Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Quick update (3/13)

Here is a quick/brief update of where we stand and what the next steps are for Thatcher. (updating on my phone, sorry for typos or other weird grammatical errors!) They have confirmed seizure activity, he struggled last night when they took him off the ventilator, and he is very tight, he holds his muscles almost constantly in a flexed state. His breathing is still shallow but has maintained a structured breathing pattern since yesterday (except when he becomes apptic (stops breathing). They introduced a stronger seizure medication today so he is resting the rest of the evening as his body begins to adjust to the new medication. The side effect of this is that it is a sedative, so he has been out of it most of the day. Now that Thatchers vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing pattern, oxygen levels, etc.) are stable they will be focusing on getting his seizures under control. This is basically a trial and error process where they will test different levels of medication while he does an EEG exam to determine if it is helping suppress the seizures.

I don't remember what was said last night or even that was last night that we posted, the days run together here, but they confirmed the brain attrophe and have said that he will not progress beyond basic functions of breathing blinking heart beating and the like. We know God is in control, however, an He is not limited by our "technology" or our imaging techniques or our diagnosis. Thatcher was supposed to be 5 lbs te day before he was born, he was born 6 lbs 1.5 oz of all beauty/handsome child of God. Each day there has been something that we believe is God saying "I'm here, I'm in control, I love Thatcher and am holding him in My hands". Yesterday was the hardest day and night so far, but God allowed us to hold Thatcher for the first time, God also opened Thatchers eyes most of the morning so we were able to talk to him and look into his beautiful face. Thatcher even reached for Eric's face which was the most amazing thing. We have been able to hange bis dirty diapers, and take his temperature, weve had the blessing of interacting with our son and to help him even with those little things. We have seen today that Thatcher has the ability to breath deeply; when he gets secretions and gunk around his breathing tube he coughs and uses his lungs to a much greater capacity, we know that his lungs are fully formed and they are clear from the X-ray they performed several days ago, so we just pray that he will recognize the need to breath deeply and that God would fill his lungs with praise.

We have been touched by all of the comments messages emails and the like, and God is contuing to use the church to provide us with encouragement and to speak to us and teach us, so thank you church for praying on behalf of Thatcher. Our hope is in the Lord, and we will wait on the Lord, and we will trust in the Lord. Thank you lord for continuing to provide us with encouragement and evidence of your presence, we know that You are in control, we trust that You continue to hold Thatcher in your hands. God we pray that you would give Thatcher the desire to breath deeply, and with purpose. We praise you that you have shown us that his body has the ability, and we trust that you will provide the nudge and your presence would drive him to breath with praise. Lord, would you heal his brain, would you remove whatever hindrance ther is in his brain that has caused it to stop growing, we know that you are unhindered, and we know that you can heal Thatcher, God, we beg you to heal your servant and child, our son Thatcher. Please fill that NICU room with your presence, allow each of the babies to feel your presence and allow each of their stories to be stories that glorify You. Would you wrap Thatcher up in your arms and hold him tight when we are not with him. God we love you, we thank you, and we need you. May you be glorified through Thatcher. It is in the powerful name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.

32 comments:

  1. Precious Praying Saints, Whitney, Eric and all your families,
    Thank you for your transparent report on dear Little Thatcher. Nancy, Christopher and I have just joined our hearts with yours and cried out to our Lord on Thatcher's behalf. This is what we have been praying and PRAY NOW again: "Lord God in heaven, rend the heavens and come down to Thatcher, Lord, blow Your perfect breath into his little lungs causing Your perfection to restore his lungs and brain, in the name of Your glorious Son Jesus Christ we pray, amen."
    We love you and are deeply in awe at your faith walk in the joy of our Lord Jesus, thank you for your witness to God's glory

