Prayer Request-Infant Needing Heart Transplant

[Bro. Robbins]

Hello,

I know there are some folks here who truly believe in the power of prayer, and of God's ability to work out a situation according to His Perfect Will.

I work with a wonderful lady who was expecting her fourth child, first boy when she came to our department here at the Vanderbilt Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is a great Church of Christ lady, her husband is a lay minister, and they are super folks.

Christy delivered Andrew by C section, at full term on Monday, February 6th. Immediately there were signs that something was wrong, and now we know that Andrew has an enlarged heart. Where an infant's heart should be 1/3 the size of his chest, Andrew's was 2/3. His condition is severe.

He was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and has been on a Lung and Heart Bypass machine since. Though he has responded well, infants can only stay on this machine for some time before they must have a heart transplant or they pass. The record for any infant here at Vandy is one of the longest in the country, and it is 40 days.

Today is Andrew's 39th day on the ECMO (Bypass) machine. This family is faced with praying for Andrew's healing, while all the time realizing, should it come by way of transplant, that Andrew's new heart comes from where another family is losing their baby.

They also believe God could just heal Andrew. Overall, this is in the Lord's hands, and they have said that many times. They want God's Perfect Will.

Please pray for them... Please, Please pray for them. I've included many links to news stories about Christy (my coworker) and Andrew and the family, as well as some pictures. Please help us pray for God's hand to intervene here.

News Stories from a couple of weeks ago...

Channel Two (Nashville): http://www.wkrn.com/story/17049147/newborn-with-enlarged-heart-in-need-of-transplant

Channel Four (Nashville): http://www.wsmv.com/video?clipId=6796390&autostart=true

NewsPaper Article: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120310/GALLATIN01/303100007/White-House-baby-awaits-heart-transplant


Some Pics of Andrew...

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/hands.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew6.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew7.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/andrew5-1.jpg

[MawMaw]

Praying for this precious baby and his family.
God's will be done for them in Jesus' holy name.

[Sister Alvear]

Oh my...I sure will pray...

[Hoovie]

Will definitely pray!

[Dagwood]

So heartbreaking to hear of this, especially to see such cute pics...

I firmly believe it takes someone with nerves of steel to walk into childrens wing of a hospital. If I did, I'd be carrying boxes upon boxes of tissue with me.

Will def be praying...

[KeptByTheWord]

Will spend time praying today for this child, and family.

[Bro. Robbins]

I thank you so much for this. My heart especially reaches out to Andrew's dad. He's had 3 girls and was very content having girls. Then they "unexpectedly" came up with Christy being pregnant with a boy. He was so excited about a little football player, etc... and this has taken them all by such great surprise.

I know that God is able... God is able to do something miraculous, and it doesn't have to take another baby dying for Andrew to have his miracle. Please continue to pray.

[The Matt]

I will be praying. Hard.

[KeptByTheWord]

I came back and looked at the pictures again, and imagined if it were my own child lying there, and it was too hard to even imagine. I will continue to pray for this child, and family as if they were my own.

[Hoovie]

I came back and looked at the pictures again, and imagined if it were my own child lying there, and it was too hard to even imagine. I will continue to pray for this child, and family as if they were my own.

I can't.

[Ferd]

praying for this family. so heart breaking.

[Michael Phelps]

Hello,

I know there are some folks here who truly believe in the power of prayer, and of God's ability to work out a situation according to His Perfect Will.

I work with a wonderful lady who was expecting her fourth child, first boy when she came to our department here at the Vanderbilt Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is a great Church of Christ lady, her husband is a lay minister, and they are super folks.

Christy delivered Andrew by C section, at full term on Monday, February 6th. Immediately there were signs that something was wrong, and now we know that Andrew has an enlarged heart. Where an infant's heart should be 1/3 the size of his chest, Andrew's was 2/3. His condition is severe.

He was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and has been on a Lung and Heart Bypass machine since. Though he has responded well, infants can only stay on this machine for some time before they must have a heart transplant or they pass. The record for any infant here at Vandy is one of the longest in the country, and it is 40 days.

