Canda’s Story

Site created on February 23, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.
On January 22nd, we found out our baby was diagnosed with Spina Bifida. There is a wide variation of SB; which is why it is referred to as a snowflake. You can google ‘CHOP Spina Bifida’ for an amazing educational video on the matter. Our Doctor suggested this site versus the plethora of misinformation out there on the internet.
After several test, doctors visits and consultations with surgeons in Houston we discovered we are eligible for fetal surgery. This is an amazing answered prayer! Qualifying for this surgery was a very specific process. Not many parents with this diagnosis are eligible. This will help improve our little boys way of life.
On Tuesday, the 26th I will undergo surgery in Houston. They will make an incision on the womb and repair his back. This will prevent any further damage for the remaining of the pregnancy. As of now, I am 25 weeks.
After the surgery, I will be in the hospital in for at least 5 days. Upon release, I have to stay down in Houston for two weeks for follow-up visits.
When we return home, I will be on bedrest for the remaining of the pregnancy.
We are asking for prayers on the surgery, recovery, and of course for our son Ben. Being away from him for a such a long time and out of his normal routine is the hardest part for us. We have an amazing family and friends. Ben’s school and our work families have been more than understanding and supportive. All have stepped up to help make sure he maintains a since of normalcy.
There will be a Caring Bridge page posted with updates throughout this process.
We appreciate everyone’s prayers, love, and support throughout this journey. We’ve learned already, it certainly takes a village to raise a family!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Stephanie Poteet

On Monday, 5/6 Canda and Omar welcomed Miles Austin Orpinel at 35 weeks old. Miles was 6.03 lbs and 17.13 inches. Miles is doing great and is already such a fighter. He was supposed to undergo surgery this morning to insert a shunt, but to our surprise, the surgery was postponed. That was a great Mother’s Day praise for Canda. Miles has hydrocephalus which is fluid in his brain. His fluid levels have continued to go down little by little. Miles will have another sonogram this Thursday to check his fluid levels. Doctors think that it is a matter of time before he will need a shunt. The shunt will help to alleviate the fluid in his brain. The Orpinel’s are asking for your prayers for sweet Miles. We are praying for his fluid levels to continue to go down on their own, and to continue to grow big and strong. Miles will continue to stay in the NICU. We are also praying for Canda and Omar to manage being at home with Ben, and back and forth to the NICU for Miles.  Thank you for all your support!!
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