Tuesday Sept 28, 2010 - This is Joy's mom writing again.
Dear Family and Friends,
THANK YOU for your prayers, emails and words of encouragement. We thank God that Elliot has made some definite improvements!
- Elliot's Oxygen level has stayed in the good range all day.
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- His respirations are still erratic and went to 99/minute several times. The neonatologist said that as long as it didn't stay at that level it was okay. The nurse verified that although it did go to that level from time to time, sometimes it was in the normal range of 40-60 breaths /minute. J & J said that Elliot seems to be almost panting when he breathes that fast.
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- The neonatologist said that Elliot seems to be making progress and turned his care back to the pediatrician as the primary doctor again.
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- Jesse and Joy both got to hold Elliott today!!! He nursed a little, but it was just wonderful to hold him and have him tolerate it well.
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- At some point before J & J got there, Elliot moved the oxygen canula away from his nose. When the doctor saw that and noted that the O2 level stayed in the normal range, he left the O2 going into the air of the incubator, but not directly into Elliot's nose anymore.
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- While he was out of the incubator, J&J held Elliot, watched him get his blood taken, his diaper changed, and fed his milk (poured into the side of his mouth from a little cup) - all with his oxygen level staying within the norm! They are encouraged!
RE MICAH:
On their way home from the hospital, J & J received a call from Jesse's mom saying that Micah fainted this afternoon. He was standing in the middle of the room when all of a sudden he just fell down. When they picked him up – he fainted. The cause is unknown as no trauma had occurred. Jesse's mom (Ruthie Johnson) said that Micah had been lethargic all day. At the doctor's recommendation, they took him to the emergency room to be examined. Again no cause was determined, but the Dr. put him on antibiotic since he has had a cold and has a history of ear problems. It's possibly due to a blocked tube in his ear. He gave J & J his personal cell phone number to call if they had any more problem with him in the night!! By the time J & J got home, Micah seemed to be doing fine.
It was quite the day… highs and lows. The other challenge of the day was that the city power was off for a long period of time. The hospital does have a generator system, but it did not work well. Thankfully all the babies in the unit Elliot is in - did okay. Please pray that the power stabilizes and stays on.
Pray that they will find a dentist who will care for Jesse's painful gray tooth and for Zach's growth.
Pray that Joy, Jesse and Ruthie will get the rest they need.
We praise God for Elliot's progress and pray that it will continue. Thanks for your prayers for the whole Johnson family.
Grateful for your loving prayers and care!
Ruth Clark
Monday, Sept 27, 2010
Here's a quick update on Elliot Johnson.
As long as Elliot has life we are not giving up hope! When they left the hospital tonight , he had "settled" somewhat. He was still on 100% oxygen, but his levels were much less erratic. When the nurse changed his diaper, the oxygen level went down, but as soon as she finished, the level went back up again. The doctors and nurses are good and are saying that the 3rd day is often the worst – so don't give up hope. They said they are "starting over" with trying to wean him off the oxygen again only taking it slower this time and see how he does… Before he "crashed" they had started giving him breast milk down a nasogastric tube and they probably gave him too much too fast. Anyway, we keep praying and asking God to help with every detail like He specializes in! And…we will grab onto this glimmer of hope and continue to pray.
In addition, Zach has had more tummy problems again today (probably amoeba) and Jesse's tooth that he had the root canal done on, is turning gray… Micah now weighs the same as Zach - as Zach has lost weight.
Gratefully under His care with you,
Ruth Clark
Psalm 69:16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.
