May 12, 2009: This Tuesday was a day filled with a lot of excitement and expectation. We would find out our baby's sex today! Family, friends and colleagues waited in anticipation for a phone call or sms…However it was not the sms they had all expected: “Please pray for our unborn baby, there is something wrong with her back…” After that I couldn’t bring myself to answer the phone, my husband and I sat in shocked numbness driving home. Replaying the words that the doctor had just said, “I’m sorry, this isn’t the news you were expecting, but it appears to me that your baby has Spina Bifida. In cases like this 50% of people decide to abort. I will refer you to the Fetal Assessment Center to confirm my diagnosis…” I was 20 weeks pregnant, how did a perfectly normal, healthy pregnancy boil down to this, all blood tests and scans previously done were perfect and now, what now?!

At home we were faced with a beaming older brother wanting to know “brother or sister”; he had waited 17 years and now . . .

Teary grandparents arrived, missed calls piled up, what were we to do? Were we supposed to be angry with God, shout at him, ask him why us, or should we ask: “why not us”?

That evening passed in a haze, the next morning dawned on us, judgment day… we would be going to the Fetal Assessment Center to confirm the “verdict” of the previous day! We started the morning with prayer (my husband, my son, and I). I remember the three of us sitting on the edge of the bed, through sobs and bawling my prayer was something like: “Dear God, what is perfect in our sight is not always the same to you, do you not say somewhere in the bible that we are fearfully and perfectly made (I later realized it was Ps 139vs14 that I was referring to “fearfully and wonderfully” made). My hubby also prayed and ended off: “Your will not ours be done...” Then there was the long wait for our appointment that afternoon. I decided to go to church and together with our Minister we prayed.

And there we were, the Fetal Assessment Center . . . with more advanced scans and a heavenly profile picture of our daughter’s face… we were having a girl! But we were once again reminded that 50% decide to abort. It was now confirmed, Spina Bifida Meningocele, as well as all the other trademarks that go together with it, i.e. banana shaped cerebellum and Arnold Chiari malformation, and strong possibility of hydrocephalus. The Doctor would now refer us to another doctor (specializing in genetics) who would be able to give us more information . . . to make an informed decision!?

We went home. My hubby sat in front of his computer and started to do some research on Spina Bifida Meningocele. The research didn’t last long, in no time at all the images that came back had him in tears. I got a glimpse of one of the pictures and asked him: “In who are we going to put our trust, God or Google?” That is when we both decided that we would not contaminate our thoughts with worst case scenario pictures and articles. Nothing good can come from negative thoughts. It wasn’t long after that when my cell phone rang, and a bubbly voice introduced herself as Carmen, she had heard about our diagnosis from one of my pregnant friends through an internet chat site. She was given the same grim choice a couple of months prior and her little boy had been born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus. I put her on speaker so that Arthur could join in the conversation. How one call can change one’s life and give you hope! we are ever indebted to Carmen and her angel Caeden.

May 15, 2009: A devastating appointment at the doctor we were referred to. We were told in no uncertain terms that our baby would be paralyzed, if not; would definitely walk with braces and most likely have some form of brain damage, be born with hydrocephalus and need shunts in the brain. She assured me that the kicking I was feeling was definitely not kicking but reflexes. She reminded us that 50% of people decide to abort and that the quality of life would be terrible. We must also remember that even though we don’t have to decide on an abortion immediately, time is of the essence as life becomes viable from about 26 weeks or so, then, according to her, one is faced with more complications. But whatever we decide she is with us all the way. Needless to say we never heard from her again, not that we wanted to!

We left her office heartbroken, upset, absolutely shattered and devastated! We just couldn’t comprehend that with the little information the doctors could give or guess, life or death was decided. To us it didn’t matter either way, if this child was not God’s will He would decide and I would miscarry, there was really no decision that was ours to make all we could do was pray and leave it up to God (Ps46v10: “Be still and know that I am God.”)

May 27, 2009: Baby weighs 550grams, fluid on brain within limits, ARMS and LEGS are MOVING we praise God!

June 9, 2009: Weight 652grams, her head is slightly smaller than what it should be for 25 weeks, the doctor is slightly concerned. For some unknown reason the sack/bubble on the back has ruptured, doctor hasn’t seen this happen in the womb before. He says it could be a good thing and fluid might not build up as easily. We believe and pray that this is God at work. The fluid on the brain has remained within limits. She also does not have clubbed feet and her legs – they are nice and straight.