Today is Andrew's 39th day on the ECMO (Bypass) machine. This family is faced with praying for Andrew's healing, while all the time realizing, should it come by way of transplant, that Andrew's new heart comes from where another family is losing their baby.

They also believe God could just heal Andrew. Overall, this is in the Lord's hands, and they have said that many times. They want God's Perfect Will.

Please pray for them... Please, Please pray for them. I've included many links to news stories about Christy (my coworker) and Andrew and the family, as well as some pictures. Please help us pray for God's hand to intervene here.

News Stories from a couple of weeks ago...

Channel Two (Nashville): http://www.wkrn.com/story/17049147/newborn-with-enlarged-heart-in-need-of-transplant

Channel Four (Nashville): http://www.wsmv.com/video?clipId=6796390&autostart=true

NewsPaper Article: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120310/GALLATIN01/303100007/White-House-baby-awaits-heart-transplant


Some Pics of Andrew...

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/hands.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew6.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew7.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/andrew5-1.jpg

Praying...........

[Jay]

I read the story and saw the pictures, and I can understand how our Lord 'was moved with compassion'. I am praying for this little life that God will perform that surgery as only He can do.

[Bro. Robbins]

I continue to thank you for your prayers and compassion for this family.... they really need a miracle soon... the clock is ticking... but God is able to do something great here....

[Bro. Robbins]

Giving this thread a bump... just asking you to say a prayer for this family and Andrew today if you would. Thanks.

[Bro. Robbins]

For those of you keeping up with us and this story... and that have been praying... here's some updates from Andrew's mom on FaceBook... I also thought you might want to see the newest pics...

-----------------------------------------------------

Last night
Good evening to all in FB land. We hope you are having a pleasant night. Andrew has had a good day. He has been more alert today as you will see in the pictures. He did get blood products today and it seemed to perk him more up tonight. He still is looking good on the Ecmo machine. He is now the longest patient at Vanderbilt on the Ecmo machine. They have been doing Ecmo over 20 yearsand had over 800 patients. We just tell the doctors & nurses God keeps answering our prayers till a donation is made for Andrew. Thanks for all your prayers.

This morning:
Good morning to all in FB land. We hope those in the middle of the country are not floating away. It looks like alot of rain is heading our way. Everything is sunny in Andrew's world. He slept well during the night. He didn't receive any meds or blood products during the night. He course for the day is steady as He goes. They may change out his dressing on the side of his neck. Hopefully his skin ...still looks good and is not breaking down.

I forgot to mention that the hospital plays bingo once a week. They show it on the TV and you can call from your room if you win. Andrew won last night and got a large thirity-one handbag and a book. It had in it toothpase, toothbrush, a bar of soap and shampoo. The nurses said that was for me (Keith). The nurses can be so funny!

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/andrew10.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/andrew17.jpg

[Bro. Robbins]

most recent update from Andrew's Mom...

It's been another blessed day as we wind up our evening. We want to thank everyone so much for the thoughts, prayers, messages, cards, and gifts. We find comfort in all of the love shown to us through these days. It's impossible for us to contact each person individually to show our gratitude. We need to continue to use the few contact people we set up to spread the word for us. Please know this does not lessen our gratitude for each of you individually!

God continues to bless Andrew and provides strength to him as he waits for a heart. It's not like God is going to cause some child to die so Andrew can live. But He certainly has provided Andrew with great days until the time comes when a heart is available. And in case you have not seen the Facebook updates...... (which you are welcome to join since we do not have time other than through it to give updates regularly--Christy Page Hagewood)---Andrew has surpassed all ECMO records at Vanderbilt (extubated, bottles, most days between a circuit change/was 14, Andrew did 16 last Friday, and most days on ECMO/was 39, Andrew did 41 today). I heard someone saying today that as far as he knew, Andrew is the first baby in America to do all of this (although thinks Europe has had cases.) We give God all the glory for all of this good news! And we continue to solicit your prayers on Andrew's behalf and for all children who face uncertain days, their families, their doctors/nurses/other staff, and donors and their grieving families. And we thank Jesus and the Spirit for their intercession to the Father for all of us when frankly we just don't know what or how to pray. God is good!

