Monday, April 27, 2009

Monday 4/27 Update

Faith here- So yesterday was a bad day... I finally hit my breaking point and lost it. Let me fill you in on what happened. Gavin has a team of doctors, all different, with all different opinions and techniques for how they care for the patient. All day yesterday a new doctor would come in with their opinion. One would say "let's get him up and walking today"... another "let's keep him resting". "Give him fluids", "don't give him fluids", "give him zofran", "why is he on zofran?", "he needs a CT scan", "he doesn't need a CT"... I think you get the drift now.

Gavin ended up having a CT scan yesterday to r/o hydrocephalus. Gavin has a history of seizures and enlarged ventricles in the brain. Gavin slept ALL day yesterday and only woke up to vomit or cry with irritability. So basically they wanted to rule out the unknown. Praise God there is no hydrocephalus, just mild enlarged ventricles.
Dr. P said the main concerns now are for Gavin to have a bowel movement, to urinate on his own (they have plans to remove the catheter today), to get the chest tube to quit draining- he drained over 500 mls during the day shift yesterday, which is a lot. He has already put out a 100 this morning. They also want the vomiting to stop, for Gavin's blood pressure to come down and for Gavin to have more energy. They are starting him on a new blood pressure medicine today to see if that helps with the vomiting issue also. It's so important for Gavin to absorb his medicines, especially his seizure meds, we do not want him to have a seizure.
Once they allow Gavin to start eating he will be on a low fat diet. We met with a dietitian yesterday and she gave us all the rules. He will be on the diet for 6 more weeks after we come home. There was a lot to digest yesterday and I became very frustrated with Gavin's situation. I hate seeing him so miserable. I think we all got our hopes up with him doing so well the day after surgery and now that he is regressing it's a real bummer.

To add to the stress the hospital is on lock down now for who knows how long. There are four known cases of the swine flu here and they want to keep the patients healthy. They are swabbing the patients daily to check for more cases. I completely understand the reasoning but it's hard to not have the help and support of our family now. Adam is at the hotel sleeping and will come up here tonight to stay again. This shift seems to be working out the best because I get so nauseous (from the pregnancy) at night. So it's just me and Gavin (who is currently sound asleep- see the picture?) for the day.

Again, we are humbled by your prayers and support. Thanks for all of the cards, emails and gifts for Gavin.

16 comments:

Linny Best said...

Hang in there Faith. You are strong, I can't imagine what you are going through. Keep your head up and take care of that little man. Y'all will get through this and soon it will be behind you and you will be home with your energetic little man! Your friends and family are all behind you, supperting you, loving you and praying for you, even if they cannot be there with you physically. Blessings always!

Michal said...

I'm a friend of Mitzi's from church. And I read on her facebook that she was headed to CA. I thought it was for a vacation, but she sent me the link to your blog. Just wanted to let you know that I'm lifting you, Gavin and your family up! May God bring you strength and comfort today!

Cassie said...

Faith, I have been so encouraged by your strength and faith!! Just wanted to let you know that we are praying all day long everyday for sweet Gavin! We'll continue to lift up these specific requests as well. Blessings to you!!

gracefully discovering: said...

My prayers are with you and your family. My God give you the strength and peace that you need to get though this. It seems like you have a ton of love and support there with you- which is always helpful. Stay encouraged!

Anonymous said...

Faith,
Tyler and I are praying for all of you. Hang in there! I'll be praying for Gavin as often as I can!

Leah (Newcomb) Gilbert

Anonymous said...

Hugs to sweet Gavin from the Voss Family!

Kimberly said...

I'm soo sorry for the frustration!
Praying hard for Gavin and your family! Wish I could send you all a big hug as well.
Love you!!!

Anonymous said...

Adam and Faith, this is Jimmie and Maudie. We have been wanting to leave a comment, but since you have redesigned the blog, I wasn't smart enough to figure out how to do it. Erin just called me and walked me through it. We had special pray last Wednesday night and twice yesterday at church. We are sending prayers of THANKSGIVING TO OUR GOD, for watching over Gavin, his parents and Dr. Pete and the rest of the care givers. We understand how frustrating all of this can be. We wish we could help you somehow, but know that prayer is all we can offer you, and that we sure are doing. We love you all and also want to congratulate you on the pregnancy. Haven't done that yet. Gavin is the cutiest little boy. Love Jimmie and Maudie

Anonymous said...

Faith, hang in there. You are doing a great job and I am praying for you!

Shannon K

Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to you, Adam, Gavin and everyone who is there for support. I know it's a rough time now but keep standing on God's promises. When you are weak, He is strong. Love, Tricia and family

Lisa Marie Trent said...

I know exactly how you feel. They get out of surgery and they do WELL and you think "Yay! Time to get better!" But that just isn't the case. It's a hard thing for their little bodies to recover from and all they need from us is time. I'm glad Gavin is sleeping comfortably. I hope everything starts flowing soon- Jack is still on miralax to help him poop. I hope Gavin get's out of the PICU soon.

Shannon R said...

Hang in there you both are awesome parents and God knews you are strong and you can handle this. Chris and I are praying every day for you both, Gavin and your families. I hope the frustration is over soon. We love you all!!

Chris and Shannon Ray

Drea said...

Faith...
I hope that Gavin will poop soon... He must be very uncomfortable...
When Mackenzie had her surgery, she didn't go to the bathroom for almost 11 days.. she was so cranky cried all the time.. then when she did... it was everywhere, the bed the floor up her back and all over... YUCK....
It will come, but the body isn't ready yet.. It has been though so much..
I hope that Gavin feels better soon. Once he goes to the bathroom, you will see he will feel better...
Good news about NO hydrocephalus.. yeah!! I hope that your family will still be able to see gavin, despite the lockdown of the hospital.. ( which may be in Gavin best interest if less people are roaming the halls and visiting other people...

if you need to talk call me.. or e-mail me your number ( we get free long distance anywhere...)
I am sending all my good vibes, get better vibes , well wishes and prayers to you all....

Hugs~~

Cari Smith said...

Stay strong! I'm still praying.

Sonia Lopez said...

Praying for you guys... The ups and downs are emotionally exhausting... He's a strong boy, and we believe he will be strong and stable again soon... Lots of love to you guys from home, sunny Tulsa!

Davis Family said...

All through my life the old hymn "It is Well with my soul" has been a great comfort to me. It has been the my personal anthem during times of struggle. I pray that God gives you similar things to hang on to. We are praying for Gavin and I am confident that God is looking after you, your son and your family.
Gods blessings on all of you - Roberta & family