Wednesday, January 28, 2009

New doc



Yesterday afternoon, Jeremy and I met at Dr. Stutts office and sat in the waiting room for just a few minutes before being taken back for our ultrasound (10th one since October). The office is very beautifully decorated and just feels more like you are at home. The ultrasound technician, Melinda, introduced herself and said that she had been praying for us for weeks!! How awesome is God!! She spent at least 40 minutes (probably longer) showing us everything on the baby and she tried her hardest to find out boy or girl. We have an uncooperative child (just like their dad)! She did see hands and lower leg which were two things we were concerned about. No other ultrasound had been able to see the baby's hands but we got a perfect photo of four little left hand fingers (thumb was tucked inside fist). Still praying to know boy/girl!!! We've placed our bets and Jeremy and I both have thought this baby was a boy from fairly early on. So, we'll see...... See hand picture below.
Notice how grayscale this photo is.... Our entire ultrasound is this difficult to see.
After the ultrasound, we waited briefly for Dr. Stutts to meet with us in an exam room. When he walked in, I felt better. He just had a sweet demeanor and I knew after he began talking that God had sent us to the right doctor. He spent a LONG time with us discussing various situations that we may face, where to deliver, etc... Dr. Stutts also told us the story of his residency days when he was faced with a patient (mother to be) who's baby had Anenchephaly (only a brain stem, no brain) and she was being firm about continuing the pregnancy. Long story short, the mother told Dr. Stutts that God had every capability of miraculously healing her child and if she induced early (i.e. aborted) she would have taken God's chance to perform that miracle away. She also said that she would rather live her life knowing that she had given God the chance to perform a miracle than wondering if He ever would have. Dr. Stutts cried, Jeremy cried, I cried.... For a minute, I thought I was going to have to go hug both Dr. Stutts and Jeremy and tell them "Now, now boys. Everything is going to be okay." :) I love my tenderhearted, sweet, loving husband.

Needless to say, we were elated leaving the office. Granted nothing had changed with our baby (in fact, our baby's growth has been somewhat slower than previous visits), but now we KNOW we have a doctor that cares for our baby and cares for us greatly!!

Thank you to everyone who gave us names of OB's and especially to those who gave Dr. Stutts rave reviews... He deserves them!!! This is the best part.... He used to be a veterinarian!!! Jeremy and I have 7 pets (3 dogs, 4 cats) and are total suckers when it comes to an animal in need. My mom and dad are saying "amen" right now as they read this I'm sure!!! :)

Current prayer requests:
1. Accumulate some fluid so the baby can move to a non breech position for delivery
2. See feet on the next ultrasound appointment
3. See "parts" on the next ultrasound
4. Us to make the right decision about a delivery location and doctor for Birmingham

Permanent prayer requests:
1. Miraculous healing for our baby (we know God can easily make this happen but we also need to plan for what else could happen)
2. Jeremy and I to enjoy our pregnancy and spend this time "parenting" our baby
3. Baby's comfort and GROWTH (even below-average growth will give our baby a better chance of surviving delivery)

Thank you all for your prayers. We love you!
-jjs

8 comments:

  1. I heard about you from G-bay at Northpark Baptist in Trussville. We were members there until we moved 5 years ago... I still get g-bay because we want to stay in touch and we miss that church so...

    I have been praying for you since I first saw the prayer request. I have also started a prayer ministry blog that I shared your story on to get others to pray with me for you all... I hope that is ok, if not please let me know. And if it is ok can I add a link to your blog so those who are praying faithfully can access your blog for up to date prayer requests... my prayer blog is Filled Up and Poured Out(www.filledupandpouredout.blogspot.com), and my personal blog is It's All About Him (www.triciaschmidblog.blogspot.com)...

    If I can do anything to help you out please let me know...

    In Christ...

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  2. Johnna, I have emailed Jeremy a bit the past couple of days. I wrote the Angel Babies website after our baby Elizabeth was born with Potter's Syndrome.

    I'm DELIGHTED that you've found a wonderful doctor. It makes all the difference in the world in your experience. It looks like your babe is transverse - so was Elizabeth, and she stayed that way until literally the last 5 minutes of my labor then shifted into butt breech. Don't give up hope on that one - I was all set for a c-section, but was relieved to be able to deliver vaginally. She had IUGR, which is normal with no/low fluid pregnancies, so she was just under three pounds, roughly 4 weeks behind her gestational age of 31 weeks.

    The picture of the hand is beautiful :). So wonderful to see all the little parts.

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  3. This is such wonderful news! I'm so glad your new doctor is such a caring professional.

    We're still praying really hard for y'all. I'm praying especially that God is going to give you many tiny little rainbows during your journey with your sweet baby. I pray you'll enjoy every movement, every ultrasound, and every day you have to spend with him/her now. These are the times you'll cherish, and that you'll want to relive over and over. God is good, and he'll prove himself faithful -- I can't wait to hear your stories as you start to see those little rainbows!

    Love,
    Paige Stewart

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  4. Johnna and Jeremy, You and your precious baby are in our prayers! Your mom, (Jo) is my sons teacher and was my daughters teacher too and we have grown so fond of her and her dad. What precious parents you have. Thank you so much for allowing us to read what you are going through along with your thoughts and emotions. Praying for a miracle for your sweet little one!

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  5. Hello, a friend told me about you and your pregnany. I just wanted to say that we are praying for ya'll.

    Tobitha
    Florence, AL

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  6. You don't know me, but my nephew (Matthew T.) is in your mom's class at Pelham (Amanda above is my twin sister). I just wanted to let you know that i am praying for a miracle for you guys. Anything is possible with God!

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  7. Johnna and Jeremy, you'll never know how happy it made me to see your babies little fingers. I have been praying every night that you all would get to see them. Thanks for sharing the miracle of your faith and your baby with us. I can't wait to show Rachel.

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  8. Johnna and Jeremy, Mrs. Ball told me about the baby picture and I had to visit the blog and see for myself. It made me so happy to see those little fingers. I have prayed that you all would recieve that blessing and joy. Isn't God wonderful! I can't wait to share the picture with Rachel and lift her spirit too.

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