Good night to all. Much love,
Keith, Christy, Maria, Amanda, Natalie, and Andrew Hagewood

[Jay]

Our God is well able to heal and preserve life. Sometimes His preservation of life against all odds is the greater miracle. I continue to pray for this child.

[Cindy]

Praying for this precious child. God be with you, Andrew.

[Dagwood]

Any updates?

[KeptByTheWord]

I was wondering the same thing. Had been praying for the baby, and wondering how he is doing?

[Bro. Robbins]

Any updates?

Thanks for asking... Unfortunately, and fortunately there is no real change. Andrew is now the longest of any patient to be able to be on the ECMO (heart and lung bypass) machine here at Vanderbilt, child or adult. He has broken that record, as well as the only patient to be able to be placed in a sitting up position, and to not need the ventilator to breath while on the machine.

They have adjusted his meds some, as he was having some gagging issues, but overall, he's stable where he's been. The heart has not gotten worse, but is still enlarged in both bottom quarters, which is the overall issue here.

In the end, we still wait and pray. Either Andrew will have to have a heart via a transplant from another child, or God will have to give him a new heart miraculously. Until one of those happen, we pray he will be able to stay on the ECMO, because without it Andrew will not be able to live.

We continue to need your prayers. This little guy is a fighter, and it's all because of God!

[Bro. Robbins]

And I apologize that I didn't include this video that came up last week about Andrew. Please feel free to pass it on, the more hits it gets the more people know about Andrew. It's only 5 minutes long.... thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0PEi15b638&sns=em

[Bro. Robbins]

Hello... and thank you for continuing to pray. Attached you'll see the link to the story the local ABC affiliate did this week as a follow up on Andrew's battle...

http://www.wkrn.com/story/17269280/mid-state-couple-remains-hopeful-infant-son-will-receive-new-heart

[KeptByTheWord]

Thanks for the update, will definitely continue to pray for Andrew, and his family...

[Jay]

I am still praying for this baby. May God grant either healing or a heart soon.

[Bro. Robbins]

Andrew was given a new heart early this morning. There was a donation and the surgery ended in the wee hours of this morning. At this time the heart if functioning well, but there is a long and difficult road still ahead. This little fellow is a fighter, and the family would still much appreciate your prayers.

[Bro. Robbins]

Out of surgery at 5:30am CST, chest is closed, and no more bypass machine.

Please do pray for the donor family, as well as Andrew's recovery.

[Bro. Robbins]

Pics of Andrew, recovering without a bypass machine, and his new zipper, lol.


http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew22.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew23.jpg

[KeptByTheWord]

Wow! This is marvelous!! Will continue to pray for him and his family!!!

[Bro. Robbins]

and also remember the donating family....

I cannot even begin to imagine that someone in the midst of mourning and grieving the loss of a child, could be so compassionate and giving to think of total strangers elsewhere and donate part of their child.

That is a level of compassion and love in the midst of such hurt that boggles the mind.

[BrotherEastman]

I am full of joy that this baby now has a new heart, but full of agony for the one who lost his/her heart. God is gracious!!!

[AreYouReady?]

Awesome!

God is wonderful!

Yes, you are correct about the long road ahead. I've worked with transplant patients.

[Jay]

I will continue praying for him. I find it good that the danger is past and now the road to recovery has begun. May God be near the family who has lost their baby, and protect and guide this one with a new lease on life.

[CC1]

Bro. Robbins, thanks for keeping us abreast of this situation. I know we will all continue to pray for this precious baby's recovery.

I only had to experience the fear of a serious birth defect in a baby for a short time before we knew everything was ok with our last baby but it seemed like a lifetime (he has all of his internal organs reversed including his heart but is fine). I can only imagine what these parents are going through.

