Finding Dr. Z

So, there's an analogy I remember that goes something like this:

Once upon a time (well, maybe not exactly like this) there were three men stranded in the middle of the ocean.  All they had to care for them was a life-raft and their great faith.  The three men fervently prayed and knew God would rescue them and bring them to shore safely.  

Within a day, a cruise ship spotted them!  The first man said, "Thank you, God", and willingly allowed himself to be rescued by the cruise ship staff.  But, the other two men did not want to limit God's power and continued to pray and wait for God's caring hand to bring them to shore.

Several days passed when a rescue helicopter spotted the two men drifting in the waves.  The second man said, "Thank you, Lord" and willingly allowed himself to be rescued by the helicopter.  But, again, the third man insisted His God was more powerful than that and would surely come to his rescue.  

Do you know what happened to that third man?...................He drowned!  And, when he got to heaven, he said to God, "I had faith in you and yet you didn't rescue me".  God answered, "I sent a cruise ship and a helicopter...what else did you want from me?".

I've often felt like the third guy over the past couple of months.  Particularly, when it came to selecting a doctor and a hospital for Lily's delivery.  I wanted a doctor with compassion and skill who would support us throughout the remainder of this pregnancy.  But, I also wanted a NICU with experienced and compassionate doctors/nurses caring for Lily.  It took patience, continued research, and talking with friends, but we have received a few names of pro-life doctors with very good recommendations associated with top delivery hospitals.  I was so focused on choosing just the right one...the very one God wanted to place us with.  Finally, the day we met with the MFM, I came to this conclusion....perhaps it doesn't matter which of these doctors we choose...aka whether it's the cruise ship or the helicopter.  The point is, they are coming from Him.

Side note:  On a particularly disappointing day, when it seemed like quite an obstacle to find a compassionate and skilled ob/gyn at a hospital with a strong NICU, I called the Cornerstone Crisis Pregnancy Center.  I wouldn't have thought of it on my own, but a friend said our situation would certainly qualify as a crisis pregnancy and thought the pregnancy center would surely have a doctor recommendation for us.  What a blessing!!!  The woman I spoke with was so empathetic.  She told me to sit back and relax, and she would find the doctor for us.  She explained how the pregnancy center had many pro-life contacts--nurses and doctors--at surrounding hospitals.  She called later that day, after speaking with their own Director of Doctors.  He agreed to personally take us on.  In addition to the doctor recommendation, the center sent me several reading materials (The Power of Powerless, I'll Hold You in Heaven, and Continuing a Pregnancy After an Adverse Diagnosis).  How awesome and reassuring! 

We haven't yet met with the doctor recommended from the Crisis Pregnancy Center, and I don't think we will need to...but, I wanted to tell you this because I wish I had known to call the local crisis pregnancy center.  I wish our doctor had recommended it with the initial diagnosis...I think it should be standard protocol!  And, so I tell you, so that you will be able to share it, in case someone you know of ever needs this special kind resource.     

Anyways...Shortly after speaking with the Crisis Pregnancy Center, we had the apt with the MFM (the one we absolutely loved).  During which time, we also learned about Dr. Z through two friends and he just so happens to occasionally work with our MFM.  We met with Dr. Z today and were immediately met with compassion.  He had heard about our situation through a friend and he knew we were looking into the possibility of organ donation.  I think what impressed me most was that he had taken time before our appointment to call the NICU at the hospital where we will be delivering and talked to them about an anencephalic diagnosis, including organ donation.  He was just as shocked as we were to hear about the Supreme Court ruling against it, but had information on tissue donation.  He had planned to call to get more information on that possibility, and we'll be able to talk about it at the next apt.  

So, it looks like we have a chosen a doctor and a hospital....and I will choose not to be the third guy stranded at sea, but rather say, "Thank you, God".

Our next steps will be to meet with the neonatalogists to develop a birth plan.  Craig will also start the process for meeting with funeral homes and looking at cemetaries or other funeral arrangements.  So, please pray for wisdom and strength in these upcoming decisions.