Translate This Page To: Spanish German French Italian Portuguese Norwegian Brought to you From FreeTranslation.com Give a gift in honor of this child. Braelin Braelin's Poem      Family Album Click here to see more 4D sonogram. Link to new photos. UPDATE: 5-7-06 Just wanted to 'invite' you all to Benjamin's Graduation ~ ....Pre-K (don't pass out on me.....he's not THAT old yet..........thank the Lord ). I know you all are extremely busy, and can't come....but we still wanted to send you his invitation.... He colored it and wrote his information himself.......he's getting so big......we can't believe he's 5 now!!!! I'm also sending you all our current family pic that we had made 2 weeks ago......we were able to actually have Braelin 'included' with us.........we love this pic!!!!! Well, hope you all have a great summer........it's that time......... Take care & know that we love you........ Bren UPDATE: 12-21-05 UPDATE: 9-23-05 It's Bren. Just wanted to touch base with you and ask all of the prayer partners to please be praying for our area. As of this moment, (Thursday, 6:00 pm CST), Hurricane Rita will be hitting us directly. We are 8 miles east of Beaumont, and only about 35 miles from the gulf. We left last night, and came to our friends home, who pastor. They have opened their church up, and several of our church families where we pastor, are sheltering here at their church. Please be in prayer also for my brother. I just got off of the phone with him, and he and his family (with 2 small children), are 'stuck' in traffic in Jasper. He said the traffic is not moving, and I just don't want them out there on the road with this hits. I know this sounds 'odd', but I'm really not afraid of what the storm can do to our materialistic things...I don't want to lose our things, but I just want our families safe. Although, I must say, that I have "mixed emotions". I packed up every single picture that we have, and some irreplaceable, sentimental things...but I wasn't able to bring Braelin's, my mother's or mother~in~law's nice wreaths that I have in our home. I just don't want them to get ruined. I did manage to bring his cradle that I have his gown he wore and some of his keepsake things. Also, I think my greatest emotional ordeal, is that I feel like I left Braelin down there. I know that really, he's in Heaven....but, I just can't explain how it feels....If our area gets as much surge as they said we will get, it will be so flooded where his 'Heaven Bed' is. ....I just wished the Lord would hurry and come back!!! Well, I will let you go for now...just please ask our prayer partners to pray. p.s. I'm also wondering about Noah Ard and his family...they live in our area...have you heard from them? I'll keep you posted as well as I can....our electricity may go out when the winds pick up Lord Bless Bren UPDATE: 6-24-05 Hello Everyone ~ Just wanted to let you know, that I've "updated" Braeli's site. There is an " update page", but also, almost all of the pages have something different that I've added. I think on Braelin's Birthday page, you may have to click your 'back' arrow ~ Also, there are a few new songs I've attached (surprise Lana ~ thanks in advance). It may take your computer a few min. to download, depending on what type of service you have. Well, I pray that you all have a great day today, and thanks for taking your precious moments....to spend looking at ours www.bornwithtrisomy18.com P.S. please drop us an email, letting us know if you were able to view all pages. Love, Bren UPDATE: 6-20-05 It's Bren. It's been since Braelin's 1st birthday (May 26), that I've written. Today is Father's Day. We had wonderful services today. My husbands entire family (siblings and their children) were in service with us today ~ his mother would have been SO excited and proud!! It's something that she requested prayer for, every service we had! This morning's service seemed hard for both he and I. I tried so very hard to 'hide' the hurt that I felt. I wished he could have had both of his boys with him to celebrate "his day". He had the privilege to 'dedicate' his brothers new baby boy this morning. Once again, that's what I found so difficult. I was very happy for them, but as my husband reached out for their baby boy, who was dressed all in white ~ like Braelin in his "Heaven Bed" ~ it seemed I could see the hurt in his eyes. He shared with me after service, how the Lord helped him, because in himself he said, he didn't think he was going to be able to do it. The Lord is faithful!! Please have our prayer partners pray for one of our dear friends, Tyra & Debbie Rich, who pastor in one of our neighboring cities. We go back a very long way with this couple. She & I went to infertility doctors together, some 20 years ago. She was like me....barren! We would share our hopes, dreams...and hurts, of not having a child. Then, after 19 years of marriage, the Lord