Aven Hunter

Just wanted to update. Aven contracted some kind of infection that he was unable to survive. He got sick early yesterday morning and passed away that afternoon. We appreciate the prayers for the family.
Grandma Debbie




Request made by Aven's Grandmother Debbie Goins

"My grandson, Aven Hunter was born in Anchorage, Alaska (my son & his wife are in the Air Force stationed in Fairbanks, AK) on June 23, 2009 at 24 weeks, 1 day. They had to do an emergency C-section because he was showing signs of infection/distress. Her amniotic sac had ruptured at 17 weeks. The doctors didn't give them much hope of making it to a point of viability for the baby, but prayer got them there. The day after she was airlifted to Anchorage (the only NICU in AK, I understand) they prepared the kids for the worst. With surfactants (and steroids given 3 days before his birth) the doctors were able to resuscitate Aven. He has chronic lung disease, Pulmonary Interstitial Emphesema, but hasn't had to spend too much time on the ventilator. He is currently on the nasal cannula, but they haven't much success in turning down the flow. I think he's on around 50% oxygen, but the flow has been turned down from 7 to 6. He was 1 lb. 4 oz. when he was born and 10.5 inches long. Now he is about 4 pounds and 15 inches long. He has only grown about 1 cm in the past month. The doctors are doing some tests today to see if he has congestive heart failure. He had a heart ultrasound when I was there in July and the cardiologist said his heart was fine. I don't really know what could be the cause, so I don't know how they would treat it if he does have it. Please pray. Cody & Stephanie are up there by themselves and Cody is in line to be deployed to Iraq in December. Aven will most likely come home from the hospital sometime in October or November - depending, of course, upon any complications between now and then. He is 36 weeks gestational age today. He loves his pacifier but can't try feedings yet because of the airflow level from his oxygen.
He had laser eye surgery about a week ago for ROP and the post-surgery exam showed an improvement. He also has Plus Disease in his eyes, which is somehow related to the ROP. Doctors are watching that as treatment is not necessary at this point, but may be later. They are trying to get transferred to the AF Base in Anchorage so they'll be closer to the care he'll need. There is no pulmonary specialist (or probably cardiologist) in Fairbanks. It is about a 7 hour drive from Anchorage."

Dreemie Preemie's Team for MOD Walk for Babies

What an amazing turn out! There were just tons of people! Our little team had a blast "Marching for Babies"!

Mama Sharon & Baby Elaina

on May 25th.
From her mom again:

She is doing well. This week she was moved to the step-down NICU and is starting to take a bottle. She doesn't get much. She's 33 weeks gestational and they say she's doing great and around 34-36 weeks is when the breathe, suck, swallow should develop. She's 4lbs and 7 oz and they can not detect any brain, heart or breathing problems. I may be biased, but she's pretty darn cute! Oh, I got to give her a bath yesterday and she loved soaking in the tub. I was nervous as heck though... praying that I didn't drop the slippery little munchkin. Thanks for the thoughts!
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This was written on 11 May:
I wanted to give an update on my little girl. She's now 3 weeks old (31.5 weeks gestational age). She has gained over a lb and is now 3 lbs and 12 ounces. On a baby her size, you can really tell she's filled out. She is off the ventalator and beginning to digest the food better. She was having some problems with that. She was also having a lot of episodes where she would forget to breathe, but that is also getting better. She has an infection, which was causing her to have trouble with the breathing and digesting and they are treating her with antibiotics. I got to hold her on mother's day and it was so sweet! They say I'll be able to hold her more now that she is doing better. The nurses made me a tiny t-shirt with Elaina's footprints. It was so sweet. My first mother's day present!!!

Thanks for the prayers. Sharon


4-25-09 update from family friend

Sharon is doing much better and has been released from the hospital. She was also able to see Elaina finally, and said it is difficult to see her hooked up to all those wires, tubes, etc, without even being able to hold her. She is focused on staying strong and pumping milk for Elaina, since that is really the only thing she can do for her right now.

They have also received wonderful news from the doctor. He says that Elaina is a small and immature baby, but not at all a sick baby. She is thriving and is up to 2.88 pounds now and they have lowered her ventilator use even more. I don't know when she was put on the vent, but a decreased need for it is obviously wonderful! She said they are also increasing the amount of mama's milk they are giving her at her feedings, which is also a great sign.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for this family! Those of us who've had a baby in the NICU can relate to the fear of a parent's heart, and the unique experience of scrubbing and gowning up, only to WATCH your baby lie there with all those wires and tubes. However, those who've actually had their own child born so prematurely can relate in a completely different way, and it must be very personal for you to pray for these precious ones.


4-19-09
I just got an update!

Born at 28 weeks...Baby Elaina was born at 11:43 A.M., at 2 lbs 7 oz, and is BREATHING ON HER OWN! Mom and baby are both doing well. Please continue to keep Sharon, Jerry, and Baby Elaina in your prayers. God is so good!!




4-19-09 *****More info to come shortly************
From family friend Melissa - one of my fellow submarine wives, Sharon (and her husband Jerry), began having problems with preeclampsia last week. They were able to get things under control, but kept her in the hospital as a precaution. They did a sonogram Friday, which showed that her baby girl was still doing well. Then her blood pressure spiked suddenly and last we heard, they were going to take the baby Sunday (today). They are located in Jacksonville, FL.
I would appreciate it if you'd add this family, as well as the medical professionals, to your blog. We all know there is power in prayer, and knowing there are people all over praying, even people you don't know, is healing in and of itself!

Thank you!
Melissa

Please pray for Baby Seth's Family

4-17-09
Baby Seth was diagnosed with anecephaly while in the womb. This is a condition where the brain does not develop. He lived for 12 hours, and in that time his family was able to hold him and take some very valuable pictures.

Bath Seth's parents are Matt and P.J. and his sister is 16 mo. old.

I just got a message that PJ's dad was the one holding Seth when he passed away. He held him while the nurse worked on his little chest, etc., and he's having a REALLY difficult time of it. He keeps apologizing to PJ for not being able to stop it. Please remember him as well. She doesn't have her mom anymore, so that means her dad doesn't have her to comfort him through this either. It's just so sad.