"What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the LIVING. Wait, hope for and EXPECT the Lord. Be strong and of good courage and may your heart (Ned) be sturdy and enduring.....Yes, Wait For and Hope For and Expect the Lord."

Psalm 27:13-14 (Amp)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

On the Road

Just a quick update.... Betsy and I left the hospital this evening to eat dinner, run to Wal-Mart and let the nurses do shift change, so we're on our way back to the hospital now. Ned's progress is still remarkable today, one day post surgery. The doctors and nurses in the PICU are still fighting over who gets to be with him everyday, and they are actually calling him the PICU mascot. They took out his chest tube (to empty the chest cavity of any fluids, air, etc.) this afternoon, and the surgical team actually wanted to start feeding him through the stomach tube today, but the PICU doctors said they wanted to wait until tomorrow. They are still working on weining him off the vent, and getting his blood pressures down (rather than up) as his heart is now able to pump blood to his body a lot more freely (not having to fight the coarc). His color is so much better right now as well.

I just keep thinking about how before surgery, the surgeon was going over what was going to be done, and all the rishs involved, from cardiac arrest on the OR table, to his lungs collapsing, to permanent paralysis of his lower body, etc. Betsy and I finally just told him that we have dwelled on statistics and risk numbers for so long (CHOP giving him 30% survival rates after birth, 80% chances of going on ECMO heart/lung bypass machine, etc.), that we really didn't need to hear about the risks anymore, that we had put Ned in God's hands a long time ago, and we were trusting Him through this. The surgeon actually seem relieved that we said this, as I think it was hard for him to put a percentage on the risks in the first place. As we have stated before, the surgeon is still checking in today and still as excited as he was yesterday about the outcome of the surgery. It is just so evident by looking at Ned and even at all the monitors and medications (which are a good bit fewer) that God definately had his mighty hand in that OR and in that hospital.

We'll post again later tonight or tomorrow, but for now I just want to thank you all for your prayers on our behalf. Betsy wrote earlier about how she woke up praying on Tuesday night, and just could not put together a cohesive sentence at the time, and that she prayed for God to wake people up to pray on our behalf. It is SO AMAZING how so many people have emailed us to tell us that actually did wake up to pray during that night. We have heard so many people telling us that they prayed, anywhere from midnight to 4:30am. I want to thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts and prayers during all this.

Well, Betsy is telling me to stop typing so we can head back over to UNCH. I'm sure she'll continue with an update later.

Love you all.

In Christ,

Travis, Betsy, Jack & Ned

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betsy and Travis,
PRAISE GOD- that's all that needs to be said, right?! Wow- I'm thrilled and totally "moved" by this grace of GOD placed apon baby Ned. I can't tell you how much you both continue to amaze me.
I have to tell you that one of my friends, April and Russell VanDyke are pregnant and their baby and the baby has been diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), just like baby Ned. They just found out and are waiting chromosome testing results. I referred them over to your blog website where I know that they'll find strength through your posts. They are amazing people like you both and they need lots of prayer too. I know that you both would want to pray for them. They also have a website which is www.caringbridge.org/visit/babyseth

I am so thrilled for Ned and my heart is filled with so much joy. I thank GOD for him and for you both. I love you guys!
Danielle & Jason Wofford

Anonymous said...

Betsy,

Just wanted you to know that the Acteens at FBC prayed and praised God for a successful surgery last night during our meeting.

You will continue to be in our prayers.

Jennifer Yount

Anonymous said...

God works in mysterious ways. Little Ned has touched so many lives and is such a little 'mascot' as they are calling him. Such a blessing for you two to be able to just leave the premisis even for a short trip to Wal-Mart...little things we take for granted. So glad to hear he is successfully recovering. Praying for you all....
Heath, Belle and kids

Anonymous said...

Betsy & Travis,
This is April Van Dyke. I know Danielle has mentioned us to you and you have posted a message on Baby Seth's website. I spoke to someone at CHOP today and at SHANDS in Florida. CHOP said they may be able to get us in the end of next week. We are just trying to figure out the best to place to go. How did you feel about the visit to CHOP? We are trying to stay postitive about things and just try to find the place for Baby Seth. You can email us back at zoenashmom@yahoo.com. Your email didn't come up on Seth's guestbook.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Russell & April Van Dyke