a good night's rest

Last night was the first night that Fergus and I rested well. Yesterday, after several hours of hard breathing and fast heart rates, I stopped or slowed down as much stimulation as I could - no talking, no noise, dim light, and no touching. He was asleep within 5 minutes and continued to be calm the rest of the night, even when awake. Thank you for praying. **Please continue to pray that he calms down while awake.**

We just found out that we will be transferred to Ranken Jordan in St. Louis on Wednesday. I'll let you know more when I find out.

The medication for stiffness has really helped. We can move his limbs, fingers, and toes a lot better. Yesterday the physical therapist held him, sitting and crossed his legs which was great to see him do.


thank you, esther

out of PICU

This morning the doctor said that Fergus looked good enough to move out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit so this evening, I am writing in a comfortable room up on the pediatric floor with Fergus sleeping soundly next to me. I'm really enjoying staying with him all of the time. I'll probably sleep less overall but I'm a mom with her baby so I'm happier.

He is still very agitated when awake - his heart rate goes very fast and his breathing sounds like a machine: very loud, very consistent, and very fast. I am doing everything I'm told to do and whatever I can think to do but little seems to help.

Please pray:
- that he becomes more comfortable while awake
- that he is restored mentally and physically
- for a safe trip for our family in the next few days (our kids coming to us)
- that we can get Fergus into Ranken Jordan very soon

thanks, esther

relief

Last night the tests came back that Fergus is fine. The isolation was discontinued. They think his body is just simply recovering from surgery. Thanks for praying.

We get to see our kids soon!!! Matt is flying out east and traveling with Aunt Rachel and Grandad to bring them out here. We have missed them so much.

**Please pray that Fergus can get into Ranken Jordan in St. Louis as soon as possible.**

thank you for all that you do for us, esther

isolation

Today, Matt and I walked into the PICU and were surprised - Fergus is put into contact isolation. He possibly has a bacteria that easily spreads but is common with people who are on antibiotics for a long time. In order to go visit him, we put on new gowns and gloves each time. They should know later on today, after the lab work is done, why he has very loose, watery stools. They also started him on a new medication that helps to relax his muscles. After the first small dose I held him and he relaxed enough to even let his legs bend a bit.

St. John's Hospital here in Springfield has been excellent. The doctors and nurses are amazingly kind and skilled. Unfortunately, the hospital here does not offer rehabilitation services. The place they want to send him is Ranken Jordan in St. Louis. It has a good reputation for working with children with brain damage. Today we were told that if it will be a while longer for Fergus to get into Ranken Jordan, they will look elsewhere because he needs therapy as soon as possible.

We hope to have our children with us soon. Matt and I both feel the need to be together as a family again. Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, we have a place to take them and be with them. We don't know all of the details for working this out but we'll let you know as soon as we can.

Please pray for:
- muscle relaxation
- full restoration
- full health
- his tongue to heal (he bit hard on it earlier, possibly during a seizure and I just saw it today - it looks almost forked)
- recognition of his mom and dad

Your prayers are a lifeline for us. thanks, esther

doing better

Matt and I have been feeding Fergus via the feeding tube and all has gone well. The doctors are planning to send Fergus to a children's rehab center in St. Louis, Missouri. They hope to have availability early next week. He no longer has any tubes or wires connected to his face and the medications are still being reduced slowly.

Please pray for:
- slower, calmer heart rates
- less agitation while awake
- looser, relaxed joints so his arms and legs can move
- quick healing for feeding tube so we can hold him
- restoration of ability to eat using his mouth
- adjustment for Matt and I in taking care of him
- ability to have us all together as a family as soon as possible (we miss our kids!)

thank you for loving us and our son by praying, ~esther