EEG RESULTS

Nathan's second EEG results came back and show that Nathan has SIGNIFICANT brain activity. Praise our GOD! Nathan will have a head ultrasound today or tomorrow to see if they can figure out what is causing his seizure activity. He has not had any more seizure activity since this morning.

They are still seeing a little bit of blood coming from his stomach and are planning to give him some plasma to help with that.

Jacen had a good appointment with Dr. Gray this afternoon.

Thank you for taking the time to pray and show concern for this family! More pictures to come...

EEG is done

The EEG began around 11:00 this morning and was over at 12:20. Kyle and Stephanie felt a little better about the way the test was administered as compared to the first EEG a couple weeks ago. They should have some results later today, but are not completely certain on that.

Jacen's pedi appointment is at 1:15 today. Pray for a good report from Dr. Gray!

Kyle said the prayer pager went off non-stop throughout Nathan's procedure. Thank you for praying and calling!

EEG- today!

Nathan is having the second EEG this morning. His phenobarbital level was checked this morning and it is 5.1. They have ordered the test and it should start soon.

His bleeding in his stomach has stopped and they think it might be caused from an ulcer. They are not certain yet.

He has not had a seizure since 7:30 this morning.

Please pray for comfort and peace and GOOD RESULTS!

PRAYERS

Please stop and pray for Nathan. He started having seizures again in the night and they have found fresh blood in his stomach. The doctors and nurses have not indicated exactly why this is occuring. Kyle and Stephanie were contacted in the night and are deeply concerned. Please let them know you are praying- (806) 721-3126. Thank you!

Happy Father's Day, Kyle!

It is such a blessing for Kyle to be celebrating his first Father's Day today and we thank God for these two little boys given to Kyle and Stephanie.

Nathan continues to improve, but also continues to need to be lifted up in prayer. His output/input levels are still negative and have been for the past several days, which is a good sign for his swelling and kidneys. His urine output last night over the 12 hours period was 132 CC's with a -24 input/output overall. The central lines mentioned in a previous post were removed early yesterday morning which means Nathan only has the ventilator and feeding tube in him right now. Dr. S plans to take a great deal of blood in the morning to measure all his different levels, including the phenobarbital level. Once this level is below 5, the second EEG will take place. Nathan is having a hard time breathing right now and has most of the day.

Jacen continues to do well at home with Kyle, Steph, and Grandma (Kyle's mom). Kyle said he is being a "lazy eater" and taking his time while eating. He will go to see Dr. Gray in the morning for the first time since leaving the hospital last Sunday.

Nathan opened both eyes today and spent about 30 minutes looking around before falling back asleep. Kyle and Stephanie were both there to get to see their son's eyes fully opened.

Nathan says, " Happy Father's Day, Daddy"!

New pictures

Here are some new pictures of the precious Phillips boys.

Kyle and Jacen at home

Stephanie bathing Jacen at home
Nathan

Steph and Nathan
Jacen is his swaddler

Nathan

Thursday update

Lots of news to share from Thursday. First off, Jacen is eating 70 CC's of a breast milk-formula mixture every four hours around the clock. He's happy at home, and his folks are happy he's there.

As for Nathan, every day of this process has been an education for many of us. New things come up regularly that are tough for all of us non-doctors to figure out, so we'll do our best to explain:

• Nathan is having the double line (venous and arterial catheters) removed from his belly button either Friday or Saturday. This line was being used to feed just about everything into Nathan's system, including his food before he received his feeding tube. They also fed blood clotting medication and antibiotics into his system, which were intended to keep the line itself clot-free and infection-free. The line is also used to keep a constant monitor of his blood pressure. Doctors usually like to leave these in babies for about 2 weeks, but Sunday will have been 3 weeks. Pray that the tedious procedure goes as expected!
• Nathan's urine output level was 130 CCs today. When we mention that number, it is taken over a 12-hour period. His input/output level was +22 today because he received another blood transfusion, which was done because his H and H levels were a little low. (Hematocrit being red blood cells and Hemoglobin being white blood cells).
• Dr. S will go over the results of the abdominal ultrasound mentioned yesterday with Kyle and Stephanie sometime Friday.
• Nathan continues to take his "meals" through a feeding tube, but those are now entirely made up of breast milk (30 CCs each time is the current goal), which he has been tolerating very well.

