Eric and I decided a few days ago just not to watch Luke's ventilator settings because they change so often. You get a little excited about a decrease only to have an increase with the next blood gas. Luke has been trending down with his amp settings on his ventilator for the last couple days and this afternoon and tonight has gone back up. Not as high as a few days ago, but higher than yesterday! Otherwise he is pretty stable. His kidneys are still functioning well and his labs look good. We don't see much visual improvement on the swelling, but keep watching. He has been very comfortable today and not needed much extra sedation (he is on a lot already, they just use some extra drugs when he needs them!) We continue to pray for healing and whatever is God's will.
Today I was able to talk to a few nurses about all the people who were praying for Luke and how I believed God had brought him through so many of the days when the doctors thought he might not make it. A lot of them seem so open to talking about God and how he works in these babies lives in the NICU. One respiratory therapist, who I like to talk to, was telling me today about her 18 month-old niece who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor a couple weeks ago and is not doing too well after surgery. Then I met a mom who was bringing her 5 month old to visit his twin brother who was still in the NICU. It made me realize how many other stories there are out there that are just as hard to handle as what we are going through. We all face trials in our lives. Some are big ones and some are small. As Christians we are not promised an easy life and one free of struggles. Isn't it wonderful that God gave us his word in the Bible to turn to in these trials and know that he himself is with us each step of the way and will make us stronger followers of him and closer in relationship with him through these trials. It makes them so much easier to face even when we don't know the outcome - we know who will bring us through trial and be with us still after it's over.
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
3 comments:
Eric, Susan, Hogan, Sydney, and Luke of Course,
It is Friday night and we just returned from a night out with friends, and our children. We went to see a musical outdoors and it has inspired me to be poetic tonight, indulge me in my writing from the heart,I am lovingly sending tonights good night prayer:
Prayer of Mercy,
Prayer of Faith,
Prayer of Miracle
Prayer of Fate,
That to which we do not know,
That love which we bravely show
Love around our family feels,
Love above us endless reals,
Blankets full of comfort cloak, Upon our shoulders sits all hope,
Hear us nightly, daily pray,
Your will Lord we do say
Patience virtue we have learned
Future tables now shall turn
Warrior Luke,
still,
calm, and touching lives,
Rocking in our Saviour's arms Nightly hears a lulliby
From his sweet Mothers voice it rings,
Hush little baby, don't you cry,
Comfort is your peaceful sleep
Prayer of Mercy Prayer of Faith
Keep our Luke nightly safe.
Love Aunt Carissa
XXXOOO
Susan,
At the end of CB's First Communion this morning all of the children who had just received their first Eucharist sang altogether His Banner Over Me is Love. What a simple little song that shows how much God's love them.
He brings us in to his banqueting table . . .
The way to peace is the power of the cross . . .
Peter built his church on the rock of our faith . . .
He asks us all to join hands together . . .
He calls us all to stand up and witness . .
His Banner Over Me is Love!!!
Luke was the first child I thought of as they were singing. It was so uplifting for me. My prayers all during Mass were for Luke (and of course, Chloe Beth as she received the body and blood of Christ for the first time and she did great!). Poppy and Nana say hi and they love you all.
Love & Prayers -
the Heath gang
Carissa,
Such a beautiful prayer. It has really touched my heart and I'm sure all other's who read it. The picture of Luke as a warrior is so poignant; from day one, he has always had a spirit of strength and perserverance about him.
Father, we cry out to you as our little Luke fights this battle each day; that You will reach down with Your mighty healing hand and carry him; bring him safely through in victory, completely healed and free to be home with his wonderful family. We will all rejoice and give You all the praise, glory, and honor! Amen.
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