Category Archives: Family Life

  I have been asked this several times and the answer is simple; we have no way of posting a picture until we get home.  We have a camera, but no way to connect it to the netbook.  We also don’t have cameras on our cell phones (I know we live in the stone age).  I promise that as soon as we have the capability, I will get a picture up so everyone can see.  Things are still looking very well.  We will know tomorrow morning if they have been able to schedule the needed test at Akron Children’s and the meeting with the neurologist.

  My God is capable and able to do abundantly and exceedingly above all we can imagine!  We went to feed Levi this morning and met with the neonatologist.  He is pleased with Levi’s progress and is willing to release him tomorrow if they can schedule the tests and consult at Akron Children’s.  The only dilemma was that Levi had not yet been circumcised.  While we were feeding, Amy’s doctor (the one who does the circ) came in and told us Amy was being released today.  Our favorite nurse heard this and cornered him asking him to do the circ immediately so that Levi would not be held another day due to that.  He wasn’t going to do it, but she got after him.  I have never heard a nurse be so abrupt and demanding with a doctor, but he consented.

  This means that if they can get the appointment scheduled tomorrow, we will be able to leave Akron General.  They are allowing us to stay in the same room until Levi is released and they are giving Amy two meal vouchers a day until this happens.  We were concerned about the cost of the room, but it is free.  God continues to do great things.  I fed Levi about an hour ago and he ate better than he ever has, even though the told us his eating would digress after the circumcision.  There are no more appointments or to-dos today.  We are going to rest and wait for God to arrange all the details for tomorrow.  Thank you for praying.  Hopefully, the next post will be from our home!

  Things are continuing to get better.  Levi is now off his IV.  We have chosen to supplement Amy’s milk production with formula.  He just needs more than she can produce right now.  She is pumping and we are feeding him what she produces.  This was a very big step.  They are hoping that tonight they will be able to take him out of the incubator.  He has to be able to maintain his body temperature before this happens.  Betsy, one of the greatest nurses, has been slightly lowering the temperature all day.  If he is able to hold his own, he will move to a regular crib.  However, he will still be in the Special Care Unit. 

  Once he is in a crib, things can really start progressing.  He will be able to start all the things that babies regularly go through (hearing screening, circumcision, etc.).  They have given us hope that Levi could come home on Monday!  This depends on if they can get him into the neurological department at Akron Children’s on Monday. 

  They want him to go straight there for the tests and the consult with the neurologist.  From that point there are several possibilities.  The first is that we will be able to go home.  If Levi’s problems are not producing any present complications, we will just have to come back for check-up.  The second option is that they set up a treatment plans for what needs to happen (this would be outpatient also).  The last option is they admit him there for observation and further testing.  We are praying for one of the first two.

  Since we are supplementing his food, Amy will be able to rest more.  I can feed him when needed.  This will allow her to heal.  She still has some swelling.  It was tough having to travel about 50 yards to the nursery every 3 hours.  This will be a much needed rest for her.

  I wanted to let you know that Amy did not have to deliver c-section.  I am sorry for the confusion.  She delivered in the OR for Levi’s sake, and it turned out he really needed it.  It was not because she needed a c-section.  Thank you for your calls and concerns.  It has been tough covering all the details and I know if one person had a question, others did also.

  Your prayers are being answered: Levi is eating better, Amy’s milk production is increasing, and we have peace.  Peace is the big one and I wanted to share something that happened to us today. 

  Sandy was our nurse through out the day.  She is a sweet older lady that we found out is a Christian.  She said that she had been very concerned for Levi and many of the nurses were staying updated on his progress.  This says a lot about Levi’s story so far and the amazing power of testimony.  We pray we are a faithful witness of God’s glory.  Levi even has the nurses pulling for him.  We pray the progress continues and that we will be home together on Monday, but God’s plan is bigger than ours and he still may have more to accomplish through Levi.

  We just met with the doctor and things look good.  The ultrasound of the head revealed noting more than they already knew.  This is very good.  Everything else looks good.  At the moment the main concern is getting him to eat.  His last good feeding was yesterday at 11 am.  They are having Amy pump more to get her milk to come in.  If Levi will begin to eat better there is a chance that we all could go home on Monday. 

  Once Levi is discharged, we will spend a few hours at Akron Children’s.  We will go here to meet with the neurologist and have the spinal ultrasound done.  The doctor told us thins morning that everything Levi will need from this point will be done as an outpatient and will depend on the consultation with the neurologist.

  Thank you for all the calls.  I just wanted to let you know that Levi did have an anus.  I forgot to mention that with everything else happening.  Also, the mass on the spine is what will be looked at during the spinal ultrasound. 

  As I was sitting here, Amy’s doctor just walked in.  She will be release on Monday.  The hospital has a program for parents of children in the Special Care unit.  As long as Levi is there, we can stay in the same hospital room.  This allows Amy to nurse every three hours with less travel time and stress.  We are not sure how this program works or how much it will cost, but we will be able to stay with Levi.

  We really look for the rest of today and tomorrow to be very slow.  The doctors will not be in tomorrow; it will just be the nurse practitioners.  Pray that Levi begins to nurse well.  This is our next obstacle.  We would prefer him to nurse and not take a bottle with formula, but we will do whatever he needs.  God has allowed her to nurse all three of the other children, prayerfully he will allow success with Levi also.

  I will keep you updated as we know more.  We love you, and thank you.

  This has been the toughest part of today, remembering what day it is.  We have been able to take it easy today and begin to reset our body clocks.  I wish I had more to tell you, but not much has changed.  Levi is still in stable condition in the Special Care unit.  They did an ultrasound of his head today and we should hear some results from that tomorrow.  They also ordered an ultrasound of his spine, but that will be done at Akron Children’s upon dismissal from the hospital.

  Amy and I are doing well.  We appreciate the calls and the visitors.  There is really nothing else that makes the time pass.  We appreciate your prayers.  Many people have asked us if we are alright, and we are.  This is really nothing more that God answering the prayers of His people.  Thank you.  We have a peace that is supernatural.  There have been a couple of times we have looked at each other and been amazed at the peace that God has granted us.  Thank you again.  I will let you know if there are any changes.