Nurse Interviews

This is Erika updating!

Carrie asked me to write a quick note on here to pray for them as they interview their nurses. The first interview is tonight (Friday) at 8pm and the other one is 1pm tomorrow (Saturday). From experience, this is a hard process. Carrie and Bruce know they need nursing care to help care for Toby, but it is very difficult to have somebody you don't know well in your house for 16 hours every day. These nurses will have an influence, not only on Toby, but also on Conor and Garrett. What a blessing if these nurses believed the same way the Holts do! Pray that Carrie and Bruce will know one way or the other whether these women they are interviewing are right for their family. Once they do find nurses, pray that it is a good fit! They will definitely need continued prayer in this area, not only this weekend, but also in the months to come!

Bow the Knee

Toby continues to have good days and nights. Bruce changed his trach today with the help of the nurse practitioner and myself. It wasn't as intimidating as we thought. He cntinues to steal the hearts of the nurses, doctors, and therapists. (Toby, not Bruce! :) :)!!! ) Conor also continues to do well after his surgery, and his eyes seem to be straight. He even went to school today.

On Sunday, Bruce and I were able to attend church with our family, and this song that our choir sang really touched our hearts, and I wanted to share the words with you.

Bow The Knee

There are moments on our journey following the Lord 
where God illumines every step we take 
There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us as we try to understand each move He makes 
When the path grows dim 
and our questions have no answers turn to him

Chorus 
Bow the Knee 
Trust the heart of your father 
When the answer goes beyond what you can see 
Bow the Knee 
lift your eyes towards Heaven 
and believe the One who holds eternity 
and when you don't understand, the purpose of his plan 
in the presence of the king Bow the Knee

Verse 2 
There are days when clouds surround us and the rain begins to fall 
the cold and lonely winds wont cease to blow 
And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel 
We are tempted to believe God does not know 
when the storms arise, don't forget we live by faith and not by sight

May the journey we have taken encourage you to draw closer to God as He is all we need, and He is the only one worthy of bowing our knees to. Thank you, God for guiding us every step of the way.

Conor's Eye Surgery

Conor's eye surgery went pretty well today. He was great going in - didn't cry when we left him. Afterwards he was pretty upset - screaming actually. He still hasn't opened his eyes all the way - he had wet washcloth on them right before nap time and then finally put on the sunglasses they gave him. Then he fell asleep with the glasses on and he's still sleeping. Hopefully his eyes will be feeling better soon.

Toby is doing well also. We are interviewing a day nurse and a night nurse this Friday night and Saturday afternoon, so please pray that we have wisdom if these are the nurses that will be right for us and Toby. I'm nervous about this whole process, but know that it will be okay. Carl & Erika have been a huge help in this area.

Nursing Care and Waiting

Not much to say, Toby is doing really well. The tests for calcium in his urine came back fine. He weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was close to 21 inches today. Our insurance approved 16 hours a day of nursing care, so now they are trying to find the nurses. If we had our equipment and nurses we could bring him home, it's just a matter of logistics now. I guess they have 2 or 3 other patients on trachs and vents that are also going home, which "clogs the system" if you will. Some days I really want him home, and other days I feel very overwhelmed with it...having a stranger in our home, helping us with Toby....Please continue to pray that we will have good nurses that will fit in with our family and be trustworthy. "Now to him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Gaining Weight

Toby continues to do well. He is growing - up to 8 lbs. 6 oz.!! :) We're mostly just waiting to get our equipment and some nursing help before we come home, so that is what is taking the most time. My grandparents arrived safely today from Michigan, and they have been such a huge help already! :) It's great to have them here.

The Boys are Home from Michigan

The boys came back yesterday (Sat), and it's good to have them home. We (my parents and the boys) went up to see Toby. It's the first time the boys have seen him since he went into the hospital Jan. 15th. I think it was very good for them. Toby continues to do well, and is getting 12 breaths through the vent, but no oxygen. They also adjusted his food so he can be off of it for 6 hours total a day. We'll divide it up into 3 hour segments (3 hours in the a.m.) and 3 hours at night. We just continue to wait for the case managers to set up a nurse coming to the house to help take care of him before we are able to go home. Some days I'm overwhelmed with the thought of bringing him home, and then I just remember again - one day at a time. God is in control, I don't have to be.

OT and PT

Toby continues to do well. His color is good, and the Occupational & Physical Therapists are impressed by his ability to move his legs and feet, and how strong his arms are. He tries to lift up his head and can grasp things with his fingers as well as follow something with this eyes. They did insert a foley catheter today to collect his urine for 24 hours. The renal (kidney) ultrasound showed some build up of calcium in his bladder, so they just want to double check it. They didn't seem overly concerned about it. I added some new photos today. He weighs about 8 pounds! :) Yeah! Oh yes, Conor's eye surgery is this Wed. Feb. 28th