Hope for Baby Bennett: Rough time closing our little guy's chest

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Rough time closing our little guy's chest

The good news first - Bodie's chest is now officially closed!!! One more step down! YAY!

The not so good news is that it didn't go quite as smoothly as we had hoped. He took a dip right after they closed him (his blood pressure dropped, his sats dropped etc.) :-( Our poor guy. So, they put him back on everything they had weaned him off of (the paralytic, the epi, the nitric and the pacemaker) and he seems to be slowly doing better. Our nurse said it's not unusual to have this kind of complication and that something they're doing should help him through the transition. She also said she thinks he's dehydrated and is really hopeful that increasing his blood volume via infusion will help considerably. So he got a blood transfusion as well - and it was a directed donation - which means it was donated by one of our faithful and generous friends who responded to our request for blood and platelets for Bodie!!! Thank you!

So, definitely not the good news we were hoping for (it's so true that having a heart child is two steps forward one step back), but at least they got his chest closed and we're trying to focus on that and remain grateful for that step. Since this is so similar to what happened to Bodie after the surgery, we're hoping it's just how the poor kid's body responds to major changes like this. But we're of course really worried about him - so please send up some extra prayers for him today!

I will update once we know more...

5 comments:

Sharon LewisFebruary 25, 2010 at 1:49 PM
OH Sweetie,
I will definitely continue to pray! You hang in there! I know it's rough and I know that you feel helpless. But I also know that you have God and you are letting him have control and that's the best thing you can do! I really wish I could be there in person to give you a big hug!
Fervently in prayer for your family and especially Bodie,
Love,
Sharon Lewis
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LarisaFebruary 25, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Amy, I have learned over the years that we need to celebrate the tiny steps. Working with special needs students has taught me that lots of tiny steps can get you very far. I am so amazed how strong you and your family are. I am looking forward to hearing of more tiny steps for Bodie on this challenging road. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
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Rebekah WilsonFebruary 25, 2010 at 7:04 PM
When we sat down with the peds Dr's and the peds cardiologists, they warned us that we will never feel like things are going fast enough. A heart baby means small steps...yes, at times it is two forward and one back....and a lot of waiting to see what is working. I am glad his chest is now closed. You are getting so close to having him in your arms and I know that will help heal him as well. As you said, this just might be how is body responds and heals. Thank goodness they didn't have to reopen him up!

As always, the prayers are never ending!
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JulieFebruary 25, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Amy ~
Thanks for the updates it helps us know how to specifically pray. We are praying and eagerly await the next update. Praying for His Grace to surround you all. We LOVE YOU BIB! (that's what Josh and Joyce have nicknamed him)
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AnonymousFebruary 26, 2010 at 2:41 AM
May our faithful and loving God, the great physician, heal your son Bodie and strengthen and encourage you. We will keep praying as we have been all along. Carolyn and Peter Thom
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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."