A Bump In The Road

September 21, 2013-

Wednesday, Septemeber 18, 2013-
We received a call from the hospital, letting us know that they had scheduled a surgery for Friday the 20th, for the "take down"- to put his intestines back together. I asked about putting in a G-Tube, and they were going to ask around and see if he was eating well enough to not place it. A G-Tube is a tube that the rest of the feedings would go through, that he couldn't eat by mouth. It goes directly into the stomach and is a surgical procedure that we could combine with the "take down".

This is a picture I pulled from Google. I don't have any rights to it, and this is not Brady. But the G-Tube is placed on this child and to give a better idea of what in the world I'm talking about.

They were impressed with how well he's been doing but wanted to put things together soon, as he was pooping out more than he should be and once everything was together it would have more intestine to help not only absorb more nutrients but help to keep the amount of poop down.

Thursday, September 19. 2013-
8:00 am: "Brady is doing great! His bili levels are down and it seems his liver is recovering pretty good from the prolonged exposure to the TPN. The G-Tube is a go for on Friday as well. So we will combine the surgeries."
"Awesome! How long are we looking at before we can bring him home??"
"If all goes well like we think it will, about 3 weeks."
"Oh I was thinking more like 6 weeks, that is amazing, I bet Sam can't wait to hear the good news! So 3 weeks?"
"Well if we encounter any unexpected problems more like 4-6 weeks."
"That's awesome, we will plan on the surgery on Friday, we'll be down for it."

1:00 pm: "It is with regret that I must inform you that our surgeries have been cancelled, Samantha. Your son, Brady, has NEC once more. The air is no longer in the stomach lining and is beginning to look better on the x-rays. Brady is fine his looking pale, but he's not feeling well and is rather sick again."

I know can you believe the difference hours makes, I was so elated and giddy. And 5 hours later, as I was getting ready for work, I got the call cancelling all of the good news. all of the hope... Gone. Dashed. And my questions started after I cried it out. How? Why? When?

Well as for how, they can't really say. There are a few possibilities. Virus, Bacteria, possibly too much on the bowel, etc. I'm frustrated, none of these seem to make sense. The cultures are all coming back negative, nothing showing as positive.

Why makes no more sense then how. As for when there is no answers there either. We are frustrated. The tangible date in reach and no longer. We are going to be in the hospital for a minimal 10 weeks, more likely much longer. 2 weeks of antibiotics and then 6-8 weeks after for surgery to even do surgery afterwards.

Friday, September 20, 2013-
It's officially the year anniversary. Bradley passed away one year ago... I went and spent a few hours at the hospital with Brady. He wasn't feeling good and just wanted to be cuddled.  So we cuddled and still our questions really can't be solved still. It's still a mystery.

But as for the anniversary of my first born, I still miss him. But I was not saddened and grieved on this day- I could only be grateful for the time we had with him. For the blessing he was and is in my life. He has changed me, in ways I never thought I needed. But looking back now I see that I am a much better person because of all he's done for me in my life.

I love my sons. I would do anything for them. I am grateful for them. I am frustrated with the trials, but now see that it's the persevering that I need to learn from still, continuously. I know that I need to better myself.


We are asking that you all keep us in your prayers some more, as we continue to struggle through the hospital stay. We know that all of the prayers, the fasting, that everything has helped. And we would like to say a tremendous thank you for all you've done to better our lives. The donations we've received have helped with the expenses we've gone through with Brady. Thank you. God bless you all.

GOOD NEWS AFTER SUCH A LONG DELAY!

September 15, 2013

Hey everyone, so I'm so sorry that everything is taking so long.  I meant to update before, but I started up working two jobs to help keep my mind off of things. Even though they are part time, they keep me running around a lot.

But as to start at where we left off. We recovered from the NEC. We found out that it was a lot of air in the lining of his stomach, and that it was easily treatable with heavy bowel rest (meaning no food) and antibiotics.  It cleared up and after two long weeks of antibiotics, Brady was starting some very very tiny feedings.

We did well and increased feedings so stinking slow. But we were so excited to be increasing that slowly. We requested it, so we can hopefully avoid any more possiblities of NEC. :)

We did have a "stool out" - were his body decided that it didn't want to process things and just pooped it all out basically. So we are finally back to full feedings. But we are looking at a couple complications.

Brady has super high blood pressure, which they say is from his being so early and his mild lung disease. The mixture they are seeing more and more that it causes high blood pressure when the babies are coming to their term date. But with the medication that they have him on he is doing well and they have it under control.

They just removed his PICC line since he has grown and it was now in a place that it wouldn't be able to be used if they did need to use again. So we are slowly losing lines and hoping that we won't have to be having them back.

His brain bleeds are remaining consistent and are unchanged. His eyes however after having two laser surgeries are now are now back to regressing ROP and are stage 2, zone 2.  A big improvement from when we hit the stage 3, zone 2.  He still is getting consistent weekly eye exams, unless they are needed more frequently.

We have been moved to a new team that is working with us to hopefully be able to get Brady home as soon as possible and we are looking to hopefully be having him home by Thanksgiving.  Merely 6 months after being born. 2 months after his due date.  He is currently doing well and we hope that will remain, he currently weighs in at 6 lbs 4.5 oz and is 18 1/2" long.

We did celebrate Bradley's birthday, and Brady's due date. It's good to know that our family is together for eternity and that no matter what my boys will be able to know one another even if they cannot physically be playing side by side in the flesh and blood. It is good to know that no matter what happens family will always prevail.

I will always be grateful not only for my husband and my sons. But for my parents, for their goodness and their willingness to be there through thick and thin. They are amazing and will always be the highlight of my memories. I apologize for all of the things that I have done that has ever brought shame, or blemish onto their family name. They should be treated in the highest regard.  My siblings, whether they know it or not have helped me with their examples and their support.  My in-laws have also been diligent in supporting us, and showing love.

Family is truly the one thing that you will always have.  That is truly why I know without a shadow of a doubt that is why it so important to keep them central in our lives. Eternal families exist. Truly, I don't want to get all religion-y on my blog, but seriously ask me about it sometime and I can tell you about it.

Thank you everyone for your support and I'm sorry that it took so long to update.  We love all you are willing to do to help us in our time of need. I will be updating again soon with photos.