[Jay]

Having lived with a muscular problem since birth, I can also understand some of the worries and concerns that families have when facing this issue. I was fortunate enough that mine was never going to be a life threatening issue.

[KeptByTheWord]

Bro. Robbins, any update on the baby? Praying for both families who have lost, and gained...

[Bro. Robbins]

The first 24 hours were the most critical, and he passed through that with flying colors. He has been taken off the ventilator, and was slowly brought out of his medically enduced coma. He's enteracting pretty well with the nurses and family, and seems to be receiving the new heart pretty well.

The immediate danger is over, and there is a long road of recovery ahead. This little fellow is so strong, and everything else about him was so healthy that the prognosis is better each day that he spends more time with his new heart.

There are challenges with any heart transplant, but the fact that he was otherwise healthy is definitely in his favor. Hopefully we'll have some new pictures or videos to share in the near future.

The family continues to covet your prayers, and also pray for their financial challenge of course after all this time of very specialized care, and more days to come.

Thanks.

[sisrbn]

and also remember the donating family....

I cannot even begin to imagine that someone in the midst of mourning and grieving the loss of a child, could be so compassionate and giving to think of total strangers elsewhere and donate part of their child.

That is a level of compassion and love in the midst of such hurt that boggles the mind.

Amen!

[Bro. Robbins]

Please remember Andrew... not out of the woods yet. A coworker just sent me these posting from the families FaceBook page, Andrew is having some small complications. But they are not unexpected. Thanks.

-----------------------------

Last night:
Good evening to all in Fb land. We hope you have had a good day. Andrew has had a great day. His large oxygen piece was replaced with a smaller one today. The gaging has been better today but not gone yet. All vitals have been great. We got to move to a step down unit today with hopes of moving to another room later in the week. As you see see from the pictures the girls got to hold them today. Today has been a special day! We gives thanks to God for these great blessings!!


This Morning:
Good morning to all or is it night- I'm not sure I just call it mornght. Andrew is doing better today. The Xray shows the lungs have opened back up. They decided that he just didn't respond well to the changes in dropping the oxygen support made yesterday. They have raised them back up past where we we started. They will continue to drop his oxygen levels again but more slowly this time. Today will just be a day of rest for everyone. All other vitals are remaining good. So it's just a little set back that hopefully won't reoccur. Thanks for your prayers and words.

Later Today:
Just a quick note on Andrew. We had a little bit of a setback. One of his lungs collapsed. The other started to but they noticed the signs early. Had to go up to a machine that gave
Oxygen plus pressure. They say not to worry! Easier said than done! All labs are coming back now better and they have
Listened and they say he sounds better. X-ray will be taken later in the morning and we will see where we go from here.


http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew25.jpg

[Titus2woman]

What a courageous little fellow.

Have been following and praying if not posting.

[Jay]

Obviously we need to keep praying until the work is completed.

[Bro. Robbins]

Here's an update from Andrew's mom from Facebook last night... lots of information. Your continued prayers are appreciated...

------------------------------------------------------------

Good evening! It’s been a long, exhausting day full of every emotion. But overall Andrew is doing very well today and looks great compared to the last few days! I’d like to first give kudos to Red for writing a post every morning and night. What was I thinking when I said I’d write it tonight? I’ll do my best to make sense. Between being tired and there being several things today, hope it’s not too confusing!

