Friday, February 08, 2008

Holding His Own

Noah had a fairly uneventful night and seems to be holding his own. He had a fever spike this morning, but we were able to catch it pretty quickly and get it down before it caused too much havok on his other vitals. He's been needing quite a bit more sedation, as is shown by his heart rate skyrocketing when he is handled. His blood gases look better today and we've been able to go down a bit on the pressures of the Oscillator but his last chest xray didn't show much change, so we likely won't be able to go down much more right now. He is no longer close to the maximum settings, giving us a little "breathing room". His blood sugars have been up and down and all over the place and he's been needing insulin infusions as well as glucose boluses. We are still trying to find the right balance. His blood pressures were high this morning, so the Dopamine was stopped, but then they began drifting down again, so he is on Pentaspan which helps increase the plasma volume in his blood. His platelets were down to only 4 this morning, so he recieved another platelet transfusion. This afternoon they were only up to 7, so he will recieve another transfusion this evening. Our surgeon, (who is also the attending in PICU this weekend), decided to put in a temporary line in his jugular and remove the infected central line. This was all done right in PICU and it went well. We are hoping that by removing a partial source of some of the infections that this will give him a better chance to fight. He is quite swollen today because of fluids, but his kidneys are functioning better today and producing more urine. He has a catheter in so that his output can be measured more accurately.His other organs are holding strong and so we continue to fight. It has all happened so quickly that it doesn't seem quite real yet that we are in this situation. My arms feel so empty and I desperately long to just hold him. We are living on prayers, hugs and coffee. Please keep them coming!! Thank you for so many of you who stopped by yesterday. Noah's a pretty popular guy around this hospital and we love to see how he has touched so many lives.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nichole,
I just want you to know we are praying for Noah and you and your family. If you need anything, please let me know.

-Me- said...

I'm a blog reader of Jamies, and often check in to your blog to see how little noah is....We will be praying for you, that is for sure. May God surround Noah and the rest of your family also. Be blessed.

Kathy said...

I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for all of you, and appreciate the updates about how Noah is doing.

Rosanna Toews said...

You have been in my thoughts today. I know I can't convey my heart acurately on a blogspot. May His unending love and peace be woven into the different parts of your days and nights. He loves you.

Anonymous said...

I often read your updates on Noah, and it breaks my heart to see what you all have been through, yet it is so encouraging to see how Noah is such a blessing to your family and all of us who have read your blog. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers, and pray you feel God closer than ever right now.

Anonymous said...

You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. We continue to pray for strength, comfort and courage for all of you. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23
love, Heather

The Hines Family said...

You guys have been on my mind a lot in the last week and we are still praying.

Anonymous said...

"Shout for joy. O heavens, Rejoice, O earth, burst into songs O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13

The Keowns said...

we continue to pray, its hard to know exactly what to say but God has a plan.

dt said...

You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find God sufficient to carry you this day and we pray that His peace "which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7
Dianne Toews

claire said...

Nichole and family,

I have been following Noah's story from the beginning via Kerri Kincaid's blog and prayer requests. My heart continues to go out to you. I can't look at those pictures without tearing up and I can't imagine how you must be feeling as you sit by his side. Know that your faith continues to amaze me. Everyone reading your story will be touched because you continue to cling to our God. I know He will continue to comfort you and I am praying for peace.

Love to you all,
Claire (in Colorado)

Anonymous said...

hi!
i actually started reading your blog, because i´ve been on missions in south africa and there i took care of a boy who had the same chromosome disorder like your little gift got!
and i just wanted to tell you how
impressing it is how well you´re handling the illness, how much love you give to your son and how much you rely on god.......
my little guy passed away too early, too quickly and before someone of his family could say goodbye (he´s been in an orphanage, because his very poor family couldn´t take care of him and he´d to be out of hospital for several reasons);
i´m hoping that your journey continues to be such a good and enriching one like it´s been so far;
god´s many, many blessings for noah, his siblings and his whole family, of course!
leslie

Michelle said...

Nicole,
I am Miranda's cousin and got your blog from her. You, Noah and your family will be in our prayers. God is the almight healer - we know He can work miracles.
The Irving Family