On Wednesday, July 9th, Emory & Kelsey Byman welcomed sweet Benjamin Karl into their lives. After delivery, resuscitation was immediately started on Benjamin and he was brought to the NICU at Sacred Heart in Spokane; they had been staying in Spokane awaiting delivery. Benjamin was without a heartbeat for 30 minutes, but after they stopped resuscitation measures, his heart began to beat on its own at a very low rate. In the meantime, Kelsey was admitted for a postpartum hemorrhage and unable to be with Benjamin for that time. They had an EEG on to monitor for seizures and brain activity which didn’t show any seizures. He is currently being cooled and then will be rewarmed after 72 hours, after which they will put the EEG back on once they begin rewarming. Brain activity doesn’t show much right now while he is being cooled, but has shown small movements in response to stimuli; the doctors can’t predict what this means. Initially, there was concern for internal bleeding somewhere but it may be that he is having a difficult time clotting. Currently, his heart is beating on its own and his vitals look good, however his kidney and liver labs are still below normal. He will have an MRI done on Sunday to measure his brain activity, giving more of an answer and direction of the future.

We desire to trust this is God’s will and pray he will grant comfort and acceptance.

The many thoughts and prayers have been felt and appreciated by Kelsey & Emory and their families.