Susan and John are staying at the Ronald McDonald house tonight after they spend some time with sweet baby David. John didn't get to see him all day since he spent the day working and running errands. Susan spent last night and this morning at the Todd house, which is only 10 minutes from the hospital. After being released from Centennial and receiving a courtesy room for one night, she spent the night with James and Lori Todd (who have two children). She said she slept better last night than she has since she was admitted to the hospital, and she even managed to sneak in a little cat-nap this afternoon. Pray that she gets the rest she needs!
When Susan went to see David at 4:00, she was able to check his temperature by holding the thermometer under his arm. He had a low-grade fever of 99.1 earlier today and it had gone up to 99.2 when she checked. He had been taken off the antibiotics today, and as far as she knows, he is only on one drug right now.
Please pray that he doesn't develop an infection. With so many tubes, the doctors say that it's inevitable ("not if," they say, "when"), but we know that God is bigger than inevitable--He is the God of the impossible!
Her doctor told her that babies that allow him to feed them do exponentially better, so breastfeeding helps, but it's incredibly time-consuming and energy-draining for her to pump, so please pray for Susan.
She is pumping every two hours during the day and every three hours at night. She's still working--especially in the mornings--and she's trying to see David as much as possible . . . she wants to be there for feedings and diaper changes at 8, 11, 2, and 5 . . . talk to him and pray for him and be near to him.
She can't be with him from 6-8 during hospital shift changes, so that will eventually be a good time to visit, once she establishes a routine. We'll be scheduling prayer times, too, so check back here often or sign up to receive these updates via e-mail.
According to the doctor, the biggest risk factors are: infection, lung development, and feeding. So far, the doctor is pleased with David's progress. Praise God, he has not developed an infection. Every day he has an x-ray of his lungs, and two x-rays this week showed some expansion, which is GOOD. The feeding is going great as well.
Last night, he had to skip a few feedings (3 ml of pumped breastmilk every 3 hours) because of a scare that happened yesterday afternoon while Susan and John were there. He had a reaction to the sedative during the feeding. Bile came up the tube, and his vitals dropped. The nurse had to remove the 3 ml of milk. They had to increase his oxygen back up to 100% and skip the next two feedings. He was put on a new sedative. He was still agitated, but he tolerated it well and relaxed almost immediately.
Today his oxygen is back down to 39%, and they lowered the pressure by a point to 10. (The oscillator has different gauges--it was at 10, it went up to 14 and down to 8, which is the lowest it's been; the goal is 5-6). After last night's scare, going down a notch to 10 is incredibly encouraging.
David had an echo-cardiogram this afternoon to check on the PDA (open artery in his heart) as well as conditions that could be causing his heart to become enlarged.
Today his oxygen is back down to 39%, and they lowered the pressure by a point to 10. (The oscillator has different gauges--it was at 10, it went up to 14 and down to 8, which is the lowest it's been; the goal is 5-6). After last night's scare, going down a notch to 10 is incredibly encouraging.
David had an echo-cardiogram this afternoon to check on the PDA (open artery in his heart) as well as conditions that could be causing his heart to become enlarged.
God is not limited to time or space, so please PRAY for the results of the cardiogram and for his heart to return back to its normal size (yesterday, the x-ray showed that his heart was a little enlarged, but that's not unusual considering he's premature and having to work so hard to breathe). Please also pray that the PDA artery closes on its own, rather than needing medication or surgery.
As the doctor continues to lower and drop medications and pressures to see what David's body can handle, John and Susan will see dips and peaks and valleys, which are all terryifying to watch. Her nurse told her this week, "Prayer is the biggest thing that's making a difference."
Her doctor said, "This will be the biggest roller coaster ride of your life."
Please pray fervently for Susan and John and David--morning, noon, and night. They need prayer 24/7. And call and e-mail to let them know you're praying. Susan needs to hear your voice on her voice mail. It may take a while for her return your call, but she eventually will. They feel SO loved right now. You are such a marvelous group of friends.
As the doctor continues to lower and drop medications and pressures to see what David's body can handle, John and Susan will see dips and peaks and valleys, which are all terryifying to watch. Her nurse told her this week, "Prayer is the biggest thing that's making a difference."
Her doctor said, "This will be the biggest roller coaster ride of your life."
Please pray fervently for Susan and John and David--morning, noon, and night. They need prayer 24/7. And call and e-mail to let them know you're praying. Susan needs to hear your voice on her voice mail. It may take a while for her return your call, but she eventually will. They feel SO loved right now. You are such a marvelous group of friends.
