I mentioned yesterday that they were going to be lowering his nitric. From what I understand, the most the normally lower it is 2 units per day. Well, last night when we left Brayden was on 20 units and as of now, he is down to 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They will continue to lower his nitric 1 unit every 6 hours. Also, as of tonight, he was on 31% oxygen!
I don't have a picture, but I got to change Brayden's diaper for the first time today! I was a mess! I am almost scared to touch him (even though he got rid of a lot of wires today) and I watch his vitals like a hawk to see if I am messing things up. I am fairly sure that I am the world's worst diaper changer - ever. But that's okay, I'll figure it out eventually!
I am still very worried about the MRI that they will do once Brayden is totally off the nitric. I've talked to the Nurse Practitioner a couple of times about it and she doesn't seem to worried, but it's very hard to tell what if any damage has occurred.
For those that asked, Brayden has had 3 blood transfusions. Part of the reason for that was at the beginning they were drawing blood gasses every hour and it was just taking too much from him.
Daddy and his boy:
The world's best nurse ever...Sayward and Brayden:
We still covet your prayers and are so thankful for each and every one. We ask that you continue to pray for all the sick babies...Brayden, Harper and all of the pod mates. We also ask that you remember their nurses and doctors who diligently care for our sweet little ones. There are a few babies in our NICU that don't even have names (and at least one that I have heard of who was abandoned after its mother found out the condition of the baby), and it just breaks my heart. Please especially remember them.Thank you and God bless you all.
.JPG)
111 comments:
Just wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you guys! Praying that God continues to heal little Brayden and also for you guys to continue to feel His love!
-Jen in Indiana
Ohhh I have chills. Praise the Lord for the improvement. I will keep praying that it continues.
Sending love and prayers from Alabama.
I just happened upon your blog from Harper's. It's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much about any brain damage. Even if he does end up with some delays you'll love him just the same! God is watching over you!
Yay Brayden!! Good job buddy!! You are so strong and we are so proud of you!!
That is amazing! Praise the Lord. We will continue to pray!
And that absolutely breaks my heart about the other babies... I will pray hard for them also!
He is a cutie, don't worry about changing his diaper you will be a pro at it soon. Great news praise God.....Barb
I will be praying for your little Brayden!
What wonderful news! God is good and I am praying!
Just wanted to say that I am praying for you all. I've been checking in daily since hearing about your precious little guy. I am so happy that Brayden is doing so well today and I hope that each day just gets better and better.
Thanks for sharing about the other babies too. It just breaks my heart. I will be praying for them as well.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers!!
Carrie♥
Don't worry about the MRI. Even if he ends up having some developmental delays, he'll be okay. I know, you're still worried. Just trust in the Lord.
I'll continue to pray. Especially hard for that MRI and for those other precious babies.
I'm sure you will be the 'perfect' diaper changer!
I am so thankful for so many answered prayers as I continue to lift your family in prayer without ceasing, as well as other babies in the NICU and their caretakers.
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Go Brayden Go!!! We are sending lots of well wishes and prayers your way from Peoria, Arizona.
Sorry I deleted my previous comment due to a typo :o).
jenna, i am so glad to hear that he is doing a little bit better every day. I am praying for him and know that God has His mighty hand on your sweet bundle! i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pic of Chris and Brayden... how precious. Thank you for keeping everyone so well posted. Love you and will keep praying for Brayden!
Rachel
Oh my gosh! That is horrible about the abandoned baby and the ones without names! So many of us would gladly scoop them all up! Thank you for reminding us to pray for all of the Little Ones and their practitioners. We are still praying mightily for Brayden.
Glad to hear that things are improving. I am still praying for your sweet boy!!
Hugs,
Lisa
I found your blog through another and I want for you to know that I am praying for you and I know that God has a wonderful plan for your little guy!
I have also asked all of my friends to lift him and your family up in prayer!