blessed them with Trevor. They have an 11 year old daughter, Miranda, that they adopted when she was born. She has Spina Bifida (sp?). Anyways, she called me this evening right before service, and told me to please put Trevor on our prayer list. They were suppose to take him in this Tues. to have his tonsils and adenoids removed, and tubes put in his ears. Much to their surprise, the hospital called Debbie back, shortly after she had left from having his preops done, and told her to bring him back in, that something did not look right with his blood. She brought him back and they told her that for some reason his blood appeared to have no clotting factors. They took 9 vials of blood, and their pedi informed them that several of the tests seem to be showing Leukemia. They are stunned right now! They are believing and trusting the Lord for a miracle. She shared with me, that this definitely is something they are not going to accept, and they don't need 'distractions' of any kind from the enemy. Their daughter, is facing in the very near future (I think in July), a very long, complicated and dangerous surgery. Her spine is at a 70 degree curvature, and her doctors told them that if they didn't do the surgery now, it could become life threatening to her. It could actually break her neck. Her curvature is due to her Spina Bifida. So please, have all of the Prayer Partners lift them up....and believe for a divine intervention....a miracle!! I'm attaching a photo of both, Miranda & Trevor. Much love and prayers to all of you! Bren UPDATE: 5-30-05 It seems like it's been so long since I've got to write. Today is Sunday, the 29th. One year ago, we were having the "Homegoing Service" of our Angel, Braelin. It seems like time is passing so swiftly! I wanted to write you Thursday, his 1st birthday, but we went out of town to the cemetary, where his "Heaven Bed" is. That what Benjamin calls it. We took Balloons, and sang Happy Birthday, and Benjamin sent the balloons to his brother. I wanted so bad, to make a little cake (without icing), and put it out there for the birds, but I was afraid it might draw ants. And I couldn't stand the thought of ants being around his grave. It's so hard to believe that a full year has gone by! Today seemed especially hard. My husband preformed a baby dedication in our church this morning. We've had a 'baby boom' in our church, and would you know, they've all been baby boys. I'm very thankful for these families... (really I am), but today, this little baby boy reminded me so much of Braelin. He was tiny like Braelin, had a little nose like his....and dressed all in white. He was the first baby that I've held since Braelin. My heart seemed to still ache as I held him. I told the family how blessed they were to have this day, and to have this tiny little miracle. We are doing good though. Benjamin turned 4, April 16th. He tells me often that he misses his brother. I tell him that I do too, but that it's not going to be long, and we'll all be together again, and never have to say goodbye! I'll be so glad for that day! I'm in the process of updating Braelin's website again. (http://www.bornwithtrisomy18.com/) It will probably be at the end of next week before it's complete. I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks to everyone, who's emailed us, and gone to Braelin's website and spent "precious moments" there. I'm so glad for his little site. It helps me, and makes me feel like I'm doing something for him. My love & prayers to all of you....keep the faith! UPDATE: 3-1-05 Just wanted to let you all know that I've recently updated some things in Braelin's site. Take a look when you get the chance. The updates are easy to get to. His dedication video is one of the updates that you'll find. If you have dial up however, I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it. I hope you can, though. It's so hard to believe that just 2 days ago, he would have been 9 months. Time sure passes so fast! It still seems like yesterday, and I think we miss him more now, than it seems like, then. Please be sure to go to any of the email links we have throughout his site, and drop us a line. Even if it's nothing more than to say...I visited. Love you all, and thanks for the continued prayer www.bornwithtrisomy18.com Bren UPDATE: 12-12-04 A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS UPDATE ON OUR FAMILY. CLICK LINK TO VIEW. UPDATE: 7-27-04 Hello Everyone ~ It's been a little while since I've "spoken" with you. All is ok here. Some good days ~ still several 'bad' days. We still miss Braelin very much!! It has been 2 months today, that he received his angel wings. It seems like just yesterday. It's so hard to explain or put into any kind of words the empty feeling you have, when you've lost a child ~ even when the Lord abides within your heart. But each day, He is helping us! Though there are alot of "unanswered" ~ even