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praying for Thatcher! Thank you for sharing. Lifting your family up in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are continuing to pray for you and your precious son, Thatcher. We are fervently praying for you to feel God's presence and that He continue to heal Thatcher. Thank you for your ability to chronicle all that is happening. You have been such an inspiration through your faith and strength during such a difficult time in your life.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Whitney, Eric and precious Thatcher,
    This is Sandra Davis-Dize, Maddie and Whitney's mom from Hightstepper days. I have been praying for you all since hearing the news that Little Thatcher needed lots of healing. God is in the healing business. My Sunday School class here in Virginia are ages 6-11. They have been praying too. God loves you all so much. He hears all the prayers that have been going up on your behalf. May you find comfort just knowing that God is in control and will never forsake you. And know that there are so many people praying for healing and health for your precious son.
    Much Love to you all.
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your story touches me in a deep place. I am praying daily for Thatcher and the two of you. I am begging God to continue to show himself in powerful ways.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your prayer for your son is our prayer, as well. We love you, and we lift you and your precious little one up to our Lord. Connie and Smokey

    ReplyDelete
  7. Praying God's presence will surround you, his strength will sustain you, and his peace will fill you. We continue to pray for Thatcher's healing. Thank you for the update.
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for the update. I am encouraged by your faith, and am writing to assure you my continued prayers for you guys & Thatcher, as well as his doctors and medical staff. Big hugs, Connie Kelley

    ReplyDelete
  9. Praying for your precious, beautiful baby. May the Lord fill his little lungs with air and in Jesus' name allow him to take deep, purposeful breaths!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Christina MacKinnonMarch 14, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    Whitney,Eric and baby Thatcher, this is Christy Mackinnon (was Fryer back in the days we knew each other thru Crossroads Baptist) I am praying so hard that baby Thatcher heals. Your blog has brought tears to my eyes :( it is so sad and awful to see a young innocent baby go thru this but our God is an AMAZING,AWESOME & POWERFUL God and He will place His healing hands on your precious child. God bless you and your family. It is in His name that I pray for the healing of Thatcher. Amen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Praying in Tennessee :}

    ReplyDelete
  12. Whitney, I have shared your story with my staff and wanted to share with you their words from this latest update. "What an amazing example of faith! I continue to pray for little Thatcher and his parents." "All I can say is WOW! Their faith is inspiring, and I will continue to pray for this precious family. Thanks for the update." "What an amazing woman of God! Could not help but tear up. It is very clear that she has unwavering faith and strength that can only come from God. Please keep me posted, as this family has touched my heart."

    Thatcher is being lifted up by so many to His Father who holds him in His hands. Continuing to pray for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Praying in San Antonio. May the Lord bless baby Thatcher and his parents.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have shared your story and blog with some of my co-workers and my blog...there are so many people praying for Thatcher and you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Whitney & Eric, I am praying for you first thing every morning and last thing at night and every time the Lord brings you to mind in between ... which is pretty much constantly! Thank you for continuously sharing your Glory Story. We love you all.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an utterly amazing witness you all are for the powerful, awesomeness of our Lord and Savior during your journey! What amazing strength and conviction you each have! I am so inspired by your story and by each of you! My family (Stephanie and Jordyn Cowan and myself, Momo) are friends of Robin and Blake. We love that family and you by default! My prayer is that God will fill Thatcher with such strength that he will grow to be a strong, healthy man who glories our Father! My thoughts and prayers are with you each! God Bless You!
    Carol Ann Hawkins

    ReplyDelete
  17. Whitney and Eric I prayed a prayer for Thatcher today and typed it out on your blog. Some thing happened when I tried posting it and it did not show up. As soon as this happened the song shout to the lord was in my head and I remember Whitney dancing to it on a mission trip to Colorado when we were in choir together. Then I kept hearing the lord speak to me saying be still and know that I am God. I feel compelled to share this. Idk why. But know that your family is loved by many.

    ReplyDelete
  18. God is the great healer. He gives so much knowledge to the doctors who are taking care of Thatcher, but God knows all and my prayer to him is for healing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for keeping us updated on how to pray specifically for Thatcher. We are still praying for his strength and healing, and for comfort and strength for all of you as well.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Whitney,Eric and Baby Thatcher I have not met you personally but my daughter Ashley Newman told me your story. I just wanted to let you know Thatcher is in my thoughts and prayers. I pray God will heal baby Thatcher.

