Thankful

Zeke has been waking up however he’s is still somewhat sedated. The goal is to assess if he can tolerate being somewhat awake though intubated without going into distress. It’s easier to assess him from a neurological stand point if he is able to be somewhat lucid. For the most part he has not been too distressed and when he has gotten agitated we’ve been able to calm him. It's been lovely to have him squeeze my fingers as I try and comfort him when he wakes, very thankful for this. We are currently struggling with clotting of the dialysis machine and the conversation has surrounded increasing the heparin being used although there is the concern of the brain bleed which has not been imaged since Friday. He’s also struggling with very low platelets which took a very drastic drop from Friday and yesterday’s numbers. He has Petechiae and there's concern that he is struggling with a bleed somewhere or a certain condition has developed. His central line has been acting up and this happened last time. The only place to insert it was in the neck not ideal as they did not want to place it there due to previous clots but there were no other options. Pray that it remains stable as he needs all the access points they can get. This morning he has gone for a head CT scan to determine if the brain bleed has remained stable or increased. Please pray that it has not increased.

Please also pray for the hemoglobin and platelet numbers to increase as they give him a transfusion. Also pray the dialysis machine stops clotting. They are planning on switching the filter to a bigger size but this means more blood being drawn out and this presents its own set of issues. Before they switch the filter they will give him a lasix challenge in the hope that he starts to pee on his own and does not need the dialysis machine. Pray for the right balance to be struck with all that they want to attempt today especially for the heparin dose and amount of fluid to be extracted. And lastly please pray for the Ben and the kids as they flew in last night. We will be visiting Zeke as a family today with a child life specialist available to help explain all that the kids see attached to Zeke. We love you all and are so grateful for your support and prayers.

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."