Update 8/15

Update on baby Vada!

We just spoke with Vada’s surgeon from this evening. He went into today’s surgery planning to correct a Myelomeningocele on her spine. This is what they have told us from the beginning that she had. This is the more severe form of spina bifida. When I tell you my nerves have been on edge from the time they took her back, and then got even worse when we hadn’t had an update after the 75 minutes they said that they would take… until he told us why. Going into her surgery, he did NOT have to correct a Myelomeningocele. After cutting into her and seeing for himself, what he actually cut into was a Myelocystocele. Yes, this is still a form of spina bifida. However, he explained that this is something he sees more like once every couple years versus the other that he’s used to seeing every day. The difference? Her sac of spinal fluid was just that- spinal fluid. There was no nerve tissue present whatsoever, which means that no nerve damage has been done up to this point. For Vada, this means so much. He explained that the recovery time for this type of spina bifida is much shorter. It’s much easier on the baby. Also, her chances of doing normal activities without assistance or braces or further corrective surgeries in the future are so much higher. We will still have to keep an eye on the ventricles on her brain, which is their plan while we are still here in KC, and she will continue to have them checked on as she grows. The chances of her now needing brain surgery to add a shunt to help take the pressure off her brain are not zero, but are significantly lower than they were had she really had what they originally thought from the beginning. The surgeon made it clear that he can’t predict her future, but that he was very surprised to have walked into this rare of a surgery when they had anticipated much worse.

We still have a long road ahead to make sure she’s where she needs to be in order to come home with us, but we could not be happier with the prognosis given this evening.

We started this pregnancy surrounded by such negativity. So many doctors were so sure of exactly how this was going to turn out, and to be here and be told that they were all wrong? That all of the scans and tests up to this point weren’t as accurate as they thought? That’s God.

Update 8/13/25

Zana has been diagnosed with pretty bad preeclampsia she was flown to Childrens Mercy last night and is currently undergoing a induction. Baby Vada will be here soon! We ask for prayers for Zanas health and Vadas health as she is born early and the surgerys to come and forMichael as he navigates all this with them!

Update 7/11/25

Zana is currently admitted to the hospital for what they think could be preeclampsia. They are starting steroids to help strengthen Vadas lungs. She is currently almost 29 weeks so it is vital that Vada stay in for a few more weeks to grow and get stronger. Zana is being put on strict bed rest either in the hospital or at home. This is going to be very difficult as she won't be able to work and they're going to take a big hit financially they could really use their village right now. The last thing they need is to stress in this time! They appreciate all the prayers most of all!

Update: 6/14 Praise God Vada is able to wait until birth to have the surgery as it's not as severe of case as they originally thought they will still have multiple trips to and from KC and will be in the hospital for a long time after she is here. Please continue to pray!

My sister-in-law Zana is currently 24 weeks pregnant with a sweet baby girl, Vada. This week, they found out that Vada has a pretty severe case of spina bifida. She will need to have surgery while still in the womb, and that is currently scheduled for 6/13, given that all tests come back good! This surgery will better help her quality of life.

They will be taking many trips back and forth between Joplin and Children's Mercy in Kansas City, both now and after Vada is here. Both Zana and Michael are having to miss work to go to these appointments, and the bills unfortunately don't stop. They both are very humble people and don't like asking for help. However, at this time, they need the help; things add up quickly and I don't want them to have to worry about money in this time, so I am doing this GoFundMe on behalf of them. If you are able to help them financially in any way, they will be so blessed. However, they covet your prayers most of all through this journey! Thank you!