Nathan at the Hospital

We want to post a few pics of Nathan's last few days.  We really appreciate all of the medical professionals, visitors, and family that were there for us through those last few days.  Thank you also for the time by ourselves after we put the please no visitors signs up.  We do know that you were all thinking of us and praying for us during that time, and we greatly appreciate all of you!!!!

Mommy and Nathan

Jacen and Nathan

Sleepy Nathan

Mommy and her two Boys in a special loving moment.

Our precious Nathan.

Daddy and Nathan

Daddy and Nathan in a special few moments finishing their movie together.

Thank you to all of the medical professionals that helped us through those last few days!!!

A few snapshots of our friends that stopped by.  Thank you for all the other visitors that we didn't take pics of as well!!!

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends, not just over the last week but over the last 22 months. The words "Thank you" don't seem adequate. While difficult at times, the last 22 months has been the single most rewarding time of our life. Nathan was a special boy and a blessing from God and we were fortunate to be allowed to be his parents.

God has healed Nathan completely, wrapped him in His arms and taken him home.

We would like to invite all our family and friends to join us in celebrating the life of our precious Nathan on Wednesday, March 30 at 4:00 pm at Monterey Church of Christ.

Nathan

Just a quick update. No significant change in Nathan's condition. We are working with the doctor and nurses to keep him as comfortable as possible. Thank you all for the sweet comments and prayers! Please keep our family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Nathan

The last few days have been rather rough. Nathan hasn't had any urine output since sometime on Monday night. Due to this, he has been slowly swelling. We had blood work done this morning and his kidney function has gotten a lot worse. We are about to head up to the hospital and admit him to the Hospice room up there. The doctors believe it's just a matter of hours or days. Please pray for strength and peace for our family during this time.

Never a Dull Moment

I will again ask for prayers for our family. For over a week now, Nathan has been screaming much more than normal. Our typical day and night now is he is either eating, sleeping, or screaming with very few happy or even content times. The doctors and Hospice are working on what we can do to keep him comfortable. Right now he is on tylenol with codeine every 4 hours as well as increasing his tummy medicine because the screaming is accompanied by what looks like stomach pain.

Nathan was pouting and about to start screaming, so Jacen gave him "sugars".

Nathan "sitting" in Jacen's chair :)

Jacen loves playing cars!!!

Nathan in the stander playing with a toy.

Jacen coloring with both hands still :)

And finally our spoiled rotten dog Patches laying in our bed on my pillow :)

Thanks for the Prayers

Nathan is doing much better.  His breathing is less labored, his swelling has gone down and his blood work is starting to move back toward "his normal".  However, only time will tell the lasting effects of this.  His fragile body has been through a lot this past month and it's likely that it has taken a toll on his already damaged kidneys.  Thank you SO much for the continued prayers!  Our family is so very blessed!!

I finally convinced Jacen that he could slide down the slide by himself!!!!

Nathan was sitting in the high chair while I did something in the kitchen

and was so tired he fell asleep.

Jacen enjoying a chocolate chip cookie bar :)

Nathan and I

We had some shingles fall off our roof :(  

Jacen decided that driving the cars on them was fun!!!  It did make a pretty cool noise :)

Nathan sitting in his chair while Jacen and I played outside :)

Nathan was screaming, so Jacen got one of Nathan's bottles (with no lid) out of the cabinet to give to him.  It was precious!!!

Prayers Please

This past week kept us busy again with medical situations.  Jacen was still recovering from his ear infection.  I had what we think was allergies and a sinus infection which was treated with antibiotics and a shot.  Nathan was coughing and didn't seem to feel good either.  On Wednesday, while the Respite nurse Rhonda was here, and I was gone to an allergy appointment, she called Hospice because Nathan was having trouble breathing and was swollen.  Upon my return she and Heidi were in contact with Dr. Gray who wanted blood work and a chest x-ray.  I took Nathan for that, and it was determined that he had an upper respiratory infection and was retaining fluid.  The fluid could be because of the infection or because his kidneys are shutting down.  At that point it was a wait and see situation.  Heidi came by again the next two days and Kyle was in contact with Dr. Gray.  Late Thursday afternoon, Dr. Gray called to have us bring him in Friday.  We did more blood work, they weighed him, did a urine sample, and checked his oxygen level.  That was low, so he received oxygen for about 30 minutes.  The blood work looked better than Wednesday, so we were sent home with instructions for Heidi to get us an oxygen monitor and oxygen in case we needed it.  We ran by to get a blood pressure check with Dr. Robinson and then went straight home.  After a weekend of monitoring his feeding, urine output which was better, and oxygen levels, Heidi came by today and agreed with us that his swelling looks about the same or maybe a little better than Friday.  We will return tomorrow for more blood work.  At this point, he seems more like himself, but in reality it is still a wait and see situation.  His kidneys have been put through a lot over the past few weeks with the stomach bug, two rounds of fluids, and the upper respiratory infection.  They are not sure if they will fully recover back to his normal, slowly get worse from all the trauma, or what.  

We will keep everyone posted as we can.  We would appreciate prayers for healing (or a miracle) for Nathan, peace and comfort for all of us dealing with what is to come, and when it is necessary wonderful Hospice counselors to help us through this situation especially how to get Jacen through this. 

Jacen holding Nathan and giving him "sugars"!!!!

Jacen playing outside with my phone instead of his basketful of toys :)

Jacen wanted to be like me, so we got his chair and phone out to sit by me :)

Daddy reading to Nathan.  That is the happiest that I ever see Nathan.  He loves his Daddy reading to him!!!!!

Jacen wanted to type on Daddy's computer :)