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.

James 1:17 " Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

Timothy is our very special gift from God!

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight: 5 lbs. 14.5 oz.

Timothy had a much more restful day today. Thanks for all your prayers and please continue!

Feedings were changed to 25 cc's every 3 hours, that's kinda like normal :) So far he seems to be tolerating it. The doctor is trying to begin to regulate his schedule a little bit more. Rather than being fed continuously, he now gets a larger dose every few hours to help him feel satiated. Hopefully this will in turn, help him to have more normal cycles of sleeping, wakefulness, and hunger/feeding. It will probably take a few days for him to adjust.

The nurses have also been instructed to let him sleep and not to do any of their nursing tasks that might disturb him while he is resting. Instead they have to "cluster" all their care into times when he is awake. I'm very thankful for the doctor's orders and sensitivity to regulating his schedule!

Praise - change in feedings to regulate his schedule a little more
- continues to be slowly weaned off the ventilator
-steady weight gain
- God continues to sustain him day-by-day
- it will be our first Mother's Day celebrated as a family! :)

Prayer - that his digestive system would tolerate the new feeding schedule and amount
- he's had a few bradycardia (drop in heart rate) spells again; prayer that those would decrease and his body begins to regulate itself more
- healing of the lungs and trach site

Psalm 145:17 "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds."

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight : 5 lbs. 14.7 oz.

Timothy had a kind of rough recovery day today. He was very agitated and had to be sedated most of the day so he would sleep and not be too upset - I actually heard him cry quite a bit today! He seems to be quite uncomfortable a lot of the time.

Feedings were begun at 3 cc's an hour for 6 hours and then increased to 5 cc's an hour (4 ounces a day - 30 cc's = 1 ounce)at 6 pm tonight.

Praise - that he is being weaned off the ventilator, slowly!
- he seems to be tolerating the feedings
- all other systems (besides respiratory) seem to be functioning well

Prayer - that he would be comfortable, not experience too much pain
- that he would get the rest and recovery he needs
- healing of the trach site
- healing of his lungs

Hebrews 13:5b ". . . for God Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.' "

We are so thankful that God was with Timothy through his surgery today!

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz.

Timothy's surgery went very well today! Most of the preparations went smoothly and the surgery was not really very long, only 1 1/2 hours from the time they wheeled him out of the NICU to the time he was back and we were allowed to see him.

When the doctor looked down the airway with a special scope, it was all clear, there was no swelling of the airway or any obstructions. This is a real blessing and answer to prayer, because many babies who have had as many ventilator and breathing issues as Timothy often have problems with their airways which may require additional surgeries to correct.

Because the airway was clear, it was decided that the issue is his lungs and therefore a tracheostomy was performed. Jon and I thought that recovery from this procedure would involve paralyzation for 10-12 days, however, we found out that we were confused (that was for a different procedure). Timothy will not be required to lie completely still, in fact, he was already coming out of the effects of the anesthesia within 2 hours after surgery!

He is still connected to the ventilator through the tracheostomy tube (trach). He will be slowly weaned off that as he tolerates it.

He is doing very well and it's wonderful for mommy & daddy to finally see his whole face cleared of all tape and tubes! He's absolutely beautiful!

Praise - pre/post op went very smoothly
- he had a super nurse with him throughout the day and in surgery
- wonderful team of nurses, doctors, surgeon, anesthesiologists, respiratory therapists and others I'm sure working with him throughout the day
- we had the opportunity to speak with the surgeon before surgery
- clear guidance for the surgeon as he decided which procedure was needed
- Timothy will not need to be sedated for an extensive amount of time

Prayer - strength and understanding as Jon & I begin learning about how to care for Timothy and his trach
- healing of the trach site/freedom from irritation or infection
- that he would do well enough to be weaned off the ventilator soon
- that G-tube (tube into his stomach) feedings will begin again soon

Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight: 5 lbs. 8.5 oz.

Timothy goes in for surgery Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm. Since this is the National Day of Prayer, we ask that as you pray for our leaders in government, that you would also include a special prayer for our family. Please pray for smooth pre-surgery preparations, an opportunity for mommy & daddy to speak to the surgeon before surgery begins, wisdom for the surgeon as he analyzes Timothy's condition in the operating room and decides which procedure is needed, and smooth post-surgery care.

Please also pray for strength for us during the next 2 weeks. If a tracheostomy is performed, Timothy will be heavily sedated and "paralyzed" (using drugs) for at least 10 days to allow the trach site to heal. It is going to be very hard to see him in this state for so many days when we are used to him having wakeful times of interaction. We need peace, comfort, and patience as we wait for the healing to occur.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever."

It gives us great peace to know that even though the situation with Timothy changes on a daily basis, that our source of strength is Christ and that He never changes!

Actual Age: 4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 month
Weight: 5 lbs. 7.5 oz.

Timothy is scheduled for his 8th surgery. It will be on Thursday, May 6th at 1:00 pm. They will be performing the procedures described in the last update (see Saturday). If a tracheostomy is performed it will mean some very specialized care will be required for Timothy when he comes home. We will learn how to care for him; and constant care (only by trained people) will be required 24 hours a day. We are trusting that God will give us strength for the task.

Praise - He is resting and healing and in many ways
- feedings through the G-tube in the stomach have been increased to 12 cc's an hour (about 9.6 oz a day)
- God has provided one of the best surgeons available to perform the surgery

Prayer - mommy & daddy's apprehension about surgery and care when he comes home
- continued healing of the broken arm (it is very slow! and still causes him some pain, he can't really lay on his right side)
- smooth pre/post surgery preparations and care