The pictures of Brayden are adorable, such a precious little guy. He continues to be in our prayers along with the other babies there.
God bless,
Heidi in CA
I came to your blog from another and I have added Brayden, your family & caregivers to my prayers! And... the babies who have been left and remain unnamed.
I had never heard the name Brayden until my 11 year old mentioned the name to my cousin, who is due April 9th, and they decided to go with it. We're praying that he is born healthy. She has justational diabetes and passed out at work.
Thank God...what wonderful news! Prayers are streaming!
So excited to hear that Brayden is doing so well! It's awesome that he's tolerating the weaning of oxygen & nitric, pretty soon he'll be on room air! It sound like he's turning the corner, and pretty soon you guys will be snuggling with him, and changing diapers with even less wires/tubes. It's tempting to watch the monitors all the time, but remember to look at him~ you'll be able to see if he's having trouble...I'm a nurse too, in case you can't tell! Sending you hugs from Minnesota!
~ Annette & William
God is so good! You will get lots of practice with those diapers! Praying for you all.
Pam
Oh yay! Good news! Praise the Lord! Brayden is such a little fighter! It's so hard to see all those babies in the NICU and to see the ones who don't get visitors is heartbreaking :( I will pray for them along with Brayden for a speedy recovery and strength for you to make it through. Praying your sweet boy will be healed and home where he belongs. Hugs and prayers,
Heather
I continue to pray for you all, and it warms my heart each day to see the improvements in little Brayden! He is so lucky to have you and Chris as his parents! God is awesome!
oh...i have so been praying. but your last comment (about the abandoned baby, brought such heartache to my heart.) I know it happens. Friends of ours adopted an abandoned baby 18 years ago. but my heart breaks for these children. I pray that someone will step up and adopt this child....if not, let me know, I'll fly out there and love on him till the day God takes one of us home! and on that note, I now have to try to sleep.
Glad to hear God is answering our prayers.
And as far as the diapers go, before you know it you'll be able to change them in seconds with your eyes closed! :)
I am so glad to hear about Brady's constant improvement! May God get all the glory!
Praying....rest well! He is so handsome...both of your boys!
We're rejoicing with you guys on Brayden's progress- how wonderful. To God be the glory.
We continue to lift all of your concerns up for you and with you. We have seen God work miracles in our own family much like in Brayden's situation less than a year ago. Our niece was in critical condition after being borm with meconium saturating her lungs and was immediately placed on ECMO and came through with flying colors (there were rough days too of course)...my Sister (the Mom)had similar concerns about Tillie's MRI and the odds were against Tillie but I praise God and offer you encouragement that Tillie is a completly normally developing 10 month old today! The doctors were absolutely shocked beyond words! Our extended family would attest to the fact that "the prayers of the righteous availeth much" on behalf of these precious babies. We know God is holding Brayden in His caring arms as he goes through this trial so early in life. May you and your husband continue to experience much peace as you trust Him.
With Love,
Joy (and Ben) in CO
Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
Also to all those who look over all the sick babies. It breaks my heart to hear about the abandoned baby..
We've been praying for you all, too. Every night, Brayden is one of the babies that Addison says her goodnight prayers for! I am glad to see that things seem to be steadily improving! And I think that Nurse Sayward was a Chi O a couple of years behind me. You've got a good girl keeping track of your little man!
So happy to read about Brayden's improvement. Please keep posting and we will continue to pray.
Oh, and the diapers get much easier! I can change Addison now with one hand tied behind my back! =)
Jenna ... if you have a minute, could you email me? I'm wondering if the abandoned baby has Down syndrome? I might be able to help, if so.
Otherwise, the other babies that don't have names, are they abandoned too? That is crazy!
bethanybalsis@mac.com
I'm so glad I checked in here tonight to get this latest great news! He's a tough little guy, isn't he?? God is surely answering each prayer for Brayden. Oh, and Jenna, Brayden won't care if your diaper changing skills aren't perfect. We were all a little clumsy with that when we first started. He'll just be content to be loved as much as you and his daddy love him. And God will bring the right parents to the child who was abandoned; of this, I'm sure.
