Friday, May 26, 2006

Homecoming!

Judah was discharged today around dinner time. What a blessing to all be home together again. There has been so much upheaval in our lives in the last two weeks, and we're looking forward to laying low this weekend, watching Judah closely and just enjoy being together again.

Judah's appetite has returned, but his body doesn't quite seem ready for him to eat a lot. He's thrown up twice today, once this morning and once on our way home from the hospital tonight. We are trying to discern if he's throwing up from eating or from the pain medication he's been on. I'm going to try giving him only Tylenol to get him through the night tonight, and hopefully he'll do well. Hopefully, that will help me determine why he might be throwing up.

I think the boys enjoyed seeing each other again, and they both definitely seemed to enjoy being back in their own home again. Tucker was intrigued by the bandages on Judah's head, and he adopted a new word into his vocabulary tonight: "boo boo". Hopefully, we'll be able to teach him to keep his hands off Judah's boo boo's.

Surgically, there were three cuts total: 2 on his skull and 1 on his belly. Judah seemed to be a bit more bothered tonight than he has been yet by the wound on his belly. And, he was still a bit unsteady when he tried to walk and play around on the floor tonight, I am guessing from the narcotic he's been on. I could tell he wanted to eat, but I was hesitant to give him much. I think he would have really loved a sippy of warm milk, but I held off for one more night.

Please pray that:
  • I will be able to discern when/if I need to call the neuro. team at Hopkins re: any potential complications. As if I am not a bit neurotic already about observing him, I was given a new list of things to watch for that might indicate an infection w/ the shunt or shunt failure of some kind.
  • I will be able to manage Judah's pain well with just Tylenol and not have to bother with the prescribed narcotic.
  • Judah's stomach will tolerate a normal diet soon, and that my little man will get the nourishment he so desperately needs right now.
  • Tucker and Judah will leave Judah's "boo boo's" alone and that Judah won't fall on his belly or head.
  • There will be no complications with Judah's healing and his body's acceptance of this foreign object in his body.
  • The shunt will function properly and keep Judah's ICP (intracranial pressure) normal.
  • We will wisely, diligently and with compassion shepherd our boys' hearts through the lot God has assigned to us.
  • We will all continue to rest well, nourish our bodies as well as our souls through God's Word to sort of "recover" from the recent upheaval in our life.

Thanks so much for continuing to pray and to leave comments. It means a great deal to us, and we are able to pass on to the boys how much they are loved by God's people. Thank you.

Special thanks today:

  • Heather Griger: again for keeping Tucker, for talking through some of the medical end of things with Judah's situation. Boy, am I grateful that neuro. is your specialty. How kind of God to provide you for a friend. And, thanks for that awesome dinner. What a treat!
  • Benjamin Kim: for the sweet card and stickers. I can't wait to let Judah play with them.
  • Jo Powell and our buddies, Kyle and Liam: for reminding me it was story day at the library and going out for a treat together afterwards. We had a great time as usual with ya'll, and it was nice to do something we normally would do on a Friday (only Judah wasn't with us).
  • Kara Beth: It was nice to get your call and to hear about your job. Thanks for making me laugh. It really is the best medicine. :)

I may not post so much this weekend unless there is something that comes up that we might need prayer for. But, thanks for keeping us in your prayers anyway. Having Judah recover at home may prove to be the more challenging part of all of this, but we will have to wait and see how he does.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Bri~ You can completely see God's mighty hand in your circumstance. What a comfort to know that He will never leave you or forsake you. We will continue to pray for your family. I would love to chat with you when opportunity arises.

Love Ya,
Krista

FishMama said...

I am so glad to hear such good reports. We will be keeping you all in prayer. God is so good to have given Judah a family such as yours.

peg said...

so glad ou're all home! I'm praying and I do thank God for blogs!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Guys,
We have been praying for you continually. So glad you are all under one roof. God gave me this word this morning and Mike and I feel it was for you.
"My Child,
Remember my grace and mercy are never changing. There is nothing you can do to earn them or unearn them. I desire to pour out my grace and mercy upon you today and everyday. My plans for your life are in my hands and in my control. Just accept the grace that comes in the darkness and the mercy that comes in the hardships. I desire to use these times to do a glorious work in you. You will walk on the other side of darkness and hardships you will see my glory and you will see your good in my timing. Be comforted knowing that I am with you always there is nothing to big for me and there is nothing that you will endure that I have not given you the grace to handle. Remember my grace and mercy are never changing."
Love to you all
Donna

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear all went well. Thank the Lord! I will be praying for all of you.

Anonymous said...

Hello Briana,
I am continuing to pray for you...May you be ever aware of God's personal love and care for you and your family...
Love
Audrey

Anonymous said...

Oh Bri...I am so astonished again by the paths God has given both you and Emily. She just said tonight that being home is so great...but there is a certain security about being nearby a medical team, if necessary. Thank you for the specificness of your requests...they not only relay information but let us know how to intercede before the One who holds us all in his hands. I will pray that God speaks clearly the words only your family needs to hear...that to me has been so sweet during this time. We love you, your husband and your little guys! Someone recently asked me if I felt God's grace during this time as the first Livi was in the hospital, I could only reply that God seemed to be giving Livi the grace she needed and that this is an endurance run (as Lawrence had mentioned) and He will provide as it is needed. He alone is faithful, so I know that he will meet our needs...good night and sweet dreams to all of you. Gretchen

Anonymous said...

Trials and Temptations

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4


You may not see this good now while you suffer. You may not see it in the months and years to come. But God has promised to work all things together for good for those who love Him! You must believe His promise so you can endure and rejoice despite you suffering. The apostle Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Fear might overwhelm you, and you might struggle with thinking straight about God, but don’t let that be your problem. Let God work and help you through this difficult time. We all get discouraged and despair of life at one time or another! So, you’re not alone with that! Remember, grace will set you free! You are in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

Im so glad to hear that the surgery went so well! May God continue to supply you with all the grace you need and strength!