"We're off to a bad start this week. Michelle and the nurse had just turned Matthew onto his belly and he turned almost black. They had to perform CPR to bring him back again. Michelle talked to Dr Litz and she said that he may have the NEC bowel infection again. If he does she feels that he may never be able to handle food. If this is the case she suggested that we strongly consider a DNR. It is hard to even type those letters let alone consider this for our son.
Matthew had an xray done a few minutes ago and we will have the results soon".
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Update: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:08:03 -0300
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Monday evening - what a day
"Hey folks,
From what I understand this daily update gets passed around quite a bit. I'm sure that in the course of its journey it reaches an inbox or two of some one who doesn't share my faith. There are some reading this that may not understand why I believe what I do or how I can have hope at all. I'll be perfectly honest. My faith hasn't been what it should have been over the past few years. Not that I abandoned it, but more that I was taking God for granted. Matthew's struggle has been like a bucket of cold water in the face helping me to realize how much I need to trust Him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Matthew's stay at the IWK has forced me into a place of complete dependence on God. I believe that the medical community is an amazing an essential part of the world, but it seems as if they are giving up on my little guy. Some view him as a puzzle, but when they can't explain or fix it they are eager to say things like, "He may not be compatible with life" or "He just may not be meant to be."
I believe we are at a point now where it is only God who can heal Matthew. Let me explain. If I go to the doctor and tell him with a broken arm he can put a cast on it and it will get better. I believe that God can heal a broken arm, too, but we often don't ask for things like this. Mostly, it is because we know the doc can fix it and it doesn't stretch us as people to go to the doctor. If I broke my arm tomorrow you would see me at the hospital. In Matthew's case the docs are completely baffled. They can't explain why he is as sick as he is. They have identified certain things, but they don't know why certain things are happening.
My prayer for Matthew is for God to heal Matthew's body and make him whole either through a divine touch or by giving the doctors a clue. I'm good either way, but at this point I believe that it will be God's intervention if the docs are able to treat him because this is more than a broken arm. Don't mistake this for frustration or feelings of incompetence with his doctors. Matthew has received excellent care. The docs don't know what is going on and they need God to help them "flick on the switch." God has already done some great things in Matthew's life and I would love to have Him show His power to his doctors and nurses by touching his body and healing it. I have heard some fantastic stories about things like that, too.
Michelle talked to Dr. Litz late this afternoon. She is confused that the arrests are so random and she told Michelle that they are waiting to get a consult from the chief of the surgical dept. who is on vacation for a few days. He will be able to tell if it is NEC or not. They are going to do another x-ray tomorrow to see if "he is miraculously better" (Dr. Litz's words). The doc has asked for a miracle...please pray for one. Dr. Litz has other theories. One is that it may be neurological. In this case his brain wouldn't be functioning well and the prognosis is not good. Another is that one of the collateral arteries (he has many which formed in the absence of pulmonary arteries) is attached directly to his belly and stealing oxygen from the belly. This would explain the NEC belly infection, but again the prognosis isn't good. Either would help to explain, but either of these diagnosis won't help Matthew. Dr. Litz said she would most likely recommend a DNR if either is found to be true.
For a couple of weeks now I ask God each morning for enough strength to make it through today. I don't need more than that. I'm good if I can make it through the day. Tomorrow I'll ask God for the same thing. I am asking for more for Matthew. He needs a miracle. Please continue your prayers for our family.
Thanks for listening,
Colin, Michelle and Matthew"
**Thank you to each of you who have shared your hopes for the best and prayers.**
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