Heavy Hearts, Yet Hopeful - Wednesday, 31 December 2025
In support of
Ben & Hope Crelin's Twins, Prayer & Care
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Ben & Hope Crelin's Twins, Prayer & Care
Simeon and Calvin are 33 weeks old, and we're experiencing the daily ups and downs of NICU life with little preemie babies. We deeply value your continued prayers for our boys in light of recent medical discoveries.
Heavy Hearts for Simeon
Heavy Hearts for Simeon
- Simeon (Little Baby) has been working hard to breathe. His respiratory support, in terms of oxygen and pressurized air, has gone up steadily the past fortnight, so the doctors ordered an echo to investigate the cause. We learned that Simeon has two heart defects (holes), the larger of which will require open heart surgery in a few months time and a two-week hospital stay with it. The doctors hope to wait until 4-6 months of life as this gives the best outcomes, but surgery may need to be sooner if Simeon cannot get off respiratory support in the NICU.
- Simeon's newborn blood screen and follow up confirmatory testing has also flagged a rare and very serious metabolic disorder. It could be transient (meaning, caused by being a tiny preemie and something he outgrows) or it could be a life-long, life-altering condition that is very significant. We've been told to not panic until even further confirmatory testing comes back.
Yet Hopeful
- Both Simeon and Calvin are gaining weight, though admittedly Calvin is quite the hunk-a-chunk at this point, weighing a whole pound above his birth weight! We're thankful that Simeon has gained half a pound, though it's less because of his labored breathing.
- We are so thankful that we are at Texas Children's receiving the best possible care for Simeon's needs as well as for Calvin. Texas Children's is ranked No. 1 for pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery! Amazing provision of the Lord! Hard to imagine a better place for Simeon's heart repair in the coming weeks/months.
- Concerning Simeon's potential rare life-altering metabolic condition, so far he is stable and not exhibiting other major red flags. We are so earnestly desiring for this to be temporary and not life-long.
- Calvin is progressing very steadily and next week will trial coming off CPAP and feeding by mouth.
Please Pray
- Please pray that Simeon's follow up confirmatory testing for the rare metabolic condition comes back as temporary due to preemie reasons and NOT the life-long, life-altering very serious condition. We ask for the Lord to bring his healing power wherever it is needed.
- Please pray for healing for Simeon's heart defects and, if the Lord does not heal, then for his sustaining grace to protect Simeon and provide a safe and successful open heart surgical repair that can wait until he is 4-6 months of age.
- Please pray for Simeon's weight gain that he could gain weight more quickly and decrease his respiratory support needs.
- Please pray for Calvin's continued growth and protection in the NICU.
- Pray for nurses who are attentive to the medical needs and gentle in their care with the boys. It is the most unnatural feeling for us to have babies in the NICU when we cannot be with them 24/7.
- Please also pray for Gwen and James who are finding it really emotionally difficult that especially I (Hope) split my time between the hospital and home.
Thankful for Precious Moments
- Typically it's against the rules to hold babies together while they're both on CPAP. But the powers that be made a one-time exception on account of my (Hope's) birthday ... my birthday wish was to hold them together! And it was such a precious hour.
Ben and Hope Crelin
about 2 months ago
Comments
Marylou Cate
Amy Wall
Thank you for the very detailed update and prayer requests for Simeon and Calvin and the rest of your family. It is so amazing how God has you all in the best place for the boys’ needs! I will be praying specifically for these things you have shared here.
Martha Barnes
Continued prayers for both boys to continue to grow and thrive. Extra prayers for Simeon’s challenges and complete healing by our great Physician!
Prayers for Gwen and James and for all of the juggling of caring for everyone.
Rhonda Gibson
Lynda Walsh
Cathy Robertson