When pregnancy complications led to the premature arrival of Brady and Jordan Walker’s son, the young couple prepared themselves for the worst. On paper, the medical diagnosis of their son, Casen, was not hopeful.
He was delivered at only 28 weeks into Jordan’s pregnancy. He arrived weighing only two pounds, 14 ounces. Complications during the delivery left physicians believing he would not be able to fully use the limbs on the right side of his tiny body. He was deprived of oxygen for a significant amount of time. Two failed incubations, resuscitation efforts and brain hemorrhages followed.
A neonatal intensive care unit became the home for the Walker family over the next several weeks as diagnosis after diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty for the future of young Casen.
But the Great Physician had other ideas. The Walker family was joined by a tremendous circle of prayers. And as their own faith strengthened through the crisis, God showed that He had the power to change every medical diagnosis on paper.
“Babies don’t come out of these conditions without some kind of complications.”
“It is a miracle to see nothing is wrong with him.”
“He is lucky to have survived this.”
“This is rare, and we don’t usually see this.”
Those were the words from physicians and specialists as young Casen showed them what a true miracle looks like. And, now at six months old, he is home surrounded by his family with no complications, a contagious smile and spirit…a miracle baby.
“By the grace and healing of our God, Casen is thriving today, hitting every milestone he should be,” Jordan said, holding Casen in her arms inside their home surrounded by Christmas decorations. “He is a true testimony that our God still performs miracles today.”
When the Walker couple arrived at the hospital on June 29, an emergency delivery sent their world into a chaotic spin. At only 28 weeks into her pregnancy, Jordan knew to prepare herself for the worst as she delivered Casen into the world at only two pounds, 14 ounces.
“He was a breach birth, and there was no expectation of him being able to use the arm he was delivered from,” Jordan said. “His whole body was black and blue from bruising with his legs and right arm being the worst. He was deprived of oxygen for a tremendous amount of time, having to be revived and enduring two failed intubations.”
Casen’s Apgar score, which measures a baby’s condition after birth, did not stabilize for close to 12 minutes. Two days later, as the Walker family remained in the NICU with Casen, the discussion of a blood transfusion was brought into the situation. Several tests were planned to uncover blood loss.
“We were told they had found a grade 3 and grade 4 brain bleed on each side of his brain,” Jordan said, with her eyes tearing up. “They were going to keep watch on this, to see if it continued to bleed or if it would stop on its own.”
And although an ultrasound would later show the bleeding had stopped, pressure and fluid were then discovered. The next step? Possible neurosurgery, another great risk.
“With Casen being as small as he was, early as he was and sick as he was, there was not a good chance he would survive,” Jordan said.
Surgery could be successful, but it could leave Cason with severe brain damage. Physicians recommended forgoing a surgery, fearful he would not make it.
And as each diagnosis appeared grim, each option seemed disastrous…the Walkers hit their knees in prayer.
“At this point, Brady and I were in desperate need of prayer,” Jordan said. “We contacted our pastor Bro. Jeremy White of Bentonia Baptist Church, our church family, our close friends and our personal families to be in prayer for this. Casen’s need of prayer spread throughout many towns and communities.”
Prayer chains kicked into overdrive. Churches held special prayer services. Phone calls and text messages spread like wildfire. Jordan even admits she rededicated herself in faith through the trial.
And the Great Physician showed man how it’s done.
“The next two weeks when they performed his head ultrasound, the pressure of his bleeds dropped from a 12 to a 4; and then from a 4 to a 1,” Jordan said. “The fluid buildup was beginning to resolve. When talking with one of his NICU doctors about this, we were told ‘this is not normally seen.’”
Even though the good news was welcomed, there were still strong serious complications for young Casen. It was predicted that he would be oxygen-bound. He could need a feeding tube. He would live his life in extreme disability with possible spinal bifida, severe cerebral palsy, seizures, vision problems, hearing loss and unable to use his right arm.
“The long-term effects from his bruising during delivery were still unknown at this point as well,” Jordan said. “It would all depend on how his bones grew to be functional.”
The struggles continued. Casen developed a staph infection with the possibility of a peripherally inserted central catheter. He became extremely jaundiced and required another blood transfusion.
But Jordan admits the faith of her husband, Brady, stood firm. He was “her rock” through every mountain and valley.
“I just kept saying to not worry,” Brady said. “I just knew he was going to be fine eventually. I had faith in that feeling.”
“God knew that I needed Brady to have that hope for me,” Jordan added.
And although the uncertainties continued a shift of worry and doubt, one thing remained steady…prayer and faith.
“We formed a platform on social media for Casen with daily updates on how to pray for him and what exactly to pray for,” Jordan said. “People from all over were contacting us, being in constant prayer for him.”
The miracles continued with Casen’s staph infection clearing up completely. At 32 weeks old, he was able to take a bottle on his own, eventually removing his feeding tube. He was soon taken completely off oxygen. He passed all his hearing and vision tests with no complications.
“While in the NICU, Casen’s stats never dropped to critical numbers,” Jordan added. “He never had what they call a ‘spell’ where they must go in and assist the baby with breathing, which is not common with NICU babies. But Casen’s levels never dropped, and he was never in need of assistance.”
The Walkers were able to bring Casen home to their other children, Lakken and Blayden, on Aug. 26, weighing five pounds, three ounces.
“He is the sweetest baby who has to be held all the time,” Jordan said, with a smile. “He is constantly grinning and flirting with everyone. He has the biggest, brownest eyes.”
And the good reports keep coming with no indications of complications. His limbs damaged during delivery are functioning. Surgeries are no longer needed.
“He will get a repeat MRI at one-year-old, which is standard procedure in his case,” Jordan said. “But they saw no reason that he would not grow up to be a healthy baby boy.”
Although the Walkers said they are grateful for the medical professionals and their work, they know God had the bigger plan in mind.
“Brady and I do not believe Casen would be where he is today, that he would have come out of the hospital with absolutely nothing wrong with him without the prayer and healing of our God,” Jordan said. “I had never seen the face of Jesus until I had Casen. There is faith and trust in God that you must have, 100 percent. Casen was a fighter, and God was with him the entire time. His story shows that miracles happen. We are thrilled to share the story of Christ’s goodness and grace. I am so excited to tell this story in hopes that it gives others a view of God’s faithfulness and also leads someone to worship and follow Him.”
