surgery update #5

Last update for tonight...

Carson is back up to the NICU. There was a team of about 12 that transported him back up there and Francie said the doctors looked so tired. Elizabeth and Preston just went in to see him now. He moved one of his eyes and the main doctor said that is a very good sign as they do not know which facial nerves are intact and which may not be. He is still on the ECMO (heart/lung support machine) and will be for several days the way that it sounded. She said it's kind of like a ventilator - that he will have to be 'weaned' off of it gradually. They'll try him off of it for short periods and see how he is doing. By the way, they (family) had went down to the hospital cafeteria about 8pm and saw one of the doctors that they knew had been in the OR. So they talked to him and said they understood there had been several 'close calls'. He told them, more than that - little Carson actually had to be rescusitated more than once......thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers. I have NO DOUBT that this concerted prayer effort is the reason we have been blessed to see God's work in this miracle today!

Specific prayer requests -

1) That Carson's lungs and kidneys will start working and that weaning off the ECMO will go as smoothly as possible.
2) No infection or other unknown complication during the recovery process.
3) Continued guidance for the doctors and medical staff.
4) Continued strength and peace for Preston, Elizabeth and all the family!

Thank you all SO MUCH. This blesses me to know that so many want to share in this and support this very precious family!

Posted by Alice

surgery update #4

The mass is OFF!!! There were several very close calls but Carson is holding his own. They have completely removed the mass. Now they are starting the very tenuous process of closing him up. They have mentioned that they are unsure as to what function that he may have after surgery is complete. However the HUGE blessing is that the doctor that came out to talk to them said that they have every expectation at this point for him to survive the remainder of the surgery. Now we have to pray specifically:

1 - to guide their hands for the best closure possible
2 - so that there was no brain damage or other major 'functional' damage that is unknown at this time
3 - for no infections or other complications with healing from here on out.

Thank you for praying!!!

Posted by Alice

surgery update #3

OK - 5:36 pm - Sarah just called and Carson had a 'moment of instability' as she phrased it but regained and is now doing OK again. They just told them that they have about half the mass removed so far...

Posted by Alice

surgery update #2

Carson is holding his own so far. We got news again of successful use of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) (heart and lung bypass). We also heard the first incision has been made. The rest is just waiting and praying, because there is extensive blood vessel and nerve dissection.

Posted by Sarah

surgery update #1

Sarah just called me a few minutes ago. I am hoping I get this correct. They were able to secure a central line and also were able to get Carson onto a 'heart/lung' machine (I believe this is what she said) - life support - that he will need to be on during the surgery. They were successful in doing this so this is HUGE. Had they not been able to successfully accomplish this it would not be good at all.

We so appreciate your continued prayers and we will pass on updates as we hear. Please feel free to share the information.

Posted by Alice

update #3 for today

It was supposed to be 11:30 but we are still waiting for the surgeons to come and get him. Liz and Preston were able to spend time with him and Kellen got some brother time. It was precious. The surgery could last into the night.

Posted by Sarah

update #2 for today

Carson will be going to surgery in about 45 minutes. It will be a miracle if he survives!

Please pray for him as he has wiggled his way right into everyone's heart and is such a joy to be around. I will never be the same and he is forever in my heart.

It will be a long surgery.

Posted by Sarah

update #1 for today

Just an additional update on specific prayers to be praying... Carson's breathing has not been as good since 4 am. He is requiring 100% oxygen instead of 50% which he was using. They took a chest x-ray and he looks like he is getting pretty hazy in his lung fields... lots of fluid. We are going to increase his vent settings and see if we can get him better that way. Good news, a little pressure is helping some but if you could add in prayers for his breathing that would be awesome! Love you all

Posted by Sarah