It's a Boy! We are so excited to meet him! On Wed. we found out there are complications, and we flew to Oahu yesterday.
Here is the info we received from Oahu on Friday:
1. Lumbar Spina Bifida (myelomenigocele) or open spine (Lumbar is the location on the spine, so the "small of your back")
2. Hydrocephalus or ventriculomegaly, "water in the brain"
3. Arnold-Chiari malformation (tethering of the spine, causing it to pull on the lower part of the brain)
Dr. Ogasawara on Oahu will be following our baby, and we will be meeting with the Pediatric Neurosurgeon on Oahu very soon for further information.
Our baby will be delivered via cesarean section (on Oahu) 2-6 weeks early depending on his condition (most likely "in the 6 weeks range") Baby's current Due Date is July 12th, so that could mean as early as MAY 31st. We won't know for sure until we meet with the Neurosurgeon.
Because he will be "preemie", he will need to be stablized after birth, then his surgerys will soon follow (within 24 hours). They will operate to push the spine back into the vertebrae and close the hole to prevent infection from the spine., they will also need to place a shunt in the brain, which drains the fluid.
It seems the Dr. is mostly concerned about the pulling on the back of the brain. Baby boys feet, and legs look straight and normal, which is very positive. He was even doing "high kicks" in our Ultrasound yesterday, which the Dr. got excited about.
Please keep our little guy in your prayers. We are trusting he is right in the palm of the Father's hand. We are beyond thankful for all of your love, concern & most of all PRAYERS for our son. We will keep you all updated.
All our Love,
Ciara, Michael & Mikaela
20 comments:
Mike and Ciara,
I love you guys and I am continuing to pray for your baby boy. He is indeed in the Master's Hands. love Lulu
So much LOVE to you guys! You're in our prayers! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for ya. We love you guys!
love you guys my family is praying!!
love sash
Michael,Ciara and Mikaela,
We are Praying for you all, May the Lord touch and heal your baby boy within you!
We are here for you in any way we can help!
Love you guys,
John, Nancy, Jonathon and Michelle
Fearfully and wonderfully made baby boy Woodard. You are in our prayers.
We love you already,
The Strickland Ohana
Woodards,
We are praying for you all-for peace and strength.
What a sweet glimpse of that precious baby boy. Thanks for sharing it the picture. We are praying constantly for our sweet nephew. Love to you all.
Melissa & Steven
Thanks for showing us that picture of the littlest Woodard. He is just so cute and loveable all snuggled into his cozy little place there. Wrapped in the blanket of our love, he is blessed already, just to be your little boy and in your loving family. We are praying for each one of you and the doctors, too. The Lord God Almighty is with you and with that precious little guy, and His eyes are on you and His ears are open to our prayers. I hope that continues to bring comfort and hope and strength. We will just walk and pray our way thru the unknown with you.
You are so deeply loved.
The Johnsons
Dear Ciara, thank you so much for posting this update on your baby's condition. Now we know specifically what to pray for. You are in my thoughts constantly.
I think this baby is so blessed already, he could not ask for better parents. And BIG sister.
God bless your beautiful family
We love you.
Your neighbors
My dearest friend, I just want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers daily! I love you bunches and know that if you need help with anything it is already given, just let me know! The Lord has a wonderful plan for you, your family, and this little bundle of joy whom is on his way. I can only imagine the wonderful things he has stored for you all. I love you my friend, my sister!
Love,
Quinnie
Awesome little picture there of a adorable little man! How blessed and lucky he is to have such amazing parents and such a wonderful big sister. We're SO looking forward to meeting him. Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you along the way.
Keeping you all in our prayers, Todd and Laura
Michael and Ciara,
Just wanted to let you guys know that I'll be praying for you and your little one also. God is more than able to do amazing things in his life!
Love and Prayers,
Emilee Smith
(Michael's cousin)
What a lovely picture! It's great that he high-kicks and has straight legs and feet. I'm so sorry about his medical condition, but there is a LOT that can be done for him. We will pray for the doctors, and for his mom and dad, and both sets of grandparents, and we'll come together at the right times, to celebrate and to love on you all.
Hey Mike and Ciara,
Didn't know you had a blog so guess I am outdated....as usual. Nathan is praying hard, he loves you sooo much. Your baby boy will constantly be in our prayer, as well as you.
Much Love,
Susan, Chris, Nathan (our Furnace Guy)
the future is here, we are now officially more in touch through blogging than face to face. :)
thank you so much for sharing your lives outloud. it seems a natural expression of your trust in the Father. so good.
what a day friday must have been for you all. can i say God's handprint just seems all over this? His hand on your little one. :)
prayers for God's glory and His kingdom to come - and for how to specifically pray. may you two continually be utterly overwhelmed at the trustworthiness of Your Lord.
much love, carrie
You are so right to trust the Lord in ALL things!
You are a BEAUTIFUL family and we know that your baby is in the best of hands! We are loving and praying for you. Great pictures of your baby and your family!
Dear Ciara and Michael,
I enjoyed seeing your sweet family last night at Home Depot. I will be praying for your unborn son, for the two of you, and for your doctor's to have wisdom. We know the Lord is capable of miracles; I pray that HE uses this opportunity to create a powerful testimony of His love and faithfullness in your lives. I also pray the Lord would extend His hand of healing to your baby boy at this very moment. God be with you. With love, Lisa Whitten
Michael, Ciara & Mikaela,
We missed seeing you in Maui, but did get to chat via phone--thanks for the awesome time you allowed our family to have with the surf boards and your caring friend. We had a blast! Cindy just called us and we had a super conversation about what God has planned for you all. Congrats on your angel son who is arriving soon. God bless as you move into His perfect timing and will. We will stand with you as family friends (who have been there) and believers who will earnestly lift your family up in prayer. Special blessings to Mikaela who will be an awesome sister to Zachery in all the things he will endure; Krystal learned lots being in on the action from the beginning. God will create an amazing sensitivity in Mikaela to love her brother; we have seen this beauty in Krystal. Through the ups and down, we can assure you that God will ALWAYS provide and after almost 20 years of marriage, we are the better for having a special type of family. We are here to listen or e-mail anytime. We were given a special verse that may encourage you as well: Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future. Blessings as you bond together as a family. Our best to all of you, Paul, Cindy, Krystal and Ryan Beiter
Michael & Ciara and ,
"You [God] will keep in perfect peace him [Michael & Ciara]whose mind is steadfast,
because he [they] trusts in you."-Praying this verse for you today! May you know the comfort and courage that comes from abiding in Christ. Be strong and courageous! God has a plan for you all and it is perfect even when we don't understand....I can tell by reading the posts in your blog that your faith has become a beacon to many! Praise God! I'm blessed to be your cousin! Love,Cathy
Hi Mike and Ciara, Paul called Steve and found out that little Zachary is born...and that you are doing well. We continue to pray for your family and strength in these days. Love to you all, Paul, Cindy, Krystal and Ryan Beiter
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