A Day Closer to Coming HOME!!

This picture was taken on Monday evening.

Oh, the joy of holding your own little one in your arms! Marvin and Hannie can’t get enough! Today Opa and Oma Bos visited and there was Hannie, strolling around with her dear baby Gerad in her arms! Later on she came into the room and walked over to the crib, but baby Gerad was not there….but laying safely and contently in his fathers arms in the chair!

Feeding is still difficult, but the doctor said this afternoon that that is quite normal for a baby like Gerad and it could take up to four weeks before that is better.
If all goes like it is, they might be coming home the beginning of next week!!!! Gerad will come home with his feeding tube and tonight Marvin was being taught how to put a feeding tube into Gerad’s nose. For the first while after they come home, there will be a nurse that will come every day to see how things are going, gradually reducing the times she comes. Until his next surgery alot can change, but they want to wait it out as long as possible so Gerad can mature and grow stronger!

What shall I render unto the LORD

for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation,

and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psa 116:12,13

Another day, another step forward!!!

Not only did Gerad get moved into the room next door, but he has a real crib now, which makes him look small.

He was wearing his touque (hat) again. The nurse said that his cathedar is out now and maybe his chest drain will come out today too! His oxygen level was a bit low overnight so they did have to insert a temporary oxygen tube in his nostrils just till he can maintain his own levels by himself. Other than that the nurses are happy with him, they said he had a good night and seems comfortable.
So, if all goes well, maybe within a few days they can go up to the fourth floor, which means a room with just mom, dad and baby!!!! And where holding and hugging is greatly encouraged!!!
They continue to lower his medications to slowly wean him off.

Behold,

the Lord's hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither His ear heavy,

that it cannot hear.

Isaiah 59:1

The ventilator is OUT!

More beads~mainly from his surgery.

Praises to our Lord and King! The breathing tube is OUT! Marv said he has been washed and looks so shiny and pink now! So far he is doing good without it!

Now little Gerad has a hood. It is like a square, see-through box over his head that gets oxygen and humid air pumped into it so Gerad can breath that to help with the healing of his throat. Several times he has wanted to cry, but just can’t yet, and mostly takes up to a few days after the ventilator is out before he can utter sound again.

Makes me just want to scoot over to Toronto to go see him with less tubes attached to him, but hopefully we will have many chances yet to see him that way! God is Good! Obviously coming off the ventilater is a huge step, but in the mean time it is also common for it to be re-inserted again. Let’s pray that won’t need to happen and he can continue to heal and recuperate, and the sooner Hannie and Marvin can SNUGGLE their dear, huggable, precious, gorgeous, cute, charming, adorable, beloved, all together sweet little bundle of delight!

Mwah. <---a kiss from us, dear Gerad!

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee;

he will be with thee, he will not fail thee,

neither forsake thee:

fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

More Steps Ahead

Gerad is slowly being weaned off medications. He no longer has medication for blood pressure and they are reducing the medicine to keep his heart pumping. Do you notice the touch of care on Gerad's little cheek? A nurse cut that out of 'tape' to hold the tubes in place. Yesterday he was wearing a fish!
His abdomen is swollen and they took an x-ray, but saw nothing. He now gets 9 cc breastmilk~ of which there is a bountiful supply~ every three hours! He has two tubes, one that drains his chest and another going into his abdomen (not sure what for), but they clamped the one going into his stomach today to see if he would tolerate without it and he seemed to do well. Once that tube can be taken out, he can come off the ventilator!!! Maybe tomorrow!

At times he is quite awake, but while I was with him this afternoon, he was sleeping contently and seemed to like laying on his side. He looks so much more comfy that way!

He had a slight temperature so the nurse placed a bag of ice on his head to cool him off. He didn’t seem to mind at all!

Here is nurse Kim doing bloodwork, filling his 'bottle' with milk, among other things.

We have thought, O God,

on Your lovingkindness.

Psalms 48:9

One step at a time

Each time Marv and Hannie want to see Gerad, they need to call the nurses to see if they can come in, just to make sure they are not in the middle of doing something, such as working on him or doing a shift change. This morning they called in and they had already started the procedure of closing his chest!! That is SUCH a blessing; now that can start to heal!!! One step at a time. The Nurse said yesterday Gerad would retain fluid again (but not as much) and will have to lose it again. For the rest he was doing good yesterday.

