Timothy James
"Precious to God"
I was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 8th because my amniotic sac was leaking and I had begun to dilate. I was ordered to lie flat on my back until the baby came ( I was due April 2nd!). Well, on Dec. 17th my water broke at 7:15pm and Timothy James decided to come early. He was breech and already on his way out, so the doctor did an emergency C-section and at 10:20 pm he was delivered. He went straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and has been there ever since. Timothy was only 25 weeks along in his development (a "normal" pregnancy lasts 40 weeks) so he still has a lot of growing to do.
posted by Sheri
Stats at Birth
Date: December 17, 2003Time: 10:20 p.m.
Weight: 1 lb., 10 oz.
Length: 13 3/4 in.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Psalm 105:4 "Seek the LORD and His strength. Seek His face continually."
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Timothy is having a natural, but difficult recovery from major surgery. He is extremely swollen, having difficulty on the ventilator and experiencing an imbalance in his blood chemical levels. The doctors have been making adjustments all day and he has also received more blood, plasma, and red blood cells. His blood pressure was high and his heart rate was low tonight, which, for him, we think indicates that he is experiencing some pain. He is receiving extra pain medication.
It is extremely hard for us to see him in this state (especially for mommy), however, we know that God is in control and loves and cares for him even more than we do. Please pray that God would give the doctors and nurses wisdom and insight concerning his treatment. Please pray that Timothy would continue to experience healing and God's comfort. Please pray for us, that God would give us strength to endure through this very difficult time. We believe in the power of prayer and hope that you will join us in lifting this situation up to the Father. Thank you!
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Timothy is having a natural, but difficult recovery from major surgery. He is extremely swollen, having difficulty on the ventilator and experiencing an imbalance in his blood chemical levels. The doctors have been making adjustments all day and he has also received more blood, plasma, and red blood cells. His blood pressure was high and his heart rate was low tonight, which, for him, we think indicates that he is experiencing some pain. He is receiving extra pain medication.
It is extremely hard for us to see him in this state (especially for mommy), however, we know that God is in control and loves and cares for him even more than we do. Please pray that God would give the doctors and nurses wisdom and insight concerning his treatment. Please pray that Timothy would continue to experience healing and God's comfort. Please pray for us, that God would give us strength to endure through this very difficult time. We believe in the power of prayer and hope that you will join us in lifting this situation up to the Father. Thank you!
posted by Sheri at 8:06 PM
Friday, March 26, 2004
Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!' "
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Weight: *We will not be updating the weight for awhile because Timothy has gained so much extra fluid due to his recent surgery that it is not really an accurate number
As I said Timothy does have a lot of excess fluid going through the cells/tissue of his body right now. The excess fluid is referred to as "edema" (swelling). It needs to be assimilated back into his organs and body systems and then processed out through his urine. This can take quite a few days. Until it begins to go down, it is very hard on his lungs.
His blood pressure has been fluctuating - high yesterday, low last night, higher today. They did have him on Dopamine today to help raise it back up. He is now off the Dopamine and it seems to be holding at a good level.
He is on Fentanyl, a sedative.
He is also receiving Lasix, a diuretic to help with the edema.
Praise - so far his lungs are still looking good (help from the ventilator as he recovers)
- the doctor is pleased with his condition on this 1st post-op day
Prayer - He is very sensitive to touch and any procedures or moving right now. It sends him into bradycardia spells.
- needs to just rest and heal
- during this recovery process, no complications to other organs as a result of the surgery or edema.
- stable vital signs - blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rates
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Weight: *We will not be updating the weight for awhile because Timothy has gained so much extra fluid due to his recent surgery that it is not really an accurate number
As I said Timothy does have a lot of excess fluid going through the cells/tissue of his body right now. The excess fluid is referred to as "edema" (swelling). It needs to be assimilated back into his organs and body systems and then processed out through his urine. This can take quite a few days. Until it begins to go down, it is very hard on his lungs.
His blood pressure has been fluctuating - high yesterday, low last night, higher today. They did have him on Dopamine today to help raise it back up. He is now off the Dopamine and it seems to be holding at a good level.
He is on Fentanyl, a sedative.
He is also receiving Lasix, a diuretic to help with the edema.
Praise - so far his lungs are still looking good (help from the ventilator as he recovers)
- the doctor is pleased with his condition on this 1st post-op day
Prayer - He is very sensitive to touch and any procedures or moving right now. It sends him into bradycardia spells.
- needs to just rest and heal
- during this recovery process, no complications to other organs as a result of the surgery or edema.
- stable vital signs - blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rates
posted by Sheri at 11:06 PM
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Psalm 46:1 & 11 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz. (this is excess fluid from surgery and will probably continue to rise over the next few days)
Timothy did very well during his surgery today. There were a few complications and the 3 hour surgery turned into a 4 1/2 hour ordeal! but God was gracious and sustained him through it all. They accomplished the 3 things they set out to do (see Wed.) plus a few extra. They inserted a special "IV" into his chest which can stay there for a long time (months if needed) and allows them to give him medications without poking him for new IV sites all the time. They also removed his appendix and took a liver biopsy to get a better idea of what is going on there (it is quite enlarged, as is his spleen).