I am still praying. I am not far from LR. Do you need anything? I would love to do something for you guys if you need me.
And, oh my word, I want to come get that precious baby that was abandoned!
I just wanted to let you know that Brayden, you guys, and all his care takers are in my prayers. I just happened to come upon your blog from somebody else's and now I am hooked to reading it every night! It gives me so much encouragement each night to read about the improvements that Brayden has made that day. I am a nursing student at UAMS and have started my pediatric rotation at Children's Hospital this week. I was really nervous at first (and still am) but it is seeing babies and children like Brayden fighting so hard that makes me think about going into pediatric nursing. I will continue to keep you guys in my prayers especially for all these wonderful improvements!
~Kristen
Jenna,
I know its hard not to worry but he will be all right.I ran upon your blog thru Kelly's...I have been praying for Brayden and you ...I will continue to until he is home..
Diapers are a breeze....You will become a pro!!!
God bless
Rhonda
That is wonderful news!! Thank you so much for the updates because we are all praying like crazy. I love the daddy and son pic. SO cute!
I know you just loved being close and getting to be so hands on with your baby! How wonderful! Praying for a full recovery in Northwest Arkansas!
I'm still praying.
I'm so happy about the great report. Brayden's color is looking much better.
Thanks for keeping us updated. I know this is a difficult time. So, thank you.
PS- Emma was in NICU for a few days. She was born at 32 weeks. I was a mess changing her diaper too. The sad part is... she is my second child so I should know how to change a diaper! :-) I first time I changed it, I had her arm all in the diaper. Haha! It will get easier. Promise.
Jenna, I am SO happy to hear all of Brayden's good news...God is SO good!
It saddens me to hear about the baby that was abandoned. Can you give more details? What does the hospital plan to do with this sweet baby? foster care? Is there someone stepping in to adopt?
I think you know that we are foster/adoptive parents so my heart is drawn to children who need a home where they will be loved and cared for.
I have been praying and am putting your button on my blog.
Try not to worry about anything except what is currently happening and how far Brayden has come. He is God's wonderful creation.
Brayden may well be just fine, so try not to borrow trouble. The most important thing is that he is no longer needing to fight for his life. He is very blessed to have parents that adore him.
It is so sad to hear about some of the other babies. I have two friends who both have children with some developmental delays, and they are the sweetest kids. Their families wouldn't change a thing.
Take care, and don't forget to rest!
Thank you, God, for the amazing work you are doing in little Braydon's life. We are confident, that "He who began a good work in Braydon, will be faithful to complete it."
Still praying here in Indiana...
oops, sorry...BradEn...hope I didn't offend.
Glad to hear he is doing good. Will still pray for you.
So glad to hear the praise. As one NICU mom to another. I totally understand the first change of diaper and watching the monitors. I remember doing it all the time!
Praying for you in Arizona
Continuing in prayer..
As a mom of a NICU graduate, I understand in many ways...I still remember the stories of the other precious babies that were in the NICU with my son.
Looking forward to updates on the big guy. So precious!
Laughing at the diaper change - my first one was so bad I was surprised they let me take Graham home! 3 kids later we do them in our sleep! GO BRAYDEN!! What a tough little guy - he is doing great!! WE are praying that the MRI will go well and he will continue to improve. God is watching over your sweet family and He will bless you for your faith!!
Praise Him! I have been praying for Harper and Brayden, the nurses, the other babies and families. What a miracle and testimony your little ones are going through right now.
Don't worry about the diaper changing! LOL I think we were all the world's worst at first. Even with my 2nd and 3rd little girls, it's like you have to learn the skill all over again. Ha!
I'm praying for the day when you get to hold your little one and bring him home!
