A Little Something Extra

Friday, April 23, 2010

Friday Micah update

Micah looks SO much better today.  I convinced his doc to take out his scalp IV yesterday because it hadn't been used in 2 days.  Then they took a line out of his left arm overnight too and gave him a sponge bath overnight.  It's so nice to see his hair without a bunch of tape in it (the nurse taking that out last night was questioning the overkill... I think it was related to the fact that it was so hard to get a line into him on Saturday that everyone was extra protective when they got said line in).

They turned down the rate of his ventilator at 11am and ran bloodwork at noon.  Blood gases look good, so they'll turn the rate down again at 5pm, run labs at 6pm, and then go from there.  If that continues, they will extubate him tomorrow (Saturday).

Micah still doesn't have bowel sounds.  They are hoping that will change after he's extubated and more alert.  They will likely not attempt to put food into his stomach again until they hear bowel movement.  He still has a bunch of extra fluid in him too, but he's peeing well.  Okay, how do you define the word "peeing?"  Does it count if it's simply coming out of your bladder into a foley?  Personally, I think of it as more of an active/intentional verb.  I just asked the nurse.  Officially, he's "making urine," but not "peeing."  Got it.  But I digress.

Some of you have asked how you can help, be it near or far.  If you have small kids who are praying for Micah, you could ask them to draw or paint some fun pictures for me to post on his walls.  If you're local and want to join the meal or babysitting crew, let me know via Facebook or email.

But another way you can serve us is to serve others by you.  It is sooo much easier on us than it is on other families who are here who do not live close to a pediatric hospital.  There are many families over at the Ronald McDonald House for MONTHS at a time.  You could get a small group together and pick a night to cook and serve a meal to families staying there.  We enjoyed those meals tremendously when we stayed at the RMH in Milwaukee 3 times in 2008.

I can't wait to hold my boy!!!

16 comments:

RK said...

SO glad he's improving. Continued prayers! He is handsome even enough to look adorable behind all that stuff on him! :o)

Penny's Peeps said...

Praising God for this great report! He is adorable! Continuing to pray....

Rachel said...

We are still praying for you all and especially sweet Micah. Praying that his bowels start functioning soon and he continues to improve on his breathing. Rose would love to send a picture to Micah for his room. She has already been drawing pictures all week for the children at Vanderbilt on her own so is excited to have a picture to send to someone she "knows". She is also looking forward to making a meal for the families at the Ronald McDonald house in Micah's honor. Please send us an address so we can send the picture to. Our email is RachelLenda(at)comcast(dot)net

Sandi said...

We have been praying for Micah. And are SO HAPPY to see the picture of his skin color looking radically better. Oh how we hope for a full, complete mending of his body. Our son has a g-tube also and much in common medically. We are holding Micah in our hearts for completely mending.

Kelli said...

Hi Jennie! Colin would love to send something for Micah...what address should we send it to? You can email it to me at kelli11stars@yahoo.com so that you don't have to post it on here or just send it to me on facebook. Thinking of you guys and so gald to hear improvements! HUGS!

Andrea K. Van Ye said...

So glad to hear that he is progressing and Oh! how sweet it will be to hold him again. Praying for you and loving you!

Nachelle said...

All of the students in Dr. Roth's chemistry classes at NESA are praying for your family and sending positive energy your way. We are thinking of you and will keep you all in our hearts.

Gabriel and Alyssa said...

please email me the hospital address. I would love to send Micah something from Gabe. michelleandjustinlawrence@gmail.com

my family said...

So glad to hear good news againcan you give us an address, my girls would love to draw a picture, they have been keeping up with you all this past week and they have many questions.
Our prayers will continue

Jonathan's Mom said...

Jennie, thank you for taking the time to keep us updated. We're continuing to pray, but relieved at how much better sweet Micah looks. Jonathan is planning to "make him a sign." I suggested he draw an animal, and the current plan is an elephant. :) Love and prayers to you all!

The Lehnick Family said...

Thanks for updating us all once again...I have been praying hard for your little Micah...

My name is Sarah said...

He is looking so much better. Keep it up Micah!!

one_plustwins said...

Oh, Micah is looking better each and every day!! Continued prayers!!

ATLKrafts said...

got to love dandy dog hanging over him (does barkers know he was top dog today?)... ok, I digress...Thanks seriously for being honest about what you need and how we can help. we have a RMH on campus and I am intrigued to see what we can do to give them a break. my first RMH experience was to visit my cousin, so that was a great recommendation. Thinking and praying for you constantly... and I appreciate the urine comment...you definitely have your mommy MD.

Beth said...

Just found your blog. Praying for Micah, Grandma and the rest of you. It's so difficult to juggle hospital life with regular life. It's totally exhausting.

What a strong boy he is! (C'mon GI tract! We like the pee, but now some bowel action would be great!)

Charity said...

He is so beautiful Jennie - Hope and pray he will soon be himself snuggling and smiling and talking without trouble. Love, The Stadler family