June 10, 2009: NB: You can all pray for her by name now: Abigael Hannah. Abigael, the biblical baby name Abigael is Hebrew in origin and its meaning is source of joy / joy of the Father (God). Hannah, the biblical name Hannah means grace of God or one favoured by God.

June 24, 2009: Habakkuk 3:19: The Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.Not a good scan. I am 27 weeks pregnant, Abigael measures 27 weeks by her legs and abdomen size, however her head size measures 24 weeks. In the brain the ventricle on the one side measures normal for fluid, however the other side has an enlarged ventricle now and she has bleeding on the brain. A decision on an early Caesarean will have to be taken after her MRI Scan of July, 6th.

July 6, 2009: We as a family give thanks to God for all he has done for Abigael and for us. / Alle dank en eer aan ons Hemelse Vader. The MRI Scan showed no bleeding on the brain anymore. The fluid in the ventricles is slightly over the maximum limit, but the dr is not too concerned at the moment. The smaller size of her head could be due to the fact that the fluid between the brain and scull is less than it would normally be, but it doesn't seem to be a huge concern at the moment either. The problem at her neck isn’t as bad as he has seen. A Chiari malformation is however present. Where her spine is open on the lower back there is no tissue, bone marrow or spine protruding. Therefore yesterday's news was the best we have had in 2 months. We give God all the glory for this miracle. We continue to pray for Abigael's sustained health.

July 8, 2009: "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10)We once again give all glory to God for the good news received yesterday afternoon: The Pediatric Neurologist doesn't foresee brain damage / cognitive problems (please continue to pray for her brainstem, brain, head & spine). Even though the size of her head is slightly smaller than normal, her brain size is normal. She might need braces to walk with as lower legs may be weaker (we continue to pray for healing, but will deal with it as need be with therapy). She now weighs a healthy 1.2 kgs (and is kicking a lot - exercising her legs). The due date will stay the same; being Sept 14 (God Willing). We will be seeing the Neurosurgeon next week Thursday, July 16, and will have more details regarding the operation on the back and post-op care etc (we trust God that all will go well and continue to pray). Even though the spine is still open there is still nothing protruding from the opening. From now on we will be going for 2 weekly scan check-ups at the Fetal Assessment Center: July 21, Aug 4, Aug 18. We as a family are humbled by the Grace of God and all the love and prayers we receive in abundance on a daily basis. Please continue to pray for our little angel.

July 16, 2009: "In Him, and through Him, I live, and breath, and have my being and only in Him do I find my rest" Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Once again we give thanks and all honor to our Lord and Savior for all the blessings we have received; from the day we heard we would have a baby and through all the trials and tribulations we have been through over the past 10 weeks He has always remained faithful. The Neurosurgeon has confirmed the good report back which we received last week after the MRI brain scan. There should be no need for a shunt in the brain. The operation on Abigael's back will most likely not have to be done immediately after birth, they will give her a day or so to acclimate, she will be in the Neonatal ICU, but he does not foresee that it would be too long. The little lady slept through her 3D / 4D scan. Nothing they tried could wake her up. We continue to pray for healing and God’s hand of protection over Abigael. Never forgetting that all we have is through His grace and mercy; we stand strong in our faith that God is in control and through Him all things are possible.

July 21, 2009: 1 Chronicles 16:34: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever." Once again we are humbled and give all the glory to God. Yesterday’s scan went well. The fluid on the brain has remained within limits. Even though the size of her head is slightly smaller than it should be the dr is not too concerned. Abigael now weighs a healthy 1,6kgs. We thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Aug 4, 2009: Psalm 47:6 "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises."Once again all glory to God for the good feedback received yesterday. The fluid on the brain is slightly higher; but still within limits (could be due to the position she is lying in). Her head has caught up slightly in size and is now just over a week behind in growth. She now weighs 1,859kgs. Dr is very happy with her progress.

Aug 18, 2009: Acts 17:28 "... in Him we live and move and have our being."Praise the Lord! All well. Abigael weighs 2.258kgs. Fluid on the brain has remained within limits. Her head still slightly smaller than the amount of weeks, but it is following the line on the graph. Doctor is happy with her progress. We will be going for our next scan on Friday, Aug, 28. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Aug 28, 2009: Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." God is great! So much to be thankful for. Abigael's head is only 5 days behind in growth now. She weighs approx 2.9kgs. Fluid on the brain has remained within limits. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Sept 4, 2009: Psalm 139 v 13-16: "For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." We went for our second to the last scan on Friday, Sept 4th. We praise God for more wonderful news received. The size of Abigael’s head has caught up and is no longer behind in growth. The fluid on the brain has remained within limits. She now weighs approximately 3kgs and could possibly make her appearance before the 14th of September!

