DAY 2- SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008

We never though that things can could change so dramatically from one day to the next.  Since their progress is very slow we have to look at even the smallest bit of information as progress (and sometimes there will be setbacks).  It seems like much longer than a day has gone by!

KATIE  is gradually recovering from her surgery.  Today her blood pressure went up to a new high so the doctor was called and blood pressure was put immediately into her IV.  Medicine has been prescribed to take twice daily.  Overall, she's doing well.

ANDREW went in for surgery at 9 a.m. to repair his TE fistula.  ANDREW had received a priesthood blessing the prior evening by his Grandpa Rawlings and his Dad.  They both felt at peace and hte impression that all would go well in the end.  Following surgery Dr. Kogut and her partner came to our room and explained that the surgery went well, his vitals are all stable, and he is heavily sedated and will be for a few days.  Once they opened him up they discovered that the lower part of his esophagus was actually connected to his trachea and the top part dead ended in a sac.  All this was repaired through the surgery.  If ANDREW had not undergone this surgery he would not have lived.  It is amazing what can be done to save or extend lives.  We are so grateful for the hand of the Lord and the many prayers in his behalf.  The urologist- Dr. Close- had  wanted to do another ultrasound today but doctors needed him to recover more from his surgery before too many tests are done.  He urine output is good, though,s o that shows the kidneys are functioning somewhat.  ANDREW is being fed sugar water with electrolytes through an IV and continues to be on the ventilator.

At the end of the day AARON weighed 4 lbs. 3 oz. but it is normal to go down in weight after birth.  He started out the day being fed 10CC every 3 hours- at 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 around the clock- from a fast flow bottle.  Nurses have been gradually preparing him for an open crib from an incubator by lowering the temperature while keeping him wrapped up good.  He is peeing and pooping good (never thought we'd be so happy about that!) and was drinking 20 CC at each feeding  by the evening.  Since he was doing so well AARON'S feeding tube was removed at the end of the day and he was put up to me  for a "practice " feeding for only a few minutes so he could get more familiar with m voice, smell, and touch.  We then fed him from the bottle.  AARON is doing very well!