let's pray extra hard for Carson's lungs

Today, there really aren't any changes. Carson's carbon dioxide on his gas was a little higher, so they did not wean the ventilator at all. He did gain 85 grams which puts him about 7 lbs 13 oz. He did very well on taking his bottle today. But again, other than that, no changes.

Elizabeth and Preston are going to have a conference with the doctors next weekend if all works out as planned.  It will be to discuss the future plans for weaning the ventilator, projection for going home and expectations. Please be praying for direction for the doctors, nurses, and Preston and Liz. It will be a good opportunity to make sure everyone is aware of the plan and expectations. 

On that note, we need to really keep up the prayers for Carson's lungs to heal, enabling him to get off the ventilator. We are all praying very hard that he will be able to go home without the ventilator. If not, it would add many additional difficulties...requiring 24 hour nursing care, more possibilities of pneumonia, and not being able to vocalize. 

We know the Great Physician is in charge, but we are praying for Carson to go home soon without any need for respiratory support beyond oxygen. Thank you for joining with us!!!

Posted by Sarah

Happy New Year!!!

The Clark Family is doing really well on the first day of 2012! Preston fed Carson 40 mL from a bottle today. It was absolutely wonderful to see Carson in his Daddy's arms doing so well. 

Carson's blood gas this morning was excellent, so they weaned more on his rate... down to 25. Tomorrow, they are going to get another gas and see if we can wean again. The plan at this time is to wean the rate down to around 10 and then start weaning the pressures. 

Let's all just keep on praying for Carson to continue to get stronger!

final update of 2011!

Carson did well today. They weaned his ventilator to a rate of 27. He took 37 mLs from a bottle that Liz fed him!!! Both sets of grandparents got to see Carson take a bottle. Tomorrow, the doctors will get lots of lab work so we will see how well he has done the last few days with the weaning of his ventilator. 

From the Bunch/Clark families, we wish you a wonderful New Year filled with many blessings!!

update for today with a few pictures

Carson had a good day. He took 35 mL from his bottle today. YEAH!!! He is really exceeding all of our expectations. He also weighs 7 lbs 12.5 oz. We are super proud of him.

Kellen is doing great too! We are including some pictures of both boys below...enjoy!!!

And have a wonderful last weekend in 2011!

Carson taking it all in

Carson again, having a tasty snack 

Kellen plotting his next adventure

lots of the bottle and less of the ventilator

I am amazed at Carson! He is such a little bundle of joy and miracles all wrapped up in one. He took 20 mL from his bottle on his first try. That is impressive! Way to go. :) They also weaned his vent down to 30 on his rate. This just means he gets assistance from the ventilator only 30 times a minute and then he does all the work on the rest of the breaths. He is 7 lbs 8 oz. They are going to start capping off his G-tube a few times a day to see how he does. He has been vented up until now, and we have to make sure he isn't going to throw up with it capped. If he does well, they will transition him to a button.

Kellen continues to do great! Liz and Preston still haven't been able to talk to the doctors about the final CTScan and MRI results, but nothing concerning. 

Thank you, thank you for all your prayers. Let's continue to pray he can wean off that ventilator and progress to being able to eat from a bottle exclusively!

Posted by Sarah

HUGE PRAISES!!!

Well it was another big day for our little Carson today...he had a swallow study done and there was...wait for it...NO ASPIRATION! Praise Jesus. He did have a little bit of reflux, so we can be praying for that, but this is truly exciting news. What it means is that he gets to start on one bottle a day now! Way to go Carson!!!

As for the test results, spectacular news there as well: The CAT scan of the lungs showed NO growths and only a few areas of "consolidation" as they call it, but apparently this isn't something they are worried about. And finally, though Liz hasn't gotten a chance to talk with the doctors regarding the details, she was told the MRI didn't show any growths either. She should have more info tomorrow, but in all, very, very good indeed.

So, Thank you Jesus, and thank you dear friends and family, as we join together in praying for our precious boys!

Posted by Ahdra

12/27/11
This is Liz...yes, I finally got on here. First of all, I just want to tell you all myself how much Preston and I appreciate the prayers and support. This journey has been made much easier knowing we have an EXTENSIVE prayer net that is always there to lift us up when we do start to get discouraged. We are so proud of our boys and the incredible fight in them. We could not thank God enough for putting these two bundles of joy in our lives. So for today's update...


Carson had a busy day. He had a MRI of his head/neck and abdomen and a CTScan of his lungs. One of the tumor markers, AFP, they were evaluating to make sure there was not any recurrence of the teratoma had been decreasing rapidly. However, the rate of decrease has slowed considerably so they want to get these studies to evaluate not only this but also how his structures are healing, the clot in the liver, and for any recurrence. The AFP may be slowing also due to his issues with his liver he has been having. ENT wants to get a scope of his neck too but this won't be this week probably. If everything looks good on the MRI/CTScan, they will continue with plans to wean his ventilator. At this time, his ventilator has settings of 24 PIP, 6 PEEP, and 18 PEEP plus. They will start weaning PEEP plus first. This is what he gets when he breathes on his own in addition to the PEEP. As we wean this, he will be doing more of the work on his own rather than relying on the machine. Later in the week, Liz and Preston will start talking with social workers about what type of assistance they might need if Carson goes home with a tracheostomy and G-tube. Even though they are discussing this, it doesn't mean he will have to have trach at home. Dr. Yang still believes there is chance he may not need it long term, if he is not aspirating and the structures are healing well. In addition, they are going to be able to do a swallow study later this week even though Carson is still on the ventilator. Lots of things to keep in our prayers, but it will be nice to have more information after all these studies are completed.