Here is an email that I received yesterday from my friend Dawn.... Praise God for His mighty works!
Dear loved ones,
We are home and Gabriel is doing great. I am sorry for not e-mailing sooner. Since we came home we needed to just focus on him and his continued recovery and for our recovery as well. The children are home with us again and we are all very happy to be together. The Doctors are very pleased with Gabriel's recovery and he has adjusted to being home quite nicely. I was worried that he would have a difficult time getting back into routine, but he is so happy to be home he has just picked up right where he left off. He is sleeping very good, napping good, and in good humor most of the time. He has become a little shy and wants only Mama but that’s a normal thing anyway.
I want to take this opportunity to give God the Glory for all He has done for us. We have had a very difficult year. The knowledge of Gabriel's heart defect was the beginning of this long and trying journey. On January 20th, 2006 we were told by my Doctor that most parents would just let their baby die. We were given no hope from her and we were devastated. I remember leaving the clinic in shock and fear. I also remember that we had a girl's name picked out but not a boy's name. That afternoon, the name Gabriel Michael came to mind and Brian confirmed that was the name for our son. I believe that was his God given name. We determined that we would face this challenge together and do whatever we could to help our son live and be thankful for time we did get to have him. He will soon be 6 months old. He has had 2 open heart bypass surgeries and is doing fantastic. (He will have another surgery in a few years. )
We are not guaranteed a perfect and happy life. We are not guaranteed anything in life. One guarantee that I hold to is that God loves his own. He did not spare us this trial, but He was with us through this trial. My prayer for my family and friends who do not have a relationship with God our Maker, is that each and every one of you will seek Him. This life is very short and we don’t know what tomorrow holds for us. God sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so we could have peace and comfort in knowing our eternity will be with Him.
We have 4 beautiful children and our deepest desire and prayer is not that they are spared difficulties in life, not that they will have a happy and carefree life, it is that they will have a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. That they will know Him and love Him. We pray for wisdom in the training of our children and we pray for guidance when we are facing trials.
I feel like we are at the end of a chapter in our life. Thank you all for your prayers and support this year. Your love and encouragement has been a blessing to me. I pray God will bless you for your faithfulness in prayer.
Love to you all,
Dawn
Showing posts with label gabriel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gabriel. Show all posts
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Update on Gabriel Cross
This is the email that Dawn sent me today....
Dear Friends and Family,
There have been many new developments that I wish to inform you all on. Last week Gabriel went into Arkansas Children's Hospital for a routine Heart Cath test. This test was done so the cardiologist and surgeon could see detailed pictures of his heart, measure pressures, and look for any obstructions. The test was successful and an agioplasty was performed on his aortic arch where there was a gradient (not too bad). This area is where the first surgery was performed on and this was an expected possibility. He was addmitted over night for observation at which time he spiked a 102 fever. This is also a normal reaction to the dye used in the test. He recovered nicely execpt for having lower oxogen saturation. His pulse ox was normally in the mid 80s. It is however now in the upper 60s to lower 70s. This a source of great concern. He did not, however, come home on oxogen even though while in the hospital he did need it.
On Monday, the surgeon and his team did meet and plan Gabriel's next major heart surgery. On November 8th, 8:30am Gabriel will undergo the next stage. This heart surgery will involve the reconstruction of the blood vessels leading directly to the lungs. This will allow all the upper extremeties blood to be directed to the lungs first and then to the heart to be pumped out. He will be on a by-pass machine and this proceedure is expected to take many hours. He will be in CVICU at ACH afterwards for an extended time. We are optimistic that his recovery will take less time than the first surgery.
We will be leaving for Little Rock on Monday, November 6th. Gabriel will be admitted on Tuesday for many pre-operation tests, x-rays, and EKG. This process will take all day in order to prepare for the next day's surgery. The other 3 children will be picked up on Sunday next, to go and stay with my parents in OK. Brian's parents and family will help when they can.
Please pray for all of us as we prepare for this seperation and for Gabriel's healing. We knew that he would need surgery before the end of the year, however, given a weeks notice seems it is coming too quickly. We are all worried and under a great deal of pressure during this preperation time. Brian has informed his work and his boss and co-workers are encourging.
As we find out more about the proceedure ect., we will e-mail everyone and keep you all informed.
I am reminded of all the letters, cards, and e-mails we received during our last stay at Children's Hospital. It was so wonderful to read each of those and remember how much we are loved and are being prayed for. Thank you all for your prayers and encourgement. Our lives have been truly blessed by all of you.
