Today's Update

Jacob had a good day today. He continues to gain strength in his legs and enjoys tooling around with his walker. He has a little stash of items in a make-shift basket that we've attached to the front of his walker. He keeps his DVD's, a couple of stuffed animals and his toy cell phones (wonder where he got that interest from - yes, Daddy is the cell phone geek in the house).

We contacted Dr. Gearhart today via e-mail and he wants us to continue to monitor the output from the SP tube every 2-3 hours, during the day. The output still seems a little high, even though there is decent output from down below, too. Please pray that his "pee-pee" will continue to make its way out through his urethra and that the amount coming out via the SP tube will continue to drop. The clinic was closed today, so we are not sure, yet, whether this will delay us in getting the SP tube removed. Also, he still has quite of bit of congestion, although his cough is not nearly as bad as it was earlier in the week.

Daddy was able to get quite a bit of work done today while Mommy took Jacob out for a stroll and while he napped. Mommy has really been able to connect with some of the other families that are staying here at the Children's House. Please pray that God will use her, through these developing friendships, to bring glory to Himself and as a testimony of His mercy, grace and power. The Lord can use even the most challenging situations to draw people unto Himself.

May His Name be Lifted Up

Mommy and Daddy

A good night and lots more snow

Praise the Lord that Jacob began peeing down below early yesterday afternoon. We were a little concerned that things might be digressing back to where they were in 2008, but by God's grace, things are actually progressing well.



Jacob had a very good night of sleep, which means that we also slept well. This is also a big praise. He still has the cough and congestion, so we ask your continued prayers for him in this regard.



The Baltimore area has once again been hit with a major snow storm. We are expecting another 12+ inches when all is said and done. This is on top of the snow that was already here from the weekend storm. The roads in downtown were still fairly messy yesterday before this latest storm began. Check out the link in the previous post for some video footage and photos from a local news channel.

We are not totally what the next steps will be for Jacob. Dr. G advised that he will check in with us today at some point. We continue to report our results to him periodically. He did advise yesterday that he is pleased with the results.

"The Universe declares Your Majesty"

Mommy and Daddy

Check out Baltimore's weather

If you want to see what the weather is like here in Baltimore and also see some cool videos and pictures. Go to www.wjz.com.

Love to all and thank you for your prayers

Jacob looking out the window at Children's House

Jacob looking out at the snow
A few more days of wrapping Jacob's legs and he will be out of this wagon

Prayer Request

Jacob did not have much output from down below this morning. In addition, he coughed quite a bit last night. We have once again capped off the SP tube and are trying to get him to drink more fluids. We've also e-mailed Dr. G's nurse regarding the situation. Please pray that his output will pick up down below, that he will drink enough liquids and that his cough will subside soon.

Thanks for every one's faithful prayers.

"Name above all Names"

Mommy and Daddy

Results from today's appointment

Dr. Gearhart successfully removed the urethral stint from Jacob today. In addition, we have started plugging the SP tube (catheter) during the day and will check the output from it every couple of hours. At night, we reattach the urine bag. We will be reporting our "results" to Dr. G's nurse every day. This is certainly a critical time because the ultimate goal here is to have the majority of the urine drain from down below and only end up with a little in the SP tube (except at night). Please pray that everything will flow where it is supposed to and that he will be able to have the SP tube removed within a few days. Dr. G did indicate that we may not need to have the scope done at this time as long he is satisfied with the results from this week.

Jacob still has a pretty bad cough, but thankfully no fever at this time. Please continue to pray that he will recover from this soon as it definitely affects his ability to get good sleep and will certainly be a concern should he need any procedures involving anesthesia.

There were a couple of really cool moments today. Jacob fell asleep shortly after we returned from his appointment, but when he woke up, we were able to pick him up and actually hold him for the first time in four weeks. Mommy carried him downstairs to dinner (pizza, salad and brownies from a wonderful local restaurant owner here in Baltimore) and he got the biggest grin on his face. Once downstairs, he was able to actually sit up on the sofa and not be confined to the wagon.

Once we received the e-mail from Dr. Sponseller advising that it was OK for Jacob to put weight on his legs, we immediately asked Jacob if he wanted to walk. He, of course, said that he would like to walk. So, we helped him take a few steps and he did pretty well. He is a little wobbly from being off his feet for this long, but by God's grace, he'll be back up to speed in no time. He and Daddy played for quite awhile in the recreation area here at the Children's House. Jacob absolutely loved being able to sit-up and move around. It certainly brought Mommy and Daddy a ton of joy to see him this happy.

With the possibility of another sizable snow event this week, we're not totally sure when the next appointment will take place. Our best guess at this point is probably Thursday. We will update everyone then. In the meantime, please continue to hold up the items mentioned above, but also take a moment to thank the Lord for progress Jacob has made up to this point.

Standing on His promises, with His strength, because of His mercy and grace.

Mommy and Daddy

Quick Update - prayer and praise

Daddy BA made it here safely last night at around 9 pm. He was just in time to catch the tail end of a surprising Super Bowl finish and enjoy some great food, donated by one a local restaurant owner. Praise the Lord for his safe arrival, despite a few trick spots near Harper's Ferry and in downtown Baltimore.

Because of the snow, Jacob's doctor appointment has actually been moved up to around 1 pm today (how often does that happen). The plan today is to remove the stint and cap off the SP tube (catheter). They and we will then monitor him for a few day.

We certainly ask that you pray for today's appointment - pray that the outcome will be as expected and that he might be one step closer to having no tubes in him. In addition, however, we ask that you also pray for Jacob as he has developed a pretty persistent cough. Other than the cough and a bit of congestion, he seems to be OK, but the cough may delay the final follow-up planned for later this week.

Dr. Gearhart will likely try to scope Jacob's urethra and bladder in a few days, once we've had a chance to make sure that the majority of his pee is coming out down below. But this does require that he be put to sleep for a little while. It is unlikely that they will put him to sleep with any sort of respiratory issues. Please pray that all will go according to plan (His plan, not ours).

We will look to provide everyone with another update this evening, after today's appointment.

With much love, given to us by the God of all Love,

The Arringtons