Updates

We had Max's appointment with his pediatrician, Dr. Westbrook, yesterday and his appointment with my o.b., Dr. Marks, for his circumcision today. Both went well. He now weighs 7 lbs. 2 oz. and is still 19 1/2 in. long. Dr. Westbrook thought his muscle tone seemed fine and thought that his movements were like those of a typical newborn. She said she didn't notice one side being any weaker than the other, so that is a really good thing. She also said he was doing a good job of focusing with his eyes and is actually doing it a bit better than most newborns his age. She said usually newborn's eyes still wander a little when they are as young as him, but he really focuses on people and objects. I asked if we should be concerned about his blood sugar and if that is something that we would continue to watch. She said that usually once that stabalizes it is no longer an issue. He did good today - as good as can be expected I think. He has slept a lot since the appointment and really only fusses when we change his diaper. Dr. Marks and his nurse, Melissa, commented on how strong he is. Dr. Marks said that he was paying special attention to his muscle tone since that had been a concern and he thought it seemed normal. Tomorrow we meet with Dr. Burson, the neurosurgeon. He will have another ultrasound on his brain, so please pray that that will show that the shunt is working as it should and that the blood is continuing to dissipate leaving healthy brain tissue.

John and I have been overwhelmed by all the many, many people who have taken our precious Max before God in prayer. We know that Max has made the progress that he has made and is home now because God has answered our prayers. We praise Him and give Him all the glory!!! We also appreciate all the other acts of kindness that people have shown - goody baskets, books, cd's, money donated to Max's fund, the hotel and cafeteria money, cards, comments on the blog...I know I'm forgetting something. We thank our parents for their support. They have been a tremendous help during this time. A huge thanks to Karie for creating the blog and updating it on such a regular basis. She has done a great job making known our prayer needs. Her wording has been perfect - I truely believe God has given her the words, the strength she needs and the energy to keep up this blog. This has been a very tiring time for our families and Karie has managed to find the time between being at the hospital, caring for her own family and working to keep everyone updated. John and I have not had the energy or time to keep up the blog or to communicate with friends and family verbally. We are so grateful to her, for without this blog we would not have had so many prayer warriors going to God on Max's and our behalf. We are so thankful to God for all of the progress Max has made. We beg you to continue to lift Max up to God. We have come a long way in 4 weeks, but we continue to need prayers for complete healing of Max's brain. When you lift up Max in prayer, please remember the other babies that Karie has mentioned in the past. Their families are hurting and I know it would be comforting to them to know that thousands of prayers are going up on behalf of their baby. I have one more to add to the list. While we were in the NICU I met a mom named Liz. She has a precious son named Anson. He was born premature. They have been in the hospital for 8 weeks and will be there for at least another 2 months. I can only imagine how tired Anson's mom and dad must be. 3 1/2 weeks is short compared to what they are looking at. Anson has a temporary shunt that they tap daily to relieve the pressure on his brain. He has to weigh 4 lbs. before he can get a permanent shunt and go home. He also has some other issues going on due to difficulties with his breathing tube. He may have to go to Children's Hospital and have his trachea reconstructed. As you pray for Max, please remember to pray for Anson.

Thank you to Travel World travel agency in Lebanon for being able to arrange mom's flight so quickly and thank you to the man who donated his frequent flyer miles so that she could fly out here to visit and help me. She slept on a pallet in the living room beside Max last night so that John and I could get some much needed sleep. I felt so much more rested today and John said he was able to sleep through the night. It is great having her here!

We are so happy to have Max at home and to be able to spend time with him - even at 3:30 in the morning! Every single minute that we get to spend with him is just precious. I never expected to feel as much love for him as I do. We definitely feel blessed.

We keep praying,
Kelly

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He...will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand."