Update from Ultrasound and CT Scan

Click on this to link to Lynette's blog for today's update.

And click on this link for my Dad's reflections on the week with Olive, Rusty and Lynette.

Mom's update

At 1:41 am (our time), Mom posted this update.

Olive

Lynette and Rusty updated their blog this morning.
Please pray for
*the bleeding on her brain/swelling to lessen and heal
*protection as she is taken through the hospital for the ultrasound in the morning (our Sunday evening)
*wisdom and direction for Rusty and Lynette as they meet with the specialists to determine the best way to proceed with Olive's medical care.

Thank you again for all of you who continue to hold Olive and her parents up in your thoughts and prayers.

an update around here...

I was feeling behind in my "what's happening around here" kind of updates before little Olive arrived on the scene. And now...more time has passed so I'm very behind.

A few weeks ago, my Dad was able to make a quick weekend visit. Tyler still remembers why - Dad's last living uncle died. We really enjoyed our time with Dad. We made it to the state fair for the first time since we moved out here. Tyler rode his first fair rides, enjoyed his first Pronto Pup (and I as well - it's a big corn dog), and enjoyed seeing the exhibits, especially "cow milking" (a pretend cow) station. Sunday, Dad shared a book with Tyler that he had read as a kid that Dad's cousin Yvonne had thoughtfully sent along called the Biggest Bear. We enjoyed doing a little shopping and eating before we had to send him off.

Last weekend, we enjoyed a visit from Wayne's sister, Rachel, and her husband, Hollins. Rachel had a Hesston reunion, so they stayed in Hesston. We didn't get to see them as much as we normally get to when they visit. But, we enjoyed the time we did have with them. We ate some delicious meals and went mini-golfing. We also enjoyed an evening with Dave & Teneesa Stuckey and family Friday evening.

Of course, I had also gotten the call last Friday that Lynette had baby Olive. Starting out this week, I was feeling a bit haggard. It has felt like a long week, with all of its ups and downs, and it is so good to have the weekend here. Some nights, the worries made sleep difficult. My boys, friends, family and coworkers have all taken good care of me though.

So that's what has been going on around here. There is much that is good, and so much to be thankful for.

Olive

Lynette's update at 11:50 am (pm in Thailand):

I am getting ready to crawl into bed but just wanted to leave a quick update from the day.
Olive still had bowel sounds this morning, and another stool so the doctor decided to start giving her colostrum (1 cc four times/day). So far she is digesting it and having no residual before each feeding. Her heart rate and blood oxygen levels stayed in the normal range and she was only on about 30-35% oxygen.
We are going to bed tonight with grateful hearts. Thank-you for all of your prayers, and so many words of encouragement.
Tonight one of my Thai friends who came to visit from Chiang Mai (Ichaya) is staying at the hospital with Olive for the night shift. Yet another thing to be thankful for.
Love to all of you!!!!

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Please continue to pray. Pray for healing, especially for Olive's little brain. She has a brain ultrasound scheduled on Monday to take another look. I'm so thankful to hear the good news about her ability to digest colostrum! Pray for rest for Rusty, Lynette and my parents. Pray for wisdom as each day they may be faced with making difficult medical decisions. What a heavy weight to bear.

Olive

Mom's facebook update at 9:50 pm:

I just did an "all nighter" with Olive Hope. Spent most of my time praying and singing. Olive had another bowel movement and the seems to be a bit better. She had a fever during the night, but did well with the new minerals, etc given he...r. There is hope she may be given colostrum today!

Lynette's facebook update at 10 pm (10 am in Thailand):

Dr. said she still has great bowel sounds and they will try to give her a little colostrum today and see how she responds!!!

Conversations with Tyler

Today on the way to preschool:

"Ms. Juli is pretty bossy." (Ms. Juli is his teacher)
Wayne asked, "well, why do you think Ms. Juli is pretty bossy?
He replied, "well...she kind of acts like she's in charge of the whole school."

Ha! I just hope he doesn't tell her that. :)

*********************************************************
Tonight, out of the blue, Tyler asked,
"What is Mennonite?"

This led to a brief discussion, with many questions, of anabaptism and pacifism.

And just now, after his shower:
"What is Mennonite, and why is it Superman's only weakness?"

Ahh... :)

Lynette's letter to Olive today

From Lynette's blog

Oh my little Olive...you are so precious to me. Your little toes to your chin-and those tiny little fingernails. Every part of you was perfectly formed. I am heartbroken to not have you inside of me where you belong right now...getting your nourishment from my body rather than from this IV hanging next to your little isolate.
I can't stop thinking about you when I am near you or away. I pray each day that Jesus would be the hands holding you close when I'm unable to. Today I've been feeling sick so I'm scared to get close to you, but everything in me wants to be holding you close to me and singing to you. Olive there are so many people praying for you around the world. So many people bringing requests to the FAther that your little body would continue to be renewed and restored. I am praying for a release of pressure on your little brain, for the swelling to decrease, and for the damaged cells and blood vessels to be made new and healthy. I've also been praying that your precious little eyelids would be able to close--and today they did!!! You were opening and closing your little eyes intentionally. The nurses heard bowel sounds over the last two shifts and I was told this morning that you had a stool. I almost jumped on the doctor when she told me because I was so excited. The doctor says that when you stop having gastric contents come out of your ng tube that they can give you some colostrum that I have frozen. Today you only had a little come out this morning... I am hoping and longing for the day when I can cuddle with you in my own bed...without all of these tubes coming out of you...and give you the milk my body has been making for you. I am dreaming of the day when I will be able to hear your little lungs breathing on their own...to hear the sound of your little cry. Grandma and Grandpa Miller are here now and have already fallen in love with you. Grandma has even been trying to give you little foot treatments which we are not surprised about. :>) Bethany, Libby, Jan, Janya, Sherry, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy and I have been taking turns sitting next to you so that you don't feel alone...and so that your mother can rest knowing someone will call me if you are having any problems. The nurses here are taking such good care of you. I told them your name yesterday and they told me that they call you "Lucy." I laughed when I heard that, but still think its pretty cute. You are my little love, my little Olive Hope and I hope you can sense how loved you are. Bethany gave me these verses yesterday that we taped onto your bed and I have been reading them over and over. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make [Olive] dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 "...He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He who watches over [Olive] will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 3:4

As of this morning...

Rusty posted this morning:

Olive's platelet count was very low today. They also found more infection in her blood. No bowel sounds yet. Lynette is having a hard time sleeping and starting to feel a bit sick, but thankful that her parents have arrived safe and sound.

cookie

Today while waiting for me to pick him up for preschool, Tyler was chatting with his teacher.
She told him that he is a "smart cookie."
He responded, "I'm a walking chocolate chip."

Random! :)