1) The LUNGS: Andrew’s lungs are looking good and he’s still getting respiratory treatment in hopes to keep them that way—and still no ventilator today—yay! It’s kind of funny. His primary nurse left Friday evening and said to Andrew “Don’t you let me find you with a tube in your mouth when I get back Monday, Mister.” And sure enough the vent was in between the time she left Friday and out yesterday before she returned today
2) The BLOOD CLOT and the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: He does have a blood clot in the vein where the PICC line was placed. They removed the PICC line and started him on Lovenox to help thin the blood and hopefully dissolve the clot. The blood clot is in the vein which normally drains the lymphatic system. So he has cloudy drainage from his chest tubes. But at least it’s not an infection! And we’re thankful the chest tubes are already in so the drainage needed can happen. Otherwise it would be stuck in his body. They changed his formula to Monogen which does not have the type of fats he can’t get rid of. So with the combination of the new formula and controlling the clot, he should get over this bump in the road. Weird how the fats from feeds, lymphatic system, and vascular system collide, huh?
3) The GUT: GI was consulted about his gagging and vomiting. But the thought even before GI adds their two cents is that Andrew’s gut just hasn’t had a chance to take center stage. His body has been focused on giving blood and healing to the more vital organs and the gut is of last importance. And it’s also thought that the vapoderm which strongly blows air through his nose to his lungs also unfortunately causes some of that air to get into his belly which may be causing some of the GI problems.
4) GENETICS: We did find out today the cause of his HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), the enlarged heart. Andrew has Noonan’s Syndrome. And before you google and come up with all kinds of ideas of what Andrew will look like in 10 years and what his problems will be, we can tell you that it’s not expected that he’ll have the severe form of this syndrome. The syndrome has a variety of characteristics which each have their own range. Much of what is yet to be discovered until Andrew grows more. He may be short, but for a kid with parents who are 6’5” and 5’7”, short is relative. His IQ and learning abilities should not be affected. There’s nothing at this time to indicate other physical attributes of ears, webbed neck, etc. and usually they can tell most of that at infancy. Leukemia is a risk for people with Noonan’s Syndrome, but Andrew will have a blood test every year to check his white blood cell count and if they see it sky rocket, then we’ll go down that road, but it is expected to be treatable. But the majority of people with Noonan's do NOT have leukemia. And his new heart does not have Noonan's and it will not get Noonan’s. So really the big cardiac hurdle that could be there for his life no longer is. And for that, we’re eternally thankful to our Father and the donor’s family! Keith and I do not necessarily have Noonans. It can originate with Andrew. We’ll figure all of that out later. The Geneticist at Vanderbilt who met with us was extremely helpful. Honestly, it feels good to know why Andrew’s heart was enlarged. I’ve heard people in the past with various diagnoses say that even though they had some bad stuff going on, they were just glad to know why. I think I get it now.

Let’s see, today we saw the whole team for rounds this morning at 10ish which includes the PCICU doctor and his entourage, Nurse Practitioners, etc—about 8 people. Then from there, the rest of the day consisted of visits from the Cardiologist, her Nurse Practioner, the PCICU doc, the GI fellow, the Geneticist, the Social Worker ( I believe they thought I was going to blow a gasket—lol), and Andrew had a Chest xray, Echo, EKG, Ultrasound, his other daily tests, and I’m probably missing something.

But what Andrew will have pictures of, and remember, is that he was held today by Daddy, Aunt Pam, Maria, Amanda, Gran, and Poppa (and in the past few days has been also held by Natalie, Poppy, Meme, and Mommy and visited by Uncle Jerry, Uncle Matt, Aunt Danielle, and prayed for by all of us and all of you). AND THAT’S WHAT WE’LL BE DREAMING OF TONIGHT TOO:) WE ARE BLESSED!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Much love to you all! All we can say is thank you!!!

[Sister Alvear]

I keep praying for him...

[Jay]

That is a wonderful report! God still answers our prayers when we pray in faith.

[Bro. Robbins]

That is a wonderful report! God still answers our prayers when we pray in faith.

Jay... though its a good report overall, I think you missed that he has Noonan's Syndrome, and that's not a good report overall. This little boy is going to have some hard battles to fight already being a transplant recipient, and has to take many meds that will lower his immune system so that the body doesn't reject the new organ, and because of that, it will create opportunities for the Noonan's Syndrome to create issues.

Though his doesn't appear to be horrible, there are some risks. This little boy has a lot of struggles ahead of him for sure.

[AreYouReady?]

Jay... though its a good report overall, I think you missed that he has Noonan's Syndrome, and that's not a good report overall. This little boy is going to have some hard battles to fight already being a transplant recipient, and has to take many meds that will lower his immune system so that the body doesn't reject the new organ, and because of that, it will create opportunities for the Noonan's Syndrome to create issues.

Though his doesn't appear to be horrible, there are some risks. This little boy has a lot of struggles ahead of him for sure.

....but just remember...God is still on the throne and He still heals. :happydance

[Bro. Robbins]

....but just remember...God is still on the throne and He still heals. :happydance

Absolutely, but I know Jay is a praying guy, and didn't want him to overlook the serious part of the post that we need to pray about. This little fellow isn't out of the woods just cause he has had his heart transplant by far with these new revelations.

[Jay]

Jay... though its a good report overall, I think you missed that he has Noonan's Syndrome, and that's not a good report overall. This little boy is going to have some hard battles to fight already being a transplant recipient, and has to take many meds that will lower his immune system so that the body doesn't reject the new organ, and because of that, it will create opportunities for the Noonan's Syndrome to create issues.

Though his doesn't appear to be horrible, there are some risks. This little boy has a lot of struggles ahead of him for sure.

I had started to post, but was interrupted. I did read the portion about Noonan's Syndrome and was not intending to imply that the work of our prayers was by any means complete. That having been said, it appears from my reading of the post, that it will be some time before there are any additional signs that we should worry about. Therefore, I praise God for the victories that we have seen so far, and pray for the battles that are currently faced, and leave those for tomorrow in the capable hands of our almighty God.

[CC1]

Here's an update from Andrew's mom from Facebook last night... lots of information. Your continued prayers are appreciated...

------------------------------------------------------------

Good evening! It’s been a long, exhausting day full of every emotion. But overall Andrew is doing very well today and looks great compared to the last few days! I’d like to first give kudos to Red for writing a post every morning and night. What was I thinking when I said I’d write it tonight? I’ll do my best to make sense. Between being tired and there being several things today, hope it’s not too confusing!

1) The LUNGS: Andrew’s lungs are looking good and he’s still getting respiratory treatment in hopes to keep them that way—and still no ventilator today—yay! It’s kind of funny. His primary nurse left Friday evening and said to Andrew “Don’t you let me find you with a tube in your mouth when I get back Monday, Mister.” And sure enough the vent was in between the time she left Friday and out yesterday before she returned today
2) The BLOOD CLOT and the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: He does have a blood clot in the vein where the PICC line was placed. They removed the PICC line and started him on Lovenox to help thin the blood and hopefully dissolve the clot. The blood clot is in the vein which normally drains the lymphatic system. So he has cloudy drainage from his chest tubes. But at least it’s not an infection! And we’re thankful the chest tubes are already in so the drainage needed can happen. Otherwise it would be stuck in his body. They changed his formula to Monogen which does not have the type of fats he can’t get rid of. So with the combination of the new formula and controlling the clot, he should get over this bump in the road. Weird how the fats from feeds, lymphatic system, and vascular system collide, huh?
3) The GUT: GI was consulted about his gagging and vomiting. But the thought even before GI adds their two cents is that Andrew’s gut just hasn’t had a chance to take center stage. His body has been focused on giving blood and healing to the more vital organs and the gut is of last importance. And it’s also thought that the vapoderm which strongly blows air through his nose to his lungs also unfortunately causes some of that air to get into his belly which may be causing some of the GI problems.
4) GENETICS: We did find out today the cause of his HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), the enlarged heart. Andrew has Noonan’s Syndrome. And before you google and come up with all kinds of ideas of what Andrew will look like in 10 years and what his problems will be, we can tell you that it’s not expected that he’ll have the severe form of this syndrome. The syndrome has a variety of characteristics which each have their own range. Much of what is yet to be discovered until Andrew grows more. He may be short, but for a kid with parents who are 6’5” and 5’7”, short is relative. His IQ and learning abilities should not be affected. There’s nothing at this time to indicate other physical attributes of ears, webbed neck, etc. and usually they can tell most of that at infancy. Leukemia is a risk for people with Noonan’s Syndrome, but Andrew will have a blood test every year to check his white blood cell count and if they see it sky rocket, then we’ll go down that road, but it is expected to be treatable. But the majority of people with Noonan's do NOT have leukemia. And his new heart does not have Noonan's and it will not get Noonan’s. So really the big cardiac hurdle that could be there for his life no longer is. And for that, we’re eternally thankful to our Father and the donor’s family! Keith and I do not necessarily have Noonans. It can originate with Andrew. We’ll figure all of that out later. The Geneticist at Vanderbilt who met with us was extremely helpful. Honestly, it feels good to know why Andrew’s heart was enlarged. I’ve heard people in the past with various diagnoses say that even though they had some bad stuff going on, they were just glad to know why. I think I get it now.