Got my women's Biblestudy on board for Team Brayden tonight!!!!
We will keep praying. Those are AMAZING reports today, and we will remain in prayer about the MRI.
Never forget that we serve a God of miracles!!!!!!!
And yes, I will pray for all the other babies in there as well...may God bless you for remembering them too.
I just wanted you to know I have been thinking and praying for little Brayden since the beginning. Found you through Kelly's blog. I am SO glad he is doing so well. I will continue to pray that the good news keeps on coming!
I found your blog through little Harper's story. I'm lifting up your sweet little man in prayer. Our God is strong and mighty. He is merciful and wonderful! Wishing you many more days of improvement! Lisa in San Diego
Oh he is just so sweet.. It is good to hear about improvements. Praying for you and your family.
Joy
SO funny about the diaper change!
I just know God will continue to do amazing things with both Brayden and Harper!! Oh, I can't wait for both of them (and all the others!) to go home and be in the arms of their family!!
It just breaks my heart about those precious abandoned children. So sad...
Keeping yall in my prayers!!
Hi guys! I've been praying for you guys (as well as Harper and the other precious NICU babies) everyday! I can't wait for you to take Brayden home!
God bless you guys!
Melody, CA
He is so precious! I bet you are so excited to see the improvments! Praise God!
What a blessing!! He is a little champ, isn't he???
Hello!
Our nonprofit, Until Journey's End, supports families living away from home in medical crisis. Please visit our website, www.untiljourneysend.org and fill out the Suggest a Family form and we would love to send you a care package! Blessings to your family, Tiffany Evans
It just breaks my heart that someone would abandon their baby just because they were sick. I will keep those babies and Brayden in my prayers!!!
Im sitting here in tears, I am so thankful for your good news but so very heart broken of the baby that was left behind. I will never be able to understand people like. Its awful. I will continue to pray for you and all those little babies. Please keep us up to date on the other little ones too. I would like to know that they find loving homes.
God Bless.
Oh, my heart is so happy for you - we have been praying for you and Harper and all the other little ones there with ya.
But my hearts breaks for the ones with no name ... but they DO have a name, one given to them by the Father that will NEVER abandon them. I will take every last one of them - all of em, just send them to us! We will love them!
God Bless you and all fo the caretakers and ALL of these sweet litle lives!
Thank God!! He is going to be OK!! Kayelyn did the same exact thing!!! I feel like I am living it all over again reading your blog.... He will be home with you in a week or two!!! They told us Kayelyn could have damage as well, the MRI was clear. I am sure B's will be as well.
I found you from Kelly's page....just wanted to say I have been and still am praying for Brayden.
Praising God this morning for good news!
Don't worry about the changing diaper thing - if Brayden keeps fighting the way he has been, you'll be up to your elbows in diapers soon enough.
Praying for continued improvement and a clear MRI scan. God IS good, and He hears our prayers!
That is so exciting to read! I, along with my family, have been praying for y'all for the past several days after hearing about y'all from Kelly's and other people's blogs. I am so thankful for this blogging world, that a lot of us out here can "meet" people that we otherwise would never know and be given the opportunity to pray for them. Your little guy is so precious and beautiful! Just wait on the diaper thing...one day, you will be changing his diaper on your lap, one-handed, while he is wiggling all over the place! That's something you get REAL good at! haha! We will keep praying for your little Brayden (and you and your husband) and all the nurses and doctors and other NICU babies.
Jenna- you do not know me. I found your blog through Kelly's as I have been checking on Harper. I do not even know Kelly but found her blog through a friend, not by accident I know. I just want you to know that I am praying so hard for your precious boy. He is a blessing and I am so glad to hear good reports. Just wanted you to know some random girl in Atlanta is praying for your baby and that our Lord will heal his tiny body to perfection!
