Note from the moderator

Hello friends & family...just a quick note to let you know that I have (unexpected) very limited Internet connectivity this week as I am spending time with family over the holidays. So, do not be alarmed if you do not see current updates to the blog. I will update as often as I can. And if there are any urgent prayer needs, we will send out a special email, as usual.

Thank you for your understanding!

Ahdra

A little Christmas gift from us to you...

Merry Christmas to all our dear family and friends!

We hope you will experience the true joy of Christmas and the love of God, family, and friends. We love you all!

Carson has done very well. He lost just a little bit of weight yesterday but with his whooping weight gain recently, we are still very pleased. He is tolerating his blood thinner and doing quite well. The neonatologist and Dr. Yang, his surgeon, feel they may be able to start weaning his ventilator next week if he continues gaining weight.

Kellen is doing well and planning to make a sneak visit to see his brother for Christmas. It will be wonderful to have the Clark family together on their first Christmas.

God bless you as you celebrate this truly amazing Christmas!

Posted by Sarah

a wee update

A short and sweet update today...our little elf Carson is making sure Santa isn't the only jolly one this holiday...he is up to a hefty 6 lbs 13 oz!  And, in other good news...the GI doctors have consulted and said they don't want another liver scan for a month...which we are taking as very good news, indeed.  :)

So, merry Christmas Eve everybody!  And may God bless you abundantly for the blessing you are to us!!!

Posted by Ahdra

last update of the day

Thank you for all your prayers! We have been blessed abundantly with so many faith-filled friends, family, and loved ones to continue to pray with us.

Carson is doing well today. His weight is up to 6 lbs 9.6 oz. He continues to gain weight, so this is very positive. Preston spent the day with him and said physical therapy got him out of his bed and onto a blanket on the floor. He was very alert and worked well with the therapist. Also, we were really excited that he sucked on his pacifier very well and used it as a comfort when he was upset. This is pretty typical for babies, but because he has never been able to eat normally, we were all excited with the ability to suck and use it as a comfort. 

Gastroenterology consulted on his liver in addition to hematology. The were happy that the clot is in a branch of the portal vein after it splits, so the other side is providing very good blood flow to the liver. They will continue the lovenox and recheck labs and ultrasounds as we go. Hopefully, Carson will heal himself and the clot will eventually dissolve on its own. The medication is just to keep it from getting bigger.

The doctors are not going to do any weaning on his ventilator until after Christmas because of the recent developments. We will just continue to pray for healing.

Kellen, Preston, and Elizabeth are doing great!

Posted by Sarah

update on prayer request

Hematology consulted on Carson and they have placed him on Lovenox. The goal will be to not have anymore of his platelets stick to the clot. If it does not get any bigger then it probably will not occlude the vein. He certainly is strong little man. The Lovenox is two shots a day into his little leg, but Preston said he only cried for a little bit last night after the shot. He is so brave. 

Thanks for the prayers. More to come later after we have more information.

Posted by Sarah

please pray for Carson's liver

Okay, prayer warriors! Time to put in some extra prayers and we know how amazing you all are at that! Carson's follow-up ultrasound of his liver yesterday showed a blood clot in his left portal vein (major vessel that takes about 75% of the blood to the liver but still technically in the venous system). They are certain at this point that it is a blood clot. They are consulting hematology as to the direction to take. At this time, they feel there is blood getting through and are not sure if the clot is getting bigger or not. So, we just need prayers for the clot to dissolve on its own and not have to go through a lot of extensive medical treatment like blood thinners or clot busters. But of course, we want whatever is best for Carson. Elizabeth and Preston are in the process of changing out his tracheostomy for the first time tonight. They have been such strong, faith-filled individuals through all these experiences.

Kellen is doing well. He continues to be an absolute joy! He makes the cutest faces I have ever seen. Uncle James and I, along with a dear friend, are watching him while Preston and Liz are at the hospital. We are having a blast. :)

Thank you so very much for your prayers and we will keep you updated as we know more. There will be repeated ultrasounds of his liver but I am not sure when the next one will be.

Posted by Sarah

our little fella