Love and Blessings,
Dawn
Dear Friends and Family,
There have been many new developments that I wish to inform you all on. Last week Gabriel went into Arkansas Children's Hospital for a routine Heart Cath test. This test was done so the cardiologist and surgeon could see detailed pictures of his heart, measure pressures, and look for any obstructions. The test was successful and an agioplasty was performed on his aortic arch where there was a gradient (not too bad). This area is where the first surgery was performed on and this was an expected possibility. He was addmitted over night for observation at which time he spiked a 102 fever. This is also a normal reaction to the dye used in the test. He recovered nicely execpt for having lower oxogen saturation. His pulse ox was normally in the mid 80s. It is however now in the upper 60s to lower 70s. This a source of great concern. He did not, however, come home on oxogen even though while in the hospital he did need it.
On Monday, the surgeon and his team did meet and plan Gabriel's next major heart surgery. On November 8th, 8:30am Gabriel will undergo the next stage. This heart surgery will involve the reconstruction of the blood vessels leading directly to the lungs. This will allow all the upper extremeties blood to be directed to the lungs first and then to the heart to be pumped out. He will be on a by-pass machine and this proceedure is expected to take many hours. He will be in CVICU at ACH afterwards for an extended time. We are optimistic that his recovery will take less time than the first surgery.
We will be leaving for Little Rock on Monday, November 6th. Gabriel will be admitted on Tuesday for many pre-operation tests, x-rays, and EKG. This process will take all day in order to prepare for the next day's surgery. The other 3 children will be picked up on Sunday next, to go and stay with my parents in OK. Brian's parents and family will help when they can.
Please pray for all of us as we prepare for this seperation and for Gabriel's healing. We knew that he would need surgery before the end of the year, however, given a weeks notice seems it is coming too quickly. We are all worried and under a great deal of pressure during this preperation time. Brian has informed his work and his boss and co-workers are encourging.
As we find out more about the proceedure ect., we will e-mail everyone and keep you all informed.
I am reminded of all the letters, cards, and e-mails we received during our last stay at Children's Hospital. It was so wonderful to read each of those and remember how much we are loved and are being prayed for. Thank you all for your prayers and encourgement. Our lives have been truly blessed by all of you.
Love and Blessings,
Dawn
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
July 4th - Update on Gabriel
Here is an update on Gabriel.... Sorry I haven't posted in a while about this....
From an email from Dawn received on June 27th....
"Many people have asked us when Gabriel might be released from the hospital.It's certainly something we've been interested in as well. We are thinking of taking bets. :) Until this weekend there was a possibility that we might be able released this week That hope has since been dashed. Still we want to keep everyone informed as to what we do now know.
Our current situation is this: The decision to put a feeding tube into Gabriel's side has been made. We are now only waiting for a series of two tests which will tell if he has reflux. Depending on whether he has reflux tendencies or not will determine what sort of surgery they need to do to put the tube in (and whether a band needs to be put above the stomach). Once both tests are done, then they can schedule the surgery. Then, after the surgery there will be a span of three or four days of recovery and watching before we can be released (assuming no infection or fever).
Until this we had not experienced any great delay in getting tests done, however this test was scheduled for Monday, then pushed to Tuesday, and now appears to be set for Wednesday morning. This test is of dye that is put down his throat and take only minutes to resolve. The second test takes place over hours. The second test can't be scheduled until the first test is concluded. We are hopeful that they can get both tests in on Wednesday, but there is no guarantee. After this, they will start to schedule the operation. Depending on how busy they are at that time, that could be as early as the next day, or as late as five to six working days.
So here is the best case scenario that we are hoping for: if we can get both tests on Wednesday and scheduled for surgery on Thursday or Friday, perhaps they will count the weekend time after surgery as "recovery" and we can go home to NW Arkansas early next week. I'm still holding out hope that we can all get home before July 4th but dark clouds are hovering over that prediction."
From a email from Dawn received on June 30th....
"Hello again from Little Rock,
Late last night we were informed that Gabriel's stomach button surgery will be Monday at 7:30am. We are relieved to know the date and that it is Monday and not any later. After trying to work on the bottle feeds, Gabriel is loosing weight due to the use of so much energy. The doctors strongly recommended this procedure so he can be fed directly into his stomach. We are told this is very typical for babies like Gabriel. On Wednesday, he was tested for reflux, which he has "significant reflux"...so the doctor will do a procedure, putting a "nessin" (? spelling) which will block the flow of reflux.
As he grows he will improve and at some point will not need the button feed. For now, he needs to grow and gain strength and to do this he needs a little help.
