Thursday, December 13, 2007

Rollercoaster Ride - Chris

Ann Marie needed a night off so I will attempt to pinch hit for her. She deserves a break because she has been wonderful. Last night and this morning we've been reminded (again!)just how quickly things can change. We're on a roller coaster ride where you experience the highs and lows and even brief moments where you maybe wish you didn't meet the height requirement.

Coy had a great day yesterday and I was excited to receive the positive text messages from Ree. Late in the afternoon his nurse realized that his urine output had been really low for the day. They didn't seem too concerned at first and gave Coy some saline to try to get him to urinate. Unfortunately this didn't help. He was given doses of dopamine overnight to increase his urine output. After talking to the nurse this morning she said that he was able to urinate two small amounts overnight.
Another major concern is that hematcrit and hemoglobin levels dropped, which could indicate a brain bleed. They are giving him platelets and have done a blood culture to screen for infection.
This morning Coy is going to have an echo cardiogram to look at his PDA (hole in heart that closes shortly after birth in term babies but not in premies). The doctors possibly think his PDA could be causing the drop in urine output. Potentially blood is backflowing through his heart preventing the kidneys from getting sufficient amounts.

We especially need your help praying for Coy today as he has a big day ahead of him.

Prayer requests are:

1. Pray that his PDA closes
2. Pray that he is free of infection
3. Pray that there is no bleeding in his brain
4. Pray that his urine output increases. That's right pray for pee.
5. Pray for the strength of Ann Marie and I. After a few days of making progress it's easy to get angered when a storm blows in. We felt this anger on the way home last night. We are trying to deflect any negative or worrisome thoughts that are trying to creep into our minds. Pray for us to keep the faith.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. We couldn't fight this battle without you.

15 comments:

Skopalfam said...

As friends of your friends we just wanted you to know that we are praying for you everyday, even for the pee!! Your faith and his strength will get you through your rollercoaster ride. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

Skopal Family

djcpa said...

May God continue to grow Coy. He was a part of the conception. He has been with Coy for many weeks. May God continue to grant you peace and a grateful heart. We will continue to take the request for Coy and your family to the throne of God. There is no better place to put our trust.
God bless

chelsburleson said...

i read these notes every day and pray so hard about this sweet boy coy. i pray that God keeps your hearts joyful as he is working miracles in your family and especially in coy. i pray coy's levels can get back to normal and he can continue to make progress and grow. today will be a big day for your little man, and i will be praying all day. lots of love-chelsea burleson

phawryluk said...

This web site is my daily ritual now. My gut feeling is that Coy will come out of this stronger than ever. Holly and I can relate to this as our twins were 33 weeks and spend the month of December in NICU. It is emotionally draining and you two are extremely strong willed individuals. Just remember we are praying for all of you. May God continue to bless you.

Paul & Holly (Kolkhorst) Hawryluk and Family

Anonymous said...

Chris & Ann Marie, I pray for you all every night, for God to give each of you the strength you need to make it through another day, to keep his hands over you, Chris, and Coy! He works in mysterious ways and your little one is a fighter! Keep your heads held high, you are wrapped in prayer. I love you all, and will continue to pray for each of you everyday! Laura Richardson

Anonymous said...
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Melissa M. Williams said...

This morning I specifically prayed that "you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy!" Col 1:11 God knows what Coy needs, and I pray that you feel His protecting peace today. Take care of yourselves. My prayers are with you and I will continue to ask my family and others to pray for your baby. God Bless you!

Melissa Williams

Leah Rose said...

Knowing both of you as long as I have, I know that you are both very strong people, and together your strength will get you through and past this. My dad always tells me that God never gives you more than you can handle. I know that may seem ridiculous with the extremely difficult times that you two and Coy are going through, but God has his hands on all of your shoulders and will lead you through it. Please know that me, J.J., and my family are praying for Coy, both of you, and your families.

Leah (Dworaczyk) Joern

AshleyB said...

Chris & Anne Marie,
I just want you both to know that I have been checking your blog and praying for you and your "little man" everyday (along with a few of my friends, family, and coworkers as well!). I trust that God will give you and baby Coy the strength to overcome the challenges you are faced with daily. God bless you all!
Ashley Breitigam

Coolestmommy said...

Chris & Ann Marie,
My mom is friends with your mom from church so we are praying from Omaha, NE. We lift Coy up to the One who made him--because the Lord is the Great Physician. Standing firm on Isaiah 53:1-5, especially verse 5, "By His (Jesus') stripes, we are healed."
Love from Nebraska,
Robyn

Isaiah 53: 4-5--
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 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.

Larissa said...

Anne Marie and Chris
We want you to know that we are praying for you. I can not imagine what you two are going through. Coy is so tiny and yet he is fighting so hard. We will pray that he will continue to grow, test will come back good and he will take his feedings. God is still in the miracle business and we believe. May God continue to give you three endurance to get through this time.
Larissa, Brady, Angela, Karinda, and Patsy

Reyne said...

I want you to know that the Ruchti family (and extended family and friends) are praying for you and little Coy. I was so excited that Keri got to see you! Having been through a similar situation with my nephew and his wife when their son was born at 30 weeks, I know some of the emotional ups and downs you are going through right now. And, Ann Marie, you were so helpful and comforting to me at that time, I truly appreciated your kind words. When I look at their little miracle son right now, I know that all things are truly possible with God! Hang in there and know that there are many, many people praying for you all. I check your blog every night and appreciate your sharing Coy with those of us who aren't physically there with you!
Love,
Reyne

Kirk Eaton said...

Chris,

You may not remember ,but we shook hands going into church on Sunday. And, then today Coach Mac told me about what you were going through. I could not beleive it. The first thing I thought of was the smile you had on your face when we shook hands. You must have been thinking of your little warrior Coy. Know this, over 200 members of the Cy Falls FCA will be praying for the grace of Jesus Christ to pour out of heaven and over your family. We will be lifting up Coy at 2:45. 200 strong at once. One last thing, the first time I saw you play baseball you hit a triple with a broken hand. You are a man that can produce when things look bad. We will also pray for you as the cornerstone of your family.
God Bless Baby Coy

Kirk Eaton

kelly said...

My thoughts have been with you today. I know it is tough right now, but remember, the Lord didn't say it would be easy, but he said he'd walk with you every step of the way. keep the faith. kelly

Patty Sanderson said...

Chris & Ann Marie,

I am so proud of the two of you and for so many reasons. First because you are exemplary parents, second you are faithful to God, and you both are not allowing this to get you too down (I realize that there are probably those moments)...you are even able to keep a little bit of sense of humor in all of this.

Without a doubt so many people, even those whom you’ve never yet met, have covered your little son Coy with prayer. I will continue to pray for your precious son along with you two. Praise God for all of his faithful prayer warriors and thanks be to God for His ever faithfulness!

God grant you His Peace,
Patty Sanderson