Okay I just got an update to share with everyone.
The bleeding and clotting are the biggest issues that Carson is facing. Because of the clotting they are using heparine to thin the blood but this of course causes more bleeding. Dr. Yang continues to balance the risks as best he can but we truly need Gods hands on Carson to stop the clotting so they can stop the heparine and stop the bleeding. They are going to change the tubing again on the ECMO machine within the hour. Please pray for this procedure as it is rather risky since Carson will not have use of the machine during the procedure. I asked how long it takes and she said seconds but Dr. Yang's response was I'll go as fast as I can and you pray. Dr. Yang has said that if the bleeding does not get under control they may have to do exploratory surgery to find the cause. No timeline has been given as to when he feels this would be necessary, so continued prayers for God's wisdom and guidance for the doctors and nurses is appreciated.
The praise is that Carson's kidneys are working better than before (per Dr. Yang) but we still need continued prayers more pee to reduce the fluid in his body.
Thank you again for all your prayers!
Posted by Carolyn
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
update #1 for today
I got to go visit last night and loved seeing Carson and Kellen.
For the good news first, Kellen is in clothes!!! :) Yeah...it was a blast getting to see him dwarfed in an itty bitty outfit but looking so handsome. He is taking the full feeding for his weight so no IVs or anything other than his tube to his tummy. Elizabeth and my mom have both been able to get him to eat his full feeding from the bottle (35 ml). That is wonderful. If he is awake he does great. I also got to hold him for the first time on his 1 week birthday yesterday. I tried to feed him a bottle but I didn't have the touch. He definitely decided his mommy was better at feeding. :) Kellen thinks both his parents are the best b/c he is happiest when they are holding him. He has the cutest facial expressions and just will sleep for hours in your arms.
Liz and Preston continue to be such strong people as they go through the ups and downs. They are amazing.
Your prayers are so wonderful and we so appreciate it. Carson's bleeding stopped last night and he continues to pee incredibly well. Unfortunately, to stop his bleeding they had to give him a medicine to help him clot which was good for him, but caused the machine to get more clots in it. One of the clots is on the arterial line after the oxygenator. It is very scary for all of us, because it seems awfully easy for that to transfer on to Carson and potentially cause devastating results. The neonatologist, pediatric surgeon, perfusionist, and others are trying to figure out the best way to address this. I want so badly for him to be off the ECMO machine, but they still feel his lungs are filled with fluid. Right now, we need to pray for wisdom for the doctors and for them to make the best decision for Carson and to be able to work together. Continued prayers for protection for his little body. On a happier note, he is moving more and is really using all his extremities and will really grab your hand if you touch him. It is such a sweet sight.
Prayer Points:
First, in thanksgiving for all the miracles and answered prayers thus far, for Liz and Kellen's amazing recovery, for Liz and Preston's ability to take it one day at a time
Requests:
For the good news first, Kellen is in clothes!!! :) Yeah...it was a blast getting to see him dwarfed in an itty bitty outfit but looking so handsome. He is taking the full feeding for his weight so no IVs or anything other than his tube to his tummy. Elizabeth and my mom have both been able to get him to eat his full feeding from the bottle (35 ml). That is wonderful. If he is awake he does great. I also got to hold him for the first time on his 1 week birthday yesterday. I tried to feed him a bottle but I didn't have the touch. He definitely decided his mommy was better at feeding. :) Kellen thinks both his parents are the best b/c he is happiest when they are holding him. He has the cutest facial expressions and just will sleep for hours in your arms.
Liz and Preston continue to be such strong people as they go through the ups and downs. They are amazing.
Your prayers are so wonderful and we so appreciate it. Carson's bleeding stopped last night and he continues to pee incredibly well. Unfortunately, to stop his bleeding they had to give him a medicine to help him clot which was good for him, but caused the machine to get more clots in it. One of the clots is on the arterial line after the oxygenator. It is very scary for all of us, because it seems awfully easy for that to transfer on to Carson and potentially cause devastating results. The neonatologist, pediatric surgeon, perfusionist, and others are trying to figure out the best way to address this. I want so badly for him to be off the ECMO machine, but they still feel his lungs are filled with fluid. Right now, we need to pray for wisdom for the doctors and for them to make the best decision for Carson and to be able to work together. Continued prayers for protection for his little body. On a happier note, he is moving more and is really using all his extremities and will really grab your hand if you touch him. It is such a sweet sight.
