What you are about to read is the life story of the Jordan family, Bear, Chelsie, and brand new baby girl, Madynn. Madynn has a very difficult life ahead of her with multiple surgeries along the way. Her friends and family want to help support them in every way possible. We couldn’t tell their story any better than they could, so the following has been taken from Chelsie’s blog. Please take the time to read their story and if you can’t donate financially, please just say a prayer for them and ask your friends and family to pray. Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Bear and I married March 12, 2011. It was the happiest day of my life. November 2012 we found out we were pregnant. "It wasn't our plan, but it was SOMEONE'S plan," Bear said. Once I had coped with the fact that I WAS pregnant and the initial shock wore off, I was beyond excited. If God wants us to have a baby now, we are doing it. His way is always better than ours. At my 21 weeks appt, the ultrasound tech was quiet but I knew something was wrong. The doctor came in and my heart sank. All he knew was it looked like she had "multiple problems." He didn't know if it was chromosomal, genetic, or something else. I had more emotions that day than I can relate-anger, bitterness, worry- the list went on. We didn't want to talk to anyone. All they would do was ask questions that we didn't know the answer too.
At UAB, three people scan me for almost an hour and a half. After the ultrasound, the doctor said Madynn had what he thought was craniosynostosis. Her skull was fusing together a lot earlier than it should, causing pressure on her brain. I cried. I tried not too, I couldn't help it, and once it starts, I can't stop it. There were 5 doctors, an ultrasound tech, and two genetic counselors in the room talking to us. “This is VERY rare. “ "Expect SEVERE facial abnormalities." This is all the info we got around a huge dark brown conference table. I was mad. I was bitter. I was heartbroken. I wanted to help my baby and I felt helpless.
She was born 6lb even and 16 inches long. Her head was shaped funny and her eyes were bulging out because her sockets didn't form right. Her thumbs are big and a little crooked and her toes don't look "normal." She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The next morning doctor after doctor came in. We talked with so many people we lost track. Jessica kept a notebook and wrote every doctor, what they did, and what they said down so we could keep track.
The next day, she would have surgery on her head. They would be cutting out a large amount of extra bone that had grown and causing pressure on her brain. They told us it was a very high risk surgery but it had to be done. 7 1/2 hours later she was done. She had to have a blood transfusion. She was stable. That's all we could ask for. Our sweet angel fought and made it through surgery!
Madynn is fighting. She is so strong. We do continue to get better everyday. He has a plan for my family. I don't understand it and I question a lot when I shouldn't, but he made Madynn for us and he made us for Madynn. I wouldn't trade any of that for the world.
Specific prayer requests we need right now are:
1. Her to be able to breath on her own without a trach. 2. Her eyes and ears. We are unsure about vision and hearing at this point. 3. Her arms and legs-her elbow and knee joints are fused they think and we will see an orthopedist soon. 4. Strength for Madynn, Mom, and Dad.
Bear and I don't know if God will completely heal Madynn, but we know he can. If he doesn't, then there is a reason. Yes, this journey is going to be hard but I have to trust his purpose. The Lord gave us this sweet angel for a reason and we want to be the best parents we can be for her today and every day from here on out. We love you all. The Jordans