No news is good news

Max had a good day today. I really don't have a lot of new information to post. I talked to Kelly for a little while this morning. She sounded great. She left Max with GranGran and actually went back to her room to rest and make some phone calls. They met with the occupational therapist yesterday. She was very encouraging. She pointed out several things to Kelly & John that encouraged her. Kelly & John asked her about Max's muscle tone and she said that she would maybe say he had "slightly low tone" but she was not overly concerned at all. She held Max's arm up and when she dropped it he had some control of it which she said was good. She was also encouraged at how he moved his arms and legs. She said he pulled them to the midline on his own and without difficulty. None of this really means much to me but if it encouraged the therapist, then I am encouraged! They asked her about what the physical therapist had said about his slightly low tone being a neurological issue and not being able to be helped by therapy. While she said that she respected the physical therapist, she feels that it will be months and years before we can make that call. This also was good for Kelly & John to hear. She encouraged them to incorporate his exercises and stretches into his play so that it can remain fun for all of them instead of just being something to mark off their "to do list."

Kelly said that they told them that they need to be at the hospital by 7:30 on Monday morning to see him before they wheel him back to surgery. They should start the procedure around 9:30-10:00. We are unsure at this point if Kelly & John will be able to go to recovery when he gets done or not.

Prayers of Thanksgiving
~Max's life and all that he has already taught us
~Max's conjugated bilirubin level is within normal range (<1)
~Max's blood sugar remains stable off of IV fluid
~Max is getting to wear clothes! Bless his little naked self!
~Kelly & John are feeling peace
~Max's issues have not been due to a genetic or metabolic disorder
~There is a very experienced pediatric neurosurgeon available to place Max's shunt if it is needed
~Max has been seizure free for over 2 weeks

Prayer Request
~Max's increased strength
~That the aquaducts in Max's brain will be cleared and the fluid will drain and will be evident to the doctors so that a shunt is not needed
If that is not God's will....
~That if Max needs a shunt it will be placed without difficulty and that he will recover quickly and without complication
~That Max's shunt will not become infected
~That Max will be able to be weaned from the ventilator quickly and without any difficulty
~That Max's blood sugar will remain stable through the stress of surgery
~That Max will be able to tolerate his feedings after surgery
~Wisdom, clarity of mind, & compassion for all of the doctors, nurses, techs, and other hospital employees that take care of Max, Kelly, & John
~That Max will be able to be weaned off of his phenobarb without complication and seizure

We keep praying,
Karie