Lourdes Marie Talbot Boever

It has been a week now since we welcomed our new daughter.
Lourdes Marie Talbot Boever was born February 11, 2015 at 2:50 AM.  She weighed 8lbs. 11 oz.  At delivery, the membrane surrounding her omphalocele ruptured leaving her small intestine and a portion of her large intestine on the outside of her body and exposed.  It was decided immediately that she would be transferred to the Children's Hospital in Omaha for surgery.  She was taken by ambulance and right into surgery.  John followed the ambulance to Omaha.  She did very well in surgery and her stomach repair couldn't have gone better.

Along with the ups and downs of being in the NICU for a week now,  we are so grateful for the love that has been bestowed upon our family. 

Right now though, I am writing to ask for more prayer.  Yesterday, a routine cranial and abdominal ultrasound was performed.  Often, babies born with omphaloceles have an accompanying syndrome called Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome.  Lourdes didn't have any of the physical markers that would indicate her having this syndrome.  Although, even if the physical markers are missing, a child can still have the syndrome and only a blood test would confirm.   If a baby has BWS, they have an increased risk of developing cancer at a young age. 

Even though Lourdes doesn't outwardly reflect any of the markers, geneticist like to be thorough and not miss anything that is why the ultrasounds were ordered checking for larger abdominal organs.  Her organs all checked out fine.

Her cranial ultrsound indicated a few small hemorrhages, but nothing that caused concern as they could tell they were old marks and were healing.  This is not uncommon.

Although, a small mass was discovered on one of her adrenal glands right above one kidney.  The doctor couldn't quite rule out a tumor, but it could also just be another hemorrhage due to her long and hard delivery.  The adrenal glands regulate stress and due to her little body having such a difficult delivery and surgery this would explain the hemorrhage.  BUT, the neonatologist isn't sure and ordered a second ultrasound to be performed next week to determine if the mass is shrinking. If not, this would indicate a tumor.  We would then do more tests, imaging, blood work, and cultures.  I asked the doctor what if it is cancer.  She said we would discuss treatment plans and possible chemotherapy. 

Yesterday was the darkest day of my entire life.  I am asking you to please pray for our daughter.  Please pray that when we go in next week that nothing is found and she is clear.  Please ask the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bl. Matt Talbot, and Fr. Emil Kapaun to heal this mass. 

We are still in the hospital, but are hoping to be discharged tomorrow morning if she has another great night. 

Thank you with all my heart.