The Beginning....

Conner was born September 21, 2009.  He is our third child, but our very first baby boy!  Shortly after birth I noticed what appeared to be a small patch of broken blood vessels on Conner's right cheek.  We were assured that it was simply a bruise from a forceful labor. On September 22 Conner was transferred to a larger hospital's NICU.  He was diagnosed with pneumonia and immature lungs.  He was put on a C-Pap and lots of monitors plus and IV.  The neonatologist treating him told us that Conner had a Port Wine Stain (PWS) and that it would go away by the time he was 7.  After a week in NICU, we were finally able to go home!  When we went for his first check up with our family pediatrician we found out that a PWS does not just go away on its own and that it could be associated with certain types of brain damage.  So off for a CT scan we went.  Thankfully after a week of prayers, tears, and lots of nervous waiting, the phone call finally came:  Conner's CT was normal!!! Also during this time Conner got what we were told was a bacterial infection on his PWS.  It was being treated with antibiotics but continued to spread.   The ped wanted to send us to a plastic surgeon asap.  So on November 17, 2009 we had our first trip to Winston Salem and met Dr. David.  Dr. D told us several things:
#1 Conner does not have a PWS. 
#2  Conner did not have a bacterial infection.
#3 Conner has a hemangioma (H).  A hemangioma is a rapidly growing benign tumor made up of blood vessels.  
#4 Conner's tumor was growing at a rate which was making the skin ulcerate or "break down."  It would need to be treated ASAP with laser surgery to help with healing the ulcerations and hopefully slow down the growth of the H. 
#5 Because Conner's H is so close to his eyes, he is at risk to develop amplyobia and loss of eyesight in his right eye. 

We know that God is in control of all things, and although the road ahead of our little one looks dark there is no doubt that it is HIS hand that is leading us down this path.  He has always and will always protect our family.  There are several ways you can help us pray.  Please pray specifically that: 
A.  Conner will be convicted and come to trust in Jesus at a young age. 
B. God will use Conner's journey to bring others to HIM! 
C. Conner will always wake up after his surgery.  General anesthesia is a scary thing for mommy and daddy to understand! 
D. The doctors will guide us in making the right desicions for Conner regarding his medical care.  
E. Conner's ulcerations will heal and there will be no infection.  The rate at which an infection would spread through his little body is alarming at best. 
F.  No matter the outcome, that our family and Conner will continue to know that God has and will continue to keep us SAFE THUS FAR!