A Note About Visiting

Shannon and George wanted me to let you all know that they are so grateful for the cards, calls and visits (not to mention meals, babysitting, etc.!) everyone has offered. They (as well as the rest of us!) really appreciate the support and love they've been shown over the past couple of weeks. They love having people stop by to see them and to pray for them and Baby Jack at the hospital. Now that their schedule is changing, Shannon and George will only have a couple of hours a day together with Jack, so they are asking that anyone who wants to come by does so before 2 or after 5:30-ish. Just give them a buzz or send a text message - probably better since they can't take calls at Jack's bedside - when you're planning on stopping by and they'll let you know if they're available. Sometimes they are meeting with doctors, sleeping or otherwise taking care of things and can't see anyone and would hate to have you drive up there if they can't see you. Thanks so much for your love, care, concern and prayers. We have been really, truly blessed by all of you!!

A Much Belated Update

I apologize for not updating yesterday. Our Mother's Day was a bit frantic. Jack had a bad night on Saturday, and by Sunday afternoon they did not think he was going to last much longer. All of his supportive machines were turned up as high as they could go and he was still struggling.

Thankfully, our little fighter once again pulled through. He's still in very critical condition but he's hanging on. Yesterday, the swelling started effecting his lungs and his ventilator had to be turned up again, but he has been able to pass some urine today (on track for about .65 by the end of the day - remember 2 is desired) and they've been able to tweak a few things to help his oxygen intake. Today they have been able to turn down the ventilator a bit. George said he is basically back to where he was last weekend.

Basically, his kidneys are not functioning well and his liver isn't functioning. They cannot do anything to make these organs work, so he is on what they call "supportive care", which means they are doing everything they can to buy him time so his body can repair itself. It is possible for him to stay like this for a long time. Technically his kidneys and liver could start working at any time, but it is likely it will be a long, long road. The prayer is that he can keep fighting until this happens and does not get to a point where his body is too damaged to keep going.

I'm sorry it took me so long to get you all these updates. I know so many people were worried yesterday and I hope most of you were able to get some info from Facebook. Last night Shannon came home for the first time to sleep in her own bed and get some time with the girls. I stayed with her to help with the grunt work, since she still can't lift her daughters or drive. Lindsey welcomed her by developing a small stomach bug and vomiting a few times for Mommy. So I was a bit busy last night and this morning helping with the girls. I hope you all can forgive me!!

Weary But Hopeful

I don't even know what to write tonight. Jack is still struggling and did not have a good day today. His urine output was only about .5 (it needs to be around 2) and he continues to look very swollen. Yesterday Shannon told us he weighs 11 pounds with the excess fluid but his "dry" weight is only about 7 lbs. 2 oz. It looks very uncomfortable for the poor little guy. My heart breaks for him.

Please keep praying for his kidneys and liver. He could really use a miracle. And God has shown us He can do that.

Virtual Prayer "Meeting"

Jack's kidneys are not doing as well as we would hope today. We haven't been up to see him yet, but Shannon tells us his urine output is low and his swelling has increased.

Shannon and George's small group from church is asking everyone to spend some time in prayer for Jack tomorrow (Sunday May 10th), at 6:00 PM EST. Please join us in praying for his healing, specifically his liver and kidneys. Pray that they would be functioning normally and our little guy will start seeing some dramatic improvements soon!!

Note from Vanessa James (friend and small group memeber) on Jack's Facebook group:
"Every time we check this page we are amazed at how many people have signed up to pray for baby Jack. Whether you know George and Shannon or not, you're support for their beautiful baby boy and their family has been overwhelming. And, on a personal note, you have been an encouragement to everyone who is concerned for Jack. It's just nice to know you're out there.

Last night, when the “Young Couples” Bible Study that George and Shannon participate in gathered to pray for baby Jack and the DeVol family, we couldn't help admitting to each other the feelings of complacency creeping in among us all. That's when we had an idea . . .

We know you're already praying, but we ask for you to join us, Sunday, May 10th 2009 at 6:00 P.M. EST in specific prayer for baby Jack.

The Bible tells us in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This Mother's Day, at 6:00 P.M., we ask you to specifically pray for Jack's liver to heal and to show signs of improvement this week.

It's easy for the non-believer to dismiss the miracles of God we see everyday, but whenever I see a picture of baby Jack or read a new update about another hour in this child's life, I thank God for the miracle he's working. Your prayers have been answered. Over and over they have been answered. Please join us in praying for another miracle, and trust in your faith that God will hear our prayers.

Thank you,

The Young Couples Bible Study"

Shannon also added a note there including a link which provides a medical description of what happened to Jack in utero:
I found an article that explains a little bit of what happened in utero to lead to Jack's condition.
I am still searching for an article that really explains what is going on now in his little body. As you are reading here are some answers to questions you may have:
1. When did I aquire these antibodies? I had a blood transfusion when I had an ectopic rupture in 2005 (after Christin, before Lindsey)
2. Why didn't this happen with Lindsey? Apparently Lindsey had a different blood type without any of the antigens that I have antibodies to.
3. How was I monitored? I had regular tests to check my antibody levels and doppler ultrasounds every six weeks. These never showed a reason for concern.
I will keep searching for an article that explains his current condition.
Keep Praying!

