Kellen got his Synagis shot (protects against RSV) today and was weighed b/c it is weight-based on the amount. He weighed 9 lbs 7 oz. Liz and I were laughing because at 2.5 months, he finally reached our birth weight. He did well with the shot and continues to be a delightful little guy. 

Carson had a good day. They weaned down to 8 on his PEEP plus. Next step will be working on weaning the rate more. He is at 12 now and they are going to try to get him to 5 or 6. He has a blood gas on Friday so we can pray it is excellent so they will keep weaning. He did lose weight, so we also need to pray he isn't working too hard to breathe. He continues to not do as well with the bottle, but for right now, we are focusing on ventilation. They increased his Prevacid, because they thought it might be reflux that is contributing to his poor eating. We will see what that does.

down more on the vent

Carson is down to 9 on his ventilator. Hip hip hooray! The doctors do not feel he has really increased in respiration per minute since we began weaning so this is a good sign. The doctor today said once the PEEP plus pressure is down to 6 to 8, he will begin weaning the rate again. It is at 12. We'll just wait and see what they are going to do and keep on praying for healing for his lungs. He continues to gain weight and appears to be doing well. 

That said, he has not been eating from a bottle as well as he has in the past. They believe it may be reflux, but have not figured it out yet. He is only taking 30-40 cc rather than closer to 60. We aren't too concerned with this, because there are so many other things.  So we'll just pray for that too.  :) 

Kellen has an appointment with Dr. Yang on Monday to evaluate his hernia and discuss surgery. Both boys got their Synagis shots today. 

I have to say the pictures from today are probably two of my favorite so far... how cute can they be!

Posted by Sarah

identical twins

I WAAAAAAANT................................MY BROTHER!!!!!!!!

Carson went down to 10 on his ventilator setting. He is doing fantastic!!! He also gained weight last night...about 5 ounces in one day...so he either had a slice of Preston's birthday cake and ice cream when no one was watching or he has a little extra fluid. :) He is over 9 lbs though so we are happy. They are going to be watching though because we don't want excess fluid. This Friday we should get a liver and kidney ultrasound to follow up on his clot in the liver and calcium in his urine.

Hope everyone is having a great start to your week!

Posted by Sarah

Happy Birthday Preston!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Preston, happy birthday to you! 

And many more and we love you on channel two with Scooby Doo!!! 

Today was Preston's first birthday with his two boys. It was a wonderful celebration with all of Preston's family and Liz's family and Grams. We were just missing a few people, but we were all there in spirit. We got to spend time with Preston and eat an unbelievably amazing cake Elizabeth made. WOW, she is a fantastic cook (following in our mom's wonderful footsteps)! 

Carson had a great day as well. His ventilator is weaned down to 11 on his PEEP plus. He started at 18, so we are certainly making progress. We are just keeping up the prayers for healing for his lungs. He got his 2-month immunizations yesterday, so he was pretty sleepy today. He looked just like an angel. 

Kellen decided not to be outdone by his brother and may get to have a surgery in a couple weeks. Preston and Liz have found what we believe to be a small hernia. It shouldn't be anything serious, but Dr. Yang is considering repairing it while Liz and Preston are in St. Louis. They will see him in the next week with Kellen and talk about options. This may be Kellen scheming to see his brother as he would have to stay in the hospital overnight if he has it repaired. :)  

All in all, a truly blessed day! We are so thankful!

Posted by Sarah

sleepy Carson

Carson & Daddy

Kellen ready to box that hernia..with a strong right hook

Happy Birthday Daddy!

down to 12...

Short update today.  Carson is down to 12 on his ventilator.  The goal is to wean one a day on the vent as long as he does well.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

very good...very good indeed

Excellent news. Carson had a great blood gas this morning! The doctors were very happy and they weaned two on his ventilator. He is at a PEEP plus of 13 (he started at 18). We are so proud of Carson and thankful for the answered prayers thus far. The plan is to wean his PEEP plus to very low numbers, then take his rate even lower (it is at 12 right now). Eventually, the doctors will make a decision about trialing CPAP or doing something called "sprint" where they use a trach collar for increasing times each day. For right now, we are just thankful. 

He is still having some bleeding from the area his Broviac was taken out of. They are keeping a pressure dressing on the area and will check it again on Monday. And on January 20th, we should get another ultrasound of Carson's liver. 

Kellen had a fantastic day with Nana Bunch. 

It is Preston's birthday weekend too! Liz and Preston are getting to spend a night on the town and we are praying it is a wonderful time away from the daily challenges they have faced. 

Hope you all are doing well and being blessed greatly for your faithful prayers and support.

Posted by Sarah