Prayer Points:
First, in thanksgiving for all the miracles and answered prayers thus far, for Liz and Kellen's amazing recovery, for Liz and Preston's ability to take it one day at a time
Requests:
1) For the doctors to be able to come together to make the best decision for Carson, wisdom for their decision making process
2) The clots will not move and God will hold his Hand over Carson protecting him from any of the scary side effects
3) Thanksgiving and continued prayer for Carson to pee pee pee so we can get fluid off his lungs and he can come off the ECMO machine.
Posted by Sarah
2) The clots will not move and God will hold his Hand over Carson protecting him from any of the scary side effects
3) Thanksgiving and continued prayer for Carson to pee pee pee so we can get fluid off his lungs and he can come off the ECMO machine.
Posted by Sarah
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
update #6 for today
Francie knew many would be waiting for an update given the urgent prayer request earlier this evening. Well, we certainly know that Carson is learning from his brother in how to be a tough little hombre. It is completely a miracle that Carson is still with us - as he has already surpassed the doctors expectations on multiple occasions - but we feel that God is truly continuing to bless all of us beyond measure by holding Carson's hand and pulling him through each challenge.
Francie just called saying that the bleeding from the cannula has slowed, not stopped. He has had to receive several blood products but the imminent danger has indeed lessened - not gone totally. He is still putting out a fair amount of urine so that is certainly good. He's just receiving so many different things that he continues to be challenged with the fluid overload issue.
We continue to pray so that God will help to heal his organs so he can improve enough to get him off the ECMO. The family is really praying so he can get strong enough to start receiving breast milk. Kellen just absolutely took off once he was able to get more of that miracle juice from Miss Elizabeth. She must be eating her Wheaties and sharing it with Kellen. Now we just need to pray so she can share that with Carson very soon!
I have had the pleasure to get to hear some wonderful stories and blessings through this journey but I want to share one with all of you. Some of you have heard this already but it bears repeating. Elizabeth Tomilary is a dear friend of the Bunches (and many in this email list). When she was praying for Elizabeth Clark and the twins on one occasion she very clearly heard God tell her that these twins were going to be OK and were going to be missionaries for him.... Now 'missionary' can be defined in many ways to each and every individual but I think it is pretty clear that God is already putting little Carson to work on this front. I personally have never witnessed such a concerted prayer effort by such a large, diverse group and so many comments of how this has touched people personally. I have enjoyed praying together with my three men - something we just don't do often enough...
So everyone - lets help Carson continue to be a missionary to God. Let raise the roof with prayers for this little man! And Maresa, tell Matthias he'll have to buy a fire extinguisher! :) Maresa was a foreign exchange student from Germany who lived with the Bunch family several years ago. Her husband, Matthias told her he was worried she would burn their house down with all the candles she was lighting for little Carson... :)
Thank you so much again to all and keep those prayers coming!
Posted by Alice
Francie just called saying that the bleeding from the cannula has slowed, not stopped. He has had to receive several blood products but the imminent danger has indeed lessened - not gone totally. He is still putting out a fair amount of urine so that is certainly good. He's just receiving so many different things that he continues to be challenged with the fluid overload issue.
We continue to pray so that God will help to heal his organs so he can improve enough to get him off the ECMO. The family is really praying so he can get strong enough to start receiving breast milk. Kellen just absolutely took off once he was able to get more of that miracle juice from Miss Elizabeth. She must be eating her Wheaties and sharing it with Kellen. Now we just need to pray so she can share that with Carson very soon!
I have had the pleasure to get to hear some wonderful stories and blessings through this journey but I want to share one with all of you. Some of you have heard this already but it bears repeating. Elizabeth Tomilary is a dear friend of the Bunches (and many in this email list). When she was praying for Elizabeth Clark and the twins on one occasion she very clearly heard God tell her that these twins were going to be OK and were going to be missionaries for him.... Now 'missionary' can be defined in many ways to each and every individual but I think it is pretty clear that God is already putting little Carson to work on this front. I personally have never witnessed such a concerted prayer effort by such a large, diverse group and so many comments of how this has touched people personally. I have enjoyed praying together with my three men - something we just don't do often enough...
