Luke John McGregor

For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

Psalm 139:13-14

Zac and I found out we were pregnant in February 2015 with our second child.  Our due date was October 20th.  We were so excited to add to our family and excited for Jacob to have a new baby brother or sister!  We didn't find out if it was a boy or a girl.  My pregnancy went well but by the last few months it was harder to chase a busy 2-year-old with my growing belly.  We're not sure what Jake understood but when we would ask who was going to sit in the new car seat we put in the car or who the new clothes were for that I had just gotten out, he would respond with a smile, "Baby 2!"

On October 16, some friends watched Jake so we could go out for dinner one last time before the baby was here.  The next morning we woke up for the day at 6 and Zac and I both did not feel well.  Since Zac didn't feel well either, I thought it was from the food we ate.  I went about my morning, making breakfast, doing laundry, playing with Jake.  I obviously questioned if it was labor since I was a few days from my due date but there was never anything to time, just a constant stomachache.

At 10:10 in the morning, Zac and Jake went outside to play.  I decided to lie down to see if I could feel any better.  But since I can never sit still for very long I got up after a couple minutes.  Immediately as I stood up, my water broke.  I rushed to the door to yell for Zac to come in and called my mom who was going to stay with Jake while we were in the hospital and my friend Rachel who would come watch him until mom could get here.  I hung up the phone at 10:15. 

We went up to our bedroom to finish grabbing the rest of our bags.  Zac ran around grabbing everything and Jake, oblivious to what was going on, ran around the room laughing and playing.  All of the sudden I could feel the baby coming.  I told Zac to call 911.  He asked if I was serious.  I said "CALL 911!" My phone was the only phone in the room.  He grabbed it and then realized he didn't know how to use my phone!  I had to dial it for him.  We called at 10:27.  The operator kept asking questions like, what's her name, how old is she, etc.  I eventually heard Zac say, "My wife is having a baby, I don't have time for this!" He said he could hear the guy flipping pages. 

When the paramedics and police arrived, a police officer took Jake downstairs to play until Rachel got there.  She said he didn't want to go to her right away because he was having fun with the policeman.  Eventually she got him to go outside to see the cool firetruck.  When the paramedics came in our bedroom they wanted to try to move me downstairs so they could get me to the hospital.  But about 30 seconds later they realized I wasn't going anywhere.  I had already started pushing once.  10-15 minutes after they arrived, Luke John McGregor was born at 10:50. They took Luke and I to the hospital in an ambulance.  Zac grabbed the rest of our stuff and soon followed.  Luke was 6lbs 11oz and 20in long with dark brown hair.

Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150

On August 8, 2014, I had my annual MRI.  I had been continuing to go to Iowa City every since treatment but had decided to switch to Des Moines doctors since I had been doing so well and to also cut out all the travel.  The MRI was at Methodist Hospital and my friend, Ali was the one who got to do it. 

On Monday the 11th, I had my appointment with my oncologist.  Zac stayed home with Jacob and I went by myself since we were expecting no changes.  My oncologist was excited to share that the tumor is again considered stable...and even a little smaller.  I asked if this was normal since it had been 5 years since treatment.  Her words were, "I wouldn't say it's normal...maybe you've been pulling strings up above."  We know you can't pull God's strings so we take that as a miracle. 

After I left the appointment I started questioning if I actually heard my doctor right.  : )  I called my friend Ali to see if she was able to see the report from the radiologist.  She talked to the radiologist who said, "It's the best it's ever looked."

We are so thankful for all God has done over these seven years, every high and every low.  Praise the LORD.   

Jacob Zachary McGregor

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Baby McGregor's due date was June 8, 2013.  On May 19, I remember sitting in church, uncomfortable, thinking  "How am I going to make it 3 more weeks?!"  On Monday, I went into work feeling fine, but as soon as I sat down at my desk, my stomach hurt.  I waited awhile but eventually called Zac and asked him if I should call the doctor.  I was thinking something was wrong with the baby...the baby couldn't possible be here since we had 3 more weeks to go!  I called and they said to come in at 2:00.  I left work at 10:00 to go home and lay down.  By the time I got home, I called Zac and told him to come get me because there was no way I could drive myself to the doctor.  We tried timing my pain in case it was contractions but it was somewhat constant.  There was nothing consistent to time.  We brought our bags just in case. 

At the doctor's office, Dr Sayre checked me and calmly said, "Congratulations.  You're going to have your baby today.  You need to get to the hospital immediately."  We were in shock!  She said she would see me the next day because she would be doing rounds.  We got to the hospital just after 2:00.  The nurse had to keep telling me to calm down as I was breathing way too fast.  She asked me if I wanted pain medicine and I said no...but that I may change my mind!  Moments later she told me she was sorry but there was no time for medicine...the baby was coming fast!

We were told the doctor who was on call had just gone in to do a c-section so they had to call Dr. Sayre.  She came racing in and said, "I thought I wouldn't see you until tomorrow!"  I pushed for 45 minutes until we heard the doctor say, "Congratulations!  It's a boy!"  Jacob Zachary McGregor was born at 4:22pm on Monday, May 20, 2013.  He weighed 6lbs, 6oz and was 19 1/4 in long with dark brown hair. 

Stacie's Story

Zac's Story