Timothy James

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.

Psalm 84:5a " How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, O Lord. . ."

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight: 5 lbs. 4 oz.

Timothy has been breathing very well with the help of the ventilator. However, now we need to find ways to help him breathe without the ventilator. His doctor believes that a tracheostomy is necessary for him to breathe and keep his lungs clear without the ventilator. This is a procedure in which they cut a hole in his neck and trachea (windpipe) and then insert a special tube through which he will learn to breathe. It will make the work of breathing easier for him and allow us to suction out "junk" that he is unable to cough all the way up. He will probably be going into the operating room this week and they will send a special probe/camera down his throat to assess the situation and will then perform whatever procedure is needed. This is not a small issue, but the hope is that it will actually help him to breathe better until he no longer needs it and then it can be removed and the hole closes up.

Praise - He is gaining weight steadily
- his right arm is beginning to heal
- his nutrition seems to be improving with the help of some supplemental vitamins and nutrients
- he has awake/alert times
- God is still in control and knows what's best for Timothy

Prayer - wisdom for the doctors this week as decisions are made and procedures done
- clarity of thought for mommy & daddy as we ask questions and consider the future
- comfort and rest for Timothy

Psalm 33:20-21 "Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him because we trust in His holy name."

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 3 weeks
Weight: 5 lbs. 2 oz.

As you can see Timothy has gained a lot of weight since we last included his weight in the update. He still fluctuates quite a bit.

He was put back on the ventilator because his lungs were "air-starved". They were so full of junk that he couldn't breathe in and out sufficiently. Now that he's been on the ventilator, his lungs are cleared and he's much better "oxygenated". He still fights the tube down his throat at times. Please pray that he doesn't extubate himself (gag it or pull it out).

Thank you to so many of you who are praying and have encouraged us through your e-mails! We are strengthened through your prayers and support.

Praise - his lungs are clear and he's getting the oxygen he needs
- digestive system is stil working very well
- his eye exam showed good progress. He won't need to have another one for 2 weeks

Prayer - comfort while he's on the ventilator
- rest for all of us (especially mommy! - I've had some late nights at the hospital)
- peace about Timothy's condition and the doctor's and our decisions

Timothy has a follow-up eye exam today. Please pray that it would go quickly and that the ROP would not be progressing.

Isaiah 26:23-4 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD we have an everlasting Rock."

I am so thankful that even though our circumstances change constantly, God is our everlasting Rock and He does not change!

Last night, Timothy was taken off the ventilator and put under the oxygen hood - no more tube down his throat! He did well through the night. Praise the Lord!

Praise - he successfully began breathing on his own when taken off the the ventilator

Prayer - his breathing is still labored and he requires special breathing treatments every 2-4 hours to keep his airways open. Pray that they would open up more on their own and he would not be quite so dependent on the treatments

II Corinthians 1:3-5 " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."

We have tried to be faithful in keeping you up-to-date on the facts of Timothy's condition. Tonight, I'd like to share with you our heart. . .

For those of you who have been following our story on a continual basis, we thank you for your interest, concern and mostly, your prayers. They are a consistent source of strength for us. We recognize that God is in control of Timothy's life and that he has plan for our family. He has been our Rock and source of comfort and encouragement. Right now we are at a point where we are getting very weary. The baby is alive and for that we are grateful, but many issues, which most of you don't even realize, still weigh heavy on our hearts and minds every day. It is not a matter of Timothy gaining weight, or reaching a certain time frame when he will automatically come home. I know that sometimes people assume that because he has been in the hospital for 4 months, he must be progressively getting better, but that is not necessarily the case. In some aspects, yes he is stronger and healthier, but in other areas he is having more difficulty and is just as frail, even more so than when he was born.

We have been on an emotional roller coaster for the last 4 months, but the intensity has heightened over the last 3 days. Satan is attacking our minds and emotions with worry and doubt. Please pray for us! Specifically, that we would be able to deflect the flaming arrows of the evil one through prayer and God's Word. We also need wisdom and peace regarding future decisions that may need to be made regarding Timothy's future and care.

Thank you so much for your support through prayer. Right now, it is the most meaningful thing you can do!

From heart to yours,
Jon and Sheri