3rd Update

I want to send a quick update as a focused effort of prayer. A lot has happened since my last update which I will go into detail later tonight in my 4th update.

Right now, we need Samuel to regain breathing on his own. They have finally been able to get his gas levels (mainly carbon dioxide) back to a normal level, but he is still receiving almost all of his breathing from the machine. We have already been told several times that it would be OK if we decided to “pull the plug.” They do not believe he will regain his breathing, but if he does, it might change the doctor’s perspective of “pulling the plug (at least for now).

In my opinion, this is a crazy thought process. Samuel has only been here for about 3 days, he has a strong heartbeat, they’ve had him cooled to a low temp and are just now warming him up to a normal temp. It is way too early for them to even be expressing this thought. I told them that is not an option…

They must not believe in the power of prayer or miracles, which amazes me considering where they work. As I understand it, miracles happen a lot here.

Please pray specifically for Samuel to regain his breathing…

Thanks,
Yancy

2nd Update

I thank you for all your prayers and ask that you continue…

Samuel spent the day yesterday breathing on his own. They did keep the ventilator tube in and it was only providing 6 breaths per min, Samuel was doing the rest. That changed around 5:00 am this morning (May 29), they had to increase his ventilation rate to 30 breaths because his gas levels (carbon dioxide) have gone from the low 20’s (which is good), to higher levels in the 70’s (not good). They just took x-rays to make sure we don’t have any internal issues going on. Waiting on the results…

They’ve had him on a cooling protocol since he was born which means they are keeping his body temp at around 91 degrees in an attempt to keep brain swelling down and keep his other main organs suppressed. He will have an MRI and EEG (brain wave testing) done today to try and determine how his brain was affected. He will remain on the cooling protocol for the rest of today and then they will start slowly warming him to a normal body temp. At that time, his main organs will no longer be suppressed and only God know how he will respond…

Since his arrival, he has been non-responsive with only very mild reaction to some of the reflex testing. Yesterday around noon, I started to see more response when I touched his feet and hands. By the end of the day, his toes would move slightly when I would run my finger along the bottom of his foot. His hands went from totally limp and easily opened to having resistance in his fingers. This grew stronger throughout the day to the point of prying his fingers open and he could hold on to my finger. When they increased his ventilation this morning, his feet are no longer responsive and the resistance in his hands have diminished some.

I will keep everyone posted as I have new info. Please send this to anyone who will pray for him and if they want to be added to this distribution list, they need to send an email to yemery2009@hotmail.com. Samuel Ian’s name was chosen at about 5 months in the womb and his name literally means “God hears our prayers and answers graciously.”

Keep praying,Yancy

1st Update

Many of you already know of yesterday’s events, but for some, this will be the first word you receive. Samuel Ian Emery was born yesterday, May 27, 2009 around 3:00 pm. To make a very long story, short – things did not go as planned. Things were progressing nicely at home, when suddenly the umbilical cord prolapsed (which means that the cord comes passed the baby and cuts off the blood and oxygen flow). The Nurse did what she could to keep the baby’s head off the cord until the ambulance arrived. The paramedic took over with the same attempt until we arrive at the hospital. They did have a slight pulse upon arrival and it took them six minutes to get Samuel out by C-section. When he was removed, he was not breathing nor did he have a heartbeat. They work on him for what seemed to be forever, but I later found out was eight minutes before they were able to establish a heartbeat. They were not able to get him breathing on his own so he has been transferred to Cardinal Glennon’s Children’s Hospital.

Evette is recovering at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She is doing well, but will be there for 2-3 days before they will release her. Samuel and I are here at the Children’s Hospital. It is 5:00 am Thursday morning and even though he is still in critical condition, he has made some progress overnight. His breathing is still assisted; however, they have slowly decreased the amount of assistance and he is now breathing more on his own than he is being assisted – this is a big step… I think the biggest concern is how his brain will respond. They have him hooked up to a brainwave monitor and late last night his only real waves were happening when he gasped for air (or agnail breathing), the rest of the time the line was flat. Since then, there has been some movement in the wave, not a lot, but it’s a start…

He needs your prayers! Please pass this to anyone who is willing to pray for him. If you would like to continue to receive updates on his progress, send me your email address to yemery2009@hotmail.com and I will add you to the distribution list

Thanks,
Yancy