38 days old 7-16-12

                Today Jordan is 38 days old.  We went up to Aomori to visit him and my first thought was how much bigger he looked.  Normally he is on his tummy with his head to one side.  Today he was on his back kind of tilted to the side and he was facing the opposite way that he was before.  They normally try to turn him every so often so he isn’t consistently lying on one side.  I am not sure if it was because he was on his back rather than his tummy that he looked so much bigger but he sure did.  I kept asking Jacob what day it was because I didn’t believe he could look that much bigger in just one day.  I mean we visited with him on Saturday so he grew that much on Sunday?! Lol.  He had a big double chin.  It is so good to see him chunky.  Babies are supposed to be chunky!  He was sleepy today but pretty wiggly and active.  He was being a trouble maker by tangling up all the cords with his arms. 

                The doctor explained today that his inflammation had gotten a lot worse from yesterday.  The test that they do for inflammation is measured by CRP.  A normal level is 0.3 CRP.  Yesterday his level was 1.4 CRP.  This is when they immediately started the treatment antibiotic.  Today his level was 8.6 CRP.  This is a lot of difference for such a little body.  The x-ray also showed more white patches in his lungs.  Last week, the infection/inflammation was just in one lung.  This week it is all over.  They have diagnosed this as bacterial pneumonia and they started a second antibiotic so that the two may work together to fight the bacteria.  Hopefully we will see some improvement tomorrow in his tests.  The doctor actually showed us the x-ray and you can see the difference from yesterday to today with the increase in white spots. 

                Yesterday he was placed on the SIMV.  This is the ventilator that allows him to breathe on his own if he takes a breath and if he does not take a breath within the cycle then he is given a mechanical breath at the end of the cycle.  This is a good ventilator for him to be on because it encourages him to breathe on his own but this morning they had to switch him back to the HFV because he had high carbon dioxide levels.  The think this is possibly because of the pneumonia.  The HFV lowered the carbon dioxide level and also is making it easier for them to remove the sputa (mucus, discharge, etc) from his lungs.  Because of the pneumonia he has a lot of sputa in his lungs.  They will switch modes from HFV to the SIMV as they need to according to his respiratory condition.  Praise God for doctors with the wisdom and knowledge to make these decisions.

                Yesterday I asked several questions by email to the doctor and got a response this morning.  It is easier to get a complete response by email because the email can be translated word for word.  We have an amazing friend that has been so willing and so helpful to translate our questions and the doctors’ message.  Today the doctor spent about 30 minutes while we were visiting with Jordan to write out his condition in English for us.  He was using a dictionary and constantly looking up words to make sure he said what he wanted to say.  What an awesome doctor!  We are so blessed to have people who care so much about keeping us informed and who try so hard to make our stay easier.

                Anyways, my questions were about the SIMV machine and the progress with Jordan’s lungs.  The doctor explained that the pneumonia and the respiratory condition are considered two different things.  They are related but they are treated differently.  The goal is still to have him off of the ventilator by the end of the month.  If the inflammation is still there, they will need to treat that first before they can take him off of the ventilator.  Pray that the inflammation and pneumonia would be wiped out quickly so that the ventilator weaning is not delayed.  The ventilator is what caused the pneumonia.  I asked about the SIMV machine and if Jordan was breathing on his own.  The SIMV machine allows him to take a breath and supports him with oxygen when he does take a breath.  If he doesn’t take a breath then it gives him a mechanical breath.  The doctor explained that the High frequency ventilator prevents a lot of lung damage but it does not encourage his lungs to work on their own.  The SIMV does encourage his lungs to work on their own.  While he was on the SIMV the doctor was saying that he was breathing on his own but the number of breaths per minute was low and the breathing was weak.  They expect his breaths per minute and breathing strength to increase in the next 15 days or less so that he can be weaned from the ventilator.  Please pray that God would have his hands on this matter.  We want Jordan to have success with his breathing.

                Any type of infection is very serious for premature babies because they lack the immune health to fight the infection and bacteria.  What may seem like a minor task for mine or your body can be ten times more overwhelming to his body.  Pray that God would infuse his body with strength and immunities.

                Jason had a good day today.  He spent the day with his girls! He ADORES the Wark girls.  They babysit him Monday, Wed, and Friday and he absolutely loves going to their house.  He talks about the girls constantly when he is home.  If this is a small picture of his future interests, we are going to be busy parents!  He is such a popular little boy.  I guarantee that at least 10 people have to say hi to Jason wherever we go.  LOL.  Today he has been playing the door police game.  Any time daddy or I even think about touching a door knob, Jason comes running and screaming! “Bubba do it mamma!!”  “Bubba’s turn!” “Don’t touch it!!”  I did not know that opening the door could be such an exciting activity lol.  I love my little Jason boy and I am so thankful for his energy and spirit.

                Lord, I praise your name for the time that we have had with our sweet and precious baby boy.  We have been so blessed to share this journey and this time.  I praise you for his weight gain.  I praise you that we can see a big difference in his body composition from the weight gain.  Lord I ask that you would be with his lungs and with the pneumonia.  Lord we ask that you would use the antibiotics to remove the pneumonia and inflammation quickly and completely.  Please heal his body of this issue and do not allow the bacteria to reenter his lungs after it is removed.  Lord we ask that you would make significant improvements with his lungs.  Allow the doctors to be surprised in the morning when they take his tests about the improvement.  Allow them to see significant changes and allow us to tell them that this is all because of your power.  Lord we ask that this infection would not set back the timing for the ventilator to be removed.  We ask that you would strengthen Jordan’s individual breathing.  Allow his breaths per minute to increase and his breathing strength as well.  Allow the sputa and bacteria to be easily and quickly removed.  Please help him to overcome this challenge.  Lord we give this all to you.  All the worry that we have and our anxiousness, we give it all to you.  We know that you have everything under control and we know you do miracles every day.  Lord we are asking for another miracle.  Remove this hurdle and heal Jordan.  Lord give Jacob and I strength and rest.  Help us to lean on you when we are feeling weak.  Lord I pray that you would bless Jason.  Thank you for his spirit and his energy. Help him to be understanding.  Allow his attitude to pass as he tries to challenge us.  Give us patience to correct his behavior in a loving way.  Help us to be Godly examples for him. We dedicate both of our boys.  We promise to lead them to your word and guide them along the path toward you. Lord thank you for each day that we have together.  Give us strength and endurance.  We are so blessed with our two precious boys.  We ask all these things in your name, Amen.