Still Up In The Air

Well, Ned's fever subsided late last night (or early this morning, depending on how you look at it) and hasn't returned thus far...praise God for that. At this point the cultures are still growing and the docs aren't sure if his fever is from the MRSA or if he just has some other infection. I think the antibiotics they are using seems to be knocking it out whatever it is, but they'll know more certainly tomorrow. In the meantime, we have now been moved to a quarintine room within the NICU. You have to gown up and wear gloves in there at all times. Our attending doctor says this hospital policy is crazy since probably every nurse in the NICU is a MRSA carrier, but that's the policy. Now I sit in a silent room alone wearing gloves and an oversized robe all day with little Ned. I can't wait to get home! On the bright side, it is quiet in there so hopefully, Ned will get accustomed to a quiet room for sleep? Assuming we can knock out this infection, we still plan on performing his last surgery a week from today. Ned will have the GI motility study tomorrow and a repeat upper GI study to look at his reflux early next week. I'm just praying that this infection clears quickly and we can stay on track. Also, if anyone knows any good books, I've really got some time right now.

I am so thankful for all your prayers concerning Ned's temperature last night. I again found myself laying hands on this child and praying until I couldn't keep my eyes open. I often wonder how many times I'll find myself in this situation with him. Understanding my own lack of control gives me a greater sense of urgency when praying for Ned. If I were completely honest with myself, I would be every bit as devoted to all my prayers because although I feel like I can control other areas of my life, I actually have no control there either! I am trying to prevent myself from praying that God will stick to the given timeframes so that I can remain flexible to His time, but I'm having a difficult time not trying to discreetly mention it to Him every so often. Like I need to remind Him that I am getting weary and a little homesick. He knows. But everytime I look at little Ned while the nurses give report (a run down of Ned's medical history) to a new person on duty, I am reminded by their reaction how wonderful God has been and what a precious gift He has givnen me. It never fails that every new nurse Ned has automatically starts calling him a "real miracle baby" and I absolutely have to agree. My doctors said today that they were actually amazed that Ned has spent such a long time period in the hospital and been to so many areas of the hospital and just now picked up his first infection and that he seems to have overcome it so quickly. God has made even Ned's "bumps in the road" easier than expected. I am so thankful.

Below are some pictures of Jack and Ned's first encounter....sorry for the delay. I'm going to have to say this was the most joyful experience of my life. I'm not sure how much the delay played into my emotions, but something about my two babes meeting for the first time gave me such a feeling of wholeness that it was completly overwhelming!!!