unexplainable questions ~ we are still 'pressing on'. I wanted to let you all know, that I have finally finished publishing Braelin's new website. It was a very difficult thing ~ I "lost it" several times and had to recreate ~ but I think we're finally there! I pray as you read his life story, that you will be somehow encourage and find strength in knowing that the Lord is faithful ~ even when it seems He's not there ~ or maybe even seems to have 'let you down' ~ He really is.... still there. Please help us keep Braelin's memory alive, by sharing his story with others who may need gleam of encouragement. We pray that the Lord still uses the life of our baby boy... to touch others. May the Lord be with you and bless you and your family today. Bren ~ Proudest Mommy of 2 of the World's Greatest Miracles... My Boys ~ Benjamin & Braelin www.bornwithtrisomy18.com UPDATE: 6-8-04 The Lord is giving us strength each day. He IS faithful! Our heart's are still feel very heavy, yet very empty at the same time. Thank you each for the phone calls and prayers that you have already offered up on our behalf, but please continue to uphold us in prayer. Have a good day today, and know that He is there with you ~ even in the midst of the storm! We love you! Looking today for His Return, Benny & Bren (proudest parents of 2 of the world's greatest miracles ~ ...our boys... Benjamin & Braelin) UPDATE: 6-6-04 It's Bren. I can't really remember when the last time I personally e~mailed you all. My mind has been so "here and there". I am once again, at home. I had to go back into the hospital on Memorial Day, because of a blood clot in my leg ~ was released Friday evening to home and Home Health come in ~ and ended up back there last night (Sat.). They said my blood was dangerously too thin, so they gave me a Vitamin K shot. But now, Praise the Lord, we're back at home. I will be so ever grateful when the Lord heals this clot and I am "back on my feet". I know the Lord has a purpose ~ maybe it's so that I can work on Braelin's pictures and all of his thank you cards. His pictures are the sweetest things! Such a treasure to me! I can't wait for you all to see all of them. I'm going to enclose with this e~mail, our only "Family Picture" and a most beautiful picture of "My Angel" by himself. I was so very thankful, though I didn't get to see it live nor be a part of it, because I was in recovery, that Benny, Benjamin and our family was able to have a small Dedication Ceremony there at the hospital in the NICU. My brother videoed it for me, and I love looking at it!! Our Hospital was absolutely great!! They went BEYOND even hospital regulations, to let us do things with Braelin. There were nurses and doctors all in there ~ so Braelin's life, although very short, helped to "spread the Gospel"! I have always prayed that my boys would be strong men of God like their daddy ~ and although Braelin never grew in stature to a man's size, his strength and faith to "hold on" was incredible!! I will forever treasure within my heart, the miracle of his birth. The doctors told us we would never see him alive, but he proved to be a 'warrior' ~ he held on for us, for each of you, and for the world, to be a testimony of faith. I pray that his life will bring others to Him. Because I believe that is the Lord's purpose... that all men would be drawn unto Him. We cannot thank each of you enough, for the phone calls and encouraging & uplifting e~mails & cards you have sent. You each are truly a blessing, and our prayer is that the Lord will continue to strengthen you and your "little miracles"...that His Purpose will be revealed. I still know that the Lord IS faithful ~ and He did not let us down. Braelin's life and the prayers that were continually offered up for him was not in vain!! Only eternity will tell what work was accomplished. It's not always easy to submit to the will of the Lord ~ but I know that it's always right. Our hearts are heavy and my arms so long to hold him again, but I know that there IS a SOON COMING DAY, when I'll hold him forever, and will never be parted again. How I long for that day! Just moments after Braelin went to be with the Lord, Benjamin looked into his little face, and then looked at me and asked, "Mommy, he's not sick no more?" I said, "No baby, Baby Braelin is not sick any more". Then he said, "Baby Braelin has his angel wings now". I'm sure the Lord will one day, have a door of ministry for our family, that would not have been there, had we not gone through this. He didn't promise to always deliver us FROM the fire, and that sometimes we must go THROUGH the fire ~ BUT~ He DID say, He would ALWAYS be with us! I'm currently working on Braelin's website, downloading all of his birth and dedication pictures, as well as creating a Memorial Page for him and putting his "Homegoing" pictures on there. He had such a beautiful little service. And the presence