Let’s see, today we saw the whole team for rounds this morning at 10ish which includes the PCICU doctor and his entourage, Nurse Practitioners, etc—about 8 people. Then from there, the rest of the day consisted of visits from the Cardiologist, her Nurse Practioner, the PCICU doc, the GI fellow, the Geneticist, the Social Worker ( I believe they thought I was going to blow a gasket—lol), and Andrew had a Chest xray, Echo, EKG, Ultrasound, his other daily tests, and I’m probably missing something.

But what Andrew will have pictures of, and remember, is that he was held today by Daddy, Aunt Pam, Maria, Amanda, Gran, and Poppa (and in the past few days has been also held by Natalie, Poppy, Meme, and Mommy and visited by Uncle Jerry, Uncle Matt, Aunt Danielle, and prayed for by all of us and all of you). AND THAT’S WHAT WE’LL BE DREAMING OF TONIGHT TOO:) WE ARE BLESSED!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Much love to you all! All we can say is thank you!!!

Bro. Robbins, thanks for this update. I will continue to pray for this baby.

[Bro. Robbins]

Latest Update... Andrew is having some Trouble.... last night's Facebook post from his mom....

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Good evening to all in fb land! We hope that u have had a good day. Ours has been to the theme of the good, the bad, and the ugly (which coincidentally is Keith's cell phone ring tone). The good is that his lungs have improved to where he is only using a nasal cannula for 2 liters of oxygen tonight---hopefully it will be removed totally tomorrow. Chest X-ray tomorrow will help determine that. The ...good is also he is making cooing sounds again. The bad is that the drainage from his chest tubes has increased. This is caused by the clot in the thoracic duct which was mentioned in last night's post. it is hoped that the clot will dissolve w medication. If it dissolves then hopefully the drainage will decrease so the chest tubes can come out. The ugly is that the blood clot is in the worst spot it can be in. If it does not dissolve then we are stuck in limbo. Surgery to remove the clot is not an option. But a different type of surgery may be necessary, but it is literally a shot in the dark surgery (if we go that route we'll explain more about it). So please pray for the Lovenox do the trick to dissolve the clot. We're pulling in the driveway and headed in to tuck the girls in who have been waiting w grandparents for us to get home. Much love to u all! Like we tell the kids every night---"Love you! Sweet dreams! Don't forget to say your prayers." (of course we say them together at times too:) God bless u w sweet dreams too!


http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w512/inspiredhillbilly/Andrew2.jpg

[AreYouReady?]

We should pray for the best shot then...that God removes the clot by whatever means He chooses. Praise the Lord for what has transpired thus far for the baby and this family!

Just look at how he looks up at his mother.

[Bro. Robbins]

We should pray for the best shot then...that God removes the clot by whatever means He chooses. Praise the Lord for what has transpired thus far for the baby and this family!

Just look at how he looks up at his mother.

I have to tell ya, these are some remarkable people. I don't agree with them doctrinally, but they sure are some amazing people.... they have taught me a lot through this.

[Jay]

I will keep praying because I believe that we would not have made it this far if God did not intend to finish the work that He has so well begun.