Wiersma Family Blog

WIERSMA FAMILY BLOG
A glimpse into our lives as a family with micro-preemies. Our twins boys (Lovingly referred to as our Miracle Men) were born almost 16 weeks early.

Our journey continues when our son Max was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3. This is his story....


Saturday, April 11, 2009

The honeymoon is over

Max has hit a bit of a bump in the road.  He has been struggling to keep his oxygen saturation stable, and has required 60-70% oxygen over the last day or so.  A chest x-ray was done which showed some deterioration in his lung capacity.  That could mean he has some fluid building up in some of the unused air sacs in his lungs.  The decision was made yesterday to move Max from the conventional ventilator to the jet or high-frequency ventilator.  The jet vent gives many small breaths of air, and helps to open the closed air sacs.  Max has tolerated this change fairly well so far, and his oxygen needs have been more in the 45-55% range.  The doctor also ordered a culture of the fluid in his lungs to determine if he has pneumonia.  They check the culture in 24, 48, and 72 hours to see if any bacteria has begun to grow, an we pray that nothing does grow.  While on the jet vent they also stop feeding Max breast milk, I am not entirely sure why, but the nurse said they almost always stop any breast milk feedings while a baby is on the jet vent.  The doctor also ordered a heart echo on both of the boys this morning because he thinks that their PDA valves may have re-opened.  If they have, he indicated that surgery may be the next step.

Kate and I understood the setbacks were going to be part of this whole journey, but this seems like a big step back.  Wes has been doing fairly well, but has also been needing more oxygen lately.  Wes is back up to his birth weight, maybe a few grams above, and Max is still slightly under his birth weight.  Please pray with us that the boys continue to grow and develop, that their PDA valves will still be closed, and that Max will respond well to the jet vent and be free of any pneumonia.

8 comments:

  1. I am praying...."Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
    In His Grip...barb

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  2. I am on my knees asking for God's peace that passes all understanding. And for the whole Wiersma family I pray "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge......He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" Psalm 91:5 & 11

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  3. God, "You are our refuge and strength; a very present help in times of trouble." Father God, we beseech you on behalf of Max and Wes. Heal their tiny bodies, Lord. Give this precious family strength and courage. Show us your power,Lord,and baffle the doctors and nurses. You are the Great Physician and we call on you with humility knowing you can do anything. On bended knee, Lord, we pray for mercy.
    Allie and family

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  4. Max and Wes are in God's hands and we pray that their bodies respond well to each treatment they need, and that God continues to work miracles on them! We pray for you too, to continue to take one day at a time and have God's peace and understanding through it all! We love you and never stop thinking about and praying for you!

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  5. We cry out to "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20). We love you guys and we're praying, praying, praying for Max & Wes! Brent and Amy Sluiter

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  6. Mark, Kate, Max & Wes,

    We are thinking about you all this Easter morning & are so thankful that our God who conquered the grave is The One who is watching over each one of you now.

    Praying!
    Jason, Mary & Bella

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