update #3 for today

We just got back from the NICU at Cardinal Glennon a while ago. First we verified Carson's weight and he weighs approx. 3 something without the mass. Kellen is 16 in. long and Carson is 15 and a half in. We had a beautiful time with the babies. I got to sing to both, talk to them, and Elizabeth and I both got to hold Kellen. Doug and Preston's parents were there as well. The team of surgeons for the mass came in while we were there and spent considerable time discussing what they found out from the MRI and other tests and then they discussed it with all of us. As Elizabeth said, Carson is deteriorating. His kidneys and 1 lung are not doing well... so much stress from the mass. They need to do the surgery as soon as possible. If they can get all the surgeons together, they hope to do it Friday.
The mass is much more devastating than what was previously thought. They are not sure they will be able to save the branches of the facial nerves. In infants these nerves are the size of a pencil lead... in preemies, much smaller... and they don't know if his heart will be able to handle the surgery. It will be an all day surgery. Some specific things to pray for
that they will be able to find and save the nerves that control the eye... so the eye will be able to close
to find and save the nerves that control the mouth... so it is not droopy
to have enough facial tissue to cover the face once the mass is off.
naturally for our Great Divine Physician to direct every move of the surgeon's hands and to direct their thoughts
for continued strength and grace for Preston and Elizabeth... and our family... We did share a fair amount of tears this afternoon. Preston Eizabeth and I have had some good time back in her room... just talking through the information and our emotions.
When I was processing this all... Mark 10:27 'With man things may not be possible,but with God all things are possible" and I don't know the verse number but the verse is Jesus' words "Do not fear, only believe" came to my mind

Thank you thank you thank you

Posted by Francie

update #2 for today

Elizabeth is doing great... has all the IV's out, is walking, eating solid food, and has pumped 4 times now.  She asked me to french braid her hair ... as she has not been able to wash it for many days... I was absolutely thrilled...She is still moving slow... but so much better.
Another blessing is that I got to do Preston's laundry...
Doug got to spend the night in the NICU.
Preston's parents and Doug have spent today with the babies.
They have done the CT scan and MRI on Carson this afternoon. We are anxiously awaiting the results and when they decide to do the surgery. Kellen loves the pacifier... they say he has a temper when he loses his pacifier. Preston, Elizabeth and I are heading her over to Cardinal Glennon now. They said Elizabeth and Preston may get to hold Kellen.

Thank you so very very much for the continued prayers.... for miracles concerning the removal of this mass on our dear baby.

Posted by Francie

update #1 for today

Hello to all, I got to spend the entire afternoon with my nephews in the NICU b/c Liz was at the other hospital. James and I heard Baby B cry for the first time after he was extubated. I cannot tell you how much I already love those two precious babies. I have included a picture of Baby B. It isn't the best but we haven't gotten others downloaded. Please be praying b/c they are doing a lot of imaging and discussing today and tomorrow about surgery for Baby A, Carson David is his name. I really want him to have surgery on Friday but they are thinking about waiting until Tuesday. We are not going to circulate pics of Baby A, Carson, yet but he is truly beautiful and already a little fighter. Liz is doing MUCH better and I am so incredibly thankful. I think we will have a name today for Baby B b/c Liz will actually get to spend some time with them. The mass on Carson is large, but we know God is bigger and will help the surgeons do a fantastic job.

Posted by Sarah