"For You Are With Me..."

I will probably eventually fall into a rhythm with these updates like I did before, but right now there is so much going on that it’s hard. I may post again later with Rachael’s evening update or I may just add that to tomorrow.

Yesterday evening Rachael called with an update. She said that Jimmie’s brain scan went well--his brain looks good! He had successfully digested her breast milk so they gave him a second feeding. The ventilator had slipped so they positioned it in a better spot and his blood gasses were looking better. And his white blood cell count had gone down a bit!

Okay-- wow! That is a good update.

This morning she said that he still had a little of the 2nd feeding in his tummy, but they went ahead and gave him a little more. She said pray for his digestion and bowel because that is extremely critical for his health.

His blood gasses got bad again and again they had to x-ray his chest and re-adjust the position of the ventilator. Pray that it will stay in place because that is annoying. The ventilator is taking more breaths for him last night and this morning. His nurse said he’s tired out. Pray he gets good rest and can start fighting hard again to build up those tiny muscles.

Rachael was discharged from the hospital yesterday. That was extremely difficult. I don’t think I can adequately describe what she is going through emotionally. She is leaning heavily on Him and God is faithful. She and Justin will be staying with a family member who lives 15 minutes or so from the hospital. Pray for them. They are exhausted and they need to stay healthy. Justin has been a big support and help to Rachael- getting up in the night to help her with the pump and all of the details that go with that process of supplying Jimmie with milk. Yesterday Rachael stepped outside for the first time in over a month. My mom stayed with Jimmie in the NICU and Justin took Rachael to dinner.

It is hard to see Jimmie so tiny with all of the tubes and wires hooked to him. Rachael said she can tell when he’s agitated and he tries to cry, but with the ventilator in he makes no sounds. It’s all about a fine balance right now. She wants to touch him and talk to him, but he can easily be over stimulated and then doesn’t rest well. So they are learning to intuit what he needs and when. She said one time he was having trouble and obviously agitated so the nurse said , “here try putting your hands on him.” Rachael did and it helped a lot. She sings and reads and prays out loud while she’s with him And there is also just a lot of “peace be still” time as well. My mom says he has his hands up by his face a lot and she’s sure he would be sucking on them if he could. She says she thinks she might be seeing his tiny mouth trying to make those motions even with the ventilator tubes in the way. Rachael told me yesterday she can just see that he is trying so hard. It hurts . . . Keep fighting Jimmie you are so brave and strong! Pray that God is with Jimmie in a way that is above and beyond our comprehension. Mom recites the 23rd Psalms for him and us.

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Love,
Amber