#2 - Latest Update on Julia

Date Sent: Mon, Feb 25, 2008 at 9:08 PM

Well, don't know what can be said except that our God is a God of miracles - we've witnessed (and experienced) probably a million - big and small over the course of this past month - years apparently!!!

When first diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension we were told: if a person goes against ALL MEDICAL advise and gets pregnant with this condition, and a treatment regimen is started for them BEFORE conception and maintained weekly/daily during the whole pregnancy, then there's only a 50% chance that even ONE of them (mother or baby) will survive. This is our second pregnancy, and diagnosis wasn't made until 34 weeks! The doctors didn't have much reassuring to say except that "we'll do everything we can". We were told that "if we get through this first part", to expect this hospitalization process to take possibly MONTHS.

Julia was first admitted to the hospital on Valentine's Day, first diagnosed with this condition on Feb 17th, and TODAY, Feb 25th (11 days after first being admitted), JULIA IS SITTING AT THE LAPTOP TYPING THIS EMAIL!!!!!

Upon talking with dozens of doctors and specialists, at this point it looks like we can trace noticing symptoms of this condition back to our honeymoon in January of 2004. This means that God's protection over this condition included the pregnancy of our precious Alex!!!

Yet AGAIN so much has happened since the last update - and yet again it can only be attributed to the thousands of prayers that we know are being lifted up to the throne on our behalf! So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to all of you and your prayer groups/churches/friends that have been praying. I am LIVING PROOF that God answers prayer!

Enough of me gushing for the moment. Here's the update. I was moved from Cardiac ICU to a regular room this evening. The months and months of hospitalization has been shortened. They're planning on releasing me before the week's over. I'm not totally healed yet, and have a LONG way to go, but the possibility of me being able to hold my new son is quickly becoming a reality!!!

At this point the plan is that when released I will be on several pills, constant oxygen still, and will have an iv going into my chest delivering constant medication. The "hope" is that within six months or so they'll be able to wean me from the iv medication to one that pumps directly into my tummy area. The iv one I'm leaving with has to be maintained at a specific (cold) temperature at all times, and if it's "off" for more than 20 minutes I could have to start this whole process all over again. The stomach one is "more stable" and less hassle. This is the doctor's plans, however we are CERTAIN THAT GOD'S PLANS ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT.

Before I can leave the hospital they have to:
(1) insert the iv into my chest,
(2) teach us how to use this iv thing and be comfortable with it
(3) get me able to walk and move around again (after all of this I barely made it last night - my first time out of bed since the 15th - from my bed to a chair right against it),
(4) get all the technical things orchestrated for us to "function" at home (ie this iv medication is only made available by two pharmacies in the whole country, and we have to arrange for constant visits from them to make sure everything's working fine.) (also set up physical therapy for me and cardiac/pulmonary therapy for me, etc.)
(5) THAT'S IT!!!!!!!

Baby Harrison is doing FABULOUSLY in the NICU at Magee Hospital where he was born. All the tubes and ivs have been removed and he was moved to the section of babies that need to just gain weight. They think he'll be ready to come home on Wednesday or Thursday. They are also willing (praise God!) to work with us on my release date so we're not stuck with a baby and nowhere to care for him. So, my doctors know this and are aiming to get me out of here by Thursday also.

So, prayer requests:
(1) Supernatural energy, and for me to get my strength and stamina to move back home VERY QUICKLY
(2) All of this to happen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (we desperately want to hold our sons) - we're praying for Harrison and me to be discharged ON THE SAME DAY - THURSDAY.
(3) That I am FULLY AND COMPLETELY HEALED OF THIS. This iv treatment thing is GREAT, but not permanent. Currently it slows down the process for another 10 or 15 years, at which point I'd need transplants (lung and possibly heart also).
(4) For our Alex who's been staying with a wonderful family in Mechanicsburg. We're scared that this "dropping him off and suddenly disappearing for two weeks" will have scared him.
(5) Us as we readjust to this "new" life
(6) Peace - especially for Aaron - as we all try to cope with what's been going on.
(7) God to bless all those who have poured out their prayers, love, help and support to our family during this time - "a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!"

Until we see you next!

The Feitners - ALL FOUR OF US