Seraya Arlene Schutten

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" - Romans 11:33

How mysterious are the ways of the Lord! And how limited we are, as human beings, that we cannot even get close to understanding His works. What a comfort we have, knowing all things are in His perfect control, even when events go so much differently than we had planned...

Last Monday, December 7^th,  Alaina, at 23 weeks gestation, went into labour.  Her mid-wife arranged to have her taken by ambulance to McMaster Hospital in Hamilton where she could be monitored more closely in Labour and Delivery.  They managed to slow contractions down for a few days while administering steroids to help develop the baby’s vital organs, specifically her lungs, more rapidly.

Then, on Thursday December 10^th, Alaina’s water broke and an ultrasound confirmed that things were progressing.  The doctors noticed a change in the baby’s heart rate and they advised that for the well-being of the baby they should deliver soon.  The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck so they decided it was best to deliver her by caesarian section.

At 12:34 PM on Thursday afternoon Seraya Arlene Schutten was born at 1 lb 6 oz!  Brian and Alaina were told that things went relatively well considering she was born at 23 weeks, 6 days gestation.  She was stable for the time being but they would need to take things hour by hour.

Later that day things started to change.  Seraya needed a blood transfusion and they weren’t happy with her oxygen levels.  She is on a ventilator, but the machine, although needed for her survival, is very hard on her little body.  They discovered that she had the streptococcus virus in-vitro and so pneumonia had set in.

On Friday they needed to stabilize her a few times but Brian and Alaina were able to spend a lot of time with her while the doctors kept them updated with her progress.  They were also told that she had developed a blood infection as well.

On Saturday Brian and Alaina were told that Seraya’s condition had become critical.  Her one lung had collapsed and filled with blood.

This morning they were told that they had managed to get her lung back but her stomach is visibly darker from the lung which the doctors continue to be concerned about.  They were also told that she has bleeding in her brain but that they continue to run tests to find out more and determine what can be done going forward.

Brian and Alaina covet your prayers in this trying time.  Above all we remember that little Seraya is in the palm of our heavenly Father who is good to all his covenant children.  Her path in this life has been laid from the very beginning and Brian and Alaina continue to find comfort through this trial in that fact.  They are both tired and the ups and downs are difficult to handle at times.

Right now they request that you continue to pray for them and their little girl but are unable to accept visitors or respond to emails and text messages.  They do read them and appreciate the concern relayed!