I heard you on the Focus on the Family radio program this morning. I can't believe that people are actually considering "harvesting" the organs of live anencephalic babies. My anencephalic daughter was born in May, 1990. Her condition was a surprise, and the doctors in my small town didn't know what was wrong with her. Without allowing me to hold her, they whisked her away to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. We called down to find out that she needed emergency surgery for implanting a shunt the very next day. We arrived too late to see her before surgery. But, she pulled through. We visited her in the intensive care unit every day. We met Dr. Alexa Canady, the neurosurgeon. She suggested an operation to enclose the brain tissue that was visible and protruding from between her eyes. On Amara's tenth day of life, she underwent her second brain surgery. Once again, she pulled through. She was given several medications daily, and the shunt continued to work. She gained weight, was able to open her eyes in that harsh light, and began to be a very important person in our lives. After a month in Children's Hospital, the doctors decided to let her come home. They told us to treat her as if she were as normal as the next child. The only things she wouldn't be able to participate in were football and other contact sports, because of her shunt. She continued to grow and thrive, she was beloved by all who knew her. She had a ready smile, and she was beautiful. In fact, while we were at Children's, we met an Iraqi couple who told us that our "made-up" name meant beautiful in Iraq. When she died in the night, at eight months of age we were stunned. She had been growing and thriving. She was developmentally behind, but she was healthy physically.
I didn't intend to be so long winded, but I wanted you to hear about her longevity. We have mountains of pictures of her beautiful, smiling face. If we can be of any service to this cause, please let us know.
I don't always listen to Dr. Dobson's program, but I believe that God caused me to hear this one. I heard part of it yesterday morning, more last night (and I NEVER listen at night), and more this morning. I'm eager to help you in any capacity.
Love in Christ
Mary Harvey
 |
