John David Pate-3years old

James Daniel Pate-3years old

Friday, December 12, 2008

Sorry for the delay

We haven't had wireless access the past several hours and could not update the blog. Dana is feeling quite uncomfortable (obviously) from the c-section. She did not do well with the morphine pump last night and can't take many pain medications because of allergies, so she's struggling right now.

We just visited the NICU at 10:15 to see the babies. They are both doing very well. James was born first weighing 2lbs 9 oz is rocking right along. He is on 25% O2 which is very good (almost no additional O2 at all). His lab work has been fantastic and we just wait now for further lung development. John David requires more O2 supplementation. He's on 38% O2 and his breathing is obviously more labored. Interestingly he weighs more at 2lbs 14 oz.

The nurses in the NICU have been sensational.....caring, compassionate, easy to approach and eager to answer questions. While we were there this morning, both babies were receiving their breathing treatments (artificial surfactant to help with lung elasticity). This was their fourth and final treatment.

Both will undergo head ultrasounds today. James Daniel will also undergo renal ultrasound because he had a 2 vessel cord (meaning in development that was not normal and other things that develop at the same time include the kidneys). The nurses did comment that both urine outputs have been great.

The babies can not feed right now.....1. because of the ventilators in their mouths, 2. because they have yet to develop the suck and swallow reflex.....that comes along around 32 weeks. Dana is pumping however, and they plan to take the initial breast milk to swab the babies mouths with.

We will let our children see the babies this afternoon after school and look forward to that. Dana will be here until Sun. or Mon. and then will be released. I'll try and post some pictures when I have better connectivity.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support. It's truly inpirational to see the power displayed by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. When you look at your babies so small and fragile in incubators, unable to be touched, there is a peace knowing they are being held ever so close by their Creator, and being showered with prayers around the clock. Thank you for those prayers.

3 comments:

roy/elisabeth dean said...

We can hardly WAIT for pictures! I am so glad that the babies are doing as well as they are! God is SO Good!
Give kisses to Dana and the girls and blow kisses to those precious miracles for Roy and me. Hopefully, we can see you all soon. Elisabeth

Charline H. said...

Praise the Lord! We are so happy for you all and prayers are continuing for the entire family.
Dana, I've been there and done that--so I pray you can find something that will help you. This is such a beautiful story--thank you for sharing it with us.
We pray a continued and blessed special Christmas time for everyone.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights." James 1:17

Unknown said...

Hello Pate Family,

I guess I'm kinda speechless... but just wanted to tell you that the Howas out in California are thinking of you and praying for you ... and are inspired by you... all 7 of you beautiful, wonderful people!

The boys look wonderfully pink,and precious and look forward the the pictures of them in your arms!!!!

God bless you all even more than he already has. I wish I could hold you and hug you and tell you all will be okay, but please take these long distance thoughts and feel them, because that's the next best thing!!

Thank you again for your strength and courage. My problems seem so small right now.

We love you all!!!,(guess I'm not as speachless as I'd thought),

Frank, Nancy, Aleigha, and Lukas Howa