update #2 for today

I just spoke to Francie. No huge updates but she knows that many are waiting for any news. She got to spend quite a bit of time with the boys today. She sang the Our Father, Hail Mary and Jesus Loves Me to Carson and Kellen. Apparently Jesus Loves Me is the song Elizabeth sang each night to them while they were in utero... :) She also prayed/sang the chaplet to them. She has gotten to place her finger near them and they will grab her finger. :) She said Carson grabbed her pinky and it just warmed her heart so. Carson has tolerated the ECMO being decreased by 'baby steps' twice already so that is very good. The latest on the clotting issue is that they have decided not to change the tubing because there are risks with doing that also... Kellen is still doing very well. Specific prayer requests - so there is no bleeding in his brain and so no clots cause problems for Carson. Also for respite for Preston and Elizabeth so they can stay strong.

Tomorrow is Dave (Preston's Dad's) birthday so we hope for a good day for all tomorrow for a wonderful birthday present. Doug is spending tonight with Carson and Kellen. My family is going up to St. Louis tomorrow for a very brief visit so Doug will ride back with us.

I can't tell you all how much it means to Francie and the entire family to know how many are lifting little Carson and Kellen and all of them up in prayer. Thank you!!

Posted by Alice

update #1 for today

First update of the day. Carson seems to be holding his own today. Preston and Dave (his Dad) spent the night with the babies last night. Preston is not feeling great today. Please pray so he can have a peace about maybe trying to leave and get some real rest today. The main issue today with Carson is that there is a clotting issue. There are little clots in the tubing..... not good. So they are having to periodically change out the tubing from the ECMO which then necessitates that he be put on a different 'emergency' system. Please pray so the clotting issue becomes less and is resolved as soon as possible. He is still quite swollen so the other prayer is that his kidneys start kicking in to remove some of this fluid. Sarah says he is beautiful - now that they can see more of his face, they see that he has a cleft chin like his brother, Daddy and Grandpa! Sarah said when she came in today she touched his foot and told him good morning - and he blinked both of his eyes - sich a blessing that he can do that!! Oh, and on another good note - he has pooped twice already! Little Carson has four nurses assigned to him so they really are doing everything to take such good care of him that they are able to. Elizabeth is sore and very weak. We are praying so she can get some good rest today to continue healing herself. Sarah says Elizabeth is just doing amazing and she's really proud of her with all that is going on. On a really positive note - little Kellen is doing great! He is up to 20ml of breast milk through the ng tube. If he continues progressing as well as his is he should be off all other IV fluids within a day or so. Sarah said Kellen opened his eyes and just looked at her and Dave (Preston's Dad) for quite some time today. She said it was just precious!

Thank you so much for all your continued prayers.

Posted by Alice