Today we moved out of the Ronald McDonald House. Yesterday Gabriel had moved from a semi-private to a private room where we can both sleep with him.
I cannot begin to tell you how homesick we all are. The children have been doing good in OK with the grandparents, but they are missing us and home too. We need to be together again...and soon. Since his surgery is on Monday, we are hoping to be home by next weekend. Our hopes are high.
Thank you for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for Gabriel, his surgery and speedy recovery."
From an email from Dawn received on June 27th....
"Many people have asked us when Gabriel might be released from the hospital.It's certainly something we've been interested in as well. We are thinking of taking bets. :) Until this weekend there was a possibility that we might be able released this week That hope has since been dashed. Still we want to keep everyone informed as to what we do now know.
Our current situation is this: The decision to put a feeding tube into Gabriel's side has been made. We are now only waiting for a series of two tests which will tell if he has reflux. Depending on whether he has reflux tendencies or not will determine what sort of surgery they need to do to put the tube in (and whether a band needs to be put above the stomach). Once both tests are done, then they can schedule the surgery. Then, after the surgery there will be a span of three or four days of recovery and watching before we can be released (assuming no infection or fever).
Until this we had not experienced any great delay in getting tests done, however this test was scheduled for Monday, then pushed to Tuesday, and now appears to be set for Wednesday morning. This test is of dye that is put down his throat and take only minutes to resolve. The second test takes place over hours. The second test can't be scheduled until the first test is concluded. We are hopeful that they can get both tests in on Wednesday, but there is no guarantee. After this, they will start to schedule the operation. Depending on how busy they are at that time, that could be as early as the next day, or as late as five to six working days.
So here is the best case scenario that we are hoping for: if we can get both tests on Wednesday and scheduled for surgery on Thursday or Friday, perhaps they will count the weekend time after surgery as "recovery" and we can go home to NW Arkansas early next week. I'm still holding out hope that we can all get home before July 4th but dark clouds are hovering over that prediction."
From a email from Dawn received on June 30th....
"Hello again from Little Rock,
Late last night we were informed that Gabriel's stomach button surgery will be Monday at 7:30am. We are relieved to know the date and that it is Monday and not any later. After trying to work on the bottle feeds, Gabriel is loosing weight due to the use of so much energy. The doctors strongly recommended this procedure so he can be fed directly into his stomach. We are told this is very typical for babies like Gabriel. On Wednesday, he was tested for reflux, which he has "significant reflux"...so the doctor will do a procedure, putting a "nessin" (? spelling) which will block the flow of reflux.
As he grows he will improve and at some point will not need the button feed. For now, he needs to grow and gain strength and to do this he needs a little help.
Today we moved out of the Ronald McDonald House. Yesterday Gabriel had moved from a semi-private to a private room where we can both sleep with him.
I cannot begin to tell you how homesick we all are. The children have been doing good in OK with the grandparents, but they are missing us and home too. We need to be together again...and soon. Since his surgery is on Monday, we are hoping to be home by next weekend. Our hopes are high.
Thank you for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for Gabriel, his surgery and speedy recovery."
Monday, June 26, 2006
June 24th - Gabriel Update
FROM DAWN:
We are now in the Cardiac step-down
unit of ACH. We still have a long way to go but most of the critical stuff is over. We have spent the last few days learning to feed Gabriel through a feeding tube, dress his wounds, mix his milk so that it is a motor-oil consistency, take his pulse-oxygen level, crush his medicine and thicken it, and CPR in the cases where he may aspirate. As over-whelming as it is, we are eager to learn so that we can go home.
The doctors have not given us a date specifically that we can go home, but they indicated a lot would depend on how well he improves this weekend. Currently he struggles to get 30 out of 50 ccs of his thickened milk before wearing out, and that is just for 3 of his 8 feedings. If he is to go home on the bottle he needs to progress to 50ccs by bottle for all 8 of his feeding. The other option is a smaller surgery to put a more permenant feeding tube in his belly. The doctors are not eager for this and are trying to evalute the delay another surgery would create verses how long it will take him to learn to do all his feedings by mouth.
Please continue to pray fo us.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Gabriel Update
Here are some parts of the email that I received from Dawn today.
"The last few days have been very busy and tiring. I cant remember when I
updated last so I will review. Monday morning he had a swollow study to
determine if he would asperate when eating....he did fail the first two
tries but passed the third. Basicly it means he can have milk by mouth and
bottle if it is thinkened. The Ocupational Therapist called it "honey"
consistancy. We are being taught how to give him a bottle and mix it
properly."
