Posted on 03/05/2005 3:19:49 AM PST by beaversmom
MOBILE, Ala. - A medical team at the University of South Alabama's Children's & Women's Hospital have closely monitored the progress of a newborn who weighed only 10 ounces at birth on Feb. 15.
His parents, Phillip and Monica Whitlock, said tiny Malachi Andreas Whitlock is so far holding his own.
"I feel he's got 100 percent chance of survival," his father said.
They said they chose the name Malachi because it's one of the smallest books of the Bible, and Malachi means "messenger of God."
"He's so small, and he's sent a message to us of what love is," the father said.
Dr. Fabien Eyal, the director of USA's neonatal intensive care unit, said, "Everybody's pulling for him, but we know they're in for a very tough time."
Monica Whitlock had an emergency cesarean section after developing high blood pressure.
Malachi, at 10 ounces, weighed about 290 grams at birth. Most babies placed in the unit, Eyal said, weigh around 400 grams. One baby, born at 350 grams, did survive and went home this week.
Eyal attributed the "incredibly low birth weight" to the fact that Malachi stopped growing before his birth. He put Malachi's actual development at 20 weeks at the time of birth.
The normal gestation period is 40 weeks.
Eyal said babies born at 22 to 24 weeks are at "the limit of viability."
Oh TT!
What a thought...I have huge tears in my eyes now...
((HUG))
m0sby
Thank you so much! Christmas was hard this year, but we have made it through. As much as I wish Malachi was here with us, what better place to spend Christmas than in Heaven with Christ himself!
Again, thank you for remembering us this Christmas. I hope you all had a great Christmas.
You have FRmail, my dear friend.
Prayers from TX
I was thinking about you and little Malachi. Best wishes in 2006.
Thank you. The same to you. Surely, 2006 will be a much better year for our family!
Happy 1st Heavenly Birthday Malachi! Mommy and Daddy miss you very much. We love you Little Man!
Just wanted to share Malachi's birthday with everyone who loved him so much!
Thinking of you and Phillip and little Malachi...
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today!!!
((HUGS)) to you as you remember your precious little guy today and everyday!
M0sby
We can, just by reading the thread. In some very real sense he will always be alive on FR.
I hope that is a source of comfort.
Our prayers are with you. I ran across a graphic that I had on my server this past week for Malachi.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, sweet Malachi!
Monica, Phillip...you two are incredibly special to SO many people.
Your little guy is up there in Heaven...sitting on Jesus' lap. What a place to be...
We all love you three...very very much.
Sweet Malachi. He has touched our hearts and will forever be our special little angel.
You made the supreme decision... that in loving your child more than yourself. God bless you both.
Thank you for allowing all of us here on FR to experience the generosity of your love and the miracle of your precious child.
Now the angels sing as they welcome yet another among them.....Your precious baby son, Malachi.
Forever...with love and prayers for this family.
Logan, Beth & Nana1,842 posted on 04/25/2005 6:33:42 PM PDT by Texas Termite (Please pray for Texas Cowboy and our little angel, Malachi.... Amen)Heavenly Father, we return to thank You for the tears that fall over Monica and Philip's precious son, for they speak of a love for their beloved Malachi. The hearts of his parents have been generous in sharing their baby with us ... their faith has been absolute in the Creator of their child ... their assurance is that Malachi is now cradled in the arms of Jesus. Thank You, Merciful Father, that we were witness to the exquisite preciousness of life ... so small, so determined, so loved. How very difficult to let this little one go, O God, yet we know that joyous reunion awaits. Let blessed assurance mingle with sorrow, for Malachi has entered Eternal Life. Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever and ever, Amen ...
Dad, Mom.....we love you. Your precious baby and the friendships we all formed here will NOT be forgotten.
Ever.
God bless you two....
I love you.
BG
Thank God for Malachi!
Thanks so much for the ping.
Prayers from TX
BTTT
Beautiful tribute,MOsby.
Malachi's dad and mom,
Thanks be to God there is peace and joy in the knowledge that little Malachi is at home, safe eternally in the arms of Jesus.
(My baby went home too, a long time ago...:) )
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Matthew 6:21)
God bless.
Thank you so much for remembering Malachi today. Of course just reading it brought tears to my eyes. I remember each and every one of you and how important you all were to me and Phillip. You and your prayers kept us strong. Thank you then and thank you now for all that you have done and all of the prayers that were lifted for us and Malachi.
Happy 1st Angel Day Malachi! Mommy and Daddy love you and miss you!! Heaven is a better place now that you are there!
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