Update from the past few weeks

Jacob has been doing fairly well since the last update and ER visit earlier this month. His vocabulary is growing daily and his personality continues to develop. His mobility has also been good. He is slowly recovering from a bout with bronchitis (or something like it). He has also had a couple of fevers over the past few weeks, perhaps related to the respiratory illness. They were similar to the high fever he spiked while in the hospital in that he didn't act very sick. So we are not totally sure what may have caused these, but we are thankful that they seemed to have passed.

On a separate front, we have had a bit of a concern with his stoma (colostomy). It has started to protrude as much as two inches (sometimes closer to three) from his body. We have e-mailed the surgeon at Johns Hopkins but have not heard back from him. We did, however, speak with one of the nurses by phone and she advised that as long as the color looks good and their is output, we should be OK. Everything else regarding his most recent surgery, especially the urological side of things, has been working quite well.

Please continue to pray for the things mentioned above and rejoice with us well. Jacob has been able to get back into the Pre-K program that he attended before and even though it is only once or twice a week, he seems to like it quite well. In addition, with the exception of this past Sunday when Jacob was still sick with the respiratory infection, we have been able to get back to church on a pretty regular basis.

As we approach the Easter weekend, we hope everyone will remember what this "holiday" symbolizes, that being the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

"He is Risen. He is Risen indeed."

Mommy and Daddy

Praise

Jacob was actually doing so well that the doctors decided to release him yesterday evening rather than keeping him for another night. He is home now and doing much better. Thanks to everyone for their faithful prayers.

God is good. Always.

Mommy and Daddy

Update for today

Praise the Lord - Jacob is doing much better today. He has been eating again and drinking fluids. Both of the tests came back negative (C-Dif and rhotovirus). As of earlier today, they have stopped the IV fluids. The doctors have decided to keep him for one more night, though, in order ensure that he keeps everything in and continues to improve.

Please pray for Mommy - she started feeling bad a little earlier today. Daddy has come to the hospital and Mommy is heading home to rest for awhile. James is participating in his first after school program until 6 pm this evening.

Please pray that the Lord will remove this virus completely from our home and that no one else will come down with it.

"Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing. Power, Majesty, Praise to our King."

Mommy and Daddy

Update

Since Jacob's bicarb and sodium levels were both a little below normal, the doctors decided to admit Jacob this evening. He has gradually started to come around and drink a little Sprite and eat a few crackers. Mommy will probably stay with Jacob and Daddy will take care of James. Thank you all for your faithful prayers. We ask that in addition to your prayers, that you also take a moment to praise the Lord for His great faithfulness - even in the midst of challenging situations.

Mommy and Daddy

Prayer Request

Please pray for Jacob - Mommy took him to the Emergency Room this morning because he continues to have trouble keeping fluids in. They have started an IV and given him some medicine to help with nausea. They are checking his electrolytes and other levels. We'll provide more details as we get them. He is generally in decent spirits and wants to drink liquids, but cannot keep them in very long. Please pray that his condition will improve, soon, and that he will not become any more dehydrated.

The Lord is Powerful and Strong, but also Loving and Compassionate, full of grace and mercy.

Mommy and Daddy

Lots of praises and a couple of prayer requests

We'll start with the praises. Here they are:


1. As of late last week, Jacob no longer needs the walker. He has been walking pretty well without it.

2. The incision that was causing problems is almost entirely healed. This was one of the former pin sites from the 2008 surgery that was "cleaned-up" during last months surgery. Because of its close proximity to his stoma and "poo" bag, it was slow to heal and was borderline infected. After a lot of peroxide, antibiotic ointment/meds and of course a ton of prayer, we have been able to stop bandaging it.

3. For the second week in a row, we were privileged to be able to worship the Lord along with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at CPC. In addition, we were able to attend our monthly Shepherding Group. It was great to be able to reconnect with those in our group, in a less formal setting (and with some good barbecue as well).

4. With the exception of last night when both boys were not feeling well, Jacob has been sleeping through the night ever since we got back from Baltimore. This is a huge praise for both Mommy and Daddy as there were many nights during the past year or so where Jacob would wake up two or more times a night (sometimes due to pain, other times hunger, and sometimes a combination of both of these).

5. Even though Jacob has been sick for the past day or so, we realized that God really blessed our entire family with good health in the time leading up to his surgery. James, Mommy and Daddy were each a little bit sick during the latter part of 2009 and into early 201o, but each time the Lord spared Jacob. And this was during a time where James began school and there were plenty of reported H1N1 cases around us (and others that may not have been reported).

Thanks be to God for his unfailing love and mercy.

There are also a few prayer requests as well. They are as follows:

He alone is worthy to receive all glory, honor and praise.

Mommy and Daddy