4.29.2011

Pierce: "Writing his own book"

Friends, we are witnessing yet another medical miracle. We just got in from meeting with Pierce's medical team and they are indeed blown away. Here is how the conversation went:
Nurse Practitioner: (after a brief moment of quiet pondering) "You know, most babies get really sick after this surgery, I'm sure you were prepared. Well, it looks like he is not doing that. In fact, for today, I'm going to give him an 'A' in terms of recovery/progress"

Then enters Pierce's doctor with a BIG grin on his face. He chuckles as he looks at me and simply says, "Pierce is writing his own book." He replies to NP's comment by saying, "He gets an A+!" He goes on to explain that God works in mysterious ways and that he sees God's hand in keeping them from placing the CVL yesterday/this morning (Pierce is doing so well that they simply don't need it!). Dr. Keuser tells us that a)this amazing recovery is not normal (in fact it is so rare, that he simply is blown away) and b)not only did Pierce seem to not be phased at all by this major surgery, he hit the ground running. This morning he has been weaned down on the ventilator (he's now on a better/much lower setting than ever before) and his pain medicine has been weaned down as well.


Because Pierce has done exceedingly well, they decided to give him his first feeding!!! This is HUGE! They weren't expecting to be able to do this until late this weekend/early next week. Here is a picture of our EXCELLENT nurse Lindsay giving P his first mL of milk. :)



So needless to say, God is at work. He is answering our prayers affirmatively and we cannot begin to describe the amount of joy and gratitude that is pouring from our hearts today. We know that God is working and using your prayers. Thank you!

The next hurdle that the doctors anticipate is whether or not Pierce's bowels will be able to adjust to the feedings. This is a big hurdle for preemies as they are not supposed to eat (bowels are underdeveloped) for another couple months. Please pray that God grants Pierce the ability to jump this hurdle as easily as the PDA surgery. We are seeing God work in so many mighty ways and we feel confident that He will bring him through this.

Here are a couple things we wanted to share with you:

Ephesians 1:18-19 18 "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might"

Also, we are going to start a running soundtrack of Pierce's life. Nik has been listening to Mumford & Sons as of late and wanted to share their song "Thistles & Weeds." He thinks this song characterizes Pierce's first couple of weeks of life.




Grace and Peace,



Lindsay, Nik, and Pierce

12 comments:

  1. I don't usually comment on strangers' blogs, but I found you through Kelly's Korner and wanted to let you know that I will be praying for your sweet baby boy. I have a son named Pierce (he is 4.5yo) and you just don't hear that name very often. Of course, you just feel connected a bit more to a baby with the same (unique) name as your own child. Our Pierce is an *amazing* little boy--he will be praying for your Pierce, too! God's blessings, grace and mercy to you all during this time!

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  2. God really see's your strong faith in him! Thank you God! It's great to hear wonderful news about Pierce's Progress. He is Amazing! I am anxious to read your post everyday so keep them coming. Some people think that "Miracles" don't happen anymore and they only happened in the Biblical days. Miracles still happen everyday and Pierce is a testimony for that. I've seen God's work in my own son and in many other babies born too soon!! I am happy he is beginning to eat! This too is a hurdle like you said. The feeds may stop and begin again many many times as his intestines develop. My son's feeds were on and off because of infections and vitals several times but we were always thankful he never developed NEC. I will be praying also that Pierce will tolerate feeds well and won't develop NEC. Feeding takes time as with many other issues a preemie has to face. My son didn't completely bottle feed until he was 5 months. Everything will happen in time, in Pierce's Time!
    I am keeping all of you in my prayers.

    God Bless You

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  3. I found you through Kelly's Korner and just wanted to let you know we are praying for Pierce. Truly a miracle :) If you ever have a moment you should take a look at this site http://www.littlegreenpastures.com/ their little boy was born at 22 weeks weighing 15 oz, he was the only surviving baby of sextuplets, he will be 4 in June.

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  4. He is just precious! I also found your blog through Kelly's Korner and know exactly what you are going through. Although my baby girl was born at 28 weeks, we went through the same PDA issues, we also had ROP surgery for her eyes......we were in the NICU for 14 weeks. She weighed 2 lb 5 oz at birth. You don't really understand about the NICU, etc until you are walking it. I will pray for your sweet family. Just know that it is a marathon but He is faithful to have give you exactly what you need when you need it! Much love to your family from Louisiana! Feel free to write and ask questions. :)
    Nora
    pylant@bellsouth.net

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  5. Hi, I also found your blog through Kelly's Corner...and I had my baby boy at 24 weeks gestation. He was 1 lbs 9 ounces at birth. I love your attitude - God has great plans for these little guys....they are tougher than they look! We will be keeping you in our prayers. If you need ANYTHING at all - if you have questions...if you need a shoulder....if you need someone to vent to. I am totally there for you (I only wish someone had been there for me) since I know exactly what you are going through. Let me know! I'll be checking in on your little munchkin.
    -Sarah Pope
    samuelpope.blogspot.com

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  6. So encouraging to hear!!! We are praying for you all. God is so good and the proof is in your strong and resilient Pierce!

    Kallie

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  7. i am so blown away by how awesome our God is!!! I will be praying for Pierces little tiny tummy to handle your milk well! :) Of course were still praying!!! :) lots of love and prayers coming your way!!!

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  8. Lindsay,
    So sorry for your struggles and so incredibly proud of you at the same time. Your faith, and Pierce himself, are such blessings. Our family will be in prayer for yours! God is control and keep being single-minded in His great power to heal. We will be focused on that as well.

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  9. Just wanted to let you know I am praying for your family. I came across your blog through Kelly's Korner. As I was reading your story, I was reminded of a very similar journey my husband, Mark and I journeyed 4 1/2 years ago. We have a beautiful, little girl who was born at 23 weeks and 6 days at 1 pound and 5 ounces. I also realized you have many of the same doctors our little girl had. Dr. Engstrom was used greatly to bless our family. God knew what professionals we needed and when. We are in the area if you need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, an errand runner, or a listening ear please get in touch with me by email, medwards48@carolina.rr.com. You can read about part of our journey at caringbridge.org, and kaitlynedwards is how to log on. Praying for you at this moment.
    Christy Edwards

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  10. Hi! I found your story through Kellyskorner and just wanted to say we are praying for your sweet baby boy. As I am typing this I am actually in my daughter's NICU room. :) She was born at 29 weeks weighing 1Lb 3oz. She is a tiny miracle herself. She is now 6 weeks old and weighs in at a whopping 2 lbs!! YAY! I just wanted you to know we are adding your sweet Pierce to our "baby" prayer list and will be praying for him to continue to grow and be nourished, a happy, healthy sweet boy! We have seen and gone through many scares but are so thankful our God is faithful! Psalm 91 has really been a comfort to us. Our blog is walkerfam05.blogspot.com.
    -Holly

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  11. I found your blog through Kelly's Korner and wanted to introduce myself. I had twins in 2007 born at 23 weeks, 1 day. We lost our sweet son, Logan, when he was a month old. Our daughter, Olivia, was in the NICU for 105 days before coming home. She is now 3 1/2 years old and doing miraculously well. I just wanted to let you know there are a lot of people praying for your family. There are a lot of us 23 weeker parents out there who are here for you if you need anything. There are some success stories. . my daughter is one of them. God Bless!

    www.oliviaandlogan.blogspot.com

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  12. What a huge MIRACLE.Great new. My prayers continue for all of you and all the babies and families in the NICU. We were there 27 years ago and know all the miracles that God performs there.
    Linda

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