Tonight's Update

Braden has had a pretty good day.  He had his second Echo and the preliminary results showed that his heart hadn't gotten any bigger and appeared to be functioning a little better.  The cardiologist feels that the medicine is the right track right now - no need to biopsy or cath his heart at this point.  We should know more tomorrow when they come by again.  So, as Stephanie and I said - it wasn't good news but its the first news that wasn't bad in about 4 days.  Again - the NICU mentality.

Stephanie was able to come home for a bit today to see Grayson and try to relax.  Braden and I had a good visit and I kept the Veggietales marathon going.  They don't have him as heavily sedated as yesterday to let him begin to cough and clear his lungs.  He doesn't really open his eyes but you can see him react when you touch and talk to him.  He loves having his hand held - so we did a bunch of that today.

Tonight's visit was not the greatest ever.  I was already emotional when I walked in because he was starting to swell in his face.  It is something we have seen many times before but when he doesn't look exactly like the Braden I'm use to seeing, it really gets me.  Then his oxygen levels starting dropping.  A little over an hour later and it was over thanks to some great work by his nurse and respiratory therapist. They remained calm the entire time even though Stephanie and I were somewhat of a mess.  Braden has so much junk in his chest that they have to try to get it moving so it doesn't set up in his lungs.  Between the vent tube plugging and general junkiness, it was an adventure.  I am happy to report that he was resting well when I left. 

We can't begin to thank everyone for the outpouring of emails, texts, messages and cards for all of us.  It means so much to us knowing that we have that many people praying and caring about Braden.  Please keep the prayers going.  We have a feeling this is going to be a process to get him all straightened out and we need all of the prayers we can get.  Stephanie read each and every e-card that Braden received today (and it was alot).  So, you know if you sent an e-card - Braden heard it.  He says thank you too.

Hopefully we may know more answers tomorrow.  We pray for his lungs to clear and his heart to get stronger.  Also praying that it is something that can be fixed or managed. Thank you all again for everything.

Stephen and Stephanie