Thanking God for His Faithfulness
In support of
Lian Dominguez
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Lian Dominguez
Three years ago today marks one of the biggest decisions I have ever had to make.
The Saturday before June 9, 2023, we celebrated Mila's birthday 12 days early. On Sunday June 4th I decorate the house, cut her a cake all while packing for a trip to Philadelphia to determine if I was a candidate for fetal surgery.
At that point the longest Ralph and I had ever been away from Mila was a weekend. Now we were facing the possibility of being away from her for two to three months.
We arrived in Philadelphia on June 5. The following day was filled with testing—MRIs, CT scans, blood work, and more. It was exhausting, physically, mentally and emotionally. Then came the waiting. We had to wait for the doctors to review all the results and determine whether I qualified for fetal surgery to repair Lian's spina bifida in utero.
On June 7, we met with a panel of top neurosurgeons and specialists. It was one of the most terrifying days of my life. I remember us sitting there holding hands overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and doubt. At one point I recall letting out this cry of disbelief, fear and worry.
When Ralph and I left that conference room, just two days before the tentative surgery date, we were in a whirlwind of emotions. If I had to describe the feeling in one word today, it would be "numb."
The decision wasn't simply yes or no.
It meant accepting significant risks and no guarantees. It meant relocating to Philadelphia for three months, leaving Mila behind with family, stepping away from my job with no certainty of returning to it, spending two months in a wheelchair after surgery, limiting my ability to walk, and facing the possibility of preterm labor. On top of all of that, I was racing against the clock. The cutoff for surgery was 25 weeks, and I was already 24 weeks and 5 days pregnant.
The doubts and questions seemed endless.
I remember Ralph and I praying and asking God for a very clear answer. We needed direction. We needed peace.
And God answered in the most tender way that night.
He reminded me the depth of His sacrificial love for His children. In that moment, I thought, "What wouldn't I do for my son?" Immediately, I turned to Ralph and said, "I'm doing the surgery."
So today, three years later, we celebrate what our spina bifida community lovingly calls Lian's "Butt Day."
On June 9, 2023, I underwent fetal surgery to repair Lian's back in utero. The procedure was performed to protect his exposed spinal cord from amniotic fluid, reduce the risk of fluid buildup on the brain, and improve his chances for better movement and function.
And by the grace of God and only by His grace, look at our little warrior today!
Lian is a daily reminder of God's faithfulness. He is fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, and we are forever grateful for the journey that brought him here.
Happy 3rd Butt Day, Lian. 💛
The Saturday before June 9, 2023, we celebrated Mila's birthday 12 days early. On Sunday June 4th I decorate the house, cut her a cake all while packing for a trip to Philadelphia to determine if I was a candidate for fetal surgery.
At that point the longest Ralph and I had ever been away from Mila was a weekend. Now we were facing the possibility of being away from her for two to three months.
We arrived in Philadelphia on June 5. The following day was filled with testing—MRIs, CT scans, blood work, and more. It was exhausting, physically, mentally and emotionally. Then came the waiting. We had to wait for the doctors to review all the results and determine whether I qualified for fetal surgery to repair Lian's spina bifida in utero.
On June 7, we met with a panel of top neurosurgeons and specialists. It was one of the most terrifying days of my life. I remember us sitting there holding hands overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and doubt. At one point I recall letting out this cry of disbelief, fear and worry.
When Ralph and I left that conference room, just two days before the tentative surgery date, we were in a whirlwind of emotions. If I had to describe the feeling in one word today, it would be "numb."
The decision wasn't simply yes or no.
It meant accepting significant risks and no guarantees. It meant relocating to Philadelphia for three months, leaving Mila behind with family, stepping away from my job with no certainty of returning to it, spending two months in a wheelchair after surgery, limiting my ability to walk, and facing the possibility of preterm labor. On top of all of that, I was racing against the clock. The cutoff for surgery was 25 weeks, and I was already 24 weeks and 5 days pregnant.
The doubts and questions seemed endless.
I remember Ralph and I praying and asking God for a very clear answer. We needed direction. We needed peace.
And God answered in the most tender way that night.
He reminded me the depth of His sacrificial love for His children. In that moment, I thought, "What wouldn't I do for my son?" Immediately, I turned to Ralph and said, "I'm doing the surgery."
So today, three years later, we celebrate what our spina bifida community lovingly calls Lian's "Butt Day."
On June 9, 2023, I underwent fetal surgery to repair Lian's back in utero. The procedure was performed to protect his exposed spinal cord from amniotic fluid, reduce the risk of fluid buildup on the brain, and improve his chances for better movement and function.
And by the grace of God and only by His grace, look at our little warrior today!
Lian is a daily reminder of God's faithfulness. He is fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, and we are forever grateful for the journey that brought him here.
Happy 3rd Butt Day, Lian. 💛
Comments
Miriam Jordan 2 months ago