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."