November 2nd

Tuesday, September 2nd, was the day of my doctor's visit in Kirksville that spiraled into the last nine weeks. But the word "spiraled" gives the impression that those nine weeks have been chaotic and out of control. By God's grace that is not true--He was in control September 1st and He remains in control today.

"Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him;
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Oh for grace to trust Him more."

Jackson gave us quite a scare Friday night. Around 8:30 pm one of the doctors from Children's called. Other than for post-procedure reports, that has only happened two other times since Jackson was born. He said that even with the ventilator support (it was at partial support--my last update was incorrect about that) Jackson wasn't breathing well, and they noticed an increasing amount of bloody sputum from his ventilator tube when suctioned. They planned to increase the vent back up to full support and begin to aggressively attempt to get rid of any extra fluids by diuresis. He asked, "Are you coming back to the hospital?" The only other time we have ever been asked that by a doctor was at Jackson's birth when he was so close to dying. You can imagine the effect it had. Since Mason had been at the hospital most of the day, we decided I would go for an hour or so and then come back so Mason could take over for the rest of the night. When I got there I noticed immediately that it was dark in Jackson's room and I could only see one other person--a good sign. Whenever a patient isn't doing well, all the lights are on and the room is a flurry of activity. I walked into his room and the nurse was quietly and busily working at Jackson's bedside. He didn't say anything. I walked over beside the bed and said, "Hi there, buddy" down by Jackson's ear. He immediately turned his little head and gazed into my eyes. What a gift from God! My heart melted and broke at the same time. The nurse said, "Give me just a minute and I'll give you an update." Whenever he returned he had two doctors with him. One was the doctor who had called, the other a more senior doctor. The senior doctor is one we have dealt with several times--very kind and caring. He told me he suspected the extra fluid they had told us about earlier in the day was actually more pronounced than they realized. He felt Jackson had had very quickly escalating pulmonary edema and this had led to the bloody sputum and difficulty breathing. He said, "At the beginning I was very concerned." I asked him at what point (ie what physical indicators) he might feel more comfortable with how Jackson was doing. He said, "I already do. He is doing much better. Now we will try to get rid of fluids quickly and see how he responds." Praise the Lord. They gave him sedatives, a paralytic medicine, diuretics, and full ventilator support. Throughout the night Jackson did wonderfully. He peed and peed and peed some more! The ventilator took over for him and his body was able to rest. When I called in the night his nurse said he looked and sounded better, his labs were coming back improved, etc.

Yesterday was day two of the same story. They were able to lift the paralytic medicine, but Jackson's day was comprised of resting and peeing. He had one of our favorite nurses--yay! When I saw him yesterday evening he looked the least swollen that he has since surgery. Double yay!! He looks very sickly and frail. The doctors feel he is just absolutely worn out from all he has been through even just in the past week. Based solely on how he looks, we would definitely agree.

I called the nurse in the night last night. She said he was having a wonderful night, had a bath, and was all cozied into his bed. It was a wonderful way to go back to my bed. I can't wait to see him today!