September 14th Update

Thank you to all of those who faithfully check this site for updates! We apologize for neglecting to post, the start of school and three kids in soccer has kept us from being overly reflective. However, the time for little Braden to make his grand entrance is quickly approaching. We can't believe we are looking at meeting him in just 2 months time. Staying busy has been beneficial as it keeps us from obsessing about things we just can't control.

Earlier in September, I failed to pass my glucose tolerance test (by a very small margin, I might add). That meant having to take the three hour test and 4 more blood draws. I am not a fan of needles or having blood work done so this was not a happy time for me. Thankfully the results came back within acceptable range and I do not have gestational diabetes. I appreciate all of you that were praying for a good report.

On September 12, Darth and I went to Seattle for all of our UW and Children's appointments compressed into one day. The two facilities have been so gracious to work with us and make this time as convenient as possible.

We started our appointments at the UW Hospital, with an ultrasound. This time the sonographer only looked at certain things to assess growth, which looked good. Darth and I had a tour of Labor and Delivery following the ultrasound. It was helpful to get an idea of where the induction will take place and familiarize ourselves with the facility. We were able to ask questions about where Braden would receive his stabilizing treatments and other questions that have come up since our last visit.

After lunch, we met with the OB that will deliver Braden. She was pleased with his growth and the overall health of my pregnancy. The doctor did express concern, however, about a slight excess of amniotic fluid, which was evident on the ultrasound. This has prompted her to request bi-monthly ultrasounds and non-stress tests, some in Wenatchee and then again in October back at the UW. We are trying not to be concerned by every new finding and are reminding ourselves that this pregnancy is under the microscope more than any of our other three. Still, we would love to come home and not have another new thing to worry about. Please pray for us to walk in faith every day that the Lord knows what He is doing and He has the details under control! We know it in our heads but our emotions keep getting in the way!

Next we moved on to Children's. Can I just say how wonderful it has been to work with people there? Amazing! We have been blessed to work with compassionate doctors and nurses who are showing the love of God whether they know it or not. There was another fetal echo cardiogram and consult with a cardiology specialist. This test showed that the heart has good symmetry and function, despite the defects. Darth and I were able to ask more specific questions about surgery, housing, etc. and we were given straight-forward, helpful answers. It was a good balance to the concerns raised by the ultrasound. We left Children's feeling optimistic and relieved, especially since a watch had been placed on the right ventricle at our August appointment. The cardiologist was not concerned by its size on this visit.

Here are some specific things to pray for:

• That the extra amniotic fluid would not be a sign of another health problem or syndrome
• Peace over our home and children during these remaining weeks, as well as into November with Braden's birth, surgery, and recovery
• Health for our family, now and after Braden is born
• Financial wisdom and provision
• That Darth and I would stand on the Word of God and not give in to worry about things that are out of our control

With frequent appointments, we will be able to keep you up to date more often. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Jenni

August Update

On August 14, Darth and I were back at the University of Washington for another ultrasound and OB appointment. It was a long day of appointments, but overall the consensus was that Braden is growing and that I am healthy and growing as well! It was good to have that positive news.

It sounds like I will be induced a bit early, just to make sure everything and everyone will be in place to receive our little guy. Though I am not too excited about that, not being a huge fan of pitocin, it does look like the best option and will allow Darth and I to plan out "life" for our girls a bit better.

An interesting event from that day was we ran into a couple we know that is experiencing pregnancy challenges of their own. The OB clinic was running late so we sat and encouraged each other as only someone with experience can. Once in the patient room, Darth and I sat amazed at the way the Lord set up that very special time for us and the other couple. Now as we think of Braden, we are also praying for a miracle for that family and their unborn baby boy. This whole experience has been so humbling as we depend on the strength of Jesus Christ to give us the grace for each day as well as grace to extend to other hurting people. God is good.

On Friday, August 15, we were at Children's Hospital for another fetal echo cardiogram and consult with a pediatric cardiologist. Braden was very cooperative and held still for the pictures of his heart. We were very proud of him; usually he has what our youngest daughter Rachel calls a "party". The previous diagnosis was confirmed, though we were really hoping for our miracle. The cardiologist also expressed an interest in watching the growth of Braden's right ventricle. He called it "borderline normal" and wants to check again in a month. That kind of concerned Darth and I, but once we were back home we contacted our pediatrician and he reassured us that these specialists are looking for abnormal to help them prepare for how to best help Braden. Borderline normal is not cause to panic. Still we would appreciate your prayers on this specific issue, as well as continued prayer for his overall healing.

We are striving, with God's help, to walk by faith and not by sight. On the ultrasound and fetal echo cardiograms, we see the diagnosis with our eyes, the proof is visible. Yet, we know from God's Word and through our own experiences that we serve an amazing, powerful Creator who can do more than we ask or imagine. We are experiencing the peace of God and know people are praying. Thank you for walking this road with us. We are grateful.

