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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Henry's surgery

Henry and Harper are now three weeks old!  Praise God, for He is good!  Not a lot has changed this week, but our babies are continually growing and thriving, and for that we are truly grateful.  My mom and I got to visit with our sweet Dr. Samson today, the doctor who delivered H and H, and we all just sat there in awe of how miraculous these past three weeks have been.  We were all so scared in the beginning, and we still are, but we have a great deal more to be hopeful about than we did just three short weeks ago.

Harper has been taking her feedings now for the past week and her tummy issues seem to be a thing of the past.  She is steadily putting on weight each day.  Big girl now weighs 2 pounds and 15 ounces!!!  Just one little ounce away from 3 pounds!! We even scheduled a "bottle" feeding today with her speech therapist, but Harper refused to wake up for the appointment.  She needs her beauty rest, ha ha!  We are scheduled to try again tomorrow.  She is still the sweetest little girl.  She loves to be held, and I oblige her by holding her for hours.  She loves to be sung to, and her favorites are "You Are My Sunshine," Coldplay's "Swallowed in the Sea," "I Will" by Allison Krauss, and her absolute favorite is Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely!" (Just the chorus, because that's all I know)  We are more and more thankful everyday for this beautiful little girl and all the joy she brings us.


Our sweet Henry is doing about the same.  He has plateaued as far as improving goes.  The past few days, Henry has become more alert and curious.  His eyes look around and follow voices.  He is growing so tired of the tube down his throat.  Night before last he extubated himself and gave all the nurses a scare.  He's quite a little fighter.  He may give his spunky sister a run for her money.  He cries and pitches fits just like her, but it's heartbreaking to watch because you can't hear him.  The tube down his throat prevents the vocal chords from making a sound.  It's just pitiful.  Hopefully, once he has his surgery, we will be able to hear his beautiful little voice.  He, too, loves to be sung to.  He loves all of Harper's songs, but his favorite is the Tarzan song by Phil Collins, "You'll be in My Heart."    

Our big news is that we have scheduled Henry's surgery.  It will be this Monday, June 6th.  We don't know what time yet, and we may not know until the day before.  Mark and I are still praying for a miracle.  It is so scary to have a three and a half week old baby who weighs 4 pounds undergo such a major surgery.  We feel assured that the surgeons and the neonatologists would not hastily rush into surgery, but we are still so scared.  One of his surgeons said that he was "cautiously optimistic" that Henry would be fine and possibly have some viable lung tissue.  We are trying to be "supernaturally" optimistic.  We know that nothing is too great for our God.  Through Him ANYTHING is possible.  We pray that when they remove the tumor that Henry will have a perfectly healthy lung.  But ultimately, we pray for God's will.  We are also praying for God to fill Mark and me with a peace that surpasses all understanding and lots of grace to get through that day and the days to come.  Henry has a long battle ahead of him, but we know he won't be alone.  

Thank you for your continued prayers.  We are so grateful.

Much love,
B.J. and Mark





What a BIG smile!!!



Harper girl hanging out in her bed



Sweet Henry



Look how big I am!

14 comments:

neeley said...

I'm so amazed at Gods grace and love for these babies! I can't wait to see what great plans He has for their lives in the future. Thank you for the updates and know we are constantly praying and will be especially praying on Monday for henry!
Love in Christ,
neeley

Allison said...

Those sweet pictures bring me to tears! They are absolutely beautiful!! Love that they love being sung to! "You are my sunshine" is one of Addie's favorites too!! Praying for God's miraculous healing. Will be lifting y'all up on Monday and all the time for that matter!! Love y'all.

Joy said...

Found your blog through Megan Johnson — just wanted you to know we are praying for y'all!!! And they are precious!

alysonc said...

You don't know me (I am friends with Cory Wilbanks) and have been praying for your sweet babies since before they were born. We (my family and 2 year old twins) are praying hard for your sweet babies. We will especially be in prayer for Henry's surgery next Monday. They are precious babies and we will continue to pray!!! ~ Alyson

Megan said...

Such precious miracles! I have a little "happy" for them both. Hopefully, when we return from our vacation we can drop them by. :) Still praying!

Anonymous said...

Bless you and your beautiful babies. God will provide all that's needed.:)) Stay strong this to shall pass.

Pat said...

BJ and Mark, I have been praying everyday for you. My heart will be with you on Monday. I will be lifting up so many prayers for sweet Henry.

Janie Kingen said...

BJ, I have been praying for you, Mark and the babies. They are so precious. I will be praying for you all that the surgery will go well Monday and that little Henery will be well. May God Bless and keep you in His tender loving care.

Laura W said...

BJ, Thank you for the weekly updates and the pictures. Harper and Henry are such beautiful, tiny babies! It's hard to realize how small they are until you look at how huge the diapers are on them. I have been praying for all of you and have added y'all to our prayer list at church. Sending extra prayers on Monday for Henry's surgery- that it is a successful, miraculous surgery. Sending hugs, hugs, and more hugs to you! -Laura

JustKay said...

Mark & BJ: I can't get over how much they've grown just since leaving the MED. I am so happy that Harper is thriving and growing and I am praying for a miracle as far as henrys surgery. I want him off of the vent very soon. Also praying that you guys and the grandparents are strengthened through all of this. Love, Kay Conlee, RN

Anonymous said...

Hey, it's Catey!! They are getting so big!!! I miss my babies!! I'll be praying all day on Monday!!

jbyrom said...

I did not know that you had your babies until today. The family and I will be praying for you all and the surgery today. God Bless. Jacinda Byrom

Robin said...

Special prayers for Henry this morning. He is so precious and Harper as well. Robin McNeill, RN

ruthyoung said...

Been praying for little Henry this morning! first thing when I woke up was, 'this is Henry's day!'
I was so excited to hear the results of surgery and will continue to pray for perfect lungs and total healing! Way to Go! Henry! AND Way to Go, God!