He did have an episode that really scared them. Hannie was just standing behind his bed talking to a nurse when he suddenly started breathing quick short breaths. He had the hiccups and it must have made him very uncomfortable. He squirmed and tried to cry but couldn't because of the tubes down his throat and then he turned blue and hot. After a few minutes he calmed down, although those minutes seemed more like an hour. Marvin and Hannie were relieved but thankful that it was not something more serious! With the possibility of taking steps backwards, he continues to take little steps forward.

See these little feet? They look so sweet and adorable, don't they? Well, he is causing mischief with them allready! He was laying there, awake and kicking away with these little feet when one of his tubes got stuck between his toes and as he stretched, plop, out he pulled the tube! That is when he fell soundly asleep and the nurse had a hard time explaining that Gerad himself had caused the trouble and she didn't do it: "HE did it, he did it...!" she repeated, as Gerad lay sleeping like a good little boy!!!

He gets lots of 'oohs and ahhhs' on his toes:

"Look at those toes...!"

"wow, he could poke my eyes out with those...!"

"with feet like that he'll be climbing trees in no time...!"

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luk 12:7

Blessings, blessings, blessings...

....manifold blessings!

Our little Gerad is continuing to take steps forward to healing. Last night he was able to do away with 1 liter of fluid by himself! His head arms and legs are looking back to normal. Obviously he has lost weight and Daddy Marvin tells me his legs look like chicken legs! What a blessing he was 8 pounds at birth!

The doctors and nurses are looking at closing his chest by thursday and everything looks good. He is constantly under close monitering to keep everything is check, but he is responding well to everything.

Marvin and Hannie have, up to this far, been able to stay and sleep at the Childrens Hospital and that is another blessing! This morning they heard a "code blue" call and it frightened them out of their beds. Thankfully is was not little Gerad, but it was someone else's child. A child that also has loving parents, grandparents and extended family! Pray for them, as you pray for Gerad, Marvin and Hannie!

As I was thinking this morning about all the Blessings we have received, I started to make a mental list. From Gerad's steps forward to recovery, the Lord's sustaining of Marvin and Hannie, the loving touch and care of nurses, the wisdom of doctors, the love of friends, the presence of grandparents who are at the hospital as much as possible, phones and computers to keep up-to-date and stay in touch, answered prayers, safe travels up and down to Toronto, the breath of life, and the list goes on...!

Just only considering how God has made our bodies so fearfully and so wonderfully, that doctors can reconstruct little tiny hearts and then aid the body to recovery, makes us stand in awe at our Maker! How he has made bodies, even tiny baby ones, to handle so much stress and still be able to fight and hang on and recuperate! How fearfully we are made!

And it shall be to ME a name of joy,

a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth,

which shall hear all the good that I do unto them:

and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness

and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Jer 33:9

Gerad, our little, strong fighter!

Precious little Gerad is doing OK! His swelling is coming down and he is showing all good signs! His eyes are not so puffy and swollen as before and he is trying to open them by sqwinting! The swelling is very common in children after heart surgery, but he is learning again to handle the fluid, and his output is more than his input. He is still on medication for the swelling to urine better and getting his kidneys so start doing their job again.
He is on 3cc of breastmilk every 3 hours and digesting it!

No more muscle relaxants, but they had to up his morphine as he was moving too much yesterday, and he needed to calm down. He is maintaining his blood pressure, although is heart rate goes up when you touch him, and he shows a little temper, according to Daddy Marv!

Yesterday Hannie was able to do some mothering, cleaning little Gerad's eyes with sterile wipes and cleaning his mouth.

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;

Isa 66:13

No News just yet

We have not heard how Precious little Gerad is doing. About an hour ago, Marv and Hannie hadn't seen him yet, and I am sure they will call with an update when they have seen their little boy. I will let you know when I know something! In the meantime...here is

Momma Hannie and her little boy!

Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing BY PRAYER and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:6,7

Precious little Gerad!

Marvin just called for an update and the nurses are happy about how he is doing. Lieve Gerad is stable, still critical, but doing everything he is expected to do. Last night when his sugar levels went up, it was actually a good sign as his body knew something was happening, creating more sugar, so he would have enough energy to fight.

He is on a ventilator because his breathing has to stay regular since his chest is still open and not to cause any extra stress on his chest area. He will be on the ventilator for at least the next two days.

He was on medication to control his blood pressure, but that now has come off and he is maintaining his blood pressure very well.

His color is pinky and that’s good as it means he is getting enough oxygen!