The doctor will assess his condition Friday morning and decide if they will go ahead with the eye surgery on Friday or postpone it.
Praise - his heart beat and breathing remained strong during the surgery
- God sustained the doctors and nurses and gave them wisdom in decision-making during the procedures
- he had one of the best surgeons in the Kaiser system (the same one who did his precious abdominal surgeries)
- mommy is adjusting to his new state and realizing that it is only temporary
Prayer - recovery - healing of all areas involved in the surgery
(liver, stomach, esophagus, spleen, intestines)
- rapid loss of excess fluid, mostly through the
urinary tract
- minimal discomfort
- wisdom for doctor regarding decision about the lasar eye surgery & prayer for doctors while performing it if they decide to do so
Age since Birth: 15 weeks
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz. (this is excess fluid from surgery and will probably continue to rise over the next few days)
Timothy did very well during his surgery today. There were a few complications and the 3 hour surgery turned into a 4 1/2 hour ordeal! but God was gracious and sustained him through it all. They accomplished the 3 things they set out to do (see Wed.) plus a few extra. They inserted a special "IV" into his chest which can stay there for a long time (months if needed) and allows them to give him medications without poking him for new IV sites all the time. They also removed his appendix and took a liver biopsy to get a better idea of what is going on there (it is quite enlarged, as is his spleen).
The doctor will assess his condition Friday morning and decide if they will go ahead with the eye surgery on Friday or postpone it.
Praise - his heart beat and breathing remained strong during the surgery
- God sustained the doctors and nurses and gave them wisdom in decision-making during the procedures
- he had one of the best surgeons in the Kaiser system (the same one who did his precious abdominal surgeries)
- mommy is adjusting to his new state and realizing that it is only temporary
Prayer - recovery - healing of all areas involved in the surgery
(liver, stomach, esophagus, spleen, intestines)
- rapid loss of excess fluid, mostly through the
urinary tract
- minimal discomfort
- wisdom for doctor regarding decision about the lasar eye surgery & prayer for doctors while performing it if they decide to do so
posted by Sheri at 10:19 PM
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Psalm 63:8 "My soul clings to You, Lord; Your right hand upholds me."
This is what we are doing as Timothy prepares for surgery these next couple of days. We are trusting that God will be with us and Timothy every step of the way and carry each of us when we need it. PLEASE remember us in your prayers!
Age since Birth:14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Timothy had his eye exam today and it has been decided that he will have eye surgery for his Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) on Friday at 3:00 pm. As usual, his condition is different from what the doctors usually see in ROP so this is posing somewhat of a special challenge for him and the doctors.
He is now back on the ventilator and has been receiving blood, platelets, and antibiotics to boost his systems for his abdominal surgery tomorrow. He goes in at 9:30 am Thursday.
Praise - they decided to do the eye surgery while he is still sedated and on the ventilator so he won't have to go through that a second time
Prayer - God would guide the surgeon's hands
- Timothy's heart and breathing would remain strong during surgery
- that no other complications would arise during surgery
- for mommy who's having kind of a hard time seeing him back on all the machinery and all that goes along with surgery prep, but, by the grace of God and your prayers I will adjust and be able to continue on this journey
This is what we are doing as Timothy prepares for surgery these next couple of days. We are trusting that God will be with us and Timothy every step of the way and carry each of us when we need it. PLEASE remember us in your prayers!
Age since Birth:14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Timothy had his eye exam today and it has been decided that he will have eye surgery for his Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) on Friday at 3:00 pm. As usual, his condition is different from what the doctors usually see in ROP so this is posing somewhat of a special challenge for him and the doctors.
He is now back on the ventilator and has been receiving blood, platelets, and antibiotics to boost his systems for his abdominal surgery tomorrow. He goes in at 9:30 am Thursday.
Praise - they decided to do the eye surgery while he is still sedated and on the ventilator so he won't have to go through that a second time
Prayer - God would guide the surgeon's hands
- Timothy's heart and breathing would remain strong during surgery
- that no other complications would arise during surgery
- for mommy who's having kind of a hard time seeing him back on all the machinery and all that goes along with surgery prep, but, by the grace of God and your prayers I will adjust and be able to continue on this journey
posted by Sheri at 10:13 PM
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Psalm 62: 5-8 "My soul waits in silence for God alone for my hope is from Him. He alone is my Roch and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest. The Rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to Him. God is a refuge for us."
