Friday, July 27, 2012

49 days old!! 7-27-12


Sorry about not blogging so often.  We haven’t been getting updates on the days that we don’t go up to Aomori.  It will probably be like that for a while so I may not blog everyday unless I feel led by God to speak about something in particular.  I had a rough day today.  I was not happy this morning as we were having a few translation conflictions.  It’s really hard to not be able to call the NICU whenever I want to get an update on baby boy.  I wish I could call myself but with the communication barrier it can be a challenge.  Today we went to Aomori later than we usually do because we were scheduled to help give Jordan his bath.  Two days ago, his inflammation had gone up a little bit and the doctors had thought that it was because his body was reacting to being on the antibiotics for too long.  So they stopped the antibiotics to observe.  Today the inflammation response test went up significantly.  It was at 1.5 CRP on our Thursday but then today it was up to 7.5 CRP.  You guessed it…baby boy has another infection. 
The doctor said it is a bacterial infection.  They did a few cultures and a blood exam to determine the type of bacteria and to see if they could pinpoint the location of the infection.  It could be in his lungs again but his x-rays were clear so it is not another pneumonia as of now.  They said that his oxygen and vital signs had been stable and he has good activity.  Because he is so tiny, they cannot do multiple blood tests in one day like they could with an adult so it can be harder to find the exact location of the issue.  They started him on a different antibiotic…well two different kinds of antibiotic.  They are using a low dose of these.  The lowest dose possible.  It is difficult because babies this young catch infections easily because of reduced immunity but being on lots of antibiotics creates immunity in their body to those antibiotics just like it would for you and me. 
Jordan also needs another blood transfusion because his hemoglobin levels are low.  He usually does well after he has gotten blood and I have heard that it is normal for preemies to get multiple blood transfusions.  This will be his fourth transfusion since birth.  Jordan also had an eye exam yesterday but they were unable to determine his eye condition and sight because his eyes are still cloudy.  They said this was normal and they will recheck in a week to see if the cloudy is fading.  Premature babies often have eye issues but these can usually be corrected with either glasses or eye surgery.
Jordan was celebrating the Nebuta festival with his own little festival decoration.  This is the festival with all the huge Japanese floats.  I think it is awesome that they try hard to allow the babies and their parents celebrate the festivals even when they are in the NICU.
We had the pleasure (not really) of experiencing a time of distress for Jordan.  I was able to help with his bath today and it was nice to be able to help with his care.  I did most of the cleaning on him.  Right after his bath, the nurses were positioning him and adjusting him again when he decided to stop breathing.  The ventilator tube could have been partially blocked against his trachea from all the moving but whatever the reason, Jordan’s oxygen saturation went down to 24% rapidly.  The doctor had to use the oxygen bag and do a manual pump of oxygen into his lungs for several minutes to get the number back up and stable.  This was really freaky to watch.  I was not okay seeing my little boy in such distress. 
I haven’t been leaning on God today like I should.  The human in me always tries to wrestle back control over everything.  I am certain that this is why I have been struggling so much today.  I need to give up the control and let God handle things.  He controls things much better than I do anyway.  The nurse assured me that the oxygen issue was not my fault and was just something that sometimes happens.  It didn’t really feel like it at the time though.  Jacob was telling me that I wasn’t being positive today.  It is difficult to be so positive each and every day.  I think it is normal to have a rough day here and there. 
Lord, I pray hard that you would be with baby boy and this new infection that he has.  I ask that you would place your healing hands on his body.  I pray that you would boost up his immunity and allow him to have a break from this struggle.  I know that your plans are perfect and I pray that you would infuse him with your strength.  Lord I pray that you would give him complete healing.  Place your hands on his lungs lord.  Help the doctors to figure out where the new infection is located and how to stop the infection with the correct treatment.  Give them wisdom and guidance.  I pray that you would continue to let him have clear lungs and give him respiratory stability.  I pray that you would not let him have any more respiratory emergencies like the one we witnessed today.  Allow the doctors to continue weaning him from the ventilator.  Guide the weaning process.  Be with Jordan as he receives this transfusion and protect him from harm.  Strengthen him with this transfusion.  Lord I pray that you would be with Jacob and I .  Help us to lean on you when we are feeling discouraged.  Give us strength and endurance.  Help us to not be burnt out from our constant schedule.  This is a long road.  One we will get through with you by our side and leading the way.  Help us make the best decisions possible for our family and our little boys.  Be with us as we rest and refresh our spirits.  Lord speak to us and through us.  Guide us in our paths and help us to be a light for others.  I ask that you would be with Jason as well.  Help him to know mommy and daddy’s love.  Help us to give him as much attention as he needs.  Lord I pray about the communication issues that we are having.  I pray that you would place your hands on that situation.  Allow us to have peace and confidence in your will.  Give us all strength, endurance, and patience.  We ask all these things in your name, Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment