We are constantly amazed by the majesty and mercy of our Heavenly Father!  He continues to bless our Alison with His healing, and Stephanie and me with His strength and peace.  We truly appreciate the continued hard work by Alison’s healthcare professionals at Woman’s Hospital.  After almost three weeks of holding steady, our Alison seems to be regaining momentum in her road to recovery.  She has had several promising days, which have been truly encouraging.  The doctors have been giving our Alison good reports the last few days due only to the wonders of the Great Physician.  Please pray that the Lord would bless Alison with the strength necessary to maintain her momentum.

Last Wednesday turned out to be a busy day for our Alison.  Early in the day, Alison’s swelling seemed to be on the rise as her ventilator rate of breaths and oxygen support were increased to help maintain proper oxygenation. 

Her attending neonatologist became concerned that Alison’s right pleural chest tube may have a clot in it, so she called for a chest x-ray.  It showed minimal fluid (Thank You, Lord!), so Alison’s right chest tube was pulled to help limit any further chance of infection. 

A culture on Wednesday showed that the chest tube was positive for a seracia infection, not an e-coli infection as earlier thought.  A series of antibiotic breathing and IV treatments were ordered.  Later in the day, Alison’s PICC IV in her left leg was pulled (it had been inserted the day she was born).  After all this work, mom and daughter were rewarded with Stephanie being able to hold Alison for over two hours (as Alison slept).  Thank You, merciful Lord!  Unfortunately, I missed out because I was beginning to feel under the weather.  In an effort to help protect Alison, I stayed home Wednesday, Thursday, the majority of Friday, and part of Saturday.  Please pray that the Lord would protect Alison’s body from any and all infections.  Please pray that the fluid in Alison’s right pleural space would continue to dry up.  Please pray that Alison’s lymphatic system would continue to strengthen in order to remove the excess fluid from her body.

Thursday showed a continued improvement in Alison’s clinical picture (the way she looks and acts).  She was able to rest on her tummy and back.  Her digestive system continued to absorb her feedings, which helped her gain strength.  Her morning chest x-ray looked a little cloudy (possibly showing fluid building up in the right pleural space), so a chest ultrasound was ordered.  The chest ultrasound showed little build-up of fluid in her right and left pleural cavities.  Thank you, Lord!  Alison’s attending neonatologist said that if any pleural fluid would begin to reaccumulate, a chest tube would have to be reinserted.

Friday morning, Alison’s neurologist gave her a good report—Alison continued to show steady neurological improvement.  Thank You, Lord!  Her neurologist still needs a MRI to show a complete picture of Alison’s brain tissue when she is able to have the test.  Please pray that the Lord would continue to protect Alison's little brain.

Alison’s morning x-ray began to show improvement (the surgeon said that the x-ray is generally two days behind her clinical picture).  At approximately 3:00 PM, Alison had several exploratory tests performed on her by her pediatric pulmonologist and her pediatric surgeon.  An EGD biopsy was performed on her esophagus and duodem.  Samples were sent to a local pathologist and a pediatric pulmonologist/pathologist at the Texas Children’s Hospital (we will not receive a report until later this week or early next week) for testing.  A bronchial washing was performed and a bronchial scope was inserted to let the doctors take a look at her throat structures.  They reported that Alison’s esophagus, bronchial structure, and vocal folds were normal and had only a mild irritation from the ever-present tubes.  Thank You, Lord!  The bronchial washing helped to remove and knock loose some of the remaining mucus that is present in her trachea and lungs (from all her treatments)—which will greatly aid in her lungs ability to fully heal.  Thank You, Lord!  A dermatologist visited later in the day and said that Alison’s skin rash was improving.  Thank You, Lord!  Alison then rested; replenishing her strength.

Saturday, Alison’s morning x-ray looked slightly worse, but her clinical picture continued to improve.  Her neonatologist started her on 48 hours of lasix to help remove some of the excess third-space fluid.  By Sunday evening, the lasix was working well as Alison’s urine output climbed substantially.  Her ventilator rate of breaths and oxygen support began to be decreased.  Stephanie also got to hold her daughter for a third time for approximately an hour.  Thank You, Lord!  Alison continued to rest well Saturday night.

Sunday, Alison’s morning

x-ray looked worse, but her clinical picture continued to improve (her doctors remain puzzled).  Her ventilator rate of breaths and oxygen support continued to be lowered. 

Alison began to show the effects of the lasix treatment as her swelling began to visibly decline.  Sunday afternoon, I was well enough to finally hold my precious daughter--what an emotional blessing and prayer of thanksgiving it was! 

Thank you, merciful Lord! 

Sunday night, our Alison began to fully display her personality.  For approximately two hours, she watched her mobile with her eyes wide open and her arms and legs moving!  When it would stop, she would get such a fussy face!  She began to truly act like a baby!  Thank You, merciful Lord!

Monday brought some additional improvements.  The PICC IV in Alison’s head was pulled (it failed) and a temporary IV was inserted into her left hand for the continued treatment by antibiotics.  Alison continued to lose fluid weight, so her attending neonatologist increased her feedings to help her maintain her strength.  Her blood gasses continued to remain in a healthy range, so Alison’s ventilator rate of breaths and oxygen support were lowered again (they are as low as they have ever been).  Thank You, Lord!  Her neonatologist said that if her clinical picture continued to improve, they would consider trying to remove Alison from the ventilator within a week or so.  Yeah!   When Alison is eventually removed from the ventilator, she will probably have to use a high-pressure nasal canula to provide her with proper oxygen support.  Our Alison is truly gaining strength and health from the Lord!  As she gets healthier, she is beginning to fuss a lot more!  In addition, she continues to look more and more healthy!  Thank you, Lord!

This morning, her attending neonatologist surprised us.  With Alison’s blood gasses remaining in a safe range, her doctors are considering trying to remove her from the ventilator tomorrow afternoon!  They fully expect to have to put her back on the ventilator (due to the length of time she has been on one).  Her lungs and trachea are slightly irritated from the tube and ventilator, but the tube will have to be removed for the irritation to lessen.  In addition, her diet and medicines will help to assist in her recovery. 

Yet, Alison’s neonatologist started reducing her ventilator pressure support today and put her on a 24-hour burst of steroids in preparation.  Her doctor said that Alison is not quite as strong as he would like, but she remains in a safe range.  Thank You, Lord!  Alison’s hand (where it was burned from some of her medicine) continues to heal nicely.  Thank You, Lord!  Her doctors are also reducing the number of x-rays because her clinical picture continues to improve and the x-rays seem to be somewhat consistent.  Please pray that the Lord would grant His wisdom to Alison’s doctors as they prepare to try to remove her from the ventilator.  Please pray that the Lord will be with Alison’s lungs and trachea to reduce the irritation and inflammation.  Please pray that the Lord will grant Alison strength so that she can be removed from the ventilator and remain off.  Please praise the Lord with us for all that He has done and made possible!

Wednesday or Thursday could be a big day for our Alison!  Please pray for her.  Please pray that the Lord’s presence will be strong with Alison.  Please pray that the Lord will grant Alison His comfort and quality rest.  Please pray that the Lord will grant Alison proper nourishment.  Please pray that the Lord will protect Alison from the evil one.  Our Lord has been more than faithful during our storm with Alison!  His mercy and goodness continue to carry us.  Your friendship and prayers have been a tremendous blessing to us during this long journey.  We truly praise God for you and your continued sacrifice of prayer for our Alison.  Our Alison still has a ways to go, but the road is growing ever shorter.  Praise be to our Heavenly Father!

Blessings to you,

Langston and Stephanie

Wednesday Addendum