UPDATE ON BABY MICAH

Micah is still in need of so much prayer. In the last update which was a praise report, Micah had gained 1 lb. and 2 oz. over the weekend. He weighed in at 9 lbs., 6 oz. That was 3 weeks ago. Micah has still not gained any more weight. He is three months old and is basically still at little over birth weight. Stephanie has been giving Micah as much as he will eat by bottle and then giving him the remainder of his feeding in his feeding tube. He is throwing up his food frequently which is probably why he cannot gain weight. While he is currently on a medication for reflux, the doctor says they will probably put him back on the Reglan medications that he was originally on to see if that helps. I met a young lady today who has a 6 month old son who had a similar problem beginning at 3 weeks of age. After an ultrasound of his stomach, her son was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis. The pylorus is the lower part of the stomach through which food passes to enter the small intestine. When an infant has Pyloric Stenosis, the muscles in the pylorus have become enlarged to the point where food is prevented from emptying out of the stomach. Babies then projectile vomit their food after feedings. The condition is easily corrected by a simple, 25 minute surgery. After hearing this today, it really sounds like it is something that needs to be looked into with the doctors, although they have not suggested anything other than reflux. Micah should have doubled his birth weight by now.

Chris and Stephanie still have not heard back from Medi-Cal on the status of their application. It has been 2 months. We found out today that apparently their application is still pending. We do not know what that means, but Stephanie left a message for their case worker to contact her about it. Hopefully she will hear back soon on that so they can begin to take Micah to CHOC specialists and CHOC Hospital (if and when needed), and perhaps get more aggressive care for him.

Saturday, Chris, Stephanie, Micah and I are flying to Pennsylvania to the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential. While I am enjoying and caring for my precious grandson every day, Chris and Stephanie will be attending a week full of intensive teaching and training on the brain and brain injury. They will hopefully come home with a treatment plan for Micah to help to re-pattern his brain. My concern is that Micah’s ongoing health problems (i.e. not keeping down food and not gaining weight) may prohibit Chris & Stephanie from beginning any therapies for Micah’s brain re-patterning. It seems the most important thing right now is for Micah to start gaining weight and getting the nutrition he needs to his precious little body and brain.

Here are our prayer requests:

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD HEAL WHATEVER CONDITION IS CAUSING MICAH TO THROW UP & THAT HE WILL GAIN WEIGHT UNTIL HE IS AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT.

PRAY THAT HIS ABILITY & DESIRE TO SUCK WILL INCREASE AND STRENGTHEN & THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE “FULL” FEEDINGS BY BOTTLE.

PRAY THAT CHRIS & STEPHANIE HEAR BACK FROM MEDI-CAL SOON & THAT THEY GET APPROVED SO THEY CAN UTILIZE CHOC & THEIR SPECIALISTS.

PRAY FOR TRAVELING MERCIES FOR ALL OF US AS WE GO TO & FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

PRAY THAT CHRIS & STEPHANIE WILL HAVE A SUCCESSFUL TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTES & THAT MICAH WILL DO WELL WHILE THEY ARE AWAY FROM HIM DURING THE DAYS.

PRAY FOR PROTECTION OVER MICAH AGAINST ANY INFECTIONS OR ILLNESSES.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING OF MICAH’S BLINDNESS.

PRAY FOR HEALING OF MICAH’S BODY AND MUSCLES. PRAY THAT GOD WOULD TAKE AWAY ALL SPASTICITY IN HIS HANDS, ARMS, LEGS & FEET, AND THAT GOD WOULD GIVE MICAH FULL USE OF ALL OF HIS BODY PARTS.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING & RESTORATION OF HIS BRAIN.

Thank you for continuing to pray with us. While I realize that our updates have not been as frequent, the urgency to continue praying for Micah still exists. Please remind your family and friends to continue to pray as well.

The Lord knows and sees the whole picture – even though sometimes we may momentarily forget that. He loves Micah even more than any of us could and that is the most comforting thought of all.

Love,

Grandma Teri