"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Latest News & Specific Prayer Requests

One of my most precious gifts, trying desperately to sleep without gasping for air.

As I sit in a dark, hospital room illuminated only by the light of my laptop, and listening to the sounds of my little man breathing heavily, I find myself so blessed. I am humbled by the flood of comments, scriptures, emails, phone calls and offers to help. Your prayers lifting up my baby boy and our family are special gifts to us. While weak physically, emotionally and spiritually right now, your prayers are filling me with the strength I need to be there for my boy. So many of you have reminded me that when two or more are gathered in his name..... thank you! Both Scott and I could not ask for more.

This is where we are. Earlier this evening, I once again called our hero, Kai's cleft surgeon who is in a city about 4 hours from us. He has nothing to do with what is happening, but is well known and very respected at the hospital where Kai is at. After speaking to him, we were more at ease and understood their decision.
At 3:45 AM this morning, the ICU doctor called him to confer about Kai's condition. They both agreed that we should give Kai another 24 hours on steroids to see if it reduces the inflammation that is aggravating the obstruction causing the apnea. The steroids have helped, but not enough. Both Scott and I were frustrated, but we both agreed to wait until noon tomorrow to decide whether or not Kai would be moving to Miami.

About an hour later, the pulmonologist/sleep disorder specialist came to see Kai. Kai had been put under heavy sedation in order for him to rest, because he's gone almost 36 hours with barely any sleep. It just so happened that about 20 minutes before the pulmonologist walked in, Kai had woken up and was watching his "Monster Truck" videos. As we conversed about his apnea with the doctor, Kai slowly slid back into sleep, this time without his oxygen mask on. Within minutes, he was in full apnea mode, gasping for air, chest caved in, and his little eyes would open to the size of dishes as fear set in that he couldn't breathe. The doctor immediately said that a sleep test would not be necessary. He said it was a severe and classic case of obstructive sleep apnea and his recommendation was that Kai be taken to an expert ENT team at Miami Children's Hospital. There a scope would be done, under general anesthesia, to find out exactly what the obstruction is and the problem would be corrected.

Where we are now. We have now all agreed that this is what is needed to move ahead with the situation. Tomorrow morning the ICU doctor will contact the ICU team at MCH and a rescue helicopter will be sent to pick Kai up. Kai will NOT be sedated for this ride.

Our specific prayer requests:

1. There are 2 helicopters available for this. One is larger than the other. There have been certain instances in which a parent HAS been allowed to travel with the child. Our little guy scared to death right now with everything that is happening. Please pray that our Heavenly Father allow the larger helicopter to be available and that the team permit Scott to travel with Kai. We have decided Scott would be the best choice for two reasons. a) I get horribly airsick on helicopters. I've been on two and both times I've been sick within minutes. b) Since Kai will not be sedated, he and Daddy could share a special "ride", therefore not traumatizing him further.

2. That the ENT team that examines Kai be filled with God's wisdom and guidance as they proceed to find out the exact reason his airways are obstructed and most importantly that whatever obstruction they need to remove is not something that will regress or impede Kai's speech from improving.

3. And most of all, that God's hands protect Kai and Scott (and myself as I drive alone to Miami) during their flight. May the trip there be one that will result in a positive conclusion to this situation with the obstruction being removed, his speech not be damaged in the process and may our stay away from our other children not be prolonged.

4. T hat the timing all work out so that I could leave Fort Myers in a timely manner and arrive at the hospital in Miami by the time the helicopter arrives s.o that I could be present as Kai is admitted into the ICU there. May his little heart not fear and may God's peace that surpasses all understanding fill our hearts.

5. Please pray for my Mom who will be staying with AJ and Anna Grace since my sister had plans to go out of town this weekend. My Mom is almost 70 years old and amazing. But I also know how hard it is to keep up with 2 toddlers. May she find the energy she needs to care for them and for herself during her time alone with them.

Thank you again my dear friends. I will post again as soon as I can.

Loving the Jesus in each and every one of you,
Your sister in Christ,

26 comments :

Veronica @ Luv My Quiver Full Of Arrows said...

PRAYING, PRAYING, PRAYING!!!

Remember, He knows the plans he has for you, and Kai..plans to prosper you and not harm you!!! (Jer 29:11)

xoxo, Veronica in CA

Susan said...

Here's another for you at this very late night hour...
Weeping may endure for a night... but JOY cometh in the morning..
Psalms 30:4
Prayers go before you.
Susan.

Sherri said...

I'll pray for all the things you mentioned. I'm lifting you up, my friend!

Keep us posted.

Waitingfaithfully said...

