The last couple of days have been busy. It is wonderful to have the kids back with us. Their time out in Maryland and Virginia was wonderful but we missed them.

Fergus has been doing really well. Prayers about him relaxing while being awake are being answered. Before today, any stimulation from anyone or anything strongly agitated him. Lights, noise, talking, or just being around him was too much for him. Today, I settled him into his bed, after changing the bedding and tucked him in. He was starting to fall asleep so I sat in a chair waiting for him to fall into a deep sleep. After I sat down, his heartrate soared and his breaths were fast. I jumped up to see what was wrong. As soon as he saw me and heard me speak to him, he relaxed. I grabbed a tall chair and laid a hand on his shoulder. He completely relaxed then and fell sound asleep. It was so nice to be able to be with him and not have him upset by my presence, but rather comforted instead.

The hospital is hopeful about moving us to Ranken Jordan by Monday morning. God has been gracious to us to provide a bed there.

Please continue to pray for the full restoration of our son. Thank you, esther

a breath of fresh air

Surgery went extremely well. He is breathing easily without extra oxygen and they were able to clear out his lungs of secretions. He struggled so hard to breathe in the last few days that I felt enormous relief seeing him calm after the surgery today.

I'm staying tonight at the Ronald McDonald House, which feels more like a home, instead of the hospital room. I accumulated a few things over the past 3 weeks and it was a little embarrassing walking out with 20 bags. (but funny to think about later)

with some relief and many thanks for prayers, esther

so maybe not St. Louis yet...

After the wonderful news today about going to St. Louis and after the wonderful night Fergus had last night, today didn't go so well. His breathing was more-than-usual labored and sounded to me that he might drown from liquid inside of him. I flipped out and called the nurse in. She boosted up the oxygen and got him comfortable enough to breathe, but he still sounded like a freight train. The doctor came in and ordered a chest x-ray and a breathing treatment that goes deep into the lungs. The x-ray showed that the lungs weren't doing very well.

Fergus is really not stable enough to go to rehab yet. I spoke with the doctor about a tracheostomy and it seems like the best thing to do. It would eliminate much of the problems that he has right now. Once that would be done, he would be stable enough to continue on to rehab. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to the surgeon who would perform the tracheostomy and see when we can get him in.

I was very disappointed to have a set-back for Fergus but if it is risky to send him to rehab like he is now, then I'm glad.

I wanted also to let all of you know that when I hear you say that your "heart was torn in two" or that you wept all night and that words don't express what you feel, I cry and sometimes weep to know that you have shared this with us. Thank you. Words cannot express our gratitude.

~esther

See Fergus in the PICU

If you want to see pictures of Fergus in the pediatric ICU click here.

St. Louis

I was just told that we will be transferred tomorrow morning to Ranken Jordan in St. Louis. Thank you so much for praying that we would get in soon!

~esther