Stability
Micah needs stability.
Because of the way doctors rotate back and forth between Cooks and Harris hospitals, Micah has a new primary neonatologist. Today we had our first long conversation with her and it went well. There are some of the doctors that want Micah to do well, but think and communicate differently than the primary she had before. This doctor works pretty much the same as Micah's last (who rotated out last week) and will be in consultation with him. We are going to have a Care Conference on Wednesday afternoon with her and a couple of Micah's regular nurses to make sure everyone is on the same page for Micah's short-term and long-term goals and treatment plan. Please pray for this meeting because it is a great chance to make sure we know what is going on with Micah's care and find answers to whatever questions we think of between now and then.
After a rough end to last week, Micah's levels are still high, but staying pretty much where they are. We are thankful, but not exactly satisfied. She is still a very sick little girl, with a long road ahead of her. She looks puffy to us sometimes, but we have been assured that this is normal for preemies and micro-preemies. Her lungs still have a lot of developing to do, as her aveoli (the air sacks that exchange O2 and CO2) continue to develop. Actually, when Micah was born, she didn't have any of these yet. Her larger passageways were having to do the air exchange for her, a function they are not designed for, but one which God's wisdom provided for. (The illustration that helped me was like trying to pick up your computer mouse with your forearms, because your fingers haven't grown in yet. You can do it, but it isn't easy.)
Micah lost a few grams last night, but still weighs 2 pounds and 9.8 ounces. That's quite an improvement for a little girl (who started at 1 pound, 2 ounces) on her 50th day of life. 50 days! It feels like we've been here forever sometimes. Rather, it feels like the world we used to live in is only a distant memory, and this reality is interminable.
But, we are here together, and Micah is alive. This is my constant thought: Micah is alive. She is different. She has 5 brothers and sisters in heaven, but she is still here. She got to stay. She is the fulfilment of God's promise. They are all His, but He seems to have a different plan for her.
Micah is alive. It's strange that such a basic reality could seem so unreal and hard to grasp. Most people (and I used to be one of them) just never notice the value of that one little phrase: IS ALIVE. Not, was alive. Not, might be alive. IS ALIVE. For 50 days, our reality has been shaped by this singular fact: Micah is alive. Nothing in our world escapes that truth.
Micah needs prayer, because she is alive. Micah needs nourishment, because she is alive. Micah needs rest and growth, because she is alive. And, for the next days and weeks, Micah needs stability (a safe, steady road free from bumps and detours)... Micah needs stability, because Micah is alive!
Praise the Lord!
Because of the way doctors rotate back and forth between Cooks and Harris hospitals, Micah has a new primary neonatologist. Today we had our first long conversation with her and it went well. There are some of the doctors that want Micah to do well, but think and communicate differently than the primary she had before. This doctor works pretty much the same as Micah's last (who rotated out last week) and will be in consultation with him. We are going to have a Care Conference on Wednesday afternoon with her and a couple of Micah's regular nurses to make sure everyone is on the same page for Micah's short-term and long-term goals and treatment plan. Please pray for this meeting because it is a great chance to make sure we know what is going on with Micah's care and find answers to whatever questions we think of between now and then.
After a rough end to last week, Micah's levels are still high, but staying pretty much where they are. We are thankful, but not exactly satisfied. She is still a very sick little girl, with a long road ahead of her. She looks puffy to us sometimes, but we have been assured that this is normal for preemies and micro-preemies. Her lungs still have a lot of developing to do, as her aveoli (the air sacks that exchange O2 and CO2) continue to develop. Actually, when Micah was born, she didn't have any of these yet. Her larger passageways were having to do the air exchange for her, a function they are not designed for, but one which God's wisdom provided for. (The illustration that helped me was like trying to pick up your computer mouse with your forearms, because your fingers haven't grown in yet. You can do it, but it isn't easy.)
Micah lost a few grams last night, but still weighs 2 pounds and 9.8 ounces. That's quite an improvement for a little girl (who started at 1 pound, 2 ounces) on her 50th day of life. 50 days! It feels like we've been here forever sometimes. Rather, it feels like the world we used to live in is only a distant memory, and this reality is interminable.
But, we are here together, and Micah is alive. This is my constant thought: Micah is alive. She is different. She has 5 brothers and sisters in heaven, but she is still here. She got to stay. She is the fulfilment of God's promise. They are all His, but He seems to have a different plan for her.
Micah is alive. It's strange that such a basic reality could seem so unreal and hard to grasp. Most people (and I used to be one of them) just never notice the value of that one little phrase: IS ALIVE. Not, was alive. Not, might be alive. IS ALIVE. For 50 days, our reality has been shaped by this singular fact: Micah is alive. Nothing in our world escapes that truth.
Micah needs prayer, because she is alive. Micah needs nourishment, because she is alive. Micah needs rest and growth, because she is alive. And, for the next days and weeks, Micah needs stability (a safe, steady road free from bumps and detours)... Micah needs stability, because Micah is alive!
Praise the Lord!
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