Saturday, April 25, 2009

Day 38 at GW, Day 2 for Gaines

After Brittany posted last night we got some scary news. We went to the NICU to say goodnight to Gaines and we were told he was in critical condition. The doctors had hooked him up to the new machine and his SATS were great but there was too much CO2 in his blood. The doctors were about to give him a new drug to help with this situation. They told us that if the drug didn't work there was one other they could try. Brittany and I stayed in the NICU for a short time and prayed with Gaines. The doctor told us to go back and get some sleep (we had slept 3 hours in the alst 48) and that they would come to our room if things didn't start to get better.

Brittany and I came back to the room, prayed, and fell alseep. Praise God, we just woke up and realized no one from the NICU ever came by during the middle of the night. Both of us confessed that we both woke up thoughout the night and looked at the clock thinking "Well, it is 2:00 AM and no one has come by yet". We just called the NICU and Gaines SATS are good and the gas in his blood is better.

When Gaines was born, Brittany and I both knew there would be good days and bad. I guess we didn't realize there would be so many ups and downs every hour and every minute. Just in Gaines first day we were told he looked good as he left the delivery room and didn't have to have any help breathing. About an hour later we found out he was on a ventilator but everything else looked good. Then we found out the amount of oxygen he was being given had been reduced from 100% to 50%. I think at this point Brittany and I got a false sense of security that Gaines was going to continue to go in the right direction. Later last night we were told his SATS had dropped considerably even though he was back to 100% oxygen. The doctor explained that with little oxygen in his blood, eventually his little heart would tire and just stop. Fortunately, the doctors administered the Nitric Oxide gas and his SATS came back up while we waited on the new machine. Again, we thought he was going in the right direction. And as you already know, when Brittany and I went to say good night to him last night, we were told about the CO2 in his blood. What a first Day.

I guess you can never really be prepared for life in the NICU. No matter how many people tell you their story or experience in the NICU, it just doesn't prepare you for the unbelievable emotions you experience.

Please continue to pray that for Gaines health.

Beau

15 comments:

Lori said...

I'm so glad to hear you both were able to get a full restfull nights sleep. It is a very bumpy "roller coaster" and always know SOMEBODY out there is most likely praying for you every minute of the day.

LeAnn said...

We are all praying for Gaines and you guys too. He's a little fighter !!!
Prayers from Andalusia...
LeAnn, Jennifer, & Neal

natalie said...

Perhaps we should set up a prayer schedule so you know you are covered in prayer at all times?

Praying for you. Thought about Gaines as soon as I woke up this morning. I know posting is hard and time consuminug for you, but your Brothers and Sisters sure do appreciate it!

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you and praying very hard.

Please, please, let us know what you need.

Blessings,
Tiffany at Until Journey's End
616-889-2819

Unknown said...

Praise God for the small milestones. Yall are in our thoughts and prayers!

Brandi & Family

April said...

Know MANY people are thinking of all of you and praying for you. God will use this and bless you!! You have such a strong faith. In Mark 11 it says if you pray for the mountain to move and you truly beleive it, he will move it. I will pray that your mountain will move!!

April and Danny Hadden

Amanda said...

So glad to hear that you got some restful sleep. And that you were able to wake up to the good news that Gaines had a good night too! Brittany, if you get the chance, pumping breastmilk is not only a wonderful way to help Gaines (breastmilk is full of immunities and is also easier on the body to digest which frees the body to focus on other growth and healing things) but it also gives you a way to help your son that no doctor or nurse can provide. That's a powerful and healing act for both of you. Still praying!!!

Beth said...

Praying for Gaines and for you guys to get more rest and to stay calm and peaceful!

Gretta said...

Glad you guys were able to get some much needed rest. NICU is a roller coaster ride but just know that God is right there riding with you & He never leaves your side. There will always be people praying for you so take comfort in that as well. Thank you for taking time to post frequently so that we can be praying specifically for you guys! We love you & are lifting up prayers often on your behalf.

Sarah said...

Continuing to pray... glad you got some sleep. Thankful for the doctors there and we're praying for their creative wisdom guided by God.

stillinamerica said...

You two are amazing parents! Needless to say, but we are praying for your family. I hope Reed provides you with much needed energy! Gaines sure seems to be a little fighter...Beau, I guess he has Brittanys hair not yours, there sure does seem to be alot of it!

Cheers

Martin and Andrea Harris

Only the Sheppards said...

No, it is never easy, and the ups and downs are excruciating. You can never be prepared, but know it does get better as time goes by. The hardest part is when you're first starting out and don't know the meds or the equipment or the terms... As you know more you at least feel mentally prepared, if that makes any sense. What helped us was 1) Prayer, altho admittedly we weren't always very happy with God, and I think he understands, 2) Find a few nurses you really trust and feel you can talk to. Try to make them Gaines' primaries so he has consistent care and you know who you are talking to and that they understand your son, 3)Find another family or two there that have been where you are and can help guide you through the early stages, because the beginning is the most frightening time of the NICU stay. Just to have someone right there you can talk to will help tremendously.

We'll be praying and thinking of you!

MomMom said...

I am praying for Gaines. Our nephew was in NICU (he weighed 1 lb. and 10 oz. and that was just before surfactant was available so he didn't have that benefit). The NICU is one step forward and two back and a roller coaster of emotions but he is fine and is now about to finish his freshman year of college (I won't mention where but let's just say we bleed orange and blue). We'll keep praying for Gaines and all of you but if you need to email someone who has experienced NICU, please feel free. LZ7780@cox.net

Collier Chronicles said...

We will continue to pray for you! I check often for updates. I know it will go up and down every day and sometimes every hour.

Stephanie said...

praying for Gaines today...that his health will take a turn in the right direction and he'll continue to improve!!!!