MRI update

The nurse from neurology called! On Friday night, at 7:20 p.m. My faith in Cleveland Clinic is restored!

Things noted on the MRI were the schizencephaly (closed-lip, unilateral - the best type to have if you have to have schizencephaly) on the right side of his brain and dysplasia of the septum palusidum (not sure about the spelling). Regarding the septum dysplasia the biggest concern is septo-optic dysplasia, which Gabe's opthomologist has already checked out and at this point doesn't think he has it. It is difficult to check in an infant so this will be something that is closely monitored.

The radiologist that read the MRI also noted that there was cortical dysplasia on both sides of his frontal lobes. Gabe's neurologist didn't see it and had a neuro-radiologist check out the MRI and he also didn't see it. But to be sure, they will present Gabe's scan at their neurology conference that they have every few weeks and then let us know.

There were also no problems with Gabe's eyes noted, which hopefully means that it is just a muscle problem. So we'll keep doing those patches... and I'm sure Gabe will keep ripping them off ;)

One thing not noted on the scan, which the nurse said should mean its not a problem, is the agensis of the corpus callousum (membrane that separates the L & R side of the brain). So hopefully this is one hurdle Gabe doesn't have to cross and the ultrasound was either read wrong or God intervened. You know which one we think happened!

So basically, the MRI confirmed the schizencephaly and dysplasia of the septum palsidum. It also showed that there was no cranial nerve problems and that his corpus callousum is there. And for that we rejoice!

As we already knew, and had reaffirmed through his MRI, Gabe does have schizencephaly but that he is obviously not a classic case. Sometime from when the schizencephaly was detected to Gabe's birth, God laid His amazing hand on our little boy and gave him a miracle. Most cases of schizencephaly diagnosed at infancy result in paralysis, major delays and mental retardation. And, well we're blessed to be able to say Gabe is just a normal baby; he's growing, moving and learning like any 4 1/2 month old. While he does have a slight delay and tone problem on his left side, this is already being rectified by weekly physical therapy appointments.

God definitely has something BIG planned for our little boy and I feel so privileged to be able to be a part of it.

Thank you for all your prayers. And as we've said all along "God is bigger than a diagnosis."

Love & Blessings, Meredith

Gaby-baby says thanks for all the prayers too!

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was a complete 180 from last year. Sitting in church as a family of 3 never felt better. Dressed in a super snazzy outfit, Gabe slept through church and was all smiles at Matt's Aunt Julie and Uncle Jim's where we celebrated Christmas Eve. The food was good as usual but my mood was better than ever. Because God had not only granted me the deepest desire of my heart but he granted it in ways I could never have imagined.

Trying to get the perfect family photo is a little difficult when the star of the photo won't look at the camera!

Gabe sleeping on our way out of church. Isn't his hat so cute?!

Gabe with his Great Aunt Julie (the wonderful hostess and cook) and his cousin Lauren.

Gabe opening presents with Daddy

Gabe in pictures with Matt's Grandma, mom and brother Justin & Chris (where are you Uncle Tony?)

Gabe had never met his Great Uncle Jim before and was so interested in him. He couldn't stop looking at him and flashing him his million dollar smile.

Gabe was also very interested in Jack the dog, not that we will be getting a dog anytime soon.

Love & Blessings, Meredith

Biggest Little Tough Guy

Gabe's MRI went great! (Thank you God!) He fell asleep quickly under the gas mask and woke up smoothly in recovery. Matt and I were able to be there before he woke up so he fell asleep looking at me and woke up with his Daddy and Mama hovering over him. He didn't shed a tear the whole time. Actually the only tears were from me, go figure! But who wouldn't shed a tear or 2 after leaving their baby in the hands of strangers, very capable strangers but strangers nonetheless.

Gabe was all smiles all morning at the CC. This morning Gabe would only take a few sips of Pedialyte so he must've been starving, but he was still full of smiles! By the way, have you ever tasted that stuff? If you haven't, don't... it is not a pleasant taste. Perhaps it would have tasted better if it would have been flavored, but I didn't think Gabe was ready for flavoring.

Anyways he was so happy and such a flirt with all the nurses. Just smiling and cooing at everyone, he was definately the star of the pediatric radiology department.

Now some photo's of the little champ! Yes, I brought my camera to the hospital. I figured these would be the pictures depicting the day before we recieved the news of Gabe's miraculous recovery from schizencephaly or the photo's demonstrating all of the different mountains Gabe had to climb to give God the glory in all circumstances. But anyways, on too the pictures...


Gabe's trying to wake up from the anesthesia... we were so grateful that he woke up quickly and happily.


Cuddling with his special blankie. This is the blanket that Matt and I sent to the hospital for Gabe when he was born. Well, not 'the' blanket because I lost that somewhere, but it's the blankets twin :)
Getting ready to go home.... looking oh-so-super cute in his coo print diaper cover.

Gabe's battle scars. They had to poke him 3 times before they were able to start an IV :( Poor guy.

I thought waiting for Gabe to be done would surely be the longest hour of my life but it actually passed quickly. Amazingly I had a wonderful peace from the moment I pulled myself together after leaving Gabe until, well right now I currently have that peace still. And that I can only attribute to all of the wonderful family, friends and strangers praying for us. I knew my family would be praying and assumed some friends would as well. I'll admit I was floored by the fact that a friend scheduled Gabe's MRI on his cell phone and then prayed right at 9 (at work with his boss - isn't God awesome). I was also humbled, overwhelmed and in awe of the number of messages, emails and texts recieved from friends and strangers who were praying for our little man. I can't express my gratitude enough and while thank you doesn't seem to suffice, it will have to do... so THANK YOU!

And no matter what the results of the MRI reveal; no schizencephaly, schizencephaly, whatever it may be we will get through it. The lyrics "I get by with a little help from my friends" comes to mind. And with the help of my friends, God will be glorified through it all. But can I ask a little favor? If the results aren't what we want, and I have a little trouble remember that this is all in God's plan... would you remind me? You will!?! Thanks!

Love & Blessings, Meredith

Too tired to think of a catchy post title...

Hi Friends,

I can't believe I haven't updated since Christmas.... I've started a few different updates but life would always get in the way and now I have a whole lot of drafts sitting in my post selections... maybe I'll finish them and post lots of posts in January... or maybe I'll just start from scratch and try to get better on posting more regularly. Besides blogging to update our many eager readers (all 3 of you :) I want to use this blog as a way to journal our journey through life... and I don't want to forget anything, so I better get moving. Either way, shortly you will be inundated with lots of pictures from Gabe's 1st Christmas!



But tonight as I sit here with a nervous and anxious spirit, I've come to ask you a request. Tomorrow is MRI day for Gabe and while it's just an MRI, it's still an MRI. And Gabe will still be sedated and I have to give up all the control I hold so tightly too and place him solely in the hands of our Father while the tests are done. Giving up control is never easy for me while usually giving my problems to God isn't too difficult. This time I'm having trouble with both. But then again I've never been a mother before either.



However difficult it is to give up control and give my troubles to God, I'm going to do it! It's the best thing for Gabe so, it's the best thing for me. And while I give up control and give it ALL to God would you do something for me. Pray for Gabe's MRI: pray that he sleeps peacefully and wakes up quickly and without complications. Pray for the anestisiologist who will put my little man to sleep and for the technician that will do the test, that she does it correctly and the images taken provide all the answers Gabe's doctors are looking for. Selfishly, I'm also praying that the MRI finds no evidence of schizencephaly and everything looking how supposed to look. But more than that, I'm praying that in the future, Gabe is able to use his schizencephaly and the issues resulting for His glory; that people see God's miracles in the life of Gabe.



Thanks for the prayers. We should get the results on Thursday so I'll update again then or maybe sooner :)

Love, Meredith

I love Gabe's cute little hat from Etsy.

Isn't he handsome?