Age since Birth: 14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Timothy's doctor has decided that his bradycardia spells are probably due to reflux issues and his inability to swallow. In effect, he sort of chokes. She also thinks that he will gain weight better when he has more intestinal surface area to absorb the necessary nutrients. So in order to correct these issues he is having surgery on Thursday at 9:30 am. He will have to go back on the ventilator and be sedated for surgery. They will be doing several things:
1. tightening the valve between the esophagus and the stomach (to prevent reflux)
2. putting in a gastrostomy tube into his stomach through the abdominal wall (enabling him to better bottle/breastfeed because he'll have no tubes down his nose or throat) and he can be fed supplementally directly throught the tube 'til he learns to take all his feedings by mouth. This tube will stay in place until he is a year old.
3. reconnecting the intestines therefore removing the need for his "diaper bag" and all waste will now go directly into his regular diaper (this will allow him to process more of his food and absorb more nutrients, hopefully gaining more weight)
He still has his follow-up eye exam tomorrow (Wed) at which time they will decide if he needs surgery. If he does, it may be done on Friday.
Praise - the things being done in this surgery will enable his transition in coming home to be a little easier
- wisdom and quick decision making on the part of the doctors
Prayer - that he would have just the right nursing staff who can care best for himthrought this process, be assigned to him over the next week
- eye exam to be quick and definitive on Wed.
- his enlarged spleen and sensitive liver will not be adversely affected during surgery
Age since Birth: 14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Timothy's doctor has decided that his bradycardia spells are probably due to reflux issues and his inability to swallow. In effect, he sort of chokes. She also thinks that he will gain weight better when he has more intestinal surface area to absorb the necessary nutrients. So in order to correct these issues he is having surgery on Thursday at 9:30 am. He will have to go back on the ventilator and be sedated for surgery. They will be doing several things:
1. tightening the valve between the esophagus and the stomach (to prevent reflux)
2. putting in a gastrostomy tube into his stomach through the abdominal wall (enabling him to better bottle/breastfeed because he'll have no tubes down his nose or throat) and he can be fed supplementally directly throught the tube 'til he learns to take all his feedings by mouth. This tube will stay in place until he is a year old.
3. reconnecting the intestines therefore removing the need for his "diaper bag" and all waste will now go directly into his regular diaper (this will allow him to process more of his food and absorb more nutrients, hopefully gaining more weight)
He still has his follow-up eye exam tomorrow (Wed) at which time they will decide if he needs surgery. If he does, it may be done on Friday.
Praise - the things being done in this surgery will enable his transition in coming home to be a little easier
- wisdom and quick decision making on the part of the doctors
Prayer - that he would have just the right nursing staff who can care best for himthrought this process, be assigned to him over the next week
- eye exam to be quick and definitive on Wed.
- his enlarged spleen and sensitive liver will not be adversely affected during surgery
posted by Sheri at 4:01 PM
Monday, March 22, 2004
posted by Cara at 9:54 PM
Psalm 57:16-17 " But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness."
Age since Birth: 14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Results of Timothy's liver biopsy show that it is not dying and is functioning so that is good news!
As you can see he has not been gaining weight and his doctor is concerned about that. His stools have been very "watery" and she is concerned about 2 things:
1. dehydration
2. he may not be absorbing all the fat from my breastmilk being he's not digesting it all
So, they are trying 2 things:
1. he will be put on a special "predigested" formula for a week to see if that helps either situation
2. she is consulting the surgeon to see about reconnecting his small intestine and inserting a special feeding tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall
Timothy now has a "virtual band" on the March of Dimes website. You can go there to see information on his condition. The March of Dimes is currently running a 5 year campaign regarding prematurity research and education. If you want to donate to the cause in honor of Timothy, soon there will be a link to his "virtual band" on the right hand column of this site under Links. Keep checking!
Also, the pictures should be up any day now!
Praise - his nutrition tests and levels are all good
- he is having fewer bradycardia spells
Prayer - needs to gain weight
-wisdom for doctors in dealing with the digestion issue
- needs to learn to swallow
Age since Birth: 14 weeks
Gestational Age: 38 weeks
Weight: 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Results of Timothy's liver biopsy show that it is not dying and is functioning so that is good news!
As you can see he has not been gaining weight and his doctor is concerned about that. His stools have been very "watery" and she is concerned about 2 things:
1. dehydration
2. he may not be absorbing all the fat from my breastmilk being he's not digesting it all
So, they are trying 2 things:
1. he will be put on a special "predigested" formula for a week to see if that helps either situation
2. she is consulting the surgeon to see about reconnecting his small intestine and inserting a special feeding tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall
Timothy now has a "virtual band" on the March of Dimes website. You can go there to see information on his condition. The March of Dimes is currently running a 5 year campaign regarding prematurity research and education. If you want to donate to the cause in honor of Timothy, soon there will be a link to his "virtual band" on the right hand column of this site under Links. Keep checking!
Also, the pictures should be up any day now!
Praise - his nutrition tests and levels are all good
- he is having fewer bradycardia spells
Prayer - needs to gain weight
-wisdom for doctors in dealing with the digestion issue
- needs to learn to swallow
posted by Sheri at 5:55 PM
