ECMO and Surgery Prep

Tonight our pastor from Waterloo came to visit.  He and I (Graham) were at Josiah's bedside when Josiah experienced another SVT (sudden increase in heart rate ie. 240 bpm).  The staff physician and fellow quickly started to use the external pacemaker to short circuit the system and bring the heart rate down.  However, during that event, the staff physician let me know that Josiah's stats were trending down and they were applying an increasing level of meds to help his blood pressure.  He also shared that Josiah's urine output had been very low for the last three hours and that there were potential signs of ischemia (lack of blood flow) to the brain.  Therefore, they were going to put Josiah on the heart and lung machine (ECMO), as soon as possible.

My pastor quickly prayed with Josiah and then we headed downstairs to get Elizabeth, and she and I headed into Josiah's room while my pastor waited patiently with our bags.  The staff physician again explained the reasons for the choice to use ECMO (i.e. signs of organ damage, decreasing blood pressures, too much medication) and the risks of ECMO (clotting, bleeding, lung damage).  He also explained that the hope is still to have Josiah ready for surgery first thing in the morning.  After a few minutes of Mommy and Daddy time with Josiah we said our good byes and headed back to the waiting area.

We had a nice time of discussion and prayer with our pastor before he had to return to Waterloo.  After about an hour the surgeon came out to see us and said that everything went well and that Josiah's numbers were looking much better and that they were able to get him off most of the medications they were using to control his blood pressure.  Thank you Jesus!  The surgeon said they'll continue to monitor his progress over the next hours, and that the game plan is still surgery for Josiah in the morning if all goes well.

There were certainly some tense moments (Elizabeth here).  It's hard to wonder if I'm asking Josiah to fight too much.  He's been through a lot.  I look back at the picture of him in my arms the night before his first surgery.  It looks like trust in his eyes.  I want to tell him that it will all be alright and that we'll get to take him home. 

We don't know the ending to this story.  We want God's powerful hand to be seen by all involved with Josiah.

On another note, Isaac has been missing his mommy and daddy the last couple of days.  He's a smart little boy who knows something is wrong.  Please pray that he'll be comforted.  

Alright, the nurse just came to say we could go in so I'll sign off.  Thanks so much for your prayers and encouraging words!

Blessings,

Graham and Elizabeth