Leona Mae Scarrow

Dan and Meryl Scarrow, from Jewell, IA,  met their daughter, Leona Mae, on January 22, 2020.  Leona was born prematurely at 23 weeks 6 days.  At 18 weeks, Meryl’s water broke and Leona had been with low fluid for nearly 6 weeks.  Meryl was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in early January for closer monitoring.  During a routine check, it was determined that Leona’s heart rate was dangerously low so the decision was made to do an emergency C-section late Wednesday night.  Leona was born weighing 1 lb 1 oz and 11 inches long.  She did not have a heartbeat, but her heart miraculously began beating  once again after inserting a breathing tube.

Leona was stable for several hours, however she is now experiencing complications.  Leona’s blood pressure is very low and is not responding to medications. Doctors are concerned about her kidney function and they say it is not going well.  They really need her blood pressure to come up so her organs can receive all the necessary blood flow to let them function properly.  The doctors suspect Leona is fighting some sort of infection.   

Dan and Meryl are staying so strong in their faith that God has specific plans for Leona.  Dan said, “It’s just one scare after another, but so far it’s been a miracle for every scare.  God has life, healing and a future for Leona.  We come into full agreement with that plan and His heart for her.  We will not concede, we will not settle for anything less than a  full and normal life.  We continue to stand on the promises of God.  Leona has things to do for and with the King of Kings.  Help us stand in faith for her future.”  

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future and a hope.”  

Leona’s birthday, January 22, was National Sanctity of Life day.  Meryl has had a huge heart and passion for the unborn.  In the duration of her pregnancy with Leona, they had many people give prophetic words about Leona’s life and journey being a testimony of God’s heart in the unborn. When Leona was born on this day, they knew it wasn’t coincidence; it’s another sign of the calling over Leona’s little life.  She is going to move mountains and we have a very real enemy in Satan who doesn’t want that to happen.  Please stand with them in what the Lord is doing, and that ultimately they will get to celebrate His victory in this situation.  

Dan and Meryl had switched health insurance just weeks before any of the complications with Leona arose. Because of this, their insurance has informed them that they are unsure of how much of the hospital stay will be covered from when Meryl was admitted into the hospital on January 7 until Leona was born on January 22.  As you know,  an extended hospital stay that may not be covered by insurance gets expensive in a hurry!  This situation also has pulled Dan away from work for an extended period of time.  As a small business owner, when you aren’t working you aren’t receiving any income.  

If you feel called to give, whether that be money, a gift certificate for food, or prayers for the family, please do so!  Please share this as you feel called.  

The address to their hospital room is:

Mother-Baby Unit: Room 4
University of Iowa Hospital
200 Hawkins Dr,
Iowa City, IA 52242

For continual updates, you can go to their Caring Bridgesite.
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/merylandbabyleona