5/1 update

We thank God for another positive day for Carissa. They upped her feedings to 35 cc's every three hours and completely stopped the IV which was supplementing her nutrition. She took another bottle for one feeding last night and was able to make it through 10 cc's this morning before switching back to the feeding tube. Her respiration rate is still a little high and causes the coordination between the breathing, sucking, and swallowing to be a little tricky. As Bridget, Carissa's nurse today, stated, "She is all about taking the bottle so it won't be a problem once her breathing matures a little." We are very thankful for that.

One minor problem did develop today and that is that Carissa's heart rate actually settled down a little too low a few times today while she was sleeping. It doesn't stay there but it dropped below 100 for short times, occasionally as low as the high 60's. She generally stays from 135-165 and they are good with anything from 110-170 (It may actually be 100-200 that they are good with). Her platelet count this morning was borderline for needing a platelet transfusion so it is extremely likely she will to get one on Saturday. She has not had one since Sunday and that is easily a new record for her. She will have gone 6 days between them if she gets a transfusion Saturday. I think although her condition is officially level 2 they want to keep her in level 3 for a few days while she makes a little more progress. That will keep her sharing a nurse with only one other baby as opposed to sharing a nurse with 4 other babies.

• Please once again thank the Great Physician for another good day for Carissa and for her being able to take all her nutrition via Cafe Mom.
• Please pray that the lower heart rate will correct itself and will no longer be an issue.
• Please pray Carissa's breathing stabilizes more and that she can start taking more of her milk orally instead of via the feeding tube.
• Please pray that Carissa's platelet count still continues to improve.
• Please pray that Carissa's story points glory to our Heavenly Father and that her healing is seen as a testimony to His mercy and grace and to the power of so many prayers.

One of my friends emailed me today with some scripture promises that many of his friends had pasted around his home when he returned home last January after brain cancer surgery. Travis and his wife Jennifer were an inspiration to me then and they continue to be now. One of the awesome verses he shared that his friends had shared with him:

He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need there is. Acts 17:25

Nuf said.

Thanks so much for your prayers and please keep them up. Carissa's daily improvement is a testimony to their effectiveness.

Terry