Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: UNBORN (07/27/23)
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TITLE: Mercy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Allison Egley
08/03/23 -
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“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.”
A few days later, she sat in the waiting room with her husband, James, almost giddy with anticipation. She couldn’t wait for him to see their baby on ultrasound for himself. A few minutes later, the ultrasound tech applied the gel to her abdomen. As the tech was pointing out the head, hands, and feet, there was a pause.
“Excuse me. I need to get the doctor.”
Katie and James immediately looked at each other with worry, holding each other’s hands.
As the doctor entered, the tech turned the screen away from them and they talked in hushed tones.
The doctor turned to them. “Katie. And...”
“This is James,” Katie replied. “What is it? Just tell us, please.”
“Katie, have you had any falls lately? Anything that could have harmed the baby?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“I... I believe your baby may have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or OI, more commonly known as brittle bone disease. We... can see tiny fractures in her bones on ultrasound, plus some of the bones have an unusual shape. Since this was detected so early, this is probably OI type II, the most severe type. Your baby may not be able to breathe at birth. Even with intervention, she will likely live only a few weeks. The birth process itself may cause even more fractures.”
There was silence. Neither Katie nor James could find words. The doctor spoke again.
“I know this is a lot to take in and not the happy news you were expecting today.”
James found his voice first. “Is there anything that can be done?”
“At birth we can intervene to try to secure an airway, but there is no cure and there are no effective treatments for OI.”
“Are there any other options?” Katie asked.
“Termination is still an option at this point.”
“Termination? We could never...”
“I’m not telling you what you should choose. This is a very personal decision. But your daughter will likely live only a few weeks, in near constant pain. Just changing her diaper could cause fractures. You don’t need to make any decisions today. I’m referring you to counseling services as well.”
A second opinion a few days later confirmed the results.
Katie and James left in a daze.
Later that night, they talked. ‘We can’t... terminate, can we?” Katie asked.
James took a deep breath. “No. We can’t. But... Let’s pray about this.”
Late that night, Katie could hardly even cry anymore. Yet in her heart, she felt comfort, and it wasn’t in the way she expected. As she questioned God, she could feel answers in her heart in a way she never had before.
Katie, do you believe that every child is Mine, from the moment of conception? Do you think I want to see any of My children suffer?
Katie was confused. This seemed to be the exact opposite of what she thought she would be feeling. She was just too tired.
The next day, when they could sit down to talk, James spoke first. “Katie, I had the strangest feeling of comfort last night.”
“Me too. And... not in the way I was expecting.” She forged on, afraid she wouldn’t be able to voice what she was thinking, and also afraid of James’s reaction. “What if.... what if termination is the most compassionate decision for our daughter?”
Silence.
“That’s the exact same question I keep asking,” James replied. “If we truly believe that this child is God’s from conception, then.... what if we allow her to go to heaven, without suffering here on earth? I know most people we know won’t agree with that decision. But...”
They named their daughter Mercy. They walked into the hospital. As things were getting prepped, Katie and James sang to Mercy.
“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.”
Katie whispered, “Fly home, Mercy. Be free. We give you our blessing.”
******************
Jesus Loves Me, Anna Bartlett Warner, Public Domain
Psalm 103:13-14
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
https://fetalmedicine.org/education/fetal-abnormalities/skeleton/osteogenesis-imperfecta
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561136/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/osteogenesis-imperfecta
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