"Getting bigger every day"

Tommy loves to tell me, "I getting bigger every day, Mom," and this is true of both our boys right now. Today Brennan weighed 14 pounds 6 oz, which is GREAT. He has gained 2 pounds, 4 ounces since his admission almost 2 weeks ago. He is almost back to what he weighed before he got sick.

Brennan is doing so well that he is surprising the doctors and nurses. Brennan's doctor warned us that he would hit a threshold of feedings and would stool out (poop a lot). This has still not happened! Brennan is now getting over 20 ml (4 teaspoons) of 3/4 strength formula per hour into his gut. That sounds miniscule, but he started at 2 ml of 1/2 strength, and so now he is taking in over 16 ounces of 3/4 strength formula each 24 hour period. Last night he had his first stool for a week. The doctor had warned us that (a) Brennan would likely stool out, and (b) when he did stool it would probably be abnormal (meaning that labs would show he wasn't digesting the carbs properly). But he only had one normal size stool - we're still weighing everything :), and there were no abnormalities in the lab tests. This means he is absorbing the fats and proteins, which is exactly what we want to see. Because he is doing so well the doctor has reduced the time he gets the TPN (nutrition through the central line) from 24 hours a day to 16 hours a day. This is good because it's the TPN that leads to the liver damage. The next step is for Brennan to go to full-strength formula (which the dr will do when he gets to 30 ml an hour), and then eventually to be off the TPN altogether and just have the tube feedings.

We are so encouraged, but Brennan still has a LONG way to go. It will be quite some time before he can tolerate normal feedings (a lot in a short period, versus a little given continuously for 24 hours). He still can't have anything by mouth, and when we begin that it will also be a very slow process (one that will happen after we go home, from what we understand).

We continue to be so thankful for your prayers, and we really believe God did a healing work in Brennan's intestines - especially last Wednesday when our friends prayed over him. Brennan went from constantly having diarrhea (and I mean that literally - about every 10 minutes, sometimes starting again while we were still changing his diaper) to NOTHING overnight. We are so thankful and ask for your continued prayers for Brennan's health. They continue to lay out all the risks and things that can go wrong, and we are just praying that Brennan will continue to surprise the doctors!

Prayers for our family would also be appreciated. This has been especially difficult for Tommy to be apart from me so much. It is a big change, and our little man is not a fan of change in the first place. Tommy was sick last weekend and so we kept him away from me almost the whole weekend. After staying with Jeff's parents the first 6 days we were here, that added up to a long time. In his frustration he has been quite a handful. Jeff was talking to Tommy last night and asked him why he had misbehaved with me and Tommy said, "Because something is wrong, Dad." We thought that was pretty insightful. Something is wrong - his mom and dad are always in different places, his brother is sick and so Tommy can't touch or cuddle or play with him. So please pray for Tommy, and for patience and wisdom for us. We can't be in two places at once, and we are trying to do the best we can - but it's hard to see both our boys needing us so much.

We continue to be overwhelmed with the love and support we have received. My parents have left retirement to become full-time unpaid nannies for us. Our friends Annette and Mark have spent days at the hospital with us and babysat Tommy numerous times at the last minute. Our friends Jana, Brittney, Andrew and Mark have all had nontraditional slumber parties with us at the hospital. Our friend Donna got Brennan to take the pacifier (thank you!!!) and has stayed at the hospital overnight with him. We've had so many wonderful visitors who have talked and prayed with us and for Brennan. For all of these things, and for the cards, meals, snacks, drinks, flowers, giftcards, etc that folks have given to us - we are so overwhelmed and thankful. If you know the wonderful Joe Novenson you may have heard him say, "I am your debtor" (he is the definition of the humble man), and that is how we feel. We are your debtors. Thank you so much. We have never felt so loved.

wishing you every blessing in Christ,
Kim & Jeff and our sweet boys