A different Sunday...

  Today David and I planned on a day at home with Cameron and doing some errands around the house.  But at 3:30 we got a call from Brayden's doctors. Dr. Lawrence said that Brayden had a tough morning and was pretty sick.  Melissa, the NICU nurse that had been taking care of Brayden for the previous 3 days, noticed that he was acting quite different and began to order some tests. They found blood in his stoole and he had an enlarged abdomen, followed by fever and multiple incidents where his heart rate fell.  She immediately contacted Dr. Lawrence and they worked together to order the neccesary blood work and X-Rays.
    The X Rays showed enlarged intestines and his blood work alarmed them to possible infection.  He ordered a proceedure to give some releif and ordered a blood transfusion.  We are extremely pleased and feel blessed that God has given Dr. Lawrence charge over Brayden's medical care. He is so involved and patient and informative when speaking with David & I.  This afternoon, Dr. Lawrence explained to us that for whatever reason, premies often start having difficulty tolerating food around 30- 34 weeks and can develop what they refer to as N.E.C.K.  It is an infection in the intestines that cause such inflamation, it could possibly lead to difficulty breathing and seperation of the intestines. In such a case, they would need to remove the seperated intestines in surgery and intibate for breathing, possibly needing a slow morphine drip. 
 PLEASE DEAR GOD, have mercy and healing on Brayden tonight! Dr. Lawrence visited Brayden before we left and said he was looking better and resting good. Dr. L was going to be there all night and into tomorrow morning. He assured us that he would be running XRays and blood work every 6 hours and would call with all results. He also assured me he would not leave the hospital tomorrow without seeing me.
   I know this post is probablly not as eloquent as our others....my mind feels scattered. A story God has laid on my heart as of late...is Lazarus.  When Jesus first learned that Lazarus was ill, he responded " This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." David & I firmly believe that God's glory is at the core of this story and that Jesus Christ will be glorified through Brayden's life and journey! Knowing this we anchor our feet in His word,  move forward with the confidence given to us in Christ Jesus, and boldly walk down this road with praise and thanksgiving.  (I am somteimes amazed at the amount of love I feel radiating through my being when I am holding Brayden.  How could I have fallen this madly in love with this little creature in such a short time span. Then I am reminded how much more God loves Brayden.) David & I are just stewards of this precious little creation and we will stand fast in God's calling.
  Praise and honor to our King, who opened Melissa's heart and eyes to the changes in Brayden's little body. This early detection and start of antibiotics could very well be God's way of allowing Brayden to avoid this complication.  We have been praying for Brayden's doctors...for wisdome, and intuition, and a gentle bedside manner, and a vested interst, and committment to life. This was an answer to prayers. We pray Brayden has a peaceful night and there will be no further infection development in his little body. When Jesus was speaking with Martha about Lazarus he assured her that "I am the resurrection and the life." We pray in the name of Jesus Christ for His blood to cover this infections that is trying to rob life from our son! Please join us in this prayer.


Kelli Dowdney