"Yesterday was a very busy day with Dr.s and nurses and such...they moved us
to the CV East. WE ARE OUT OF ICU!!!!! Last night was the first night to
be with Gabriel all night. I slept a total of 3 hours. He eats every 3
hours, gets his diaper changed (which he hates), and it takes about 30 min.
to 45 min to calm him down after his diaper changed. He gets very unhappy
and his resperation is high. We are learning more about him...his
sounds....his personality. Our specific prayer request is for wisdom and
courage to know how to care for him. We are very nervous about his special
needs and our ability to care for those needs. Although the Drs and Nurses
are very supportive...they are teaching us to do more for him. He may be
sent home on a NG tube plus the bottle. As he gets stronger the NG can be
removed.
Please pray for us as we near the end of our stay here...we may still be
here for a couple more weeks...all depends on Gabriel and Mom and Dad's
abilities.
We do know that life for us has changed. We will be needing to stay home
more and for Gabriel's health, have limitied exposure to the world. He
still needs time to heal and his ability to fight infections is severly
deminished."
"On a more personal request....I am having some complications from the
delivery. I will have to wait till we go home to see the Doctor for myself.
Please pray for my healing as well."
"The last few days have been very busy and tiring. I cant remember when I
updated last so I will review. Monday morning he had a swollow study to
determine if he would asperate when eating....he did fail the first two
tries but passed the third. Basicly it means he can have milk by mouth and
bottle if it is thinkened. The Ocupational Therapist called it "honey"
consistancy. We are being taught how to give him a bottle and mix it
properly."
"Yesterday was a very busy day with Dr.s and nurses and such...they moved us
to the CV East. WE ARE OUT OF ICU!!!!! Last night was the first night to
be with Gabriel all night. I slept a total of 3 hours. He eats every 3
hours, gets his diaper changed (which he hates), and it takes about 30 min.
to 45 min to calm him down after his diaper changed. He gets very unhappy
and his resperation is high. We are learning more about him...his
sounds....his personality. Our specific prayer request is for wisdom and
courage to know how to care for him. We are very nervous about his special
needs and our ability to care for those needs. Although the Drs and Nurses
are very supportive...they are teaching us to do more for him. He may be
sent home on a NG tube plus the bottle. As he gets stronger the NG can be
removed.
Please pray for us as we near the end of our stay here...we may still be
here for a couple more weeks...all depends on Gabriel and Mom and Dad's
abilities.
We do know that life for us has changed. We will be needing to stay home
more and for Gabriel's health, have limitied exposure to the world. He
still needs time to heal and his ability to fight infections is severly
deminished."
"On a more personal request....I am having some complications from the
delivery. I will have to wait till we go home to see the Doctor for myself.
Please pray for my healing as well."
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Update on Gabriel
This is from an email from Dawn....
"Chest tubes came out today and we got to hold him for the first time after
surgery (only the second time we've ever got to hold him). He likes being
held. He was held for over an hour and was loving the whole time. Brian had
to leave behind his hand afterward for him to sleep next to or he would get
cranky. It is neat to spoil him finally."
GOD IS GOOD!
Friday, June 16, 2006
UPDATE ON GABRIEL
Gabriel is doing very well and is breathing on his own now. Please continue to pray for this family!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Update on Gabriel Cross
The following is a part of an email from my friend Dawn about Gabriel!
"We are almost 24 house out of surgery and all looks good. The first 24 to 48 hours are
the most critical. Gabriel is doing "very good" according to the Dr.'s"
" Please continue to pray for Gabriel's recovery to be smooth and steady. We
are still expecting to be here at least another 4 to 6 weeks."
"We are almost 24 house out of surgery and all looks good. The first 24 to 48 hours are
the most critical. Gabriel is doing "very good" according to the Dr.'s"
" Please continue to pray for Gabriel's recovery to be smooth and steady. We
are still expecting to be here at least another 4 to 6 weeks."
Monday, June 12, 2006
PRAYER REQUEST
PLEASE PRAY! Some friends of mine from my school days back in Oklahoma could really use your prayers.
Brian and Dawn Cross' 4th child Gabriel Michael was born on June 7th a very sick little boy. Before he was even born, an ultrasound discovered that he had a heart condition that would require surgery after he was born.
Little Gabriel's surgery is today, June 12th and started around 9AM. It is a very complicated, 6-8 hour surgery. Please pray for baby Gabriel and his family! I will keep you posted as soon as I learn anything!
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