Monday, June 18, 2012

Jordan is 5 days old 6-13-12


Jordan is five days old today.  I cannot believe how strong he is! I never in my wildest dreams expected him to fight so long and hard.  When they first told me I would need an emergency C-section I honestly believed there was no way my precious baby would survive being born that early.  I was trying to prepare myself to cope with his death.  Instead, I have found myself amazed by his life.  I am amazed by God’s awesome power.  I was reading chapter two this morning of The Purpose Driven Life, and it was just what I needed to hear.  Every minute of your lifetime is preconceived by God.  He knows the exact time you will be born; the exact circumstances; and the exact lifespan.  He has planned all of these things out even before you were conceived by your parents.  He chose the DNA that he wanted you to have and gave you the parents that would make your perfect combination.  I feel so honored that I was chosen to be Jordan’s mother.  I am also honored that I am chosen to be Jason’s mother.  Both of my boys are beautiful and perfect creations. 
God planned for this entire situation to happen in the perfect way that it did.  We may have been shocked by the experience but God was not.  Jordan’s purpose was already set into place and God planned for him to be so young.  Thinking about this makes it a lot easier for me to understand and handle.  My human self tells me this is not fair that he has to struggle like this.  Although I don’t want him to suffer and I want him to lead a long and healthy life, God has been with him from the beginning and meant for things to occur in the way they have.  Instead of feeling bitter, I have begun to accept that this process was necessary for God’s plan and that God created this circumstance out of love.  God loves his creation so much and has centered everything based on His love for us.  The closest I will come to understanding God’s perfect love is the love that I have for my boys. 
Jordan is still fighting this battle.   He will hopefully be continuing to fight for quite some time.  This is going to be a long journey for us but we are confident in God’s power and healing ability and we trust in his purpose for our lives.  Today we received our first good update on Jordan.  The third dose of IND treatment to close his PDA had a small effect.  The effect was not big enough to close the shunt but did allow for greater circulation to the other tissues of his body such as his brain, kidneys, intestines, etc.  The dose also came with no side effects to the rest of his health.  Because of this, the doctors are able to wait on surgery and offer him a fourth dose of the IND treatment.  I am praying that this fourth dose will also have some effect on closing the PDA.  The doctor explained that his skin condition has improved and his overall condition has also improved.  We were overjoyed with this news as it means a step in the right direction.  God is truly showing us his awesome power.  The doctor explained that if surgery is necessary, the longer we are able to put it off the better it will be.  The longer Jordan lives; he becomes more mature and more developed.  If he is more mature before surgery, the surgery becomes safer to perform and more likely to produce good results.  I am overjoyed by his progress.  When I look at him, I can see the difference in his skin condition and it is awesome to be able to witness the miracle first hand.  Jordan had all the numbers against him at birth but he had God for him.  Numbers do not matter to God.
For my own condition, I had half of my staples removed today.  Jacob was able to look at the cut on my stomach and he was impressed at how crazy it looks.  A C-section is not a very neat process.  The staples did not hurt to take out but I was a little nervous for the process.  I will get the second half of them out tomorrow.   My strength is increasing and my soreness is starting to go away.  It is great to be able to start doing more for myself.  I am still having a few congestion problems.  This is a side effect of the HELLP to have water in the lungs but I believe it is starting to go away. 
We asked if Jason would be able to go into the NICU to meet his baby brother and we were told that they do not allow anyone except adults.  I understand why this is a rule and I accept that it is necessary, but I do wish my little boys could at least meet.  I just pray that Jordan will continue improving and fighting so that they may someday be able to wrestle, play, run around, laugh, grow, learn, and so much more together.  I have high hopes for their brotherly relationship.  I miss Jason a lot today.  I want to hug his little body and get some super sweet bubba cuddles.  It is rough being separated but I know that it’s for the best.  He seems to be doing okay hanging out with daddy and I know that he will not remember this time as he gets older.  I need to focus on my own health right now.  But hopefully Jason will be visiting on Friday.  I can’t wait to be able to bring Jordan home and have both of my babies with me whenever I want.
 Every day when we go visit Jordan, we pray over him before we leave.  We ask God to infuse him with strength.  He was moving around a lot today when we went in.  I love to watch him furrow his brow and make little grumpy faces at us.  They said they were going to try to turn him today and were also going to see if they could get him to poop with an enema.  His urine output is good now so they continue to work on so many things at once to increase his development.  I am so proud of him and the strength that he has been given. 
We have had so many people supporting us.  Not only in prayer but also in person.  We have not had to be alone through this process.  The church is organizing some meals for Jacob to have in the freezer or refrigerator so that he can eat healthy without having to spend a bunch of money or do a bunch of cooking.  The ladies heard me talking to Jacob about not eating out every day because we could definitely use that money for more important things.  I know they are working on doing things out of love for our family and I am thankful that people who were close to strangers before have become like family instantaneously.  The families at church have been watching our home, our son, making meals, cleaning our home, watching Lucy, praying, visiting, translating, and so much more.  I know we are blessed.
I have one particular nurse that is such an incredible person.  She speaks English very well and tries her hardest to make sure my life is as comfortable as possible.  All of the paperwork for the hospital is in Japanese.  Because of this, we have to have a translator for many things.  My nurse has spent her own personal time to type a translation of many of the papers I have been given to explain my care.  I am so blessed that God brought her into my life and thankful for her service.  I thought this was the most thoughtful thing and I pray that God blesses her so much!  She is an awesome young woman and I pray that she was able to experience God’s love through us as witnesses.
Staying alone in the hospital is pretty boring but I am getting a lot of time to spend praising God with worship and prayer.  I am thankful for this time I have to reflect, grow, and release my emotions.  I have decided that we need to put health at the top of our priority list for our family.  This includes exercise, eating right, and taking care of our bodies.  We should not take the things we are given for granted.  Health included.
Lord, I pray for many things today.  First off, I praise your name for the progression that we have seen with Jordan.  I am so thankful that we were able to receive good news and that his condition is improving.  I pray that you would infuse him with your strength and love and place your hand of healing on his little heart.  I ask that you would allow the medication to be effective and allow the shunt to close.  I am gracious and undeserving of the love and affection you have shown me and my family.  I am honored to be chosen to be this little boy’s mother and to witness your miracle through him.  I am thankful that his brain activity is increasing and I pray so hard for continued progression.  I know that he has a long road ahead toward recovery and I pray that you would guide that road and guide his development into your perfect plan.  I pray that his life would be used as a testimony to your power, grace, love, and promise.  Through your strength we are made new.  I know his story can reach so many for your glory.  I ask that you would also be with Jacob and I and allow us to already be using his testimony for your glory.  Help us to be a light in the darkness and to continue in strength and faith.  Help us to reach many with our situation.  Let us not be afraid to tell others about you and the miracle that you are doing in our lives.  I am thankful to have Jacob as my soul mate.  He has been such a strong supporter of me from the beginning.  I pray that you would allow me to be the same amount of support for him.  I pray for my precious Jason.  I ask that you would give him peace and understanding about the separation.  I thank you for his sweet heart and ask that you would bless him.  Help Jacob and I to also put his needs at the front of our minds even as we handle the crazy things coming our way.  Lord please bless these two little boys.  Bless the doctors and nurses that are caring for Jordan on a daily basis and bless the friends that are helping out with Jason, lucy, our home, and our lives.  Thank you for showing us your awesome grace and love.  I ask all these things in your name, Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment