Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday after rounds....

Even the doctors caring for Thomas aren't sure what caused him to fall apart overnight!

The top two theories are that he is over dry now (intravascularly depleted), and also that wasn't ventilating adequately.
He has had an air leak around his ET tube the past few days as he has been diuresing, and they changed him to a bigger tube this morning. His blood gases have improved, and hopefully that will continue.
They have increased his dopamine from 5 to 7, have stopped diuril, and have started a calcium drip. He also got albumin overnight and this morning. I'm wondering if he needs a little blood....he looks a lot paler to me than he has. His NIRS isn't really improving, and his o2 requirement has gone from 30-40% in the past few days. His hgb/hct are stable, but he has to be concentrated because of how dry he is.

He needs to be dry as can be for chest closure to be successful, but it's hard because you end up chasing a lot of other values that go awry. It's definitely a sensitive balancing act.

His fentanyl was increased and he looks more comfortable. I'm thankful for that.

TJ left a little while ago with three coolers of dry ice and frozen breast milk. I have to admit I was proud. He has been threatened with his life if it thaws!

Here are our prayer requests...sorry its more than usual! Thank you so much for interceding on our behalf!

-pray for wisdom and discernment for the doctors and nurses caring for Thomas, so they can figure out what is causing these changes and how to address them
-pray that Thomas will stabilize quickly
- pray that he will remain free from infection
-pray for his kidney function to improve. He has had blood in his urine the past few days as well
-pray that he will be ready for chest closure soon, and will handle it well
-pray that he won't develop a chylothorax
-pray that all of these little issues will settle down so we can move forward
-please pray that we will somehow be home together by christmas
-pray for safe travel for TJ and my mom

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10 NLT)

21 comments:

  1. Oh, Melissa. We will be praying. I am so sorry. I am sorry that Thomas is a mystery. I am sorry you main support system is gone. I am sorry I can't be there to help, support, and hold your hand. I can't imagine what you have been through. I love you so much and TJ and Thomas. Praying for you all!!

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  2. Praying for all of this and more. Of course you are emotional, you are a new mom that wants desperately for her precious boy to be well, your strength has amazed me, and is true testament that you are being held up and bolstered by the one true God. I pray for strength for you in the coming days without TJ, as well.

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  3. The Sokolowski FamilyNovember 27, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Dr. Behm,
    We are constantly praying for your sweet, precious Thomas! We are praying for ALL of your requests! Thank you for continuing to keep us updated!
    Love, Adrienne, Steve, and Alexander

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  4. Continued prayers coming from Savannah. Hoping that these little bumps in the road quiet down and that he continually progresses in the right direction! Love, the Stones

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  5. I will be praying- I could not wait to call TJ and I did and her was traveling-- I bet he has that milk very secure- I am praying with out ceasing and WILL pray for u as U are there with THomas!!! GOD IS ABLE!!!!!!!!!

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  6. i had to laugh when i read about TJ being threatened with his life if anything happens to the breast milk. i know the feeling for sure. i never understood the saying "crying over spilled milk" till it happened with breast milk. got you covered in prayer.

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  7. I'm am looking forward to hearing good news very soon. You are amazingly strong and loving. Thomas is a very lucky boy to have you as a mom!
    Laura Crane

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  8. A blanket of continuous prayers are rising on Thomas' behalf, and yours & TJ's. God hears every one, and He is faithful. We love you all!
    Donna, Bill and Megan Huffman

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  9. I am praying, especially, for you to feel God's loving arms of comfort, as you begin this week without your husband.
    I think about Thomas and I pray for him many times in the day, and I will continue to do so.
    You and your precious Thomas are in the hearts and prayers of so many.
    Thank you for the updates.

    Cynthia (Cindy) Howard

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  10. Melissa,
    I hope that you are comforted knowing that you, Thomas, TJ, and your Mom are being lifted up in prayer with your specific requests. You are in our hearts and our minds as we go about our day.

    And as you are apart from TJ, let us know how we can support him here in Savannah....does the man need food? You know I can get a posey of women here in Savannah to fill that need. Just let me know! I'll be right on it!

    I love you Melissa!

    Jody

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  11. Oh, Melissa,

    We are sending prayers your way. I pray especially for you that you find "peace that surpasses all understanding."

    Standing by,

    The Rockers

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  12. Melissa: Our Good News Sunday School class at Isle of Hope Methodist prayed for you, your family, and your sweet baby Thomas today. I know you feel the prayers and love! Katie Kelley

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  13. Your comments/updates come to home and at work at church. I know God's angels are on overload with prayers as they stay by yours and TJ and Sweet Thomas' side. Frances and I send our love and prayers from Savannah and Minnesota.
    Marie Davis/Frances Davis Roen

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  14. Melissa-
    As a new mom too, and having our little Naomi in the hospital last month- I can understand exactly what your feeling. Your so strong- keep being strong for him. That's awesome your pumping. He's going to love that tasty stuff- so worth all the trouble! I think little Thomas has the best mom. You're doing an awesome job being there for him. Squeak and I will continue praying for Thomas, you, and TJ.
    Love- Victoria

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  15. Dr. Melissa: We have met when I went with my grand daughters to your practice for routine visits. I also work across the street from your office. I appreciate being a part of this time in your life. I hope you can feel the prayers that are being sent your way many times a day. We are praying for Thomas to be strong and comfortable. Also prayers for you and your husband during this time. I do believe in miracles and God's healing powers. May God bless and keep you all. Libby Reinhart

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  16. Melissa,
    I think about you all and pray often during the day/night. I can only imagine what you are experiencing (physically, mentally, spiritually), but I know this to be true... There will be a day when you look back on this, and it will be a distant memory. In times when you feel weak, fall harder on Jesus. He WILL carry you through, and remember that this is just a season that will pass. Our God is eternal.

    Corrie Gee

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  17. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears."
    Psalm 34:4

    Melissa and TJ, you are amazing parents already! You can do this! One step (or pump) at a time :) In Him and in prayer,
    Erika

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  18. I can just picture you, anxiously waiting for every moment you have to spend with Thomas. We will keep praying for the specifics and for you to get some rest somehow. Love you tons friend!

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  19. Still praying so often for you & sweet baby Thomas. God's timing is hard to wait on sometimes & being weak is hard for us who are used to be the strong ones. Asked my Sunday School class at Mitchell Road Presbyterian in Grrenville, SC to pray for y'all, too & we did this morning. I know it's hard, but just be the Mommy.

    Trusting in our faithful God-
    Tracy Hays

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  20. We have many small villages of people all over the place praying for Thomas, you and your family. My parents and my husband's parents call and check in on him every so often. I recall Ian having many ups and downs in the NICU - just when you get one issue resolved another one popped up. But babies are amazingly strong --- and so is God's love. Keep the faith and He will do the rest. Be good to yourself during this difficult time. You deserve it! ~Kristin Scott & family

    "My help comes from the LORD,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
    He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
    indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
    The LORD watches over you—
    the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
    the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
    The LORD will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
    the LORD will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore." Psalm 121

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  21. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better I'm sure god has it all planned the way it has to go :) and I'd also like to commend you for making such an effort to breast feed you are a great mom and Thomas is lucky also good job daddy on getting the supply mommy worked so hard on home safely :) I will keep you all in my prayers daily! :)

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