Kelli in GA
I came across your blog from another one, and I just wanted you to know that I am praying for Brayden and for you, his parents. I have a son who spent some time in ACH in CVICU and it can be an overwhelming experience at times, but God is watching over all of you. So thankful for the improvements! Take care of yourself and know that there are many people praying for your son and all the other babies there!
I remember those first diaper changes in the NICU, they can be tough, but believe me you'll get it, in almost 2 years, I am a diaper changing pro...lots of prayers.
Wonderful news!!! That is awesome!!!! You are going to have a fighter on your hands =)! Still praying...
What great news:) The good news makes my morning every day! Prayers continue to come your way.. this reminded me of you and Chris and Brayden
"Where there is great love, there are always miracles!"
God bless jenna... Im sure you were a better diaper changer then you give yourself credit;)
Yeah for more good news!!! I am still praying! God is so, SO good!
how can mothers just abandoned their babies like this? i pray for brayden and those lil babies. brayden seems to be making excellent progress! praise god! bonny in TX
What wonderful news. Prayers will continue for Brayden and the rest of the "pod babies".
Take care of yourself.
Still praying for Brayden and his continued good numbers. Yes, for getting to change his diaper. All of the normal things that you are finally getting to do. God is so good and your baby is his messenger of faith.
We have a baby next to us and we've never seen any parents - it makes us so sad. We pray for her a lot.
I'm glad Brayden is doing so well - it gives us a lift to hear he is doing better!
Praying for ya'll so much!!!
I'm so happy to hear this good report! He's a little fighter! :)
Covering you all in prayers...
((HUGS))
Continuing to pray for sweet little Brayden.
The pictures are adorable. :) PRAISE GOD that you were able to change his little diaper!
Praying for Brayden here in Branson, MO. What a miracle God is doing in your lives! Praise God that He is in control!!
Love the cute pictures of your handsome boy!
Continued prayers for you to get to bring your sweet boy home soon. So glad to ere he and Harper are both improving. God is faithful!
Hugs and Prayers
Rachel in PA
Hey Jenna, I don't even know you, but I want you to know, that doesn't matter. I have 2 sons, and one spent time in NICU when he was born. I am a missionary mom living in Brazil with my family, and I am praying for you guys. I love your main verse for this time, keep pressing on, and holding onto Jesus! Brayden is an amazing little boy!!!
-jill stewart, Belem, Brazil
I am SO thrilled to hear how well Brayden is doing! I have my own Brady (he's 14 though!), and my thoughts are of you all day long...
Will continue to pray, pray, pray!
glad to hear good news! just wanted to let you know that i am still praying for you and your family =)
So glad he is doing so well! :) I have been keeping you in my prayers and hope that you know so many people are thinking/praying about you and God is taking great care of you guys! :)
Yea! Keep pulling forward little man! You're so brave!
Praise the Lord!! I'm so glad to hear that Brayden is doing better!! Don't worry mom you will have many many more chances to become the BEST diaper changer around! haha!
My son was born 15wks early and spent 2 months on the vent. He did suffer some brain damage..with some delays as an infant..But he is now 3 years old and doing GREAT! The best thing about babies is that they are so very resilient. He will amaze you with the strenght he will have as he gets older. He already has and hes still tiny!
I'm still praying!!
Lori from TN
That is wonderful that Brayden is making leaps & strides with each and every day!!! God is so gracious. See, I told you that changing his diaper would help. I'm sure you didn't do that bad with it & with practice you will be able to change it very quickly so as to avoid any 'accidents'. ;)
The end of your post breaks my heart. I will be praying for those babies, especially the one that is alone. How devestating it is to find out your baby is not 'perfect' in the eyes of many but so sad to leave that baby without its mother.
What wonderful news that Brayden is doing so well! Thanks be to our awesome God!!!
I'm just heartbroken to hear about that abandoned baby. :( I just cannot imagine. Keep us updated on that situation if you can!
Jenna,I have hijacked Kelly's computer since I am away from mine but just wanted tell you how much we have been thinking of, talking about, and praying for your family and Brayden.