Dear one,

I have just finished praying through each of your prayer requests. Our God is a God of details, and He can DO THIS! Praying that your Kai would feel the peace that surpasseth all understanding, as our God holds him in the palm of His hand. May He continue to give you comfort and strength Ohilda, step by step.

Continuing to pay for all of you~

Love from Texas~

Tina

L said...

Praying for you today. Safe travel to Miami. Keep us posted.

Peg said...

I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YOU OHILDA... PRAYING LIKE CRAZY BE SAFE
PEG

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

OH how I HATE to see little Kai like that! I will pray today for WISDOM, WISDOM, WISDOM for these doctors and comfort for KAI and YOU and SCOTT!!
HEALING for that adorable child!
God's got it covered Ohilda!
Remember...God always wins!
LOVE and HUGS!
Jill

Aus said...

Praying - now - close your eyes and see you, scott, and kai sitting together close - and all around you is a cloak of white roses - feel the safety and know the strength of our Father - you may not feel Jesus with you - but He is carrying you my friend.

You're in no shape to drive - rent a limo and i'll pay for it!

hugs - aus and co.

sara said...

Ohilda, I also just prayed through all your requests and will continue to!!!

Please read Ps 139! It is such a great reminder of how well God knows and loves us. That there is NO place we can go where He is not!!! And how His plans for us can not be thwarted!!!

Love you!!!

Katie@ThisCrazyLife said...

Oh, Ohilda! I have spent a few days away from the blog and I just checked in this morning to find you in this situation. Your poor precious baby! I will certainly have you in my prayers and on my mind. keep taking it one day at a time. You are such a strong woman! What is that saying? " I know God wouldn't give me any more thatn what he knows I can handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much!" hang in there and good luck in Miami! Katie

M. said...

Aw, bless his heart- seeing your poor little guy looking like that makes the size of the problem seem so very big. Thankfully, God is bigger! And able to do all you've asked and MORE! I'm believing with you that He will! The prayers will continue. Hang in there, Ohilda, we've all got you covered. Much love and blessings to your family!

Amy said...

You are each in our hearts and in our prayers. Big, specific prayers, Ohilda.

Please take Aus and Co. up on the offer. (Aus, please email me or call. Ohilda has my phone numbers. I would like to split the cost with you.) Don't drive, O'. Let us lift this one burden off of you and Scott.

Loving you in CT...

Anonymous said...

Ohilda - My thoughts and prayers are with you and I'm confident God's hand is in every part of this. I was going to come over this morning to see you and pray with you, but it sounds like your hands will be full this morning. I will pray for you right now - here in my home. My heart is breaking for you and the worry you are feeling. Angels are surrounding Kai and your family. Feel their embrace! - Colleen (from OLOL)

Anonymous said...

Having a husband that suffers from sleep apnea I can not imagine little Kai having to deal with that. We are praying for all of you and once again what ever you need we are here for you.

Eydie

Anonymous said...

Praying for you HARD. I'm SO sorry for sweet Kai. This has to be terrifying for him and all of you! Please know that I'm thinking of you and wish I could be there to hug you and take care of the kids while you go... I am sending you love and hugs and hope you know we love you all!

Char said...

Still praying deeply for you all. It was no accident the doctor came in when he did. God instructed him to. Remember Kai is a miracle, he's come so far from his beginnings, God has a special plan for him! :) Trust God and know that He knows your fears and Kai's fears and He's constantly right there in the room with you. You won't be alone traveling, God will be right there.

Peace be with you, Charlotte

Angie said...

Agreeing with you in prayer for each of your requests!
Big Hugs,
Angie

Tami said...

Ohilda,

Just wanted you to know I'm here keeping tabs on you and Kai, dear friend;-), and of course sending up prayers.

OX~Tami

Anonymous said...

Oh, Ohilda. I will be lifting you, your family, and your precious boy in prayer today.

Debby said...

Lifting up prayers for the whole family. What a scarey thing to have to go through. Thanks for the specific parayer list.

Natalie said...

Ohilda,
I'm praying for you and your family, I know it's hard, frusterating but know you have lots of hugs and prayers coming your way

Patricia said...

I have prayed for each one of your requests & will continue to lift all of you up in prayer.
Hang in there, my friend!!
Thinking about you & praying for you...
Patricia/nyc

Jewels of My Heart said...

Oh, Honey...... I am praying and God is going to get you ALL through this....
GOd's healing and God's peace.
Love,
Daleea

Terynn said...

Praying in Iowa, as I go about my day...Kai and his mama are never far from my mind and heart. Help, God, help. Please. In Jesus' name...Amen.

Jill W said...

Prayers continue for you all.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I just found out about this, I will be praying for Kai to heal quickly.

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