Sunday, December 21, 2008

Quiet

It's a quiet day today...we know how quickly things can change and so we relish the quiet. The whole PICU is quiet...the nurses spent the morning building an amazing gingerbread house. Many things to be thankful for...the bleeding has stopped and we are coming down on the GI bleed meds...his blood pressure is stable. The big concern is his lungs. He is full of secretions from the pneumonia, and his lungs are very wet from the excess fluid he has required (once again he is very swollen). But at the same time, he is very asthmatic with a tight, tight chest and lots of bronchospams, causing him to fight against the vent. The IV ventolin has not done much good. This makes him complicated to ventilate properly. His blood gases are still not good, but his O2 sats remain good. A very conservative approach is being taken right now in the hopes that waiting it out will be best. Right now he is sedated, but able to initiate his own breathing. If things don't improve, he will need to be fully paralyzed to allow the ventilator to take over completely while his lungs heal. But the concern is, since he is so very wasted, we may never be able to wean him off the vent if that route is taken. So for now, we sit tight and wait...

Many thanks to mom and dad who have taken the kids and are making sure they have some Christmas fun. I have not allowed myself to think much ahead to Christmas yet, although reminders of the season are all around us...for now it is just one hour at a time.

Thank you, Erin for the song you posted. The words mean so much to me...

LIttle is Much - Downhere
What is the measure of a life well-lived
If all I can offer seems too small to give
This is a song for the weaker, the poorer
And so-called failures
Little is much when God's in it
And no one can fathom the plans He holds
Little is much when God's in it
He changes the world with the seeds we sow
Little is much, little is much
Who feels tired and under-qualified
Who feels deserted, and hung out to dry
This is a song for the broken, the beat-up
And so-called losers
Consider a Kingdom in the smallest seed
Consider that giants fall to stones and slings
Consider a child in a manger
Consider the story isn't over
What can be done with what you still have

15 comments:

Jamie said...

It all sounds so scary. I'm glad things are quiet today. I'm thinking of you guys lots.

Anonymous said...

Many people prayed for you this morning...mom

Anonymous said...

From one Mom to another, you are not alone. I am praying for Noah and your family. We too understand the true meaning of Christmas as we care for our special needs son daily and our only prayer is for his health to be sustained each day. Be still and know that God is in control and he will see you through this. You are never alone!

Anonymous said...

Praying that you will feel the peace and comfort of our Lord through this time, that he will strengthen you all for each day, and each moment. We love you guys and are thinking of you and praying for you so much.

Heather

Rosanna Toews said...

Tears keep falling when I read these posts from the last days. I agree with Jamie, it all sounds so scary. May those around you be gentle and kind. May you have windows of rest. But mostly I pray that God's presence would calm your soul, despite all the MANY things you can't control. Grateful you have a caring and supportive family around you.

Leanne said...

Praying for all of you, especially for sweet Noah who has captured our hearts through a computer screen.

Kim said...

Blessings for a quiet day. I pray for rest for all of you and the warm arms of Jesus holding you. Hugs and prayers for you my Bean!

laura.h said...

Oh Nichole,
I'm so thankful Noah made it through surgery....I was praying!!!
My heart just dropped when your mom phoned, saying they had rushed him into surgery....so very thankful!
But I'm also so very dissapointed we won't be seeing you,or Noah , or Brad over Christmas. I was really looking forward to seeing you guys. But I'm glad Brad made the decision to stay back. It must be very, very, hard spending Christmas in the hospital. I really wish we could just come and be with you. My hearts kind of broken today...but I'm glad Noah is "holding his own", and we'll continue to uphold him in prayer.
Love you.

Anonymous said...

Hoping these hard days are soon long behind you and your family. Noah deserves to be at home and healthy at this time so praying it comes soon.
Following Noah's story from Yahoo TPN support.
Kelly-Anne, Australia.

Anonymous said...

bless your heart. I am praying for Noah as well. Praying for all of you. You have me in tears...as I had no idea all this was going on...I am caught up now and will follow this blog in leiu of the disboards...

Praying for you guys.

Armindasue said...

I wanted to let you know that Noah has just captured my heart, and I will continue praying for him and your family.

teresajoy said...

I accidentally posted this in my daughter's account. This is teresajoy from the disboards.

I wanted to let you know that Noah has just captured my heart, and I will continue praying for him and your family.

Kim said...

Nichole
I just went back to your archives and read the very first posts you made about Noah. I looked at his smiles in his 3 month picture, his little "bonnet" that was too cute, and the many wonderful pictures of him with Kailyn & Joshua. The tears are not stopping as I think of where Noah is right now (fortunately, he has you by his side along with a powerful Jesus!). He has gone and come through so much. Praying for strength for all of you. Bean - hugs for you.

Anonymous said...

Praying for all of you, Nichole!!

Anonymous said...

Nichole, Brad and family. I've been praying for all of you. Actually we all are. You know how much I love Noah and your family. I keep looking my little baby Angel and know that somehow God's love will continue to reach your family. Know that we are here - even if you just want to phone for a brief talk - I've asked Mary to get over there and take care of you Nichole - I know you so well... please keep up your physical needs (food/drinks) so you can be there for Noah in full body and mind. That's all for now.... love Nicole and Family.