Micah’s Story

O Warrior Stories

Written by: Jordan Gardner

Early in the pregnancy, doctors feared the worst when ultrasounds showed a gestational sac but no heartbeat. After much prayer and uncertainty, Micah surprised everyone when his tiny heart began to beat. We were all overjoyed.

But just weeks later, doctors discovered that Baby Micah has a serious condition called omphalocele — a defect where the abdominal wall does not close properly during development, causing organs to grow outside his abdomen inside a protective sac. This condition is often connected to fatal genetic disorders, and abortion was suggested — but Jordan and Amber made it clear that this was never an option. Micah is their son. His life is a gift. They chose faith and love.

Genetic testing thankfully ruled out trisomies, but Micah’s omphalocele was later classified as giant, meaning more organs are outside his abdomen than inside.

In Micah's case, the Omphalocele is containing his liver, stomach and small intestine.

Doctors are also concerned that his diaphragm may be involved, which could make breathing extremely difficult at birth. He may require ventilation or even artificial lung support.

Micah is expected to spend months — possibly up to 11 months — in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. This will be a long and emotional journey full of procedures, monitoring, and prayer as his body grows strong enough for healing and surgery.

To prepare, Jordan and Amber have moved in with family and plan to stay at the Ronald McDonald House as often as possible so they can remain close to Micah. However, their other four children (ages 13 and under) are not allowed to stay there, so the family will be traveling back and forth on a multi-hour round trip as much as possible so the kids can still have time with their parents.

They are doing this along with the challenge of Pastor Jordan still being there to pastor Fellowship Church and continue to oversee, preach, teach be there for church family, as well as First Lady Amber being over the music department- serving as music director, worship leader over the Praise & worship team and also teaching Sunday school class.

During this season, Jordan’s parents have lovingly opened their home and taken on the heavy load of helping care for the children, which has been an incredible blessing.