Coy is once again making us a little nervous. He is severely swollen due to the fact that he has not urinated over the last few days. His weight is up to 2 lbs 3 ounces but this is from all of the fluid on his little body. We need Coy to pee, Please pray for him to start going so he can rid his body of the excess fluid that has caused him to swell.
They have had to increase his ventilator settings today, please pray for the fluid to get off his lungs so he can breath easier. Please pray for the team of doctors and nurses that are treating Coy. Pray that they will devise the right gameplan for Coy.

Our Pastor had a very appropriate sermon today that discussed the difference between faith and fear and said that these are two tracks that we can take for our life. Whatever track you are on, it takes you further away from the other. We are doing our best to be on the faith track, trying to replace our fears with God's promises of healing and protection. We are not sure, but feel that God is testing our faith with each of these hurdles that Coy is having to overcome.

Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our little buddy.

questions...

today has been a tough day for me
I am having lots of questions; questioning why things happen like they do...everyone tells me "God didn't make you have Coy early"--well, why didn't he prevent it then? he knew it was going to happen, right?? I prayed everyday for a healthy, term pregnancy; why does a baby have to suffer? an innocent, sweet baby...
the bible says that it is God's will for you to be healed--we are praying for healing; praying, praying, praying...Chris says God doesn't give you everything you want...well God, I'm not asking for a new car or a job promotion or for the Texans to win the Superbowl, I want my son; I want my son to be free of pain, free of disease and illness...what gives? I don't understand....
this has been a tough week--we are exhausted, stressed; trying to find the time to eat and sleep
I have been reading God's word; feeling very hopeful, strong, courageous; knowing that God's going to heal my son; Coy will battle this and win--people always tell me how strong I am...really, me? I am not feeling strong tonight; I am not strong...just a mother in love with her child who would give anything and do anything for his healing...
People say "you are going to have weak moments..."; yeah, I guess so; weak moments...

I find peace in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
so it leads me back to my faithful, hopeful optomism; trusting in the Lord
we must trust in the Lord; it's all we have...

below are the lyrics to "He's My Son" by Mark Schultz...awesome song that sums up my feelings right now...

I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understnad
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes

CHORUS:
Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there

CHORUS

Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him
He's my son

quick update

here's a quick update on Coy from today....

His urine output has decreased again...the doctors are now relating this to the Vancomycin (Duh, didn't I say this last week??)
So are main concern still remains the infection...PLEASE PRAY FOR NEGATIVE BLOOD CULTURES!! As soon as we can rid this infection, Coy can stop the Vancomycin!!
We still need continued prayers for: mature lung function, to rid the infection, urine output to stabilize, brain development, Coy tolerates all feedings, oxygen requirement decreases, good blood gases....

Thanks and GOD BLESS you all!

better days...

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11

I'm happy to report that I did not want to physically assault any member of Coy's health care team today. It was a MUCH better day! His day shift primary nurse (she takes care of Coy when every time she works) is AWESOME!! He looked so cute when I got there to see him about noon...

Everyday when I get to the hospital, I never know what the day will bring. I am always so nervous to walk down the hallway and open the door to Coy's pod. I think I hold my breath when I first get there; that's usually when the nurses/ doctors inform us of the "bad news" first.

Today I was greeted by much better news...Coy's abdominal U/S was normal! Thanks be to God! This is great news since Coy's had lots of renal issues...
His echocardiogram was done today...no news on this yet, please pray that Coy's heart looks "normal" and his PDA is closed!!
We have heard that another blood culture came back positive...Infectious Disease docs recommended Vanc and the other antibiotic Coy is currently on...we really need to beg God to rid this infection....Please pray for this tonight!!
Coy's urine output was awesome yesterday!! This morning it began to decrease again...please pray for this to regulate...

I was able to hold Coy today for 3 hours; this is our favorite time together...he kept reaching his left hand up and feeling my neck/ chest..he is just so adorable when he looks at you with those beautiful eyes...

Please pray for our little friend Kyle, who like Coy is a 23 weeker, he is now 2 months old...pray against a disease called NEC, pray against an infection...

Some specific prayer requests for Coy: THAT he will be infection FREE soon, PDA to remain closed, Lungs mature and grow, Renal function regulates, fluid excretes off his lungs, brain remains free of bleeds, against NEC in his GI tract, that Coy continues to tolerate feeds, that blood gases are AWESOME and he can be weaned off the ventilator soon...

God hear our prayers

"O Lord,hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgement,
for no one living is righteous before you.
The enemy purses me, he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land
Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from the enemies, O Lord; for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all his foes, for I am your servant." Psalm 143

I read this verse tonight while sitting next to Coy's bedside and it just spoke to me...God please hear our prayers, let Coy have a good night, let us hear "good" news in the morning, please bring Coy out of pain, please rid the infection from his body...

