Savannah is our third child. She was a high-risk birth. Savannah was delivered by C-section on June 4th, 1993. She was then rushed to the neonatal ICU. I didn’t get to see her until the next day. She was put into the regular nursery and then brought to my room.

At this time, I knew something wasn’t right. She would eat and vomit everything back up. The first diagnosis was mild Cerebral Palsy. Savannah also had low muscle tone and other problems. All this time Savannah continued to be a failure to thrive baby. She had a NG feeding tube to help her gain some weight. Then we were told that Carnitine Deficiency was the problem and she couldn’t survive without medicine for it. Her body couldn’t use the protein in her food to grow her muscles.

By the time that Savannah was 1 year old she had been in and out of the hospital 5 or 6 times. Finally, a doctor ordered a DNA test for Cystic Fibrosis. Savannah had four sweat tests, but they were normal. (This test is usually used to diagnose Cystic Fibrosis). We now had our answer. Even though that meant adding another diagnosis, we were just thrilled to know what was going on, but the stress of Cystic Fibrosis is unreal. (Around 90% of families with a Cystic Fibrosis child file for bankruptcy and about 90% of the families break up due to the stress on finances, time, and other resources).

Savannah was very sick in December of 2003. She went into the hospital for her 40th time on December 14th, 2003 with two different types of bacterium found in her sputum culture. She went toxic on the combination of the antibiotics used. She had acute kidney failure and swelling of her brain. She was placed on life support and transferred to a different hospital’s PICU. At the new hospital, Savannah was started on dialysis for her kidneys. The situation was very serious. The doctors were doing all they could, but they weren’t very hopeful for a recovery. Then G*d saved her life through Yeshua (Jesus). Her doctor placed a note in her case file that a miracle had happened as the official diagnosis of her recovery because he had no other explanation. She was in the hospital until January 14th, 2004. She did not even remember going to the first hospital and she missed the holidays all together. We did open gifts after she came home though. She still has some short-term memory problems and her balance is a little off especially if she is very tired.

Savannah had a BIG adjustment in 2006. Both her siblings moved out. Danny Ray got married and Miranda moved to her college dorm. She really misses their company. Miranda is close enough that Savannah can see her on the weekends.

As of 2008, Savannah has continued to go in and out of the hospital. She continues to take multiple medications daily. She is now also being followed by a GI doctor as well. He has changed some of her medications and has added a couple as well.

Savannah is now in the 9th grade. She started the year off by going half-days but got really ill the first week and ended up homebound again. This seems to help keep her healthier and the anxieties down as well.

Disabilities: (If child has any physical limitations)
none

Child's Interests:
Savannah's favorite color is pink. She really likes anything Barbie. Due to her asthma we cannot handle anything with scents. She likes Precious Moments and animals but again due to breathing problems no pets allowed.

Savannah has a new LOVE....it's golf. Neither her Dad or I play or know much about the game, but Savannah really enjoys it. We were able to find a place that gave lessons that was willing to work with Savannah's health concerns. This has been a GREAT confidence booster for Savannah.

Siblings:
brother Danny, old
sister Miranda, old

Click HERE for recent MACS updates on Savannah
(those Updates are a Summary of the past 3 months)

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