Sunday, January 11, 2009

Another Carson Update

It has been a busy past few days! Carson has been getting lots of visitors and lots of love. A typical day for us at the NICU now includes diaper changing, trying to feed him while he’s on his tummy, holding him on our chests reclined, watching his many adorable facial expressions, and learning as much as we can.

Carson always finds a way to bring a smile to our faces. He seems very comfortable and content as he sleeps the day away. Our creative and awkward feeding solutions put a bewildered expression on his chubby little face.

The nurses have a checklist of things we have to learn before they will release him. The list includes simple tasks like taking his temperature, feeding him, & bathing him. There are also some more complicated items on the list, things like Infant CPR/ First aid training, and changing Carson’s Diaper.

One might think changing a diaper is a mundane task, but let me assure you, it’s not. Because he still can’t be on his back, we have to put on diapers backwards, while he is lying on his stomach. The wipes are cold so whenever one touches his cute little butt, he tries to crawl away. It takes one person to hold his ankles and one person to change his diaper. The nurses say that if we change his diapers every time for the next three days, we just may pass.

A few things to pray for:

We found out Saturday morning that Carson’s fluid levels in his head went up by ¾ of a centimeter. Today it stayed the same. They are planning on doing an ultrasound tomorrow morning to determine what is going on in his brain. If they don’t find anything major, Carson may be coming home in the next day or two. The tests may result in some disappointing news. It’s likely that Carson may need a shunt. It breaks our hearts to think that we may have to send him back into surgery after he has already spent so much time recovering.

They will also be running some tests on his kidneys. Carson has been able to pee on his own, yet some urine may be backing up into his kidneys. This test will confirm or deny that. If they do determine it is, we still don’t know what it means or what they will do about it.

Please pray that these tests will bring good results and that Carson can come home at last!

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Nate & Em

7 comments:

Trish said...

Emily, You, Nate and Carson will be in my prayers today. I am praying God will whisper His truth and love for you loudly in your ear when you need to hear it most.
Thanks for the updates and for giving us ways to pray specifically for you. He is adoreable! Carry on my friend,

Robin said...

We're praying!

Ileana Habsburg-Snyder said...

Nate and Emily,
I left you a message after yesterday's post, so you may want to go back to read it. I too experienced having a child born with problems but the journey was really amazing. I saw God working everywhere. I sure you do too. Watch for how he works because you will be blessed.

Anonymous said...

We're praying that Carson's test results are very good today so that he can go home soon. We continue to prqy for all of you everyday.

Jess said...

We are praying daily for you guys and love reading the updates. Thanks for keeping all of us over in Indiana posted on his progress. My mom and I are trying to figure out when we can come up to MI and see that little cutie! In the meantime, you have our prayers and our love!
Love,
Jordan, Jess, and Cally

christine said...

It is so great to be able to read daily updates on your little guy! We are so looking forward to meeting him! You all are in our prayers daily.

Meinhardt Family said...

Nate & Emily,
You don't know me. My name is Megan and I had a daughter on April 12, 08 born with SB. She is doing amazingly. Her defect is L5/S1.
I found your blog through Leigh (soon to be having Greyson). I hope you don't mind that I'm commenting on your blog.
Speaking of, I love the blog. I didn't start Nellie's blog until months after she was born, but it is such an excellent way to inform friends and family of our amazing little babies!
Seeing those pictures of Carson reminded me so much of Nellie in the NICU. She was on her belly for 4 weeks. Her incision ended up leaking days after the surgery so they had to eventually do a second closure surgery. Nellie does have a shunt and she is cathed (which is NO BIG DEAL).
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.
Again, Carson is beautiful. Congratulations!
Megan
http://meinhardts.blogspot.com