Urgent Prayers for Penelope

My heart is breaking tonight, for a sweet baby girl and her family. Penelope, who I mentioned in my last update, isn't doing well. She's one month old now, and can't stay on the ECMO machine any longer. Attempts at using a ventilator haven't been successful. Pulmonary hypertension is causing further complications. If there's anything left to try, I haven't heard of it.

Earlier this evening, her mommy posted on Facebook that they're maxing out her dosage of meds for the hypertension tonight, and they'll try again tomorrow to "cap her off" - that is, to see if she can handle it on her own.

And if not, she says, "we are not going to keep Penelope from Heaven any longer."

I just hurt for her mommy tonight. I know she's watching her baby, wondering if this is the end. I'm praying that it's not. Penelope has been such a strong little girl...please, God, please let her rally tomorrow and shock every doctor in the place.

Penelope's parents have shown such remarkable faith through their whole ordeal, from the time they found out midway through her pregnancy that their baby had a hole in her diaphragm that would necessitate surgery after birth and a lengthy NICU stay. From the time she was born, Samantha (Penelope's mom) has commented repeatedly that her baby is in God's hands, and His will be done. She knows firsthand the power of prayer, having been comforted by it while in the hospital. She knows that He is still in the business of miracles. I'm not sure that my own faith would remain as strong in a similar situation - she's an inspiration to me.

As are MANY of my Facebook friends who quickly re-posted an urgent prayer request for Penelope - whether they knew her family or not. Some of them are friends I've made through the years on various parenting message boards - they've never even laid eyes on me, much less knowing their family. But they were willing to tell their own family and friends about her, so that they could pray for her too. My Wall has been a steady stream of Penelope tonight. It was touching - and overwhelming - to see post after post after post. What a wonderful bunch of friends I have. What an outstanding number of prayers are being said for Penelope tonight.

Whatever happens tomorrow, Penelope has already touched so many lives.

Please keep praying for her miracle.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16