of the Lord was so sweet there. I am so thankful I know Him. How much more painful this would be, if we were a family who did not know Him and His Grace ~~ it is truly...Amazing! Please don't forget our Baby Boy, who was... and is still... a miracle. HTTP://www.bornwithtrisomy18.com Much Love to you all, The Torbert Family Benny, Bren, Benjamin UPDATE: 5-28-04 Good morning everyone. I am writing this on behalf of Sis. Bren Torbert. She called me this morning and wanted me to let everyone on her e-mail list know about Braelin's services. They will be Saturday, May 29th, at our church, Faith Assembly of God in Vidor. The viewing will be at 11:00 am and services begin at 2:00 pm. Sis. Torbert wanted me to especially thank everyone for their prayers and to let you all know that the Lord still worked a miracle in letting them spend time with Braelin before he went on to be with the Lord. As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for Bro. and Sis. Torbert. Please keep their family in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead as they travel through this trial. We all know that God will receive the glory for all this family has been through. As a member of the church the Torbert's pastor, I want to thank each of you on behalf or our church for lifting up our pastors in prayer. I am sure Sis. Torbert will be responding to e-mails as soon as possible. In His Service, Sis. Deborah Lisenby On the behalf of Sis. Bren Torbert UPDATE: 5-26-04 10:25PM: Braelin went to be Jesus this afternoon. All of our love and prayers are with are with his family. Please keep them in your prayers for strength, comfort, and understanding during this time of loss. I pray God will make a blessing out of this trial......Elizabeth I just received a call from Braelin's family. He was taken by C-Section today and he is trisomy and not doing well. They are not doing anything for him other than keeping him comfortable. There are some issues with his bladder and of course his heart. Please pray for God's touch and will for this precious child and please pray for strength and courage for his parents and family. All our love and prayers are with them. I will update you as soon as I know more. Prayer works so let us not give up until God gives His final answer....Elizabeth UPDATE: 5-24-04 New Update: Wweeeelllllllllll ~~ it is now still Monday (24th), but afternoon. We just returned from our doctors office and was informed of a "CHANGE IN PLANS" Our Neonatologist has canceled everything for tomorrow ~~~ They don't want to go into delivery without a pediatric cardiologist present. ~~~ I must say that I sure was 'looking so forward' to tomorrow ~~ but I want, above everything ~ the will of the Lord. We know the Lord has this in His control! It's kind of like the song we're all so familiar with.......'I don't know about tomorrow...but I know He holds my hand'!! The Lord does know ALL things!!! So, please continue once again to be in prayer ~~ they say, for sure, that it will be Wednesday, May 26th @ 9:00 a.m. Should anything change, I will be sure to let you all know. Love, The Torbert Family (The 'Quad' B's) Hello To All Well, this is Monday morning, May 24th. Just wanting to let you all know of tomorrow mornings events that our Beaumont doctors have lined up. We go into the hospital at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (25th), and they have us set up for c~section at 9:00a.m. They told us that, if, when Braelin is born he has no external physical appearances of Trisomy 18, they are going to immediately fly him to Houston to Texas Children's & turn him over to the cardiologists there. However, if, when he is born, he has Trisomy 18 physical appearances, then they will keep him here at the hospital in Beaumont, in the NICU. Our Neonatologist told us this past Thursday when we met with she & the NICU Head nurse, that not to be "shocked" when he is born, because he will be very blue due to his heart defects & deformities. Please be in prayer for him tomorrow morning, as we are still believing & trusting the Lord for a miracle!!! The Lord has already done so many things for him now, I can't see a "turning back" point for him. I know the Lord is more than able to have him be able to come home with us ~ healed & completely whole!!! He is still the GREAT Physician!! From our family, we want to say a very special Thank You to all of you, for the continual prayers you have offered unto the Lord on Braelin's behalf. Thank you for lifting this family up in prayers & helping to 'bear our burden'!! I can't wait to show Braelin all of the e~mails that I have kept from all of you, stating that you all have prayed.........