Luke Update

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 

Luke is doing much better and will be done with his antibiotics tomorrow! They extubated him on Monday and he was on a nasal cannula until last night. He is doing great without any help breathing and taking all his bottles. They plan to bring him back home tomorrow. Luke’s doctors will never be able to say for sure that he had Group B Strep. They do know he was septic when he came to the emergency room. The cultures were taken after a round of antibiotics and this is probably why they never grew. Emily and Jason are so very grateful for your ongoing support and prayers!

Luke Update 3

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.  Luke looks much better today.  He has more color and continues to tolerate his feeds.  Yesterday, Luke pulled out his breathing tube and the team had to put it back in as he wasn't getting enough oxygen on his own.  He has some swelling in his airway due to the vent and that makes it hard to breath.  They will treat him with steroids today, tomorrow and Tuesday -- the steroids should help with the inflamation. The doctors plan to take the breathing tube out tomorrow.

Papa Tantillo and Mumsy are here today and Jake is enjoying the one on one time!  Jake is doing well and really likes his bottles -- I hear he might be a night owl.  

Please continue to pray for strength and endurance for Emily and Jason, knowledge for Luke's wonderful care team, that the steroids will help Luke and that he will be able to breath without the vent.

Luke Update 2

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:20

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers.  Luke is stable and they have turned down the vent settings.  He has done well so far and is beginning to take some breaths on his own.  He is opening his eyes and kicking!!!  They just gave him his first feed through a feeding tube (17 ccs).  Please continue to pray for Luke while he fights this infection.  Also pray for strength and endurance for Emily and Jason.  This has been such a long journey and I know they are exhusted.  Luke and Jake are so lucky to have a strong mom and dad!

Luke Update

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.  Luke is still intubated and they are continuing to give him antibiotics.  Right now he is completely dependent on the ventilator.  The team thinks he has group B strep but haven't ruled out other infections.  

Praises

Luke's heart rate is down and his color looks better than last night.

Jake is eating like a champ and enjoying some time with Nonnie and Papa.   

Luke is Sick

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Please pray for Luke.  Emily and Jason had to take Luke back to Texas Children's tonight via ambulance.  He was pale and having a hard time breathing.  They intubated him and gave him some antibiotics in the emergency room.  He is now in the NICU and they are trying to figure out what is going on... The great team has done cultures and a spinal tab.  Please pray for Luke as we wait for the results.

Happy Day!

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

 

 

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.  There were 197 page views yesterday -- that's a lot of prayers!  It is so comforting to know you all are praying for these sweet sweet boys!  Jake is doing so much better.  He is breathing on his own and much more alert.  He doesn't have meningitis!!  He got a PICC line today for his antibiotics and obviously loved snuggling with Emily.  Emily and Jason have been so impressed and thankful for the great doctors and nurses! 

 

Luke's cultures are looking good!  He is doing great and had his two month vaccines yesterday.  He was super snuggly today and ate like a champ.  Luke used to refuse to eat and is actually starting to cry for his bottle. 

Keep Praying

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Thank you all for the text, calls and emails to Emily and Jason.  Jake still needs your prayers.  He is still very sick and in the Level IV NICU.  His Group B Strep is late onset meaning he didn't get it from Emily or at birth -- they do not know how he got this bacteria.  He is still on the ventilator and sleeping most of the time.  They are still waiting on the spinal tap results to rule out meningitis -- which usually goes hand-in-hand with late onset Group B Strep.  Jake will continue on IV antibiotics for 10-14 days.

Luke is growing and improving on his bottle feeds -- he weighs 6 pounds!  He had cultures taken last night to make sure he doesn't have the same infection.  So far his cultures haven't grown anything but they will not send him home until they come back clean.  Emily and Jason think this will likely be on Monday.