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Baby Walt Update

Baby Walt Update

Miracles *do* happen

It’s been over two weeks since I last provided an update on Baby Walt, our family’s newest addition.

Baby Walt was born November 24 via emergency c-section. Shortly after his birth, he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition and life lifted to Houston’s Medical Center where he’s been since.

It’s been less than a month, but it feels like a year has passed since Walt was born. Time has slowed to a snail’s pace, which is probably why Walt’s recovery, when placed in real time, is nothing short of amazing.

About a week and a half ago, Walt had surgery to treat patent ductus arteriosus and repair the right atrium, both of which were exacerbated by his heart condition. Since then, we’ve been spared (he’s been spared) any further instance of literal life-threatening scare.

According to his surgeon, who is a rock star, surgery could not have gone better, so well did it go, that they were able to go ahead and do a little repair work on his heart meaning surgery later is not the inevitability they once believed. As wonderful and gifted as the surgeon is, we’re hopeful we will not have to see him for a very, very long time. Ideally, never. We are grateful Walt has received what is truly incredible medical care by some of the absolute best, most skilled individuals in the field. We recognize that’s not an accident.

Since surgery, Walt has improved a little bit (a lot bit, actually) every day. His little lungs had to figure out the breathing thing. Thursday was the first day Walt was breathing completely on his own without the help or assistance of machines of any kind, and he’s doing great. He’s still trying to figure out the eating thing so his last remaining tube is pumping milk into his little tummy. If he’s anything like the rest of our crew, he’ll get the eating thing down soon and will be forever hungry and in want of a snack or as our three-year-old says, “nack”.

Over the last week, we’ve watched as one by one machines were moved out of his hospital room, medicines were no longer fed through his scalp IV, and sensors, lines, and tubes were removed. We also heard Walt cry. Finally. You never think you’ll pray to hear your baby cry.

The entire process has been amazing, excruciating, draining, and life changing. None of us will ever be the same. In good ways. Yet through it all, the Lord has been faithful in ways I never imagined possible.

I have never seen nor experienced such an outpouring of genuine love and care at any other point in life, neither have I ever seen the body of Christ work in concert and community as it has in our situation. People, lots of people, many whom we’ve never met, all over the world have been diligent to pray for our son and our family.

We are humbled, strengthened, and grateful beyond words for the prayers lifted for our little man and little family. We’re also confident there is no way we would be able to keep moving forward and find stability during the hard days if not for your prayers. Every message, every email, every post, and every prayer have been felt and appreciated, whole heartedly.

We continue to stand firm on God’s promises and His Word as we believe for complete and total healing for Walt. Every step of the way the Lord has been faithful. Even in the smallest ways. Nothing is too small for Him, after all.

We’re tired, but not defeated. Worn out, but at peace. And anxious to get our baby home with us. But all in good time. His time. Walt is a strong little man and a fighter.

God has heard our (and your) prayers and answered. His mercy, grace, goodness, and faithfulness are evident every single day. They are forever part of Walt’s story and our family’s.

I’ve read through comments on the last two posts about Walt many times. They have given me hope and life when I needed them most. Thank you for caring for, loving on, and praying for my family.

The Legal Insurrection family is truly that and I’m so thankful for each of you, staff and readers alike.

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Comments

Absolutely wonderful to hear such great news! I am amazed at things medicine can do.

God Bless you all! Merry Christmas.

legacyrepublican | December 20, 2019 at 7:07 am

May the Lord God on High keep blessing your socks off and keeping little Walt’s toasty warm!

I was a little teary eyed reading about his first cry.

I turn to these pages daily to keep up on the most stories effecting my life. But gazing down on that beautiful face and reading of his courageous fight gives me more hope and proves my faith more than all of the tweets and all the headlines. Fight on, brave little one. You have the thoughts of us all for support. May you have a happy and full life.

May that beautiful precious gift of yours grow healthy, wealthy with love and friendship, and wise. Bless the surgeons, because I cannot begin to imagine how nerve wracking it must be to hold someone’s life in your hands, let alone when that someone is a time baby, so fragile and delicate. Those surgeons surely do the work of angels one earth.

Merry Christmas season to you and your family.

Kemberlee. Such wonderful, uplifting news. I was in need of something to make the season bright; you gave it to me. Thank you.

Merry Christmas to the LI community.

Little Walt is a reminder of what life is really about, especially this time of year. The matters that have consumed our country of late are worlds away from this reality.

Thank you for the update. Bless little Walt and your entire family (and the skilled folks who have cared for him).

Colonel Travis | December 20, 2019 at 8:35 am

I teared up reading this. I have very close friends (actually, I consider them family, they are so close) who lost an infant years ago and I was with them through the worst of it. It is a relief to read your words. I cannot fully understand what you’ve had to endure, or the joy you must have right now, especially being at Christmas time. But I know for a fact that the outpouring of love you mentioned you’ve received is genuine. Do you know why? Because it’s reflective of you and your family. You have gotten back what you have given, even if you never exactly knew what you were giving or to whom it went. I’ve seen it happen. It is stunning. It is overwhelming. It is deserved.