Don't forget to join us in prayer tomorrow at 6:00 PM EST!!!

Brief Update

I wish I could report that Jack is doing better than he actually is. The report yesterday that his urine output is up where it needs to be was a little off because of a misunderstanding with the doctors. His kidneys are doing better than they were a week ago, but they still have a long way to go. And his liver really needs to start healing. It's the liver problems that are causing the swelling and also effect his ability to clot, so every time he must be stuck for tests or IV's they have trouble stopping the bleeding.

Please keep praying for him and his family. Shannon and George are going to change up their schedule this weekend so that one of them can be home with the girls while the other is with Jack. Unfortunately, Jack will probably be at CHOP for a long, long time so they are having to figure out what their schedules will look like taking care of two kiddos at home and one in the NICU. Staying with him all day every day is just not feasible. While this will be hard on them, I'm sure the girls are looking forward to being back at their own house and spending more than a couple hours a day with Mommy and Daddy (though they must be getting used to the hospital routine; today as we pulled up to the hospital Lindsey pointed out the window and said, "Home! Home!" Not quite Linds, but it's starting to feel that way, isn't it?).

Please don't grow tired of praying for Jack. He is going to need his prayer team for the long haul. He is still very critical and has a long road of healing ahead of him. We all know how easy it is to grow weary of praying when we aren't seeing great strides, but please don't stop lifting him and his family up in prayer!! We are so grateful for it!

One Week Birthday! :)

Jack has been with us now for one week - amazing when we consider how 6 days ago we thought he was not going make it through his first weekend. But he continues to fight like a real little trooper. We had a little party with brownies and Chick-Fil-A in the hospital cafeteria tonight and celebrated Jack's first week of life.

Good news for today: George told us at dinner that Jack is on track to produce two units of urine today. Two is the optimum number. At first, he was only producing .03 and has gradually worked his way up. This is great news for his kidneys!! Unfortunately, his liver is not following suit. Shannon said the "liver people" (I'm sure that's the technical term for them) were not happy with the condition of his liver currently and that it has been severely damaged. This is what's causing all the swelling in his little body and some bruising around his midsection. It is possible for his liver to fix itself as his kidneys have and the doctors are hoping this will be the case. We are all praying extra hard to see some improvements. Pray for his bilirubin numbers to go down, his liver enzymes to stabilize, the swelling to go down, and a decreased need for blood products.

Doctors are still waiting to see if his brain is damaged and how severely. We want to see him wake up soon! Tonight when I was with him, he wiggled a bit when I tickled his side and gripped my finger when I touched his hand. These were both very faint, not full-strength normal baby movements. But I was still happy to see him moving! It was great to have him grab my finger - the first time he's ever done that with me. Be praying that he will become more alert and that there is no brain damage!!

Other prayer requests are that he would be less dependent on his ventilator and that he would be able to receive more calories, fat and fluid (the swelling has to go down before they can increase his nutrition intake).

Thanks so much for all your prayers!! I'll try to get some more recent pictures of Jack soon!!

Wednesday Night Jack Update

Just got home from the hospital visiting our little man. He may be only a week old and very sick, but this little guy brings us so much joy. Just to be with him and touch his little hands and feet and see the beautiful movement of his chest rising and falling is wonderful. Every moment with him is a gift, and all of us are so thankful to have more time with him.

Tonight after we got back from the hospital, I put Jack's almost-2-year-old sister Lindsey to bed. Because I was the only one here with her, because I'm a big pushover and hate to hear my nieces cry, and because I get to spend precious little time with them and figure I can't mess them up too much in just a few short days, I let her sit with me in the living room until she fell asleep instead of putting her in her crib. She sat on my lap, head on my shoulder, arms wrapped around my neck as she drifted off and I sat there hoping and praying for a day that I'll be able to snuggle with Jack and feel his little arms hugging me, too.

His doctors say he's had a "general upward trend". So that is, of course, a good thing. But the progress seems to be slower than they would like. He's moving his mouth a little bit and tonight reacted when my mom touched his bottom lip, but we're still hoping to see more alertness and movement. He has not opened his eyes since they stopped giving him sedatives and he is still not moving his extremities at all. We're looking to see some baby wiggles soon!! The more normal baby stuff he does, the better! And of course, more and clearer urine remains a constant prayer request!! (This is without a doubt the first time I've ever heard so many people praying so fervently for tinkle!!)

Please don't stop praying and know that we are grateful to each and every one of you for your part in the miracles that we've seen in Jack's little life!!

I know Jack has some people in his prayer corner who've never met my sister and her family. So for those of you who haven't seen Shannon, George and the girls, here they are: