Harper

I write this second post with a heart that is broken to pieces.I hoped that this post, when the time came, would be one of joy and gratitude to God for a miracle...unfortuantely that is not the case.


Kelsey and Noah got the call from the Dr. at UCLA yesterday afternoon, then went on to talk to both her high-risk and regular ob/gyn. The diagnosis is Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type II, also known as Brittle Bone Disease. There are many different types of OI, but type II is the most severe and is almost always lethal in the perinatal period. The specialist that reviewed the case had no question as to if her diagnosis was correct or not, Miss Harper has already suffered multiple fractures while in utero and her bones are not calcifying in her skull, along with other huge issues in bone development.

I am not sure what will happen from here, but I know that Kelsey, Noah, and the doctors will make the best possible decision for Harper and her comfort. They are aware that though her nerves are not as developed as ours, she does feel pain. This will only progress as she develops, and that definitley changes things for these incredible parents.

I mourn for Kelsey, Noah and Christopher, and the plans they had for this sweet baby. I mourn for the amazing parents that Harper is going to miss out on. I mourn for a mom and dad that will not get all the milestones that child brings. I mourn for best friends that are truly hurting right now. I mourn for the Hackler's and the Drennan's, for the loss of grandchild/niece they are going to be experienceing. I mourn for all of their friends, which is incredibly numerous, because we all felt such excitement for this couple. I think I felt the same excitement upon hearing Kelsey's exciting news as I did for my own. Background story is that Kelsey and Noah suffered a miscarriage in January of 2009; following that they tried unsuccessfully for close to a year and a half to get pregnant! Finally, along with Clomid, they got that positive pregnancy test they had been praying for! We all were so ecstatic for them, but for me it also meant that I would have a best friend to go through this pregnancy with, which is an amazing feeling. So now I mourn. I mourn that we are not in this together, I mourn that one of my baby's best friends is now going to heaven before they even got to have their first playdate, I mourn that I will never hold Harper and get to love on her.

I cannot even begin to fathom how this family is feeling right now in light of something so devastating, but I know that all of them have a strong, unwavering faith and they will get to place of solace and comfort. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for them, pray for strength, pray for comfort, pray for peace, and pray for sanity.

More information to come soon!