Two great days in a row! Drew is continuing to amaze us with his strength and desire to live. We know that he has felt uplifted by the countless prayers offered for him, and we would like to thank everyone again for all of the prayers and love. Sometimes in life we feel like we are being carried by angels, and these past twelve days have been amazingly peaceful for us. We realize that there is a long road ahead of us and we look forward to continuing to witness the power of the priesthood and prayer. Drew is still at risk for infections which cause setbacks and his lungs still need to mature quickly. One area of concern is the small risk of hydrocephalus (blocked circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid). This can occur due to blood clots from the intraventricular hemorrhages (brain bleeds) that Drew experienced. Hydrocephalus can cause the ventricles and other areas to swell and apply pressure to the brain, which we are praying that Drew doesn't have to encounter. The nurse practioner felt optimistic that Drew would break down the cells from the intraventricular hemorrhaging normally and that this wouldn't be an issue. Yesterday little drew started to get his first taste of real food...milk from Mommy! They start with only one CC of milk every twelve hours which is not very much but it helps to get his stomach working. Although he doesn't get to actually taste it due to him requiring a feeding tube, we think that he is excited to have something other than water in his stomach. He is still very funny and loves his new position on his tummy. He is developing some funny facial expressions which make us and the nurses laugh pretty hard. We love visiting him and singing to him while we touch his little hands. Drew brings us so much joy and we love our little boy.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
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3 comments:
Jenn, Eric and Drew:
You are so inspiring to our family, the strength that you have shown and the spirit that radiates from your family. Drew is an amazing spirit, with such determination. We love you and you are continually in our prayers.
YAY for Drew having mommy's milk!! We hope today was a good one too. Our niece who had a baby with the same timing as Drew said they taught her how to massage their little guy and it seemed to make a difference. He was one pound 8 ounces and is now 4 and in the 50th percental for his size and is also perfect:)
If you need some more people to sing to Drew, just let us know
We love you so much
Karen and Ron
Warning: This is extremely lengthy!
I am Laura, Karen's niece. Ian was born just a bit over four years ago and struggled with the same issues as Drew.
Watching your precious, fragile baby struggle for his life is so very difficult. Ian's determination and spirit could not be contained by his little body, as it seems is also the case with Drew.
Faith and prayer are the only things that can keep despair at bay. As you know, every moment can bring good or frightening news. Every day brings new information about what may go wrong. The emotional and physical toll this takes is huge. Only absolute trust in God's plan can take the "what ifs" and the fears away and leave peace and gratitute in their place.
One of my great concerns was that Ian was experiencing pain I could not alleviate and that he was missing my heartbeat and the soothing sounds of the womb. I worried about so many things, yet my fears obsessed mostly around the idea that Ian was suffering emotionally and physically due to his early separation from the womb. Joe, Ian's dad and my husband, had given Ian a blessing as soon as possible after his birth. He also gave me blessings that brought me comfort, though I still had anxiety in my heart. Then, a week after Ian's birth, the nurses were changing his tubes and I got to see my son's face for the first time without any obstructions and he SMILED at me with eyes that shone out love and recognition. He continued to smile at the most appropriate times throughout his stay in the NICU. This was a beautiful answer to my prayers and pleadings.
As painful and difficult as those weeks and months were, they were also filled with countless amazing miracles and evidences of God's love, premortal existance and the gospel plan. I KNEW Ian knew me, knew who I was, knew who Joe was and was assuring us with his smile that while his entrance into mortality was difficult, he had known this and had rejoiced in the opportunity to come to earth and experience the joy of tapping into our Savior's grace and strength and love during mortality.
My advice besides absolute trust and reliance on God (which really makes anything else unnecessary, but being human, rarely happens) is to ask the doctors and nurses everything and anything. Find out why, when, what and how. Be there when the doctors do their rounds. Push for every opportunity to have skin to skin contact with your baby, whether it is through massage, kangaroo care or changing his diaper. I also pushed to put Ian to the breast as soon as the doctors agreed it would not compromise his health. I wanted him to have the comfort of mother's breast and heartbeat. Of course, father's chest and heartbeat are just as important and should be sought as well! Give him blessings whenever you feel it would help him or you. Don't ride the roller coaster of good and bad news; know and understand what is happening, but believe that ultimately it has no bearing on how you feel - because you know Drew is in God's capable hands and that with God's help all things can be for good. Lastly, cherish this time. God has blessed you to experience something that will change you forever. He has given you the opportunity to truly learn what faith is and the power found within it. And learning of faith is learning of God. The Savior will be with Drew and you throughout, succoring you exactly in the ways you need it. You will come to understand how deep and limitless God's love truly is. My prayers are with you and your sweet baby.
Laura Oliver
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