The great mohawk rebellion of '07 has been suppressed. Last night, Benjamin was doing well enough for the doctors to hook him up for an electroencephalogram (EEG). His hair has been matted down, and his head is now covered with electrodes that are monitoring the electrical activity in his brain. It's still not a full brain scan, but hopefully we'll get a clearer picture of what's going on after the test is completed this evening. Ben was not going down without a fight; however, and he managed to overflow his urine container so that the nurses had to clean up quite a puddle on the floor. His uncle Les did inform me that Ben's hairstyle is actually a fauxhawk because the sides are not shaven so maybe Ben isn't as much of a rebel as I originally thought.
Last night, Ben was also taken off of his dopamine drip so he is down to one heart medication called dobutamine that they have started to cut back on as well. One other thing that the doctors have done is change his sedation medicine. He is still asleep all of the time, but he moves around a lot more than he did before. This should keep him from getting sores and from losing muscle, but it also means he has a higher risk for knocking out his ventilator tube. It makes me kind of nervous to watch him move around with everything hooked up to him, but I know it's good for his little body.
Because he is moving around more, I actually got to see him try to yawn for the first time today. Unfortunately, it was while I was trying to read him a story. I told him that I know Benjamin Bunny is not exactly a cliffhanger and Beatrix Potter can be an acquired taste for some, but he should at least give it a shot in my opinion.
You will not guess the last book I checked out from the library and started reading right before Ben was born. It's the latest book by Philip Yancey called "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" I may finish up the book some day, but I must say that all of you have helped make the answer self-evident: Prayer Makes All the Difference in the World! I am strengthened daily by your prayers and words of encouragement; I see my son improving day by day, and I know that I would not have any peace in this situation without God's comforting Spirit.
I will not be posting a blog entry tomorrow so that I can make sure I spend enough time with my beautiful wife, but please continue to speak with God about our son. Thank you for your overwhelming love and care for us.
Hope and comfort to all of you,
Whit, Adrienne, and Benjamin
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19 comments:
Praise the Lord! I'm am so happy to read of baby Ben's improvements. Few moments go by when I'm not thinking of your son and your family. We truly serve a great and merciful God! I personally have been very encouraged by your faith and wanted to say how lucky Andriene and Ben are, but I'm sure they already know that. You're a good dad, Whit :)
Southside sends their prayer and love! May the Lord continue to rest his healing hand upon him.
your brother in Christ,
Marshall
What wonderful news... it's amazing how much you can learn about medicines and medical procedures in a short time, huh? I think med school could be shortened to a semester if the doctors' children were the patients. Stay strong. But don't worry, we're all here holding you up.
Such hope! We love you guys.
Still and always praying,
Dan and Theresa Underwood
I'm so glad to read of Ben's continuing improvements. We are keep you, Adrienne, and Ben close in our thoughts and prayers.
Whit and Adrienne, how wonderful, you and your beautiful family are in our prayers. I am glad that the mohawk issue has been resolved. I would still keep an eye on those NICU nurses though. I am glad that you get to see been move around and pray that each day shows improvement. Please give Adrienne lots of hugs from us, your family in Ava, MO. We love you and can't wait for you to bring your beautiful family to see the big tree in the living room. God Bless and keep you!!! Joe, Vickie,and Aaron
Whit, it was so good to see you yesterday. Adrienne, I'm sorry I missed you. I wanted to wrap my arms around you and give you a big hug like I was able to give Whit. Whit, give her a big hug for me. Your faith and spirit is such an encouragement to me and I know to others. Ben is so blessed to have you as his parents, and I know he blesses you everyday. Just remember you are loved so much by so many. You are in my constant thoughts and prayers.
Janet Bilyeu
Like Ann said, your knowledge of medicine is really impressive. I did not find any spelling errors. We are so glad to hear that Ben continues to improve.I just wanted to let you know that everyone in the international ministry at Memorial Road is constantly praying for Ben, Adrienne, and you. You are very special to all of us, and we love you!
Jennifer, Sam, and Chris
Gatewoods,
I look to see if there are any updates the first thing when I jump on the computer, and I am so encouraged by your son, and the improvements that he is making. God is so awesome. There was a time when many, many people were also praying for my own baby, becasue of certain unknowns, and I completely understand how you're feeling. You really do recieve the peace that surpasses all understanding, because there is no way that it could happen on your own.
What a blessing church family is!! Keep up the good work, my friend and you'll be tossing a ball with that mohalk-wearing kid of yours before you know it!
