Day 6

I started off yesterday by saying things can change day by day. What a difference a day makes. I made it in for rounds this morning. In the words of the surgeon, "the big picture is R is right at or a little ahead of where we would like to see him at this time in his recovery." That was music to my ears. Sometimes when you are in the midst of a process, you forget to take a step back and look at the big picture. That also serves as a spiritual reminder for me.

There was other great news today. R was breathing much better than he has been the last few days. The settings on his ventilator were down, meaning he was doing much of the work and doing it well. The tube that runs through his nose to his stomach was used to suction out his stomach. It was removed today. There was an arterial line in the artery in his groin that was used to measure blood pressure and draw blood. That was also removed. Lastly, R's catheter was removed as well. He still has the ventilator, two central lines (going into his heart), a G tube into his stomach and an ostomy site, but three less tubes is a great thing. The less tubes there are, the less chance for infection.

Another first today was Jen being able to give a sponge bath (for R that is). After the bath, she was able to hold him for the first time. R was uncomfortable with being held, but he settled down after a few minutes. The nurse was also able to suction a lot of mucous from his mouth that had come up from his lungs. Sounds gross, but it really helped clear up his lungs.

On another note, R's biological mother (knowing that I was a minister) asked if I would baptize R. Jen had the opportunity to briefly share about baptism and baby dedications to her. The mother seemed very open and interested. Also interested was the nurse. She asked some questions about baptism. As Jen and I debriefed tonight about the day's events, we felt God had opened a door.

Lastly, we are thankful for the great reports today. We hold on to these and optimistically look forward to the progress that tomorrow brings. Jen & I are being challenged. Not just with the obvious logistics of managing our family and a foster child in intensive care, but with maintaining our focus on providing as much love and care for R as we possibly can in the few hours a day we have with him while battling against the distractions that surround us, particularly in R's hospital room. We know God's grace is sufficient.

Thank you for your continued prayers. It is an amazing thought of the prayers of the saints that go before the Lord on behalf of R. Blessings!