Monday, June 18, 2012

Jordan is 6 days old 6-14-12


Today has been quite the emotional day for us.  Jordan is now 6 days old.  We started off the day as normal.  I received a phone call from one of the medical doctors on base that has been checking up on us throughout the experience.  He told me that he understood that Jordan was scheduled to have surgery in a few hours.  We had not been to the NICU yet for the day so I did not have this information.  He really freaked me out.  The last update we had been given was that they were going to be doing a fourth IND treatment because his condition was so stable.  Jacob arrived and I told him about the phone call and then we went to the NICU to discuss with the doctor.  We arrived in the NICU and it immediately felt different because a translator had come up from the base to work with us.  The doctors had called the translator and had told us that they were waiting on them to get there.  Our hearts were beating very fast in our chests as we were wondering what was up.  The doctor told us that the fourth IND treatment had been ineffective.  Because of this, they were going to just assume that his body would not react to that form of treatment.  Instead they would do surgery.  My six day old baby was going to have open heart surgery in a few hours.  I of course was very shaken by this news.  I was immediately emotional and sobbing.  The doctor assured us that his condition was very stable and they believed that he could handle the surgery. 
We were able to meet with the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the infant doctor.  The surgeon told us the specifics about the surgery.  He would be cut from under his nipple to his back and would be opened up between the ribs.  The surgeon would then attach a metal clip to the valve in his heart to close the PDA.  We asked many questions and he assured us that the clip would never come loose, never have to be changed, never hinder the rest of his body.  He would just now have a permanent tiny metal clip sitting next to his heart.  The risks were bleeding and possible infection.  The anesthesiologist explained that he would be knocked out with narcotics through his IV and that the surgery would take around 2 hours including prep and recovery.  The doctors were all very detailed in their explanations and ensured that we had all of our questions answered.
We prayed hard over our sweet baby boy and asked God to work his power through the doctors and give our little boy strength to endure.  We had many people praying for this surgery and God answered our prayers.  The surgery was very successful with no complications.  Jordan is very strong.  His blood pressure rose right after they clamped the valve but they said that was to be expected.  They still have to do a CT scan tonight to make sure that he didn’t have any brain hemorrhaging from the surgery.  I lift that up in prayer right now to you Lord.  Please continue to bless our little boy and ensure that no major complications arise.  The doctors said that he was now stable again and very strong.  He overcame his first major obstacle to a long and healthy life.  His next focus is intestinal circulation and nutrition.  We know that we have to take each day as we can and we are so thankful for God’s blessings!  Praise God for His success even when we know there is much more work to come. 
While we were in the NICU, we took a video of Jordan moving around and such.  I am so much in love with him already.  It is crazy to believe that you can love someone so much and so instantaneous.  This is the closest that we come to knowing God’s love for us.  I was able to have a bonding experience with Jordan today also.  They dip a q tip in breast milk and allow him to suck on it to gain immunities from the milk.  I got the chance to stick the q tip into his mouth today.  He started sucking on it moving his mouth up and down.  It was a precious moment.  I also got to touch his little toes and he started kicking his feet to my touch.  I am so blessed.  I am missing Jason today but I won’t be able to see him until Saturday.  Jacob’s truck got locked in the hospital parking garage so he got special permission to stay with me tonight.  We had no idea that the garage locked but we are thankful for the understanding nurses.  And thankful for friends that will keep Jason for us.  I am exhausted from the emotional highs and lows today.  I will pray and then sleep.
Lord I thank you for your awesome power.  It is such a blessing to be able to witness your miracle in our son’s life.  You are already using him as a testimony.  I know that my own faith and relationship has been made stronger by this experience.  I also know that we have touched many with our story and our commitment to your plan.  I ask that you would continue to strengthen our little boy.  Please allow his recovery from the surgery to be very fast and allow him to continue to face the many battles he has with courage and strength.  We are so blessed and honored to be chosen by you lord.  Please be with us as we deal with the highs and lows of the situation.  Let us lean into you for strength.  Be with Jason as he is being left alone.  We ask all these things in your name, Amen.

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