KEEP PRAYING! Thank you to all of you who have been keeping tabs on the Phillips' family and lifting them up.

Nathan's day has been a little rough again today. His blood pressure is still slightly elevated and being regulated with medication. He had an abdominal ultrasound done this morning. Kyle and Stephanie will get the results for this tomorrow.

Jacen has spent the day eating and sleeping, doing pretty good at both. His mommy, daddy, and grandma (Kyle's mom) are loving spending time with him.

Thanks for continuing to faithfully pray for the Phillips. They really appreciate it!

Nathan's urine output over night was 125 CC's with another negative input/output level. Way to go little guy! Today on the other hand has been a little bit of a struggle for him. His blood pressure has been high and his breathing labored. The docs upped his ventilator settings to get his breathing regulated.

Please continue to lift prayers for Nathan as I know you do! Kyle and Stephanie covet your prayers and every page they receive from the prayer pager is very encouraging.

Jacen continues to do great at home!

Jacen's coming home pictures

Update:

His overall urine output today reached a new high of 120 CC's. That count included two episodes of him "letting it loose" on the nurse. Ha! More importantly, today was the first day that Nathan had a negative input/output level, meaning that he is getting rid of more fluid than he is receiving.

Also positive is the news that Nathan's platelet levels have increased independently. His body is beginning to produce these on its own as well as the red blood cells.

The Phenobarbital level (the medication for seizure activity and sedation) was tested this morning and has lowered to 9.9. Dr. C wants the level below 5 before they will repeat the EEG to test brain activity.

COOL SIDE STORY- As you know, Nathan's blood pressure has been a little higher the past few days, but Dr. Daddy noticed a really cool event today. While Stephanie read a number of books to Nathan, Kyle kept an eye on all of his vital levels on the monitors. The longer Steph read, Nathan's BP and heart rate both dropped double digits. He knows and LOVES his momma's voice!

NICU room on their over night stay

What a big boy!
Steph and WONDERFUL nurse, Lin walking them to the car

"Two Peas in a Pod"

Sweet baby swaddled in his bassinet

Patches is so curious about Jacen, but has been a good dog

Nathan reached another high last night of 115 CC's of urine output- he continues to improve! Kyle said he really is starting to looks less swollen, which is such a great sign for the little guy.

Dr. C. wants to do another EEG sometime soon, but they are waiting for his medication level (used for his seizure activity and pain)to get down below 5 and the last time they tested it was 11. They are going to re-test that level this morning. They will continue to wait until the level is where they want it to be before doing the EEG. Dr. C wants the test to be as accurate as possible to show Nathan's brain activity.

Jacen has settled in at home and is doing great. He is still being a lazy eater, but that is to be expected for such a little guy. Rememeber as of yesterday he is only 36 weeks, gestational. He needs to eat 60 CC's (2 ounces) each feeding, every 4 hours.

Prayers:
1. Nathan continues to progress and improve, his swelling goes down, and his kidneys kick into full gear.
2. Jacen takes him bottles at each feedings and sleeps well, so momma and daddy can get some rest!
3. Kyle and Stephanie-strength and rest

Jacen is HOME!

Jacen got home with Kyle and Stephanie around 2:00 this afternoon. Patches, their dog is not sure what to think about him. Pictures to come of Jacen's departure from NICU...

Praise God for Jacen's health and God's blessings on the Phillips'! Pray that Nathan continues to progress, so he can join his brother at home soon!

Jacen's going home!

Kyle and Stephanie are taking Jacen home today. They said it was a long night with little sleep, but they are both excited to take one son home today.

Nathan's blood pressure continues to remain steady and his urine output for last night was 108 CC's- highest yet! He also opened his eyes this morning which has not happened for many days due to all the swelling on his head and face.

Continue to keep praying for this sweet family as a new chapter of their journey begins today...God is GOOD and is hearing our prayers!

Jacen is a "little slugger"

Momma feeding Jacen
Momma bathing Jacen

Nathan resting

Profile of Nathan

Jacen's room- notice he has nothing in his bed anymore since he is doing so good

Nathan getting some sun in his room for jaundice

Nathan

Their family room in NICU- doesn't Steph look GREAT for someone who just had twins?

