Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas Eve Update

There is much to be thankful for this Christmas Eve. Ethan has continued to improve on all fronts.

Another sonogram was run on Ethan's head today and it looks as though everything is stable. No new bleeding was detected. Fluid content in the ventricles of the brain are not increasing. As far as any possible damage at the bleed sites, there's no way to tell at this point. Ethan will have to be evaluated at certain points of development in order to determine what impairments exist. We will continue to pray that there are no impairments of any kind. God has been faithful to move on Ethan's behalf in every situation that we've brought to him in prayer.

An example of God answering prayer is that Ethan's platelet count is up to 151 without any intervention.

If that's not enough, the umbilical tubes have been removed. These were for feeding and medication. This means that there is no longer any sign of the blood infection we prayed for earlier. The removal of the umbilical tubes means that they can start dressing him instead of leaving him in nothing but a diaper all the time. It also means that all nourishment is being provided through the NG tube and oral feedings. Ethan is allowed to take milk from a bottle until he wears out. At that point the remainder of the feeding is administered through the NG tube.

Tonight will be the first time he takes two ounces - some from the bottle and the rest through the tube. The really great thing about this is that as soon as Ethan is able to take two ounces on his own, he can go home to live with mom and dad!



Let's pray that God strengthens Ethan so that it is only a matter of a few days until he is able to feed fully on his own.



As we spend this Christmas with our families, let us remember Ethan who can't be home for his first Christmas. Ethan is not the only one in this situation. I remember spending Christmas in the hospital the year I was twelve and can tell you that there are many who will not be able to be home because of some physical ailment. Let's remember all of those who can't be with family this Christmas for whatever reason.



May the greatest gift ever given be yours this season and all through the year.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Ethan, I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas and I love you very much, I thank God that you are doing so much better. By the way you are truly adorable.
Love, Nana

Anonymous said...

Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Prater are so happy that you are doing better Ethan. Sean and Ashli, we wish you two and Ethan a very Merry first Christmas and we will continue to pray that everything will be alright.

Anonymous said...

dorothea said

We have been praying so hard for all of you in this time and we realy are very happy that the Lord keeps blessing everyday in some way, and we Know that he will continue to do so. Merry Christmas.

We love you,
Frank, Dorothea, Lyle, Netra, & Ethan

Anonymous said...

What a mighty God we serve!! Our God is able to do above and beyond what we ask or think according to the power that is at work in us!! We love you Ethan!! You are a beatiful gift from God!
Great aunt Becky