Gregory Zion O'Dell

Gregory Zion O'Dell

“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For you Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion ! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. Have mercy on me Oh Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You lift me up from the gates of death, that I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in your salvation!” Psalm 9:9-14. 

Gregory Zion was born Wednesday night at 8:01pm on January 18, 2006. He weighed 2'2 oz and was 13 1/2 inches long. He was due on April 23, 2006 making him 26 weeks and a few days gestational age.

We went into the hospital early Sunday morning in labor. The doctors (by the power of Jesus) were able to hold off delivery for several days. Every day in utero counted for baby Gregory. We were able to give him the three days needed for the steroid shot to be affective in the development of his lungs. Wednesday afternoon, my contractions began to get stronger and we just could not get them under control. It was at that point the doctors said that the “bag of water” was bulging and his feet were positioned down the birth canal. They told me at this point we were waiting for bad things to happen. They scheduled an emergency C-section.

Everything about the week was intense and all runs together for me, but what I remember most is how the Lord brought encouragement through so many avenues. Before Gregory was born, Mike tried to go to his car lot for an afternoon and the Lord sent a couple to him with a message. Mike told them that they needed to call him before they came back and began to explain our situation. The woman got out pictures of her twin thirteen year olds and told Mike that they were born at 26 weeks at the same hospital where we were. She said that her kiddos were the perfect picture of health now.

A lady at our church told me she had been in intercession for one of us expectant moms, but wasn't sure which one on Thursday evening. She said that when we went into labor, the Lord gave her a prayer that she has been praying over and over. It is based on Psalm 139 where the Lord talks about knitting us together in the womb. Once Gregory had been born and they placed his information on the overhead for prayer, two men noticed the baby's weight. Both of these men are strong physically and spiritually and both were born weighing 2'2oz.

Of course, all this is taking place during “Sanctity of Life” week. The Lord used little Gregory in a sermon preached at Calvary Hill by his Uncle James.

Not to be too personal, but the nurses told me that my milk would probably not come in for about five days because of the medication they had me on to stop the labor. The first time I pumped, my milk was in. I know that was the Lord because my baby needs his mother and his mother's milk is tailor made for him.

Every time I speak to the doctors they tell me that he is doing very well for his age. He has Apnea bouts where he stops breathing too long and his heart rate drops, but he always brings himself back. They do not have to stimulate him. Actually I learned the other day that they have never had to breathe for him. He has taken all his own breaths, so they removed the breathing tube they inserted originally. He has a tube in his nose to help with his oxygen levels. He does have a feeding tube down his throat and he has been tolerating his feeds well. They monitor his input and output and he has been able to tolerate my milk along with a preemie formula.

Yesterday they detected a heart murmur. They did an “echo” to determine what kind it was. There is a valve that is open for babies in the womb that closes before they are born. Gregory's was still open, but they have given him medicine to close it and it appears that it is working. The opening as of today was very small so they are waiting to see if it will continue to close. They talked about having to possibly do surgery to close it otherwise. Please pray that Jesus will close it all the way.

He was on phototherapy for jaundice, but he has already come off of that. They had to give him blood today only because they take so much from him. They said that will be an ongoing procedure with him, but he did fine.

His skin did look too fragile to touch, but that has already changed. Mike and I are able to hold his little hand and talk to him. The scriptures above are from the Psalms I read to him today. He likes it when we read and talk about Jesus. He seems calm and peaceful.

I have even changed his diaper and just like any good little boy would, he “tinkled” on me the very first time. Those diapers are the smallest things I have ever seen and they still are too big for Gregory.

I guess the immediate prayer would be his heart valve closing and his Apnea to stop. The doctors seem to think that both these things could be a lot worse than they are. They have him on IV fluids at the moment so they could check his heart and they will hopefully start feeding him again tomorrow. He has lost weight, which is normal, but it is time for him to begin gaining. We know that Jesus is making this one stronger than we can imagine.

I have been amazed at the strength I see portrayed in my husband. I tend to have momentary panic episodes, but Mike has such a calm steady strength about him. I can see Jesus radiate through Mike and I see His healing hand upon our baby.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We love you and appreciate all the prayers that have stormed the very throne room of God on behalf of Gregory Zion. The doctors tell us that there will be challenging days ahead, but we know the One who calms the storm. He is our Redeemer and our Hope. He is the Great Physician Himself. And I believe that He is going to bring my baby safely into my arms. Until that can happen, I know the Lord Jesus is holding Gregory in the very palm of His hands.

We love you,
Mike and Kristene O'Dell