Thank you for sharing with us. God bless and Merry Christmas. I leave you with this, which works no matter the situation.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

Thanks for the report, Kemberlee. I had been wondering how it was going with your son. Sounds like God and the NICU nurses and doctors have things under control. I hope all your family has a very Merry Christmas!

BTW, one of my nieces is a NICU nurse, just got her NICU Nurse Practitioner certification. It takes a special type of person to work in a NICU, I think.

Prayers continue daily for you, your little boy, and your family. This update is the best Christmas present I could have asked for. Hugs.

Thank you so much for the update – God answers prayers and works miracles and every time we think of Walt we give Him thanks for His love and faithfulness. Walt, you and your family continue to be in our prayers.

patent ductus arteriosus
They patented it? Yikes!
😉

Over the last week, we’ve watched as one by one machines were moved out of his hospital room, medicines were no longer fed through his scalp IV, and sensors, lines, and tubes were removed.
That’s a fantastic feeling. 🙂
It’s good to hear the good news. Hallelujah!

Good news to hear!!

Fight on young Walt, you have a large and loving team behind you.
PS. same for you, mom amd dad

Great news!! Thanks for the update. Merry Christmas and God’s richest blessings for Walt.

God is good, God is great. Blessings to you and all your family, Kemberlee!

I read your update on little Walt this morning right after I had finished my advent reading- G. K. Chesterton’s “The NatIvity.” Your good news and Chesterton‘’s
lines
“To the daughters of patience that Labour
That weep and are worn,
One moment of love and of laughter—
A child is born”

Reinforced just how much God’s love for his humanity is not a theoretical, theological love— but a love born of blood, and sweat, —and a love centered in the individual who is loved- not some generic “humanity” that has no face or demands or fears.

Also, a mom of a preemie over 30 years ago, I truly understand how hearing that first cry can dissolve your heart. I’m happy to say that then, as now, our merciful Father reached out his hand and covered that baby with his grace. She is now the mother of five beautiful boys that fill us with Thanksgiving every time we see them.

Very happy for you and little Walt. It is great to see all the prayers for God’s intervention come to fruition.

We thank & Praise You, Lord!!!

Psalm 145 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Greatness and the Goodness of God
A Song of Praise. Of David.

1 I will extol thee, my God and King,
and bless thy name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless thee,
and praise thy name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall laud thy works to another,
and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of thy majesty,
and on thy wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 Men shall proclaim the might of thy terrible acts,
and I will declare thy greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of thy abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord,
and all thy saints shall bless thee!
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,
and tell of thy power,
12 to make known to the sons of men thy[a] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of thy[b] kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and thy dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.[c]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to thee,
and thou givest them their food in due season.
16 Thou openest thy hand,
thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
19 He fulfils the desire of all who fear him,
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him;
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

There’s nothing better than that loving and trusting look of recognition. “That’s my Mommy!” 😉 So glad for the wonderful report of little Walt’s healing, Kemberlee. BLIBE! (Best Legal Insurrection Blog Ever!)

notamemberofanyorganizedpolicital | December 20, 2019 at 1:40 pm

We are praying for Walt (the littlest conservative)
and your family, Kemberlee.

What wonderful news, Kemberlee! While the rest of the world obsesses about the latest political uproar, it’s more important than ever to be reminded of the truly important things in life. Continued prayers for you, little Walt, and the rest of your family.

Good News.

That is truly WONDERFUL news. I’m extremely happy for you, baby Walt, and your entire family.

“You never think you’ll pray to hear your baby cry.”

That put me straight to tears, praise God and sing hallelujah!

A very Merry Christmas to you and your little family, tell your sweet daughter to leave a nack for Santa!

I’m reminded to start each day with a grateful heart. Good tidings to all.

Grateful for those little eyes, wide open and alert. Great is His faithfulness.

Samantha Mandeles | December 20, 2019 at 6:05 pm

This is the MOST wonderful news! Mazal tov on your beautiful, healthy little angel. Sending continuing love to your whole fam, and endless thanks to HaShem. Merry Christmas!!

When our nation is in such turmoil, it is so good to hear about a miracle. PRIORITIES! Yes, he reminds me about what is important.

BTW, Walt is adorable.

Fantastic news. Praying it just keeps getting better.

Wonderful news, and wholly fitting for the season. Enjoy both of your little miracles.

Fantastic! I pray for your son and your family. And an extra prayer for a wonderful Christmas with baby Walt.

Fabulous news! So happy for Walt, you and your entire family.

Merry Christmas!

I’m so glad he is doing better! My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope he continues to get stronger so he can come home!

So glad to hear this. He’s quite a cutie.

Praise God.

I was so happy to read your good news. No doubt Walt is a special son. I really love the pic of him with Walt Whitman’s book.
Prayers do help.
I also pray for his sister who will be a great big sister when the time comes.She must be special.
What a wonderful Christmas story.
We wait to hear more