    Denise Townsend

    ReplyDelete
  21. Praying for you and your sweet family tonight! Thatcher is doing God's work all over the world! Glory to God in the Highest!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am praying for your family and Thatcher. I know the up and downs are hard. I had a son in the NICU over a year. Thatcher is in my prayers daily!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. We pray for you and yours continuously! Your names are always on our lips as we intercede to our Healer!
    We love you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  24. In the strong and mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, breathe your breath in Thatcher. Go to him now Lord, go to Whitney and Eric, and his grandparents. Hold them close in your arms and let them feel your love near and close to each of them. We love you Lord, you are Jehovah Rapha...our Healer. Let it be so Lord Jesus. We praise your holy name.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Loving God, thank you for the gift of life and for bringing Thatcher safely into this world. May You bless him and keep him, helping him to grow loving, strong, and healthy in Your love, now and always. Amen."

    ReplyDelete
  26. Whitney, you guys don't know us, but Danielle Sartain "liked" your pix of Eric & Baby Thatcher on FB and since she is my friend, I had to get the details. She sent me this link to your blog. Please know that the Miley family is praying for you all diligently, all the way from Chicago...God is our Sustainer (i don't even think that is a real word, but i am using it anyway!) and we are praying that He will sustain Thatcher & even more than that- Heal HIM! We are praying He will sustain you & Eric as you wade through all that is happening. You are blessing so many people with this story, Thatcher's story, HIStory!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Whitney and Paul--Thank you for sharing Thatcher's story.
    -Prayers, thoughts and love from the Bayou

    ReplyDelete
  28. I don't have the pleasure of knowing you but I found your blog through someone "liking" it on my Facebook feed. My husband and I both wept as we came to know your story. We have two children we adore with all of our being. I cannot imagine what you must be going through; it is so comforting to see your faith in God is strong. In moments like these, it is hard to imagine facing life's battles without knowing God's hand is there to guide you, to catch you should you fall and to raise you back up on your feet. I will alert every Prayer Warrior in my family of your story and send them the link to your blog. I pray that God will bless your family with so much love and peace; there is no comfort like that found in His arms.
    God bless you, God bless you, God bless you. May your family grow and thrive as beautifully as your love for each other.
    -Mac and Tiffany

    ReplyDelete
  29. EMILYN DAVIS IS MY FRIEND AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU THIS MESSAGE THAT WAS MY DEVOTIONAL TODAY FROM JESUS CALLING AUTHOR, SARAH YOUNG. TRUST ME ONE DAY AT A TIME.......THIS KEEPS YOU CLOSE TO ME,RESPONSIVE TO MY WILL. TRUST IS NOT A NATURAL RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY FOR THODSE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEPLY WOUNDED.MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU IS YOUR RESIDENT TUTOR, HELPING YOU
    IN THIS SUPERNATIONAL ENDEAVOR. YIELD TO HIS GENTLE TOUCH; BE SENSITIVE TO HIS PROMPTING.
    EXERT YOUR WILL TO TRUST ME IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. DON'T LET YOUR YOUR NEED TO UNDERSTAND DISTRACT YOU FROM MY PRESENCE. I WILL EQUIP YOU TO GET THROUGH THIS DAY VICTORIOUSLY, AS YOU LIVE IN DEEP DFEPENDENCE ON ME. TOMORROW IS BUSY WORRING ABOUT IT'S SELF; DON'T GET TANGLED UP IN IT'S WORRY-WEBS. TRUST ME ONE DAY AT A TOIME. PSALMS 84:12 MATTHEW 6:34.....

    ReplyDelete
  30. praying for each one of you that you will hear GOD'S VOICE OF PEACE, STRENGTH AND FAITH EACH DAY... HOLD YOUR LITTLE ONE IN YOUR ARMS AND HEART. ENJOY THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF LIFE AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. GOD BLESS.

    ReplyDelete