I am so sorry this happened to you but am a confirmed believer in God having a purpose for all of this. Just think, Harper and Brayden can get together someday and compare stories of their birth!! I pray for your complete healing and for rest in the Lord concerning Brayden. We hope he continues to get much better and you all will be home before long!
Love and prayers for you and your whole family (grandparents included)! Kelly's Mom, Judy Martin
I just wanted to let you know I am praying for you guys! I'm so glad to see that things are improving!
I'm continuing to pray. I was up in the middle of the night last night with my teething 11 month old and was rocking her and praying that you'll be able to rock Brayden soon.
I'm SO glad to hear that he's doing better. I will still send my prayers!
Just to let you know Brayden is in my prayers. Remember we serve an AWESOME GOD!!! Lots of love & prayers from Houston!
Angie
like Carey below said try not to worry about brain damage - we were also told there could be developmental delays from being ventilated so long but at Elijah's 1 year checkup he was performing above his age (was saying mama at 3 months, digger at 7months and now at 2 speaks more like a 4 year old - sat at 4 months, he walked at 10 months)
and also don't worry you're not going to mess things up! your touch will be really important to him and you'll soon be a pro at changing nappies(sorry I'm from New Zealand)!
I look forward to reading more updates (although it brings back so many memories it also shows me how far we've come)
Don't know you, but God put you in my heart. You and your family are being prayed for. You know, by strangers in Tampa.
I have been reading your blog by my phone so I have not been able to tell you that I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!!!
Go Brayden! Keep up the good work... Thank you Lord~
We are still praying in Texas.
Brayden is adorable!!!!
Can't wait to see you holding him!!
Robin
And as far as the diapers...I PROMISE it gets easier!!!!
It all gets easier!!!!
XOXOXOX~Robin
I was just wanting to tell you that I am praying for Brayden. I am especially praying and thinking of your family because my little boy's name is Brayden and I cannot imagine what you are going through. I am praying for you and your husband to have peace and rest not only mentally but physically.
Praying for you in Ohio!! Praying that VERY SOON you'll be holding Brayden, rocking him, and looking into his bright, beautiful eyes!!
Mary
Jenna, that's truly awesome news about Brayden's progress! And the diapers are very initimidating with all those wires and cords. My daughter was born under two pounds and when they let us change her first diaper I was too afraid and had my husband do it! :)
Thank you again for raising awareness about the other babies in the NICU who don't have loving parents caring for them. We were so saddened by how many babies were abandoned in the NICU that we became foster parents. I truly believe that part of the reason my daughter was born 14 weeks early was because God intended us to help out these other babies. We just got our Foster Care License yesterday!!!
God Bless you and your family! Still praying!
Such a precious picture of your lil guy with his daddy. My friend and I were talking at work today and we put together that we are both praying for you guys. All the way over here in California.
Sweet Jenna ~ I have been at a Habitat Conference this week and I am trying to catch up on a few blogs. I have been reading your daily updates on Brayden and I am so happy that he is improving each day. I know he can feel the love of you, the love of the Lord, and the prayers that are coming.
Don't even worry about the diaper changing...you will get it ;)!
Praise God! Praying for Braydon and the whole family!
Praying for precious Brayden! Hang in there-
WOW WOW WOW! Jenna I am soooo happy to hear this great news!!!! YEA GOD! I have goosebumps!!!! Miracles do happen. Yea baby Brayden!
Great news on the nitric! And 31%! That's incredible! YAY Brayden! Nice work, buddy!
Hello! I am here from Kelly's blog. Your sweet little Brayden is so precious. It's so wonderful to read about his continued progress and all of the wonderful things the Lord has done. :) Many prayers from OK to you and your family as well as the other babies in the NICU.
I'm praying for you from Down Under! What a sweet baby, and a beautiful blessing from God. :)
All the very very best!
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