Ye that fear the LORD,

trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Psa 115:11

Little Steps Forward

Gerad is taking little steps forward in his recovery. During last night they did have to give him insulin as his sugar level went a little high, although it was nothing serious. He will be in critical care until tomorrow night, or Monday, but he is stable, and taking little steps forward. During surgery he had two pacemakers, afterward he had one, and now his heart is pumping completely on its own.

Ome Klaas and Tante Linda visited him and Marv and Hannie today and took pictures with my camera, but they are not back yet, so I don’t have up-to-date pictures to share. It is sad to see him all hooked up, they said, and the nurses are encouraging Marv and Hannie to keep touching him and talking to him. ‘…he knows who mommy and daddy are.’

On a lighter note, the nurse told them to not come back until they have bought some booties for Gerad, some more toys, and another blanket. So that is what they are going to do now. I hope they will get him the BEST ones they can find, don’t you?

At least until Monday, Marv and Hannie have a room at the same hospital as Gerad, but then they get a room at the Ronald McDonald house which is about a 20 min walk from the Hospital for Sick Children.

Bravery Heart Beads.

Each little patient is given a necklace with their name on it. As Gerad
undergoes difficult treatments, testing or surgery he receives special
plastic or wooden beads, called Bravery Heart Beads, to commemorate these milestones.
Eventually he can wear his beads proudly as a necklace or
wristband, or attached it to toys, IV poles and maybe for now, his parents! =).
The necklace documents and honors the experience of
all his treatments, enabling him to later tell his unique story in a tangible,
visual way. It will be a precious keepsakes that is viewed as a medal or badge
of courage. Before his surgery he had about 8 or 10, and after his surgery he received 13 more.

Be strong, little Gerad! We love you VERY MUCH and continue to pray for you! A BIG ((( HUG ))) from us all!

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

He is out of surgery!

A sound heart is the life of the flesh...Psalm 14:30a

Little mr Gerad is out of surgery!! As far as the docters, they were able to do the work they needed to do and Gerad’s corrected heart is pumping blood!!!!!!!!

Marvin and Hannie should be able to see him in about an hour as he is recovering now. They are leaving his chest ‘open’ so that as the heart swells, it can do so with more room. This is normal for baby’s with heart surgery and they usually close it in 5 days. (Right now they have it sealed with bandages)
He is still in critical care, but we are very relieved and thankful he made it through safely! God is Good!

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psa 27:14

Update

A nurse just spoke with Marvin and surgery is proceeding well. It is taking a little longer to get new lines into his veins, as they are small and also from earlier access through these veins. But, Praise the Lord, so far it has gone well.
We can expect another update in about three hours. (3:00 pm Ontario time)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

PICC went well

This afternoon at 2:00 they inserted a PICC line into Gerad's arm and it went very well, taking an hour to perform. (sometimes this can take up to 5 hours)

A peripherally-inserted central catheter is a long, soft, hollow tube that is
inserted through the skin and into a vein in the arm. The tip of the catheter
sits in a large vein above the right upper chamber of the heart.

The PICC line provides access to the
bloodstream. It can remain in place for long-term use. The PICC is used to
administer medications quickly to the heart.

A local anaesthetic is used to "freeze" the area on the arm
where the PICC line is inserted.

Today both Opa's and Oma's traveled the long distance to Toronto. Opa Bos decided to return home while Opa and Oma Neels and Oma Bos are staying in a hotel overnight.

During the nights when Hannie and Marvin would make their way across the street to the other hospital, they would notice the homeless people sleeping on the streets! How blessed we are to have a home and nice warm beds to sleep on!

In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th 5:18

Tomorrow will be a hard day for Gerad as they will be doing the Norwood Procedure. The surgeon had yet to meet with Marvin and Hannie, so we don't yet know what time the surgery will be.

Marvin says Gerad is still cute!

FROM the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2

Pictures!

First of all: His name is Gerad!

He weighed 8.03 lbs and is 56 cm long. As you can see on the pictures, he is chunky and sweet!

As of now he is stabelized and doing OK. He is on medication to keep his one valve from closing and possibly on Friday he will undergo surgery which is called the Norwood Procedure.

The nurse encouraged Hannie to add his own blanket and things to his basinet to personalize it more, so she layed a blue, boy blanket close to his head together with a little bear. When we had left the room and we were walking through the hall, we could see the nurse, through the window, wrapping Gerad up again and laying his own blanket overtop of the hospital ones! The nurses are so kind and caring!

Marvin says Gerad is the cutest baby he has ever seen!

Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

1Chr 16:11