Ned will have his ileostomy put back down on Wednesday. Because he is still struggling with nutrition and weight gain, the doctors feel that getting him put together again is key to his recovery. Ned has only gained 5oz. since birth, but he has grown almost 2 inches, so he is extremely skinny! It is also important for his body to start absorbing enough nutrition so his body can grow his lungs and regenerate liver cells that were damaged by him being on IV nutrition for so long.
I am feeling extremely anxious about this surgery for some reason. It would be considered a substantial surgery; however, not as risky as his first two. I think I'm so afraid because Ned is so much better now, I fear a backslide. He is wearing clothes and waking up and I'm really getting an opportunity to get to know him. When he had his first two surgeries, we had nowhere to go but up, because he was so unstable. I have been thinking about the Israelites in the desert a lot this weekend. When they were wandering in the desert and had nothing, their faith and trust in God was much stronger, but when they got to the edge of the promised land, on the verge of receiving the fullness of God's blessing, they became too afraid to face the giants in the land. I want to have the courage to receive God's blessing and to believe He will deliver Ned just as He has shown me that He will. But I am learning that fear is a very powerful influence. When facing fear, I find that my focus has to be completely on God or I find myself completely focused on my fear. I am in that tenuous place now, but I am praying that I can continue to believe in His promises!
Please continue to lift Ned up this week in your prayers. His breathing has come a long way, but in order to conserve calories, they have ceased weaning him any further at this time. He'll most likely have to go through the whole weaning process again anyway since he'll have to be intubated for the surgery. Hopefully, since he is stronger now, it won't take was long. Mostly, please pray that this surgery will allow Ned to start absorbing more of his food so he can start growing and healing.....that's our biggest hold up at the moment. But, now that we are back in the NICU, that is what they will focus on and that is where they are the experts.
Thank you all for your continued love and support.
Betsy, Travis, Jack & Ned
7 comments:
Our prayer will be that this surgery is a complete success and it want take long until Baby Ned will start absorbing his food and gaining weight, he will catch up with the two inches that he has grown in no time. All of you are constantly lifted up in our prayers. Sincerely, The Alexander's Donald, Kim, Brock and Emily
Travis, Betsy, Jack & Ned,
Ned's surgery falls in the most spiritual weeks of the year. So many miracles happened this week. What better time for us to be putting our prayers before him for Ned and the rest of you. Your faith has not and will not wain, especially now with what he has taught you. Ned will be in our prayers this week. We love you!
Heather and Mary Elisabeth
He is so adorable, and has so much hair! Prayers continue for your little guy, and all of you!
Wow....what a head of hair he has....he really is so beautiful Betsy! Are you still getting to hold him? I know you can't wait to get him home. I drove by your future home...it's looking nice! I know right now it feels like an eternity...but soon...when you are all in your new home and everyone is sleeping or resting one day, you will look back and think...wow...look at all of that craziness we lived through and now it's all over.....what an emotional, stressful, yet amazing time....
Julie <><
He is precious, love the new pictures, he looks so peaceful. Can't wait to get my hands on him and just hug him and love on him, like I used to Jack, when he would let me. Sincerely, Kim Alexander
I love the pictures! He is so precious and so peaceful looking. And what a head of hair-wow. Our prayers have been with you and will especially with you as Ned has his surgery on Wednesday. Each and every one of your blogs are always so transparent and real and continue to be such a blessing to me. God Bless you, Krista
Ned's new pictures put a big smile on our faces. He is such a handsome little boy. Ned and your whole family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Try to take care of yourself too Betsy.
Love, Anna & Jonathan Parker
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