Jenni

New perspective

In my position as a worship pastor I have lead congregations in singing hundreds of choruses and hymns. I love to sing and play these melodies for the Lord. But there is one song in particular that has new meaning to me in light of Braden. The song is titled, "You are the one", by Lincoln Brewster and Paul Baloche. Here are the lyrics:

You're the One who made the heavens
You're the One who shaped the earth
You're the One who formed my heart
Long before my birth
I believe You'll always lead me
All my days have been ordained
All Your thoughts toward me are holy
Full of love and grace

You are the One You are holy
You are the One You are worthy
You are the One You are the One Everlasting
You are the One I will worship
You are the One I will serve all my days
You are the One You are the One Everlasting
You are the One
Jesus You're the One

Jenni and I know that Braden is still being formed, and our prayer is that when born, his heart will be healthy, whole and completely healed. We believe that Braden's days are ordained and that God has a purpose and plan for him. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Last week Jenni met with her doctor here in Wenatchee and everything looks good. Braden is growing and very active. Our girls have enjoyed feeling his kicks and somersaults! Next week we head back to the University of Washington and Children's Hospital for follow up appointments. I will post an update when we get back to Wenatchee.

Blessings,

Darth

What's in a name?

Our plan from the beginning of this pregnancy has been to find out the gender of our baby and to keep the name a secret until birth. When we discovered the challenges we were going to have with our son's health, we decided to let his name be known so we and others can pray specifically. Here is some insight into the significance of the names we have chosen:

Braden
Language/Cultural origin: English
Inherent Meaning: From the broad clearing
Spiritual Connotation: Redeemed
Scripture: Romans 5:9, "And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s judgement."

Robert
Language/Cultural origin: Old English
Inherent Meaning: Bright in counsel
Spiritual Connotation: Abiding in God
Scripture: 1 John 4:13, "And He has put His own Holy Spirit into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living with Him and He with us."
(Robert is also Darth's father's first name)

Please feel free to share our son's name with others. It's wonderful to know that people will be praying for Braden by name.

Thank you to those who have left comments, sent cards and taken time to pray for us. We appreciate your love and support. God bless!

Darth & Jenni

Medical information

While doing some research online I found these sites that give more detail to Braden's heart conditions, Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). In visiting these resources you will find written descriptions, pictures and diagrams (some even animated) that will help in understanding these defects and the sugerical procedures offered to correct them.

While we thank God for medicine and all those who work in the medical field, we know that God is the ultimate physcian and are trusting Him for a miracle. As God's will is unfolded in our lives we must journey this road one day at a time. Thank you for your continued prayers and for standing in faith with us for our son Braden.

God bless you all!

Darth

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/heart-encyclopedia/anomalies/transposition.htm

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/heart-encyclopedia/anomalies/graphicsummaries/transwf.htm

http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site511/mainpageS511P0.html

It's a Boy!

On Tuesday, July 1 we learned that we are having a boy! Darth and I are very excited and the girls are too. We have always felt that a family of four kids was the Lord's plan for us. We are thrilled He has blessed us with a son. Braden Robert Creek is expected to arrive near Thanksgiving, a great way to celebrate the holidays! There are many reasons to give thanks.

The ultrasound not only showed our baby's gender, but some other news as well. Although our son looks great overall, the images showed some abnormalities with the baby's heart.

On Tuesday, July 8, we went to Children's Hospital in Seattle to have a fetal echo cardiogram and on Wednesday, July 9, went to the University of Washington for another ultrasound. Both tests confirmed that our son has two congenital heart defects: Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), both serious conditions, requiring surgery within days after birth.

Darth and I have learned more about the heart in the past week than we ever thought possible. There have been a lot of prayers and tears and we are so grateful that Jesus has promised to never leave us. This is not the pregnancy we anticipated. Life has changed drastically in a week's time.

Here's the good news: we have hope! This is an operable condition. We have great doctors and support in Seattle and here at home in Wenatchee. Our family and friends have already been incredibly encouraging. We have the Lord, who is completely able to heal Braden and to give us the strength and grace to walk the path He has placed before us.

The ultrasound showed a very healthy baby boy with an unhealthy heart. We are still processing this huge life curve and it is still a shock to us. It is difficult for us to discuss and as you can imagine, there are a lot of concerned people with a lot of questions. Please continue to check this site for updates and feel free to leave messages of encouragement. At this point your prayers would be the most helpful.

Here are some specific requests:

• Healing! We serve a BIG God! We are still believing Him for this! We will be having follow-up visits in Seattle and would love nothing more than to have the conditions miraculously healed!
• That Braden will be a healthy weight, the bigger the heart, the easier for doctor's to operate
• That the pregnancy will continue to be without further complication, healthy mom and baby
• No other health problems or syndromes (looks unlikely at this point)
• Wisdom with decisions regarding life with children during a possible month hospital stay

If you are interested in learning more about either of these defects, you can check them out at the American Heart Association website, http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1682

Thank you for your support and prayers. As we gain information, we will add to this site so you can be aware of what is happening. Our next Seattle appointments are in mid-August.

Darth and Jenni