So everyone - lets help Carson continue to be a missionary to God. Let raise the roof with prayers for this little man! And Maresa, tell Matthias he'll have to buy a fire extinguisher! :) Maresa was a foreign exchange student from Germany who lived with the Bunch family several years ago. Her husband, Matthias told her he was worried she would burn their house down with all the candles she was lighting for little Carson... :)
Thank you so much again to all and keep those prayers coming!
Posted by Alice
update #5 for today
Okay I'm going to get right to it. Francie is on her knees in the chapel praying for the following; please join her.
1. Carson is bleeding again from the canula. This needs to stop. The bleeding and clotting need to get under control.
2. More pee from Carson. The procedure to the abdomen went well today but they visually couldn't tell because he just still has so much fluid on him.
3. Carson needs to get to a point that he can eat normally. He needs to take in Liz's milk. His jaundice is not responding to the UV light treatment because his organs are not functioning normally (i.e. digesting food). The billirubin is building up and that's not good for any baby.
Thanks again prayer warriors!
Posted by Carolyn
1. Carson is bleeding again from the canula. This needs to stop. The bleeding and clotting need to get under control.
2. More pee from Carson. The procedure to the abdomen went well today but they visually couldn't tell because he just still has so much fluid on him.
3. Carson needs to get to a point that he can eat normally. He needs to take in Liz's milk. His jaundice is not responding to the UV light treatment because his organs are not functioning normally (i.e. digesting food). The billirubin is building up and that's not good for any baby.
Thanks again prayer warriors!
Posted by Carolyn
update #4 for today
Hello all...this is Francie's niece Carolyn signing on again to share the latest on the boys. First, when she called just now I have to share that you could hear the smile on her face and how thrilled she is for each and every miracle God is showering on these boys. Okay so for the good news from all your prayers
Kellen is doing AMAZING. Today was just his third day with a bottle and Grandpa Doug spent the night in the NICU and thus got to feed him early this morning and the sweet little thing took a whole 25 ml (remember he took only 5 ml on his first feeding) and today Kellen took 35 ml when Liz got to feed him his bottle which is the maximum they are looking for at his gestational age!!! Grandma Francie is elated beyond words at the miracle that he is. He is so small and yet he is smiling and functioning just as perfectly as any other baby. She commented on how she just loves looking at his tiny little tongue and fingers as they move and he figures out how to work all his parts.
Carson is keeping up with his brother in the miracle department. In the last hour he had 35 ml of urine output, praise the Lord! Francie told me there was a renowned neonatologist that used to tell his tiny patients that he would give them a quarter if they would pee 10 ml in an hour when they struggled and those quarters would get taped to their isolates. Well Carson is racking up some quarters and may have a deposit for his college fund before this is over. Aunt Sarah called for an update just after they found out about the record breaking 35 ml and she said she got to put down the quarter for that hour. Also Carson had the procedure this morning to remove the excess blood near the incision site and one of the nurses said she saw him move his right eye immediately after the procedure, this is a miracle because they were not sure they were able to preserve that nerve in the surgery. Grandma Francie was spending time with Carson singing the Old Rugged Cross (Doug sang this to Liz when she was a baby to calm her down) and the divine chaplet and she saw Carson open his right eye, then move his right hand, then right foot, then left hand and arm in that order as if to say I'm getting there the prayers are working.
Also Francie got to place these wonderful prayer blankets on the edge of the babies isolates today. A volunteer at the hospital made them and the priest there prayed over them and wrote down that prayer for Liz and Preston to repeat it to the boys. This morning at the daily mass the priest blessed the blankets and asked Francie to place them on the table in the back and that each person that attended mass that morning to touch the blankets and offer a prayer for the boys as they left the chapel. Francie said that there were more people than normal at the daily mass today and it thrilled her that all those additional prayers were going up for the boys.
I can tell you that Francie, Doug, Liz and Preston are all feeling the warmth and love of your prayers for their little miracle boys and are so thrilled to continue to see God's abundant blessings. They want to share the fruit of these prayers with you and thank you for your dedication to praying Carson and Kellen into full health.
We are so grateful for you!
Posted by Carolyn
Kellen is doing AMAZING. Today was just his third day with a bottle and Grandpa Doug spent the night in the NICU and thus got to feed him early this morning and the sweet little thing took a whole 25 ml (remember he took only 5 ml on his first feeding) and today Kellen took 35 ml when Liz got to feed him his bottle which is the maximum they are looking for at his gestational age!!! Grandma Francie is elated beyond words at the miracle that he is. He is so small and yet he is smiling and functioning just as perfectly as any other baby. She commented on how she just loves looking at his tiny little tongue and fingers as they move and he figures out how to work all his parts.
