they were unable to find Levi’s anus. The doctors told us the intestines were in place, but they could not see the opening. They cannot tell us for certain that it is not there, they just couldn’t find it after looking for a long time. When Levi arrives, they will be able to immediately tell and take proper measures to correct it.

The second problem concerned them a little more. There is something that has developed on the outside of the spine. There is an object of some sorts that runs from his tail bone up to about the middle of his back and they are not sure what this is. Also, the cavity within the spine is enlarged. After examining every vertebrae, they are consulting a neurologist. The neurologist’s name is Dr. Hudgins and we have met him already. He is a Christian man from Atlanta, GA. These two findings make it imperative that Amy delivers in Akron, but currently she will not have to have a c-section. My parents will be here on Tuesday and will be able to watch the kids while Amy and I are in Akron.

Many have asked us what this means. Honestly, no one knows. We have been given a range of prognosis that ranges from minor sensory issues to a very severe state of health. They do not know and will not know more until Levi arrives; so, we are waiting. We are now quickly trying to get ready for his arrival. We thought we had two more weeks, but plans change. We thank God that my parents work for and with great people that will allow them to be here on such short notice.

Please pray for:

• Safe travel for my family.
• Levi to wait until next Wednesday to come.
• Us as we wait.
• Wisdom for the doctors.
• And that above all, God will use this situation in our lives for His kingdom.

Thank you again for all your support during this time and the week to come. We will let you know what happens as soon as we can.

In His Service,
Chas, Amy, Emma, Charlie, Caleb, and Levi

On Thursday we went back to Akron for Amy’s transfer of care visit.  We are now officially going to deliver in Akron and so we don’t have to go to Mansfield, just Akron.  Levi’s ventricles had grown a little more but they are definitely growing MUCH slower than they were.  The doctors there are still okay with a regular delivery and they are alright with inducement so we can plan to have Texas family here to care for Emma, Charlie, and Caleb.  So now it is just a waiting game and praying that Levi holds out until the first week of March.  He is measuring fine and they guessed him to be about 5lbs so he’s gonna be a big boy!  =)  Next Thursday Amy is having a stress test and a fluid check.  They won’t know how affected Levi is by the dialated ventricles until his arrival.  A couple of days after birth he will  have an MRI and that will show his brain in great enough detail for them to give us some idea of what issues he may face, if any.  Thank you for your prayers and cards.  Amy continues to get a card every day, sometimes two and she has kept them all.  We know things have gone so well with Levi and in our heart because of the prayers of other believers.  You’ll never know how grateful we are for you.