Sept 8, 2009: Lord our hope is in You. No matter how we feel or what is happening, We always have cause for celebration because You are in charge of our life. We refuse to give in to negative thoughts about our situation, because we know You will always bring good out of the difficult things we go through. Your word says that the suffering we feel will seem like nothing in light of the great work You will do in us as a result. So we pray that You will help us face all the challenges of our life with strength and courage and reveal Your glory in us through it all.

We went for our final scan today. All is still well; however: Abigael's date of birth has been brought forward to this Friday, Sept 11, at 7am. We know that you will all join us in Prayer and celebration on this special day.

Sept 10, 2009: ''Behind my life the Weaver stands and works His wondrous will - I leave it in His all-wise hands and trust His perfect skill.'' – Anonymous 8.5 hours left to go. We just want to thank everyone for their continued prayers, love, and support. By the time most of you read this Abigael will be here already!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Prys die Heer met blye galme! Abigael Hannah was born on Sept 11, 2009 at 07:20am with legs kicking and arms moving! She scored 8/10 for her APGAR tests - not bad for a little person that was given such a grim diagnosis. The opening on her back was closed 2 days later in an almost 4 hour operation. The doctors stood in amazement as no shunt was needed to drain the fluid from her brain. On the MRI scan done after her birth the Chiari Malformation in her brain (normally associated with children that have Spina Bifida) was not visible. Once again the specialists were astounded. Abi was discharged from the Neonatal l ICU on September 27, 16 days after her birth, another miracle (expected time in ICU was supposed to be 3 – 4 weeks). Since her birth Abi has had numerous check-ups and each time it is the same, the doctors are amazed and say it shouldn’t be this way! She has also had various sonars to check her hips, and these show that there is no hip dysplasia.

March 17, 2010 : Isaiah 41:10: ''Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.'' Abi went for her 6 month MRI scan, specifically to see the fluid on her brain and the Chiari malformation.

March 18, 2010: Psalm 103:1. “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.” Psalm 103:1-2 We were given the awesome news that there is NO Chiari malformation present at her brain stem and that her brain is normal. The ventricles in the brain where the fluid is are slightly larger than normal, however still within limits. This will be monitored every 3 months. The doctors now say that Abigael will walk normally. We know that she will run!

April 19, 2010: Psalm 6:9: "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer" Please all stand together in prayer with us. We will most likely be making a trip to the Neurosurgeon, either today or during this week. We measured Abi's head this morning and it is now the size it should be two months from now. This could indicate fluid buildup on the brain and might necessitate an operation to relieve the fluid. HOWEVER; we know that God is in control and that Abi is in His hands whatever the outcome. Please pray for us for wisdom, courage and as Phil 4:6-7 says: "the peace of God which transcends all understanding".

Prayer request: Apr 21, 2010: O Lord my God, You are so faithful even before Abi was born You took care of her. Everything we have we have received from You and it is immeasurable! We are humbled by this and we praise You for this. Please be with us on Thursday when Abi sees the Neurosurgeon. If it is part of Your plan for her life; let this cup pass her by. We stand together in prayer for her healing in the name of Jesus. Amen

Feedback April 22, 2010: "Be still and know that I am God..." (Ps 46:10) Ps 43:4 "I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise Him, my Saviour and my God." We give thanks to God for He is good; His mercy endures forever!" The Neurosurgeon is not too concerned about the size of her head at the moment. He says that she most likely has what they call an external hydrocephalus, where the fluid buildup is between the scull and the brain. This is better than the build up in the ventricles in the brain. The external hydrocephalus does not usually require surgery. It just needs to be monitored closely. He also noted that she is a bit bigger than babies of her age and this can also contribute to the size of the head. She will be going for another check-up on May 27th and then he will decide whether or not to do a CT scan. He doesn't want to Scan her unnecessarily as too much radiation is not a good thing. Thank you to all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued prayers. We will keep you updated.

Yes there are still many check-ups that lie ahead. We pray into all of these that God will touch His little angel. We entrust her entire little body to Gods healing power.