Carson is keeping up with his brother in the miracle department. In the last hour he had 35 ml of urine output, praise the Lord! Francie told me there was a renowned neonatologist that used to tell his tiny patients that he would give them a quarter if they would pee 10 ml in an hour when they struggled and those quarters would get taped to their isolates. Well Carson is racking up some quarters and may have a deposit for his college fund before this is over. Aunt Sarah called for an update just after they found out about the record breaking 35 ml and she said she got to put down the quarter for that hour. Also Carson had the procedure this morning to remove the excess blood near the incision site and one of the nurses said she saw him move his right eye immediately after the procedure, this is a miracle because they were not sure they were able to preserve that nerve in the surgery. Grandma Francie was spending time with Carson singing the Old Rugged Cross (Doug sang this to Liz when she was a baby to calm her down) and the divine chaplet and she saw Carson open his right eye, then move his right hand, then right foot, then left hand and arm in that order as if to say I'm getting there the prayers are working.
Also Francie got to place these wonderful prayer blankets on the edge of the babies isolates today. A volunteer at the hospital made them and the priest there prayed over them and wrote down that prayer for Liz and Preston to repeat it to the boys. This morning at the daily mass the priest blessed the blankets and asked Francie to place them on the table in the back and that each person that attended mass that morning to touch the blankets and offer a prayer for the boys as they left the chapel. Francie said that there were more people than normal at the daily mass today and it thrilled her that all those additional prayers were going up for the boys.
I can tell you that Francie, Doug, Liz and Preston are all feeling the warmth and love of your prayers for their little miracle boys and are so thrilled to continue to see God's abundant blessings. They want to share the fruit of these prayers with you and thank you for your dedication to praying Carson and Kellen into full health.
We are so grateful for you!
Posted by Carolyn
update #3 for today
Hello all this is Francie's niece Carolyn signing on again to share the latest on the boys. First when she called just now I have to share that you could hear the smile on her face and how thrilled she is for each and every miracle God is showering on these boys. Okay so for the good news from all your prayers
Kellen is doing AMAZING. Today was just his third day with a bottle and Grandpa Doug spent the night in the NICU and thus got to feed him early this morning and the sweet little thing took a whole 25 ml (remember he took only 5 ml on his first feeding) and today Kellen took 35 ml when Liz got to feed him his bottle which is the maximum they are looking for at his gestational age!!! Grandma Francie is elated beyond words at the miracle that he is. He is so small and yet he is smiling and functioning just as perfectly as any other baby. She commented on how she just loves looking at his tiny little tongue and fingers as they move and he figures out how to work all his parts.
Carson is keeping up with his brother in the miracle department. In the last hour he had 35 ml of urine output, praise the Lord! Francie told me there was a renowned neonatologist that used to tell his tiny patients that he would give them a quarter if they would pee 10 ml in an hour when they struggled and those quarters would get taped to their isolates. Well Carson is racking up some quarters and may have a deposit for his college fund before this is over. Aunt Sarah called for an update just after they found out about the record breaking 35 ml and she said she got to put down the quarter for that hour. Also Carson had the procedure this morning to remove the excess blood near the incision site and one of the nurses said she saw him move his right eye immediately after the procedure, this is a miracle because they were not sure they were able to preserve that nerve in the surgery. Grandma Francie was spending time with Carson singing the Old Rugged Cross (Doug sang this to Liz when she was a baby to calm her down) and the divine chaplet and she saw Carson open his right eye, then move his right hand, then right foot, then left hand and arm in that order as if to say I'm getting there the prayers are working.
Also Francie got to place these wonderful prayer blankets on the edge of the babies isolates today. A volunteer at the hospital made them and the priest there prayed over them and wrote down that prayer for Liz and Preston to repeat it to the boys. This morning at the daily mass the priest blessed the blankets and asked Francie to place them on the table in the back and that each person that attended mass that morning to touch the blankets and offer a prayer for the boys as they left the chapel. Francie said that there were more people than normal at the daily mass today and it thrilled her that all those additional prayers were going up for the boys.
