Saturday, September 18, 2010

Quick Update

Thank you to everyone who has been praying with and for us!

We had a wonderful turn out for the holy hour and Mass - which were blown away by - and we are so humbled by all the other people around the midwest, nation and even world who were uniting their prayers with us this morning.  An extra benefit was being able to reverence a relic of the True Cross of Christ.  It was so beautiful, and we are so grateful to our friends Jenny W., the Carrs, and Fr. Nathan for organizing everything for us.

Also, I wanted to tell you to keep up the prayers!  James has been peeing like a madman and his heart and lungs are healing up exactly like they should.  His blood pressure has been wonderful!  The nurses were able to lower the amount of oxygen James is receiving - which is GREAT - and in 45 minutes this morning he peed 61ml when all we need him to do is 20 something.  (I'm not very good with all these numbers and science-y things, so I hope I got that right.)    He even pooped!

The next goals we have are #1 for him to pee out of his catheter, so that they can remove it with the knowledge that his kidneys will be working well and on their own.  This shows us that not only are his kidneys okay, but so is his heart, which is pumping the blood to the kidneys so they can do their thing.  #2 goal is for his median blood pressure to stay around 55.  #3 goal is for his lungs to continue to improve so he can be weaned off the ventilator.  #4 goal is to have no more seizure activity.

Lastly, early tomorrow morning they will begin to warm James back up.  We need this to go well.  Our hopes are that his organs, and especially his brain, will have been preserved while his body temp was lowered.  Please God that he does well with the warming!  When his temp is normal again we can begin doing MRI's to find out the extent of the brain damage.  At this point it could be anything from a learning disability to mental retardation to cerebral palsy.  However, because he is so young the brain can adapt and make new connections around the brain damage, allowing a "normal" life.

We continue to pray to the Great Physician for a miracle!  Please join us! 

Our little boy was without a pulse for 61 minutes.  It's a miracle he's alive.

13 comments:

Mary said...

You have a beautiful family, you are all truly blessed to have such caring friends.

We don't know you, but my 6yo son and I were the ones right in front of you at Mass. I didn't realize it was you or I would have said something before the end. The Catholic moms group I am in got an email for prayers, and I found my way to your blog.

Both of my boys were NICU babies, I feel for you and pray for a full and complete recovery. I know what it's like being in continue suspense as to how your baby is doing, so I am also praying for peace for you all as well.

AngelsAccents said...

Bonnie & Travis,
We are so sorry for not being able to attend the mass today. Know that we are praying very hard for James. You are absolutely correct, it is a miracle he's alive. James is in good hands with God and the St. Francis staff.

Praying for you all,
Angel, Ryan, & kids

Anonymous said...

I am crying with joy for Sweet Baby James and continue to pray that he is able to overcome the challenges ahead. Thank you for the updates and please continue them. Love, Laura Albrecht

Steed Family said...

What an incredibly inspiring story - and it's only just begun. We have been uniting our prayers (and will continue to do so) to those of the saints in hopes that your dear James will make a recovery. May our Lord bless you all abundantly.

Anonymous said...

What good news!!
-Lisa

Jude and Alisha said...

We wish we could be physically beside you at this time. Know that our hearts, thoughts, and prayers remain there.

Anna said...

Yay, baby James! We're continuing to pray for his healing. And furthermore...I'm praying that God COMPLETELY heals his brain!

Anonymous said...

Bonnie, Travis, Lydia, Bennet, and James- We're glad to hear about James' steps of improvement. We're praying that they continue. If you need someone to watch Lydia and Bennet we could take a day off work. Archbishop Fulton Sheen Pray for JAMES. -Susie

Margaret said...

Thank God!

Lori said...

Bonnie
I had no idea until today all of this has been happening. My prayers are on their way. Please please let me help you any way I can. I can watch the kids or bring you food. Marcia had my number or I am in the book. I am sorry I didn't learn about this soon. God Bless you and keep you in his arms always.
Lori Rogers.

Anonymous said...

Bonnie-
Peg told me about James, and he and you have prayers coming your way from Missouri. My Newman family will be praying for him, and especially asking the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Blessed Cardinal Newman, who was beatified today. We are storming Heaven for you.
Karen Sprague

Jennifer @ Conversion Diary said...

Bonnie -

I've been offline a lot this week so I just now heard that your baby is in the NICU. I'm so glad to hear that there have been some signs of improvement, and will be praying like crazy!! I'll eagerly await updates to hear how the warming goes.

Also, my friend and fellow Catholic blogger Abigail of Abigail's Alcove currently has a newborn with complicated medical issues in the NICU -- I'll have her pray for you as well!

God bless you!

Glenna said...

Prayers from Memphis! Keep us posted.