First of all, Jeff and I want to say thank you so much for your continued prayers for our family! So many of you have also said such kind things about the blog; I will do my best to keep it updated! I'm so glad you want to be updated on Brennan. Thank you!
Brennan is still doing really well but has hit a bit of a rough patch. He was improving so much at the end of the week that the doctor thought he might go home early. He is now up to full strength formula but is having some difficulty tolerating it. He has begun stooling again (4 times in last 24 hours) and spit up some yellow bile-like stuff tonight. Also, he had not gained any weight today since his last weigh-in on Thursday. The doctor warned us that Brennan would hit a threshold, and what he's doing now is not nearly as bad as we expected. So we are hoping and praying that things don't get worse. Right now we are just holding steady with Brennan's feeds -- instead of increasing the amount into his gut every 8 hours, it has been the same for the last day. We are hoping that he will acclimate to the full strength formula and soon be able to tolerate the continued increases. And then hopefully soon he'll be off the TPN (nutrition through the central line) and beginning some oral feedings. Your continued prayers for his little digestive system to continue to heal are much appreciated.
Big brother Tommy is doing better. Tommy was having such a difficult time last week that we were actually more worried about him than Brennan in some ways. Tommy is pretty cautious and can be somewhat fearful, and being apart from us so much is very hard on him (combined with seeing Brennan so sick). Last week he was displaying a lot of anger and anxiety - enough that we were just heartbroken, feeling like we couldn't protect either of our boys or give them everything they needed (whether physically or emotionally). But thanks to my parents and some other wonderful friends who helped us out, we were able to spend a LOT of really focused time with Tommy, including quite a bit of time with all of us together (vs Jeff at home with Tommy and me at the hospital with Brennan). This made a huge difference, and we feel like we have our Tommy back. We know this whole thing will continue to be tough on him, and we are so thankful for all those who have helped me set up special play dates and activities for Tommy. It's making a big difference -- thank you!
Thank you again for all your support and encouragement. I have your cards posted on our hospital walls and our hospital room is filled with your special gifts. I know I have not sent individual thank you notes for the gifts you all have sent, and I feel sad that I haven't been able to do that, but please know it is not a reflection of our deep gratitude. We don't have enough words to express how thankful we are for you all.
Love,
Kim & Jeff
Baby Brennan Eckert
This blog is devoted to Brennan Charles Eckert, born November 16, 2007, to parents Kim and Jeff and big brother Tommy. On January 25, 2008, 10 week-old Brennan was admitted to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital. He was severely dehydrated and eventually diagnosed with Slick Gut Syndrome. Brennan's doctors tell us he will be here about a month with a lengthy recovery at home as well. This blog is meant to update all those who are loving and supporting us and our sweet Brennan.
UPDATE: Brennan spent 21 days at TC Thompson and was discharged from the hospital on February 14, 2008. He began receiving food by mouth on February 18. His oral feeds were gradually increased as his tube feedings were decreased until he was shifted to 100% oral feeds on February 29. His feeding tube was removed on March 3, and his central line was removed on March 6. According to his doctor, Brennan is now a "normal baby with a recovering gut." He is home with us and doing great!
Although we never could have prepared for this experience, we are more grateful than we ever could have been for the gift of our son. We have been so blessed by a community of folks who walked with us on this journey. Some were people we hardly knew, and others were lifelong loved ones, but we were given to abundantly at a time when our needs were great. And we are so thankful for how God met us in our need through the hands and feet and love of so many of his people.
"Let the Great Rabbi hold you silently against His heart. In learning who He is, you will find out who you are: Abba's child in Christ our Lord."
-Brennan Manning
Sunday, February 10, 2008
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3 comments:
We continue to pray steadfastly for Brennan's slick gut to return to normal. We love you guys and pray for a good night full of solid rest for you all.
Kim,
It was great to see you and sweet little Brennan on Saturday! I will continue to pray that Brennan has a healthy, speedy recovery. I know that you all want to go home and be "a family" again. You all are in my thoughts and prayers!
Hey Jeff, Kim, Tommy, and Baby Brennan,
I am praying for him now. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW BIG TOMMY'S GOTTEN! I need to see him and let him pull on my beard.
I pray you all are blessed today with increasing healing, rest, peace, and quiet strength. May our very Good Father make it so.
Love you all...al
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