Look what THE LORD has done! {Auggie's Hydrops Miracle}

As many of you know, a few months ago, my unborn nephew was diagnosed with non-immune hydrops. Little Auggie was given less than 10% chance of surviving to viability and an even smaller percentage estimate of ever going home from the NICU.  The prognosis for hydrops babies is very poor and, as we discovered in the weeks after receiving Auggie's diagnosis, there are few published survival stories.  Accepted standard of care for this diagnosis is termination of pregnancy. 

Over the past 19 weeks, my sister has been such an example of strength and faith. She researched, consulted with professionals around the world, traveled to Philadelphia to be seen by the team of doctors considered to be the hydrops experts, advocated for all possible options to be considered that Auggie might have life, and treated each day of pregnancy as a gift--one more precious day spent being Auggie’s mommy. She was an encouragement and resource to other women with hydrops diagnoses even on the toughest days of her own journey. Perhaps most importantly, she surrounded herself with an army of prayer warriors who, like her, were believing for Auggie’s miracle with faith in God’s ability to do the impossible.

On Tuesday afternoon, our family received living proof that God is still in the miracle-working business. That miracle was a perfectly healthy 8 pound, 1 ounce beautiful baby boy named Auguste Michael. Little Auggie is a testimony of God’s goodness, power and faithfulness.

Photo by Gena Murphy Photography

If you didn’t get to follow Lisa’s blog during this journey, it’s a story you will want to read. I think Lisa's willingness to be vulnerable, real and raw will resonate with others walking through a dark place. There were many unknowns and it is only now that we know how the story ends. Perhaps another anxious mommy, daddy, family member or friend--up in the middle of the night scouring the internet for a glimmer of hope in the face of a devastating diagnosis--will stumble upon his story.  Maybe it will give someone who has lost faith a reason to believe.  The doctors can't explain it, and we haven't done anything to deserve it, but our family has received a miracle.  We stand in awe and amazement at what the Lord has done!

Here are my favorite posts from Lisa’s blog:
What is Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis? (a good explanation of the condition and prognosis)
Auguste: Non-Immune Hydrops Diagnosis at 20 Week Ultrasound
Hope
Mustard Seeds
Tapestry of Life
General Revelations
Developments Thus Far
Sleeping in Jersey Tonight
CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia): Where Hope Begins
One Day at a Time
On My Own
Warm and Fuzzy
A Good Day Indeed
Hiccups
The Unforseeable Future
Erleichda!
"Resolving Hydrops"
Roads Less Traveled
Lessons from Loss
Birth Plans
36 Week Update
37 Weeks and a Warm and Fuzzy Shower
Our Hydrops Miracle
The Weekly Buzz