"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)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Minor Set Back


Well, we returned home Friday afternoon from another week-long hospital stay. Apparently my affection isn't enough for Ned....he seems to want to continue to return to that hospital environment he learned to love so well where all the nurses are constantly fawning over him. I'm not quite as entertained by these little "field trips", but at the moment it looks like we've crossed another little hurdle....yoohoo!


Ned's diagnosis from his hospital stay is still a bit of a mystery. We originally took him into the ER because his respiratory rate and heart rate were pretty elevated and his breathing looked labored. By the time we got into the hospital, his O2 sats were dwindling, so I'm thankful we took him when we did. God's direciton overruled my natual tendancy to believe things will pretty much work themselves out and to avoid hospitals at all costs......good thing! That was about the extent of his symptoms? He did have a slight (99) fever at the hospital that night, but never again. His white count was way up there at 30,000 where it has pretty much remained even after a full course of IV antibiotics so they've pretty much ruled out infection. At one point last week, they was some talk of leukemia, but they ran some extra labs on Thursday that ruled that out. When it was first mentioned, I started thinking "surely he won't have leukemia....I just don't think I can take that kind of stress right now." But God reminded me that His power and provision is endless and He has provided so well for us so far, why wouldn't I trust Him now? Still....very thankful the tests came back negative.


So, other than still requiring a tiny bit of oxygen and his white count staying up there, Ned seems great. The best news is that yesterday at the doctor, Ned finally made it onto the bottom of the growth curve!!!! We have been trying to get back on the normal curve since April!! He weighs a whopping 14lbs. 10oz. He looks so much better with each pound he packs on. We're still not eating by mouth and our constant return trips to the hospital are really putting a kink in the feeding therapy sessions. If all goes well, we should begin next week!


Ned has started to laugh and smile much more and is quite the tickleish little fellow. He and Jack are so precious together, I can't hardly stand it. Things are moving right along and we're working on some developmental skills like sitting up and grabbing toes....major goals and objectives. I so appreciate everyone keeping up with Ned and continuing to pray for his progress.


Please continue to pray for April and Russell VanDyke. They are still coping and working their way through the loss of their son, Seth. If you want to take a look at the little cutie....here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbraxnhvEeI


Love and Blessings to you all,

Betsy, Travis, Jack & Ned

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betsy and Travis-
I am thankful to the dear Lord that his test came back negative. I pray that this is the last of his any set back at all. We have been praying for him all the time and Landrie prays for him in her prayers too. I also find strength in your post and God led me to read it tonight. You both amaze me and Ned and Jack are so blessed to have you both. Children are so precious and such a true gift from GOD. I praise you both for recognizing their joy and being such wonderful parents to both of them.
Our prayers will never cease for Ned or for your family. I believe in prayer and I know that God has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11).
We are here for you both and our hearts are lifted with prayer of healing, strength and love to you all always.
God bless,
Danielle & Jason Wofford

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Thanks for the great update. I check by often even though we're just next door! I am so happy that you guys made it home from the hospital and that Ned is doing well. Hopefully that will be his last visit for a while!
Please know that you are in our prayers...God is still using you to encourage and strengthen others. -Sherry
PS. Love the new pic of Jack and Ned...just precious!

Anonymous said...

Betsy, it was so sweet to see those 2 angels together. I am so pleased for you guys that you are back on the road to recovery with the little guy. I am sure you have heard this alot but I have to say that Jack looks so much like your side of the family(alot like Patrick) and Ned looks like the Dellingers(Travis). God bless you and I will continue to pray for the crossing of many hurdles. Callie C. Billings

Elizabeth said...

I love your humor in this and Ned's field trips are not welome but I am so glad he is okay.

You are right Jack and Ned ARE adorable together!

With thoughts, prayers and LUNG FUNCTION chants and some weight gain chants added in there too!
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Continuing to follow Ned's story and read the ups and downs. Glad he's doing well! He's adorable!

*super dude and super dog* said...

We're so glad things worked out and you took him to the hospital. Hopefully he will stop these field trips and learn to like life a little more laid-back! :)

Amy AKA "Baba" said...

I heard Ned was in the hospital with Pneumonia. I hope he is doing well and will be home soon, learning to relax at home for a while :).

Amy
Liviana's Mom

Melissa said...

Hello!! We haven't met but I ran across your blog through a friend's blog. My son was roomies in the ECMO room with a little baby who had CDH, and since then I've just had all these little babies on my heart so often. Your little guy is so adorable!! He has loads and loads of hair! We will pray for you- thanks for your heart and encouragment. I have a feeling I will be visiting your website often. I can tell that you have a close walk with the Lord and it is so amazing to see Him work through your life and to learn from you. Have a wonderful week!! =) Joe and Melissa Adam