I can tell you that Francie, Doug, Liz and Preston are all feeling the warmth and love of your prayers for their little miracle boys and are so thrilled to continue to see God's abundant blessings. They want to share the fruit of these prayers with you and thank you for your dedication to praying Carson and Kellen into full health.
Posted by Carolyn
Kellen is doing AMAZING. Today was just his third day with a bottle and Grandpa Doug spent the night in the NICU and thus got to feed him early this morning and the sweet little thing took a whole 25 ml (remember he took only 5 ml on his first feeding) and today Kellen took 35 ml when Liz got to feed him his bottle which is the maximum they are looking for at his gestational age!!! Grandma Francie is elated beyond words at the miracle that he is. He is so small and yet he is smiling and functioning just as perfectly as any other baby. She commented on how she just loves looking at his tiny little tongue and fingers as they move and he figures out how to work all his parts.
Carson is keeping up with his brother in the miracle department. In the last hour he had 35 ml of urine output, praise the Lord! Francie told me there was a renowned neonatologist that used to tell his tiny patients that he would give them a quarter if they would pee 10 ml in an hour when they struggled and those quarters would get taped to their isolates. Well Carson is racking up some quarters and may have a deposit for his college fund before this is over. Aunt Sarah called for an update just after they found out about the record breaking 35 ml and she said she got to put down the quarter for that hour. Also Carson had the procedure this morning to remove the excess blood near the incision site and one of the nurses said she saw him move his right eye immediately after the procedure, this is a miracle because they were not sure they were able to preserve that nerve in the surgery. Grandma Francie was spending time with Carson singing the Old Rugged Cross (Doug sang this to Liz when she was a baby to calm her down) and the divine chaplet and she saw Carson open his right eye, then move his right hand, then right foot, then left hand and arm in that order as if to say I'm getting there the prayers are working.
Also Francie got to place these wonderful prayer blankets on the edge of the babies isolates today. A volunteer at the hospital made them and the priest there prayed over them and wrote down that prayer for Liz and Preston to repeat it to the boys. This morning at the daily mass the priest blessed the blankets and asked Francie to place them on the table in the back and that each person that attended mass that morning to touch the blankets and offer a prayer for the boys as they left the chapel. Francie said that there were more people than normal at the daily mass today and it thrilled her that all those additional prayers were going up for the boys.
I can tell you that Francie, Doug, Liz and Preston are all feeling the warmth and love of your prayers for their little miracle boys and are so thrilled to continue to see God's abundant blessings. They want to share the fruit of these prayers with you and thank you for your dedication to praying Carson and Kellen into full health.
Posted by Carolyn
update #2 for today
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers yesterday for Carson to pee. His urine output last night was good and we still need more but Dr. Yang was comfortable with the amount. Praise God for all of our answered prayers.
Today's focused prayer requests:
1. Carson is having two procedures done today so please pray for the doctors and Carson's recovery on the following:
a. Carson has blood around the incision site that they need to drain
b. The doctors are going to put a needle into Carson's abdominal cavity to get more fluid off
2. Continued direction from God for all of the Doctors, Nurses and staff treating Carson and Kellen
3. Continued reduction of clotting and swelling and reduced dependence on the ECMO machine for Carson
4. God's healing hands on Carson to limit long term issues as he recovers
5. Strength and peace for the family specifically Liz and Preston as they continue love their babies into full health
No specific news on Kellen at this time. It is our understanding that he is still scheduled to remove the tubes to get to put on clothes today!
I can not put into words how much your prayers mean to all of us, thank you from the bottom of my heart
Grandma Francie
Posted by Carolyn
Today's focused prayer requests:
1. Carson is having two procedures done today so please pray for the doctors and Carson's recovery on the following:
a. Carson has blood around the incision site that they need to drain
b. The doctors are going to put a needle into Carson's abdominal cavity to get more fluid off
2. Continued direction from God for all of the Doctors, Nurses and staff treating Carson and Kellen
3. Continued reduction of clotting and swelling and reduced dependence on the ECMO machine for Carson
4. God's healing hands on Carson to limit long term issues as he recovers
5. Strength and peace for the family specifically Liz and Preston as they continue love their babies into full health
No specific news on Kellen at this time. It is our understanding that he is still scheduled to remove the tubes to get to put on clothes today!
I can not put into words how much your prayers mean to all of us, thank you from the bottom of my heart
Grandma Francie
Posted by Carolyn
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