Chuse! Rici
Whit, Adrienne, and Benjamin~
Chances are, we've never met, but through our Christian family we have many connections. I participated in the Vienna Studies Program in 1996 and lived in OKC and attended Memorial in 97-98, and have visited many times since. I went to Cascade with Rici and grew up with her husband, Jason. Brian and Alisha Rusher are among my dearest friends, and they are doing their best to extend your prayer network. Because of them, our family and many of your brothers and sisters in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are now earnestly praying for you.
I am due to have a little boy in 4 weeks, so needless to say, your story has stuck a chord in me. I can't blame my tears on the pregnancy hormones, either--it breaks my heart that you have to deal with this, and that Benjamin's introduction to the world is so far from what a new parent hopes for. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers will be fervent and frequent. If our little guy is less-than-healthy, I hope that I will have the faith and strength to face the situation with the kind of grace you are displaying. You are an inspirational example, and I pray that God will bless your faithfulness beyond all you ask or imagine.
With my love and prayers,
Gina (Frost) Kortan
Whit, I am so sorry to hear what your family has been enduring these last few days but am so excited that your little one has made it this far. Your family will be in my prayers. Please (as time allows of course) keep us updated.
Ben is such a fighter. I am glad to hear that he is improving. Your family is in my prayers. We love you and miss you.
God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good! You both so obviously know this even during such agonizing times. What examples and encouragement you are to the rest of us. Unfathomable peace, grace without measure, unending love. Our God is truly awesome! Thank you so much for sharing with us. All of us in the International Ministry are lifting you up frevently and frequently! I will notify our prayer partners in Kenya soon. We love you all! The news is great and we are so thankful! Pat and Ken
Whit, Adriene, and little Ben,
I didn't know either of you very well while I was at OC, but Lia sent an e-mail with your blog address in it asking for prayers. I'm so happy to see that little Ben is making improvements and I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Your strength and positive attitude and spirit is so encouraging. I know that God is taking care of little Ben and has all of you wrapped in his arms. We do serve an amazing God, and he truely takes care of us in times of need. Please continue to update. Your family will continue to be in my prayers as well as all the doctors and nurses caring for little Ben.
Dear Whit and Adrienne,
While we are glad to hear that Benjamin's condition is improving, we would like to point out that it might be a good idea to keep his lack of literary enthusiasm hidden from his grandmother Gatewood. She might take offense to her grandson's less than enthusiastic take on Benjamin Bunny!
We continue to pray for you all. Keep faith in God's power and willingness to aid you. Hugs to all, except, of course, for Benjamin. For the little man, we ask that a special tap on the toe be given with all of our love.
Love,
Michael and Jennifer (Corum)Michener
Whit and Adrienne,
We could tell from day one that we met that your faith in our God was amazing. We are so glad to know you and you need to know how blessed we are because of you. Jesus is shining very bright through you both right now. Ben doesn't know how good he has it to have Whit and Adrienne Gatewood as parents.
We love you and continually hold you and Ben up in prayer. May God bless you in His special way in this time of trial.
Clint, Briley, Easton, Tyler and McKensey
Whit and Adrienne,
I'm glad to hear that Ben is doing better. It was heartbreaking to hear what happened, but I know that this is when God does his best work. Your faith and good humor is simply awesome. I will keep you in my prayers.
In Christ
Kenny
Salutations from the Maine clan..
***** PRAISE THE LORD*****
Just know all of us here and around the world are praying for all of you hourly.. When you hold Ben's hand today, plz rub just a little bit of him for me.. Hugz to all and plz make sure Noel doesn't run amok in the hospital, we all know how he can get when left on his own for any amount of time..lol.. All of Penobscot Valley Church send their love and prayers your way today and always.. Grace and Peace, Chloe
Dear Whit, Adrienne, Noel and Kay. Our family and our church family are keeping Ben in our prayers and on the prayer list at East Gwinnett Church in Atlanta. We are certain that God is already answering many of the prayers from your family and friends around the world for Ben. We will continue to keep Ben in our prayers during his recovery.
David and Cindy Palmer
palmers@bellsouth.net
Whit, Adrienne and Benjamin,
The folks at Gosford continue to pray for you all and keep you before the Father. Thanks for the updates on Ben and we're pleased to see he is getting a little more active!
Our love to you,
David & Joy Mowday
Gosford, NSW, Australia.
(Thanks, Noel!)
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