"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)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

What a Rollercoaster....

I knew when we were in the intensive care units that they expected Ned's healing process to be like a rollercoaster....lots of ups and downs. Somehow, I feel like the ride has gotten much more bumy since we have gotten home. Not that his condition is in any respect as critical as it once was, but Ned is having a hard time maintaining a "well" status.

For the past month he has been battling several respiratory respiratory viruses which have finally developed into a pneumonia. I think he is past the worst of it...he just continues to struggle with a nasty cough, low-grade fever and lots of extra secretions which he isn't that capable of handling well. I'll be so glad when he isn't yacking and gagging up stuff out of his lungs. He's quite a pitiful site during those little episodes.

Other than that, we met with another feeding therapists while in the hospital last week. After working with him and looking at the results of his latest swallow study, she thinks he is very teachable as far as eating goes. That was very encouraging news to us, so I'll start working with him closely until the feeding therapist in our area returns from maternity leave. I would like to hurry things along, but I think it is important that we work with a therapist who is similar to those he has worked well with in the past.

It's just such a new kind of life with everything up in the air all the time, but I am continually reminded about how blessed we have been to be able to keep Ned here with us. It is so difficult to know all these other children who are coming into the world who aren't meant to stay here. It always puts my problems and Ned's medical issues back in perspective. Please continue to pray for these precious children and their families.

Hopefully, I'll get some simblance of a routine again soon so I can begin updating regularly again. I'll also try to take some updated pictures of the kids.

Much love and blessings to you all!
Travis, Betsy, Jack and Ned

8 comments:

Jill said...

Dear Travis, Betsy, Jack and Elijah Ned,
I check your blog every day in hopes that everyone is doing well. I love the picture of Ned and Jack. I think Jack looks just like Travis did. They are so beautiful. Yours and Travis' walk with Jesus is a blessing to all who read your messages. One day I hope to come back to Cherryville to see you all. Love and prayers especially for Ned's lungs to clear up.
jill sharpe

*super dude and super dog* said...

I am sorry to hear Ned is still sick. You would think if you made it through the CDH hurdle of getting him home that you'd get a break!

We hope to see you on the 27th at Parker's House.

Liz Rich said...

Keeping precious Ned in our prayers!
Liz & Rusty Rich
And Par!

Elizabeth said...

Glad he is home. I just mentioned motherhood - the best laid out plans are always subject to change. I hope Ned starts feeling better - lots of things are out there already.

With thoughts, prayers and LUNG FUNCTION chants,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Keeping Ned in our thoughts and prayers always!

Liz and Shane said...

I hope is doing better. Keeping Ned in our prayers and thoughts.
Liz

Anonymous said...

Betsy and Travis~
Our prayers continue for Baby Ned and your entire family. Please always know that we are praying to GOD for your sweet precious baby!
Love,
Danielle & Jason Wofford

CDHi Admin said...

How are you all doing?

I wanted to let you know that there is a new CDH blog ring for families affected by Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

This is a service to all CDH families to help us keep up with CDH blogs and to support and encourage families that need it. You can view it on our blogger blog at http://cdhsupport.blogspot.com/

As you can see, it does not list CHERUBS or any CDH group and it is free to join. You can click on Previous and Next and surf from CDH blog to CDH blog.

You can add it to any blog - myspace, blogger, wordpress, live, etc. Make sure to add your CHERUBS site blog to this as well!

To join, go here: http://www.ringsworld.com/cdhblogsring/join.html

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Dawn
President & Founder, CHERUBS
mom of Shane (1/28/93-9/11/99), LCDH x6, vent 1.5 yrs, oxygen 2 yrs, trach 2 yrs, Mic-Key feeding button, deaf 6 yrs, sight impaired, ASD, pulmonary sequestration, hypospadius, recurrent pneumonia and blood infections, hospitalized off and on his entire life, lost to gastropleural fistula - loved matchbox cars, Sesame Street and books, walked, signed, was a happy little guy!