Joshua Richard Davis

Josh and Lizzie learned of their newest family member in November of 2022 and gave him the name Joshua Richard Davis.

The news of Joshua came at an exciting time in the Davis family’s life. With Josh retiring from the Army in the spring, the Davises planned to move back home to Texas, get settled in Bryan/College Station, and welcome Baby Joshua in the summer.

But it was on the day of Josh’s retirement ceremony that God began to reveal a different set of plans for little Joshua. Joshua’s 20-week ultrasound revealed a very concerning diagnosis that needed to be addressed right away. Lizzie’s OBGYN was not sure there was anything that could be done to help Joshua.

With so many unanswered questions, Josh reached out to his college roommate, a doctor. In a way that only God can work, this roommate happened to have a supervisor whose brother-in-law performs in utero surgeries on babies that have Joshua’s condition.  LUTO, or “lower urinary tract obstruction.”  The same Friday that Joshua’s diagnosis was first discussed with Josh and Lizzie, Josh received a phone call directly from this fetal surgeon. An appointment was made for Lizzie to be seen at the Fetal Care Center Dallas on Monday afternoon.

Monday’s procedure proved to be successful, giving the Davis family a green-light to continue moving forward in Joshua’s treatment.  As they discussed next steps with the Dallas team, it was decided that transferring care to Houston, Texas was best. Lizzie and Baby Joshua would have numerous appointments ahead, and Houston is much closer to Bryan/College Station. An appointment was made, and the Davises headed to Houston.

Within one week of the 20-week ultrasound results, with devastating news and no idea what to do next, Lizzie and Josh found themselves sitting down with the world’s best medical care the industry has to offer their son. Only God can do this.  Now in Houston, Lizzie, Josh and Baby Joshua had more ultrasounds, appointments with numerous sub-specialists and counselors, and more testing to best understand available treatment plans and various prognoses for Joshua.

Lizzie was scheduled for surgery at the beginning of the following week. In this procedure, a shunt was placed from Joshua’s bladder, bypassing the obstruction, allowing amniotic fluid to flow freely into the amniotic sac and help Joshua’s lung development in the womb. While a successful procedure would not take away potential complications after birth, it would allow Joshua to develop his lungs.  The shunt was placed successfully, Lizzie recovered in the hospital, and a follow-up appointment was made for the next week.  The surgery itself was a success, but there were many hurdles to overcome yet still. While aware of these hurdles and discussing them at length with the surgeon, Lizzie and Josh still faced a world of uncertainty ahead. But they left Houston hopeful for Joshua’s future.

After a week of waiting, Lizzie was back in Houston for the first follow-up ultrasound.  The ultrasound showed sad news, as the shunt had been removed from Joshua’s bladder. One of the many hurdles discussed before the surgery was that “Boys are still boys inside of the womb. Sometimes they find the shunt and pull it out.”  With no shunt in place, Joshua’s lungs could not develop properly and the complications from his LUTO diagnosis would continue to progress. Lizzie and Josh returned to the Fetal Center twice more in the next few days to see if conditions would allow for another surgery to replace the shunt. But all visits confirmed that another surgery was not possible.

It was in mid-March when Lizzie and Josh realized they would have to say goodbye to their son.

Lizzie and Josh returned regularly to Houston, now in a different mindset. Doctors would check on Joshua as plans were made for his arrival in the summer. Lizzie carried Baby Joshua alive in the womb, and it was decided that she would be induced at 36 weeks pregnant.

Joshua Richard Davis passed during his delivery on Saturday, June 24, at 7:06am. While Joshua’s time on earth had ended, he was immediately taken into eternity to be with his Creator. Never once has he been alone.

For those who cannot attend Joshua's service in person, please see the Livestream link below.

In Joshua's memory, contributions may be made in his name to the following organizations who walked with the Davis family throughout Joshua's journey.

The Fetal Center Houston: https://www.memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/childrens/about-us/donate/the-fetal-center

Abel Speaks: https://abelspeaks.org/give/

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep: https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/donate/