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 138:8 "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands."

Just a quick note to let you know that our appointment with the ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat) doctor on Monday went very well. Timothy will be getting a special valve that fits over his tracheostomy tube which will allow him to make sound! We are so excited! This is something we have been wanting for a few months! Also, it appears that his tonsils are extremely enlarged (they touch together in the back of his throat). This may be causing his difficulty with swallowing and taking food by mouth; and they will definitely have to be removed when the tracheosotomy tube comes out because they will obstruct his airway too much. So, we will be discussing the timing of the removal of the tonsils with several doctors to see when would be the best time.

Praise - the appointment went very well
- It looks as though we may have an answer as to why he has been having so much trouble taking food by mouth

Prayer - that the speaking valve would arrive soon - all needs to go smoothly with the insurance and supply company!
- wisdom as we talk with doctors and make decisions regarding his tonsils

Actual Age: 10 months
Adjusted Age: 7 months
Weight: 12 lbs. 10 oz.

Well, the special test last Tuesday went very well, however, it did not test any part of his kidneys as I thought it would. It checked his bladder to make sure all parts are working correctly, and they are! Now we have to decide if we are going to have an additional test called a renogram done to study his kidneys. It would require an IV and some radioactive substance being pumped into his body. I'm not crazy about those ideas so we need to wisdom and information to decide if the test is really necessary or not.

We have been trying out baby food once a day for the past month. He tolerates it pretty well with one little catch - he refuses to eat it off a spoon; he will only suck it off his pacifier! Kinda weird, but we figure as long as he's taking it, it doesn't matter by what method. So far, of all the foods we've tried, we have discovered some definite likes and dislikes - He hates peaches, but he loves peas!

Monday we have an appointment with an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat specialist). He will be following the care of his tracheostomy. We are hoping to discuss with him the possibility of getting a speaking valve which connects to the trach tube and would allow Timothy to produce sounds.

Praise - Timothy did GREAT at his test last Tuesday.
- He remains healthy
- mommy & daddy are feeling very comfortable caring for him

Prayer - productive visit with the ENT Monday
- our nursing agency is having difficulty staffing weekends for us. please pray that they would be able to find a consistent person willing to commit to this time on a regular basis