For the last 9 months, my wife, Brooklyn, has been pregnant with a very sick baby boy. About 3 or 4 months ago, we found out that the baby had severe hydrocephalus, which is when there’s too much fluid on the brain. In the past, it was called “water on the brain.” We were sent to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where some of the best doctors in the country told us his condition was very bad. The doctors said it was so serious that they stopped measuring the fluid, because it didn’t matter anymore. The MRI scans were hard to look at.
We were told there was over a 90% chance that the baby would either die soon after birth or have such serious brain problems that his quality of life would be extremely difficult. We even met with the palliative care team to talk about end-of-life care for our baby.
Brooklyn moved to Cincinnati and stayed in a hotel near the hospital, just in case she went into labor. I traveled back and forth. On July 8th, Brooklyn went into labor. Just 15 minutes before they were about to start the C-section, we had another meeting with doctors about what to do if the baby couldn’t breathe on his own. But then, the baby was born crying! It was the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
To make a long story short, Charlie Schnarr stayed in the intensive care unit until yesterday when we all went home. He seems like a healthy, normal baby, doing all the things babies do. He does have a small issue with the fluid in his brain, but it’s something we can manage with regular checkups.
How did this happen?
The doctors said they couldn’t explain what happened. Somehow, the baby’s brain managed to clear the fluid on its own or find a way around the blockage. In the last week, we heard the words “divine intervention” and “miracle” more times than I can count. Doctors and nurses who have worked for years were amazed and happy. Because so many people—family, friends, and even strangers—prayed for us, I truly believe God had a hand in this.
I believe in science and medicine, but from the bottom of my heart, I know God was involved. I give all the credit and glory to Him. Prayer is incredibly powerful, God is real, and He still works miracles.
Credit: Nick Schnar