First the bad news: 1) Coy's infection is still present, a blood culture did come back positive from 12/22 and 12/25--another antibiotic was started in addition to the Vancomycin, a renal u/s & Echo will be done, and Infectious disease doctors were consulted........PLEASE PRAY FOR COY TO FIGHT THIS INFECTION!! 2) Coy did not receive adequate nursing care today--actually I classify his care today as negligent--(he will not have this nurse back as we complained to management) 3) Due to his poor nursing care, Coy's ET tube came out (tube connected to his ventilator that allows him to breathe and receive oxygen) It was emergently placed back in by the wonderful transport nurses & nurse practitioners (who I am so thankful for!!) 4) Due to his poor nursing care today, one of his IVs that was not monitored closely infiltrated and burned his skin (these can be very severe where plastic surgery will be consulted) Coy did receive medication injected into his skin around the burn to lessen it--as of 9pm, it looked much better 5) Due to his poor nursing care, he is at increased risk for further infections as this nurse did not understand that you CHANGE your gloves when you have touched every object in the room then come back to do a procedure on a patient

let me say we have had AWESOME nursing care the past few weeks in the NICU, these nurses are amazing! What makes me mad is laziness and having no compassion--don't be a nurse, be something else where laziness wont kill someone

Okay, now that's over, here's the good news: 1) Coy began to urinate again 2) Coy has a WONDERFUL night nurse that takes care of him most nights 3) He was sleeping comfortably when we left him 4) They began giving him 1cc of breast milk every 3 hours which he tolerated 5) God is giving me grace and forgiveness of the day shift nurse and kept me from physically assaulting her today (Okay, so I'm not a confrontational person, but Yes, I was that mad!) 6) God has given us great support in the NICU from other parents---Thanks Kelly and John for listening to our frustrations; y'all are awesome!!

Thanks to all of you for continuing to pray for Coy; we are in desperate need of prayers continually; each day brings new mountains to climb; we are so lucky to have so much love and support....

Happy Birthday Jesus!

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Thanks be to God for sending us our saviour Jesus Christ! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas has been wonderful for Chris & I; we were able to spend time with both of our families and were blessed enough to have another day with our beautiful baby boy. We are also just in love with our nephew, Ryder, & were able to see him for the past two days. He could really be a baby model--Jenny & Tim had some pictures made of him that are just amazing!! And his very high pitched squeal makes me laugh every time! I can already see Coy and his cousin next year at Christmas; Wow, that will be a handful! And a welcomed one at that!

Today Coy had a "boring" day, which in the NICU world is a good thing. He did begin to urinate last night after his dopamine dosage was increased; still not enough urine to make the doctors happy, but it was a start. He received another blood transfusion today; usually after he gets blood, his urine output increases---please pray this tonight for Coy! That his urine output would regulate and remain stable...

His past two blood cultures have had no growth--one at 72hours, the other at 48 hrs and so far, a third culture has been negative at 24 hrs out...so they will no longer have to draw a blood culture every morning...Coy will most likely remain on the Vancomycin (at a decreased dose though---thank goodness!) through the end of the week. Please pray for God to keep Coy infection free for the rest of his stay in the NICU; please pray the doctors and nurses and respiratory therapists use extra caution when handling our baby boy! (and all babies in the NICU)

The doctors are also telling us that "most likely" Coy's PDA had opened--he is showing symptoms they look for with a patent ductus--widening pulse pressures, fluid on the lungs, frequent desaturations--please pray that God has closed his PDA for good! Pray that these symptoms will reside and the doctors will be amazed (again!) that his ductus is closed!

I have prayed all day for God to take the fear out of Chris and I, our families and friends; the NICU reminds me of a casino--constant dinging, alarms, IV pumps beeping, etc; as an old NICU nurse, I am constantly looking at Coy's monitor to assess his vitals---I need God to take this fear/ worry out of me; I know God is in control; I have trusted in him to heal my child; I am claiming that he is healing Coy, this brings comfort into my heart and soul, and takes away the fear of the unknown..."I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Please pray for a friend's mother tonight; she was rushed to the hospital today with a very weak pulse and had to be intubated, we have since heard she is stable but sedated...she has been a inspiration to us during this difficult time--she battled cancer many years ago and was cured of the disease using the Lord as her strength...pray for her healing; pray for the strength and comfort of her family at this time...

Merry Christmas!

"He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:20

A quick update from today....

Coy's urine output has decreased again; he was hardly urinating at all today---so they increased his dopamine dosage---please BEG God for Coy's renal function to regulate; pray that his blood pressure remains stable; pray that Coy is infection free; pray for Coy's comfort level, that he is not in pain; pray for his PDA to remain closed; pray for the fluid to be excreted from him lungs/ body; pray for the doctors and nurses who are taking care of him

Thanks be to God for all he's given to us! He is our true savior! Merry Christmas!