& BELIEVED!! May the Lord be with you & your family, & meet your every need!! We love each of you all so very much!!! Please also lift up Benjamin, as he is going to have an 'unsure' next few days. Above the anticipation of Baby Braelin being born & coming home ~~ (& I know, I know, this is terrible), but he's only been 'away' from me & his daddy 2, maybe 3 times in his life!! Yes, I know....he's a big boy now, & I hear you.... "don't worry"...... just the 'tipical mother' in me, not wanting him to cry or feel lonely........you mom's know..... it makes you feel sad!! Thanks & blessings to you again! Love Always, The Torbert Family (The Quad B's) Benny, Bren, Benjamin (& Braelin) UPDATE: 5-2-04 Dear Friends This actually isn't an update on 'him' but on our pregnancy. This is Sunday Eve., and we had to go in & have done again, what I didn't want to have done ~ and that was another "fluid drain". They had to take off 400cc (14 oz) of amniotic fluid. My breathing had gotten suppressed again & I thought I could hold out until delivery, but couldn't. The procedure wasn't as bad as the 1st time, thank the Lord ~ because my Dr. gave a shot this time to deaden the area. He talked with us once again to get a "clarity" of what's coming up shortly. He set the induction date for May 25th. He said he does believe that we will definitely have a C~Section. I absolutely didn't want that again (because recovery was difficult with Benjamin), but he said for Braelin's benefit ~ because I'm at high risk for placenta rupture. He said if that were to happen, his survival is very limited. Braelin is now up to 5 lbs. 8oz.!!!! We were so excited about his weight!!! The nurse even told us that of the Trisomy 18 babies she's know of, they've not made it this far. We give all the praise & glory unto the Lord!! He still remains to be faithful!!! Please tell all to keep holding him up in prayer. It's not going to be long now, until we get to me "face to face" ~ how we long for that day! With much Love, Gratitude & Prayers, Bren UPDATE: 4-16-04 Just wanted to give a quick update on our hospital visit today (April 15th). My OB doctor set up an ultrasound for today, and when we went in, the sonographer was the same girl that assisted with my 'fluid drain' a few weeks back. She was surprised to see us. She was "amazed" at how he looked. His hands stayed open alot of the time (which is not suppose to happen), and the tumor on his brain ~ well, she looked & looked and it was not to be found! All I could say, was "thank the Lord ~ He's faithful"! His bladder is still very enlarged. He weighed in at 4 lbs! The last 2 times they weighed him (which was on Mar 9th & 22) he was staying at 2lbs 2 oz. He never gained even in Oz's., so we were very excited about his weight!! She measured all of his different areas, and then uploaded it to a graph. He was on the graph (along with all the other babies at his gestation ~ with exception of his legs ~ they measured right on the line at the bottom). She told us not to worry about that, since both me and his daddy are short. I wasn't worried at all ~ I know the Lord has brought him this far ~ & it's definitely for a purpose!. I am 31 weeks & 6 days ~ so much more further than what any of our doctors have said we would go. My doctor is suppose to do another amnio at 36 weeks, and if it appears that his lungs are strong enough, then he's going to induce. And speaking of lungs ~ the sonographer was so excited to see that he was breathing! His chest was going up & down. She took a picture of it & documented it on that particular picture. My fluid level has increased again to 31. My doctor thinks he's going to have to drain some more again, but I'm believing I can 'hold out' until the end. This was such a positive day & report for us. One that was much needed, since we just buried my mother~in~law 2 days ago. I just wished she & my mother could have shared in this "miracle" of ours! I pray that Braelin has a heart like his Red Granny ~ she had such a compassionate heart. She never passed up anyone! Literally! The most giving and unselfish person you would meet. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers. It has made the difference in our baby boy. Please know that we pray for each of you every day!! May the Lord bless you today... & remember... Miracles happen because of Him! Benny, Bren, Benjamin (&Braelin) UPDATE: 4-9-04 Today is Good Friday ~ the beginning of what we know as Resurrection Day!! The day we found our of Braelin being Trisomy 18 (Jan. 04), was the same day we found out my husbands mother, Red Granny, was diagnosed with cancer & given 2 - 6 months. In the early hours of this Resurrection Season, the Lord did just that... He resurrected her & called her Home. We know the Lord is faithful, even in the midst of the storm. Please pray for the Lord to strengthen my husband and his family. This was such a shock to all of us, to even find out she was sick... especially a terminal sickness. My husband will be officiating her service, and we're believing the Lord to bring salvation to his 2 sisters through this. Red Granny NEVER knew a stranger, & took more people