Jacen chilling with mom and dad

Here is the latest on the boys:

Jacen: Because of his outstanding report card in NICU, he will most likely be going home with Kyle and Stephanie on Sunday! He is eating they way they need him to, passed his occupational therapist part, and is over all doing great. Kyle and Stephanie will be rooming in with him in a family room in NICU tomorrow night to make sure they don't have any questions or concerns before taking him home. Since he is getting to go home, Jacen was circumcised today and according to Steph, not very happy about it. Not surprising, right?

Keep Kyle and Stephanie in your prayers as this is a very exciting time, but also will be nerve-racking managing a new baby at home while going to and from NICU to care for and see Nathan. They will do great, I know it!

Nathan: Nathan has had an overall good day. His blood pressure has been a little high, so the doctors have been managing that with some medication to keep it at a good level. Kyle thinks Nathan is really starting to notice when he has a wet diaper and gets frustrated and agitated until it is taken care of. That is such a good sign! He will be a receiving another blood transfusion soon since he has lost some blood. The doctors do not seem to be overly concerned with this since it has been over a week since his last transfusion.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Over night update

Nathan's breathing and blood pressure continue to hold steady this morning. He had a total of 83 CC's of urine output yesterday and 94 CC's last night. Way to go little guy! He continues to improve and make it evident that God hears all the prayers being offered on his behalf.

Jacen is still doing great, chugging away at his bottles. They moved him to feeding every 4 hours yesterday to allow him to start eating more at each feeding.

Please continue to pray and thank God for baby steps!

Nathan had 80 CC's of urine output overnight, which is his greatest jump in output. Dad says " apparently he turns it on like a fountain when we go home." Way to go, Nathan!

Wednesday Update

Every day of this process with Nathan and Jacen in NICU has been a reminder of how God's timing and ours rarely match up. We would all like to see huge steps and immediate improvements in the conditions of Nathan especially, but remain thankful and faithful as we see evidence of the small baby steps that are taking place.

Today, Nathan showed a number of small improvements. His blood pressure and heart rate have lowered to more acceptable levels compared to what was seen yesterday. His doctors would still like to see them even lower, but the decrease is encouraging.

Also, Nathan's urine output increased to a new high of 60 CCs, which shows his system is eliminating more fluid than before. Keep in mind that last week he was only producing an output of 2 CCs in that span of time. Still, doctors would like to see the output be even greater as they begin to add nutrients to his diet.

Speaking of inputs, today was a marker day since it was the first time Nathan received formula through his feeding tube. His is a watered down and much smaller amount of what Jacen is receiving, but the hope is that heavier "food" will spur his system to increased efficiency.

In regard to Jacen, he is continuing to take a bottle every three hours. His nights and days seem to be mixed up, as he is more alert and surpassing the required intake of 48 CCs (30 CCs = 1 oz.) of formula in his night feedings. In the day, he is a little more "lazy and stubborn" (as his dad put it) and takes 20-25 CCs. If he does not reach the 48 CCs required by the doctors, Jacen receives the remaining formula through his feeding tube (still attached through his nose). The doctors need to see a consistent and increased intake through his bottle before he will be released to go home.

So...

Even with the signs of improvement, now is as crucial a time as ever to lift up Nathan and Jacen in your prayers. God is faithful and that is so evident at this time. Keep going! Please also lift up Kyle and Stephanie as they remain strong for their babies!

baby Nathan baby Jacen
Nathan getting his second bath

Nathan and Grandma (Kyle's mom)
"Give me some food!" (Jacen)

Special PRAYERS!

Please pray especially hard right now for Nathan as well as Kyle and Stephanie. Nathan's had a rough day, as he started off with some labored breathing and his skin color was different this morning. Then this evening Dr. Contreras let them know that although Nathan's kidneys are starting to function, this creates some complications.

As his kidneys are starting to flush out his system and reduce his swelling, his heart and lungs are having to work harder to stay ahead of everything. That is the reason for his skin color change and difficulty breathing. The doctors and nurses have increased his respirator level and other levels slightly to help in this process, but PLEASE PLEASE continue to pray that the small improvements that have been made will continue!

Little Red Raider