Day 6

Today we decided to take Natty up to the clinic with us and spend lunch time/nap time at the apartment of some friends who live a block away so that we could return after lunch to spend some more time with Zion. I keep remarking to Scotty how very quickly each day passes by! We wake up and spend some family time together in bed while drinking coffee, get ready (which can be a slow process for me as I'm still hurting from the surgery) and head up to the hospital to spend a half hour or so with our baby boy. Then back home for lunch, a nap for Natty and often for me too, and then back to the clinic for another short visit in the afternoon. Back home for dinner and bedtime. This is interspersed with pumping and storing milk every 2 hours or so. I might have the time for a conversation with a friend or relative back home and maybe to check email as well. The days are passing by so rapidly! I'm desperate to communicate more with people who are emailing and calling and wondering how they can help, but I just don't have the time or energy yet. So, when we arrived this morning, the doctor explained that the air leak that caused Zion's lung to collapse the first time has returned and it seems that no matter what they do, it's not going away. They had several surgeons look at him and a specific specialist who moved the tube around yesterday and managed to get the air out came back this morning and moved the tube to a new spot. The doctor explained that this is a serious issue and as long as the air remains, he will not be able to get better and it's the main thing they're focusing on now. We're praying that this new positioning will keep the air out for good and that the tube will soon be removed permanently. We'll find out the results of his lab tests tomorrow as far as the intestinal infection is concerned. We're also praying that it won't be as serious and dangerous as it can become. By the afternoon, the doctors were very happy with the lung issue taken care of and said he behaved much better today than yesterday- meaning there were fewer complications to keep them on their toes. They reminded me again of what a strong little guy he is and how much more medicine it takes to knock him out when he needs a painful procedure done than it does with other babies. That might not bode well when I'm trying to get him napping down the road...but I'll take it! Natty seems to enjoy seeing him, although she made the first comment that showed us that she was not fully OK with his condition when she pointed to his ventilator tube and repeated, "Take it out, Mommy. Take it out." She also asked a few times to bring baby Zion home. The cry of my heart, as well. I found that today was the first day that upon hearing difficult news and seeing the stress of the doctor, I didn't cave. The Lord sent some beautiful and strong verses through emails this morning and a peace that overcame the circumstances and kept me strong and hopeful in light of all that continues to plague our baby. I'd love to feel that way everyday! So, we close another day with hope and thankful for stability. We look forward to seeing what God does.