Alaina's Brief Life: A Family's Heartfelt Need

Update: Yesterday at 6:53 am, Alaina Miracle Skidmore made her triumphant entrance into the world, bringing immense joy and love to all who surrounded her. Weighing 4 lbs 9 oz and measuring 17 inches long, she was a vibrant and precious blessing. Alaina was lovingly enveloped by her family, including her parents, grandparents Papa & Granny, Granddaddy & Grammy, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Henry, and Uncle Jordan, who all cherished every moment with her. Though her time with us was short-lived, we are grateful for the eight precious hours we shared with her, filling her with love and adoration. As Alaina slipped away to be with Jesus, we find peace in knowing that she is now in a place of eternal love and peace. Blake and Hannah, though grieving, are thankful for the time they had with Alaina and are comforted by the promise of being reunited with her. Please keep them in your prayers and consider offering support as they celebrate Alaina's life and lay her to rest.

August 30th, 2024- About 3 weeks ago when I had my 16 week ultrasound they found a rare neural tube defect on the back of Alaina’s skull where the neural tube didn’t close properly. It caused a cystic bubble to form on the back of her head that’s about equal to the size of her head.

We were broken over the news but the doctor informed me that as long as no brain matter, brain tissue, or spinal tissue started to come out of the opening that she likely will be ok.

He also said the chances of that happening are very high. They referred me over to a specialist with Prisma in Greenville to see on the 29th(yesterday)

For the last three weeks I have done nothing but pray and cry. I’ve kept this to myself and my close family because I didn’t want everyone knowing about it yet and honestly I had no words to describe what I was feeling in my heart.

Yesterday at my 19 week appointment they began to see brain matter start to come out of the opening. Not just that, but the opening is a lot larger than they originally thought. They diagnosed her with an encephalocele.

The doctor told me the chance of her surviving this is little to none and if she does come out ok, she will have brain injuries and will need special attention the rest of her life.

Unfortunately the part of her brain that is started to come out also is what controls her breathing…so when she is born, if she makes it that far, she may not get to take her first breathe on earth before being with the Lord.

I’m at a loss for words and my heart is broken. I didn’t know I could love someone so much and I haven’t even had the chance to really meet her. I asked if there was anything I’ve done to cause this and they said no. However a part of me is always thinking about what I could’ve done differently.

I trust the Lord has a purpose for all of this but I am completely hopeless and at rock bottom. I feel like I’ve lost her even though I feel her tiny kicks every now and then, and that’s a pain I never would have imagined.

Blake and I meet with a neurosurgeon to go over what could possibly be done to save her in a couple of weeks. We covet any and every prayer for our sweet Alaina ❤️‍