Friday, August 13, 2010

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' ...

...each other
Journey - "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'"

Want the good news first or the bad? We'll start with good. This morning, they decided to let Jay wake up just a little and see how he responded. The sedative that he's on takes only a few minutes to wear off, and within 15 minutes, he was squirming a bit and trying to blink. (He's got goo on his eyes to keep them from drying, so blinking was quite a challenge.) And the best moment I've had in the past 24 hours - he squeezed my hand. Oh, happy tears! Then he squeezed Derek's hand on command and I've never been so happy to see those little fingers wiggle. He eventually moved both hands and both feet and moved his lips a little. He definitely seemed uncomfortable, so they bumped the sedative back up and he's happily back in lala land.

And for the not-so-good news. Around 3 a.m., his heart rhythm (which had been beautiful all day yesterday) began to get really ugly. So, to give you a bit of background, his heart is beating in that it has electrical impulses of a normal functioning heart. It is not squeezing like a normal heart or pumping blood, however. He has no pulse because that's created by the squeezing action of the heart. That pumping is being done by ECMO, which runs a continuous flow rather than a pulsing flow like the heart. (Y'all keep in mind - I have readers at all ends of the medical expertise spectrum. I'm simplifying here, so heart families/veterinarians/medical professionals please overlook the mild inaccuracies!)

During the night, the electrical impulses - the beat of his heart - got all out of control and his heart rate went sky high. While this would have been life threatening if he weren't on ECMO, his big ol' external heart and lungs did the job they are designed to do. Everything else stayed within acceptable levels, so that's good news within the bad. It stayed like that for several hours until Derek came in this morning. Apparently, he just needed his daddy. Well, that and the threat of using his pacing wires seemed to scare his heart back to rhythm. While his heart rhythm is NOT normal yet, it's significantly better. We're going to pray that it continues to recover and that his tired little ventricle continues to get the rest it needs.

Thanks again for your prayers and positive vibes. Let's hope that Friday the 13th is a lucky day for Little Jay-man.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't find the lyrics, but was thinking of Jay's favorite - Yo Gabba Gabba - don't they have a "baby steps" song? I know that hand squeeze was just what you all needed after another tough night. We are celebrating that with you.

Lisa & Wiley

Anonymous said...

"Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God."

BIG HUGS from your Bright Horizons Family
at NCSU Child Care Center

Terry said...

Your family is in my prayers. I can't know what you are going thru, but I understand the anguish. Take comfort; God knows your heart AND your prayers even when you don't have the words:

Romans 8:26: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Anonymous said...

Derek and Jen,

Every time we think of sweet Jay we pray. Know that so many are lifting you guys up. I just love that Romans verse. Good to hear in several different translations. The Message says: Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting,God's spirit is right along side helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying for and in us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves,knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Much love to you all.

Dawn and Glenn

Unknown said...

Jen, Derek, And JAY... No one knows WHY. But what we can say beyond doubt is that GOD is right there beside you all. It is as certain as the wind. You can't see it, but you can feel it. Please know that far more people than you can imagine are praying for Jay and is Doctors at this very moment. Dillon says to give Jay a big ol' fist bump and a hug.

Much love and prayer from all the Tyndalls

Anonymous said...

Jen and Derek,

We are reading every blog and praying for you. We are thinking about you all the time.

Dee and Bob

P.S. Rebecca and Alyssa hope little Jay gets well.

Anonymous said...

Jen, Derek, and Jay~

We continue to pray for Jay's complete healing as well as peace and comfort for you during the waiting. . .

Blessings from all the Childreys

Anonymous said...

Since my first two comments from yesterday seem to be floating in the ether somethere, Sarah is helping me this time -- and hopefully this will go through...

Our prayers continue -- for rest, for restoration, and for hope to prevail. May you sense God's presence above you, below you, beside you, within you -- and may Jay sense that as well. I'm sure that when he hears your voices singing to him and feels the warmth of your presence (even if you're not touching him at the moment), he is feeling the comfort of God as well.

We send our love and support,

Lynn and Scott, Luke, Sarah, and Philip

Rebecca said...

Hey Jen and Derek. So glad to read about all that hand-squeezing! That is wonderful! Also glad to hear of so many bringing up Romans 8:26. I have leaned heavily on that verse at times in my life and trust it completely. Plus, you have so many praying for Jay and your family all day long.

Prayers for you and love and hugs to you all,
The Sassers

Sush said...

Your post title reminds me of the saying, "A child holds his Mother's hand for a while...her heart forever." Keep strong and know you are all so very loved.
Hugs to everyone and please give your Mom a special hug from me!
xoxo
Susie

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen! Like so many others, I've got Jay, you and Derek and family in my prayers. I remember how scared I was when Caroline was so sick that time, but I just can't imagine being in your shoes right now!!! God is awesome and amazing and must have a whole legion of Angels surrounding you now. I'm convinced that Children's hospitals are full of them! Just wanted to let you know there's one more out there praying for you! Love, Andrea

joye said...

So thankful for those little moments when you catch a glimpse that Jay is with y'all & fighting this! I say a prayer for the entire Foster family whenever thoughts of Jay cross my mind ... which, let me tell you, has been quite often! :)

Lots of love & prayers coming your way from the Tri Mulli!

GM said...

Praying for you guys. David is keeping me updated through work emails. Love and prayers to your entire family!
Georgia

Unknown said...

Watching and waiting with you in spirit even though not in body.
Praying that this has been a better day.

Anonymous said...

sending up prayers and love!
Dawn L

Anonymous said...

I'm still praying for Jay as well as you and Derek. God is the great comforter, healer and protector. I have faith that He will work it out!

God Bless You and I love you all!

Theresa Cry

Anonymous said...

We're glad to hear about the hand squeezing. What a sweet little hand! We're praying that Jay's heart rests enough to get the strength it will need for that pumping action.

Lynn Marshbanks

blair said...

Oh how wonderful to feel that squeeze! We've been praying, and we won't stop. Thank you for keeping us all updated so often so we know how to pray and can follow along from afar.

Much love,

The Jacksons

Anonymous said...

Dear Derek and Jen
We have been thinking of you all week and monitoring your life via Erin Robinson, Lynn and the blog. Please know our love comes your way, and our prayers for all Grace and Mercy which were the only words I knew for hours and days last fall. . I know how that squeeze feels in my heart, ours was a hug and it changed my world. God is with you all of you
Love, Mary Jack and Zach