into her home, than a multitude of people combined. She truly had the spirit of Christ, because she was a friend to all & literally helped EVERYONE! I only wished that Braelin, whom she continually trusted the Lord for his healing, will never see her on this side. I pray he has a heart a genuine as hers was, and has as much compassion as what she had. May you each experience a Blessed Easter and know that He is THE RESURRECTION & Life! Love In Christ, Bren UPDATE: 3-17-04 I wanted to give an update on what has recently happened. We had a 'scare' Monday night. I absolutely could not breathe ~ waited it out until the next morning ~ Tuesday. I called my doctor & they said go to Labor & Delivery. We did, & by 7:00 pm, they were doing a test similar to the Amnio. The Sonographer told us that she was going to recommend a procedure that they do on patients who have fluid in their stomach area. She said she did not know if he would 'go for it', because it's a procedure that's not used for pregnancy, but because of the amount of fluid I had, she was going to 'give it a shot'. My Doctor came in~ she explained ~ & he said, "let's do it"! I must say, I was a bit nervous ~ but Prayed, & knew the Lord would be with us. After about 45 min ~ & the "vacuum pump" not working correct ~ he was able to draw off 550 cc ~ 18.5 oz. of fluid. That doesn't sound like much, but I immediately felt relief ~ I could breathe!! I don't recommend this procedure for quick weight loss though ~ YYYYOOOUUUCCHH!!!!!!! They monitored us for the next 2 hours & let us come home, being on 24 hour rest. The most amazing thing of this was, when my doctor put the needle into my stomach, to run the catheter ~ he said "look at that, can you believe this baby". Braelin looked like a little baby kitten (on the monitor). He had both hands up "swatting" & trying to catch the cath. Though I was in much pain, it was cute to see. And even in the midst of the 'hurt', when I saw that, I was reminded once more, of just how Faithful the Lord is. We are still climbing the ladder ~ on step at a time ~ and now only 10 weeks to go!!! Praise the Lord!! May you all be blessed today & be reminded once again... He IS Faithful!! UPDATE: 3-12-04 Wanted to give an update on how things have been going. Since the last update, we have been asigned another specialist which will be Braelin's neonatologist when he's born. She will be present at his birth. My OB set us up with her. She was such a "breath of fresh air". She has dealt & cared for Trisomy 18 babies before. Since our OB Dr. has been very honest with us, & not having ever experienced a pregnancy like ours (he's told us), it was certainly an eased feeling, knowing he saw the need & want, to call her in. She wanted to know "what" was our desires for him when he is born. We had a lengthy conversation with them both & she told us she would do what ever measures we desired her to do. I have been having contractions (about as they have been) ~ non patterend ~ for about 3 weeks now. My fluid continues to build & now my breathing has been somewhat affected. My Dr. says it's pushing now on my diaphram. But I know we're going to make it ! We took a "FAST" trip to Dallas (against my Drs. better judgment) a few days ago, to have a 4D Sonogram done. It was the "most awesome" thing we've ever done. Our hearts were filled with joy, excitment & anticipation ~ along with tears ~ that this is our baby boy in whom we're believing & trusting the Lord for a TOTAL MIRACLE!!! He looks perfect!! He is!! Thank you for all that you are doing, & may you & your family feel the strength of the Lord today!! We so apprectiate you all!! Thanks, & May the Lord Bless you today! Bren & remember... He died, so that we might live! UPDATE: 2-25-04 We went to our specialist in Houston this morning, and he told us that Braelin's bladder is basically the same ~ still enlarged. They were thinking about doing a procedure on him to drain his urine level, but today, Dr. Reiter said he did not feel like that was necessary. He said it was of no discomfort to him & that he did not foresee any complications for me, at delivery time. He did tell us that my amniotic fluid had increased from 31 to 38, and that this would definitely put me into pre~term labor. I told him that last night we had to make a trip to the hospital. I've been having contractions (non~patterned) for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I wasn't dilated, but they did see where I was having them. (of course, they didn't tell me something I already didn't know ~ whew!) Dr. Reiter told us that Braelin is weighing 1 lb. 10 oz. He couldn't tell us his length. He made us a video of him and we are so thankful to have it! He is so sweet! We are still trusting the Hand of the Lord EVERY DAY for a miracle! I KNOW He is able... if we'll just trust Him! I've sent you "his Picture" that they gave us today. It's nice to see a "face" that goes with a name. We've set up a website for Braelin, praying it will not only be a source of information, but a testimony of knowing that the Lord Is Faithful & that ANYONE WHO WILL, can TRUST Him! He is our Hope! UPDATE: 2-7-04 I wanted to give the update from the heart specialist we went to yesterday. It was an all-day affair, and we found out some more "bad" news. Braelin's heart is not only defective, but also deformed. The Specialist drew us a diagram of his heart compared to a regular fetal, & babies heart. There are many defects, and the abnormalities are in the left & right ventricle areas. He also has no "flap" in the patent foramen ovale (PFO). There are a couple of other things, but hard for me to explain. They told us that when the cord is cut after he is born, that the oxygenated blood & red blood are flowing the wrong ways, and that the 'blood' would pass through his lungs. They told us that this is "even" if he makes it to a live delivery. The doctor said this "alone" would be fatal to him, & considering all of his other defects, that there is just no possible way. We expressed our believing for a MIRACLE (but wasn't ignoring the full picture), & neither of them had any comment. Of course they only "see" through medical eyes, but we've seen through His eyes before, & know what He can do! Our prayer is of course, that the Lord would completely heal his body, but if He chooses differently, to please give us some kind of "life" time with him. I keep saying that I feel like this would be a healing to us. His bladder has increased even more, and now his little tummy looks like a basketball (literally). The doctor told us that she had never seen someone with as much amniotic fluid as I have, & even she tried to "convince" us of early induction. But we told her we want to do all that we possibly can for him. She told us that his was a very severe Trisomy 18 case. We've heard nothing but "negative" from the doctors, but this doesn't change our minds, as to trust Him or not. We will Trust Him until then end, and then continue still. As I was explaining one of the recent things of Braelin's condition to my best friend & her family the other night, tears began to flow down my cheeks. To the right of me sat, Benjamin, our little 2 1/2 year old. He said, "Mommy?" I reassured him that 'mommy' was o.k. & that I was just telling Aunt Lori about Baby Braelin. He then reached his hand to my face and began wiping my tears. This "melted" me of course, but actually it was like the Hand of the Lord was saying, "I'm right here"! He has such awesome ways of making Himself real if we'll just "listen". Thank you all for praying and for 'hanging in there with us' when you've each got such a burden of your own to carry. Please know that we are still praying for you & your children. I printed up each of their pictures & names, and put them on a poster board. This is a constant reminder to us, that "we are not alone" and there are others we need to lift up & believe for as well. We love you each, though we've never met! May the Lord bless & strengthen each of you today! Love In Christ, Bren UPDATE: 2-1-04 Our Family These were taken Fri, 01*31, and as you can see, the Lord has already blessed us with a beautiful miracle! And now, believing for our 2nd! Thank you! In His Love, Bren Today is Sunday, 02*01. My sis-in-law sent an 'update' this past Friday, thinking it was just to her friends, and found out it was posted to Braelin's site. I told her that was absolutely o.k. I wanted to let you all know, that we have chosen to go full term, however long that may be. We never make a decision without talking it out and making it a definite matter of prayer. This past Friday, one of my doctors from Houston called, and during the very lengthy conversation she began to talk about the early induction that would very shortly be coming up. I told her that I had been induced before, with our 2 ½ year old. She then said, "That's not how this induction will be". I then replied, "how is it done?" She said "The Laminaria Procedure". I had never heard of this before, and began questioning her. As she began to briefly explain, I went to our computer (while still on the phone with her), and looked up that word. I must say, that I sat in disbelief & silence....