Support Lyla Bett Brown and Family

Lyla Bett Brown was born Monday, October 14th. Mike and Natalie liked the name Lyla, but Bett is extra special because it honors her great-grammy, Betty Terrill.

At Natalie’s 20 week anatomy scan they found out Lyla had several health complications having to do with Heterotaxy Syndrome. It was unknown if she was going to have a spleen, a couple of her organs developed on the wrong side of her body, and her heart had many complications. The extent of the complications wouldn’t be known until she was born, but they did know she would immediately be transported to Children’s for surgery.

Lyla was transported to Children’s Nebraska hospital about 30 minutes after she was born, and Mike followed the ambulance to be with her. Natalie was able to join them in the nicu the next morning. Lyla is on medication to keep her heart stable, and she has undergone scans so the doctors can get a better picture of what she will need.

Scans show that Lyla does have a spleen, although they do not know if it is functioning. The complications with her heart are too difficult to try to explain, and the doctor told Natalie and Mike that even if they were to do a Google search of the name of her complications, it would not be accurate. Her case is so unique they are altering the surgery to best help her heart.

Lyla will undergo a very intense heart surgery (tomorrow) Monday, October 21st. It will begin around 7:30 AM. The doctors said the risk factor (1 being the least risk, 5 being the highest risk) is a 5. The first few days after surgery she will be on a breathing tube and her chest will remain open. Once she is in the clear, they plan to close the chest later this week and move forward with the healing process.

The weeks, months, and years ahead are filled with unknowns. Lyla will likely need more heart surgeries as she grows, but right now they are focused on getting through Monday.

Most of the family has been able to meet Lyla. She is hooked up to all kinds of machines, medications, and cords, but she is as precious as can be and is so obviously a “little Brown”, looking just like her big siblings. You would never know her body is fighting such a big fight.

We are asking an army of prayer warriors to cover Lyla, the doctors, and the Brown family tomorrow in prayer. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Lyla’s health complications are not too big for God. This is no suprprise to him. He is mighty. He is her healer. Psalm 8 says “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” How awesome that our God uses the voice of his smallest children, (even infants!) as a weapon and stronghold, to establish his power against the enemy.

Specific ways to pray:

-Pray for miraculous healing!

-Please pray for the doctor’s discernment and for the doctor’s hands during surgery.

-Please pray that Lyla would respond well to the surgery and that she would not be in pain.

-Please pray that Mike and Natalie would experience a Divine peace as they wait for her to come out of surgery.

-Please pray that the Lord would use Lyla’s life for his glory...that her little body would be used as a testimony of the Lord’s love for us.

-Pray for Bodee, Riggs, and Dixie. Their day-to-day “norms” have been turned upside down as they have many sleepovers and days with grandparents, and are riding an unknown schedule.

Many of you have texted Natalie, Mike or the family to see how you can help. There have been so many generous offers to drop off meals, watch the kids, etc. Mike and Natalie are both taking significant time off of work and neither have paid leave. Instead of dropping off a meal, coffee, gift, etc…if you feel led to put that contribution towards their GoFundMe, it would be a huge blessing to them. Lyla’s hospital expenses are going to be significant. We would love to help Natalie and Mike cover the day-to-day expenses as they both take time off to be with Lyla. Please do not feel obligated to do this- Natalie and Mike covet your prayers more than anything else, and we know God will provide for all their needs!

We will keep everyone updated on Lyla Bett’s CaringBridge page. Thank you all for your loving care!