& shock! I knew immediately that this was not our intentions, and I didn't even need to pray about this. I hung up the phone and called my husband to come & look. He shook his head and said, "No Way"! I want to say that we're sorry if we left a wrong impression in some of your hearts & minds. We never intended to do anything like that! We thought, that it was going to be like our little boys induction, and that it would be like an early 'natural' delivery. We were made to believe this. All of my doctors have told us the severeness of Braelin's defective conditions, and that in this pregnancy, I would either go into premature labor, possibly full term, but either way, him be born still-born. They have told us that because of his continual digression, & the stress he is having to deal with, he has absolutely no chance of survival. So, we thought we were doing what was right...an early induction. This way, (we thought) he wouldn't have to keep struggling and we would have some kind of 'life' time with him. Even if it were just for a few moments, it seemed it would somehow help us. We've never been on a journey like this one, and have literally taken it one day at a time. We are still believing the Lord for a complete healing & even a reversal of the T18.(because He is the Great Physician, & is More than Able). But we've come to understand, that even if this doesn't happen, please help us pray also, that Braelin will not be still-born. If the Lord takes him Home, I would at least like to look into his eyes, and maybe his little hand grasp on to my finger. We're striving to believe "the report of the Lord", & not come home 'empty armed' like they've told us to be prepare for. We go back to Houston this Friday for his Fetal Echo to see how much of his heart did not form. We're trusting His Unfailing Hand for a miraculous report! I'm so very thankful, that when you make something a matter of prayer, the Lord is Faithful in directing your steps to His Will, for His glory! And I'm also very thankful that 'He's an On-time God'! Thank you for not mis-judging us & helping us to pray. It's our prayers together, that has made the difference. Love & prayers to each of you, and know we are praying for you and your children as well. Love In Christ, Bren UPDATE: 1-31-04 Since Brenda wrote this, one thing has changed, and that is that she has decided to go full term and not induce early. Thank you for your prayers, UPDATE: 1-28-04 Today is Tues., Jan. 27th. We've had some pretty disturbing news... times 2. 1st, our Baby Braelin was confirmed today that he is a Trisomy 18 baby with many major defects to his organs. His bladder is continuing to enlarge and his urethra tract is not working. I am suppose to go within the next 2 weeks and have a final Level 2 Ultrasound (for OUR benefit), & if everything is still as is, or worse, then my Doctor will be performing a 24 week induction. We want to do exactly what the Lord would have us do, and that's why we're requesting this other ultrasound. Please continue to stand with us in believing the Lord for a miracle! If there is ANY change for the better, then we will continue with the pregnancy. My amniotic fluid level is already above 'delivery level', and still having 4 months to go, I'm not sure how long I can physically (or mentally) continue, knowing they are saying he will absolutely not survive. I KNOW I serve a VERY Faithful Lord, & He is More Than Able!!! And secondly, after talking with my doctors, we went to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (where my mother in law was diagnost 2 months ago of having cancer )met with her doctors,and they've told us today that her liver is at least 80% consumed and her kidneys are already in a 'failing stage'. They told us 2 - 6 months is what she has left. And they've released her to Hospice. What a shock to us!! But once again, I reminded my husband, that the Lord has chosen us, and we will continue to trust Him as each day arises. Thanks to each of you for your prayers & e~mails ~ they've been timely & so encouraging. Please know that we are praying for each of you!! Love In Christ, Bren ADDED: 1-22-04 Condition: After Triple Screening Test which came back abnormal ~ Had Level 2 Ultrasound and Dr. discovered Trisomy 18 baby with major heart defects, enlarged bladder with possible large tumor attached as well as small tumor. Amniotic fluid is in excessive amount ~ baby is not swallowing. Going in Feb. 04 to have Fetal Echo. I go tomorrow (01*23*04)to Houston Specialist to have amnio & further tests. Comments: We are a christian family and are trusting the Lord for a complete miracle! We had our 1st child, Benjamin, after being married 20 years; the doctors saying I would never be able to conceive. He is a healthy, intelligent 2 1/2 year old who loves to sing for the Lord! I lossed my mother 6 months ago to cancer, & now, have just found out my husbands mother has a non-curable cancer with 60% of her liver already consumed. Along with these two 'set-backs', I am going into my 5th month of pregnancy with our 3rd child (our second child I lossed at 12 weeks in pregnancy)& I'm asking you like we brought before our church where we are pastor's, we are'nt looking for sympathy, we just want to make our petition known where our brothers & sisters in the Lord can 'touch the throne' with us. I trust the Lord completely, and I told my husband, that the Lord has "chosen" us, and that He is going to be with us! Thank you for listening and helping to 'bear the burden' along with us.