Our Quiverfull

Nov. 26, 2007

Heading to MRI

Posted in Noah Updates
We had a pretty eventful night last night.  The orthopedic surgeon was very concerned that Noah could indeed have a septic hip, so he ordered a STAT ultrasound at about 10:00 or so. This meant calling people in so it was very late before we went.  The ultrasound is a decent, but not great test for septic hip, and in Noah's case it didn't reveal anything.

The doctors are still considering a hip, knee, or femur infection to be the most likely source of the pain so Noah is scheduled for an MRI in just a little while.  If it shows anything, Noah will have surgery immediately since these infections can damage joints, destroy growth plates, etc.  We are now certain that the pain is NOT coming from his kidney.  The flank and back pain he was experiencing is gone or minimized now, so it is clear that the pain is coming from between his left hip and his left knee.  He probably did have a kidney infection but it is improving enough not to be the cause of this pain.

Noah did get IV morphine last night, which has always knocked him out and relieved his pain to some degree, but last night it made him goofy and wound up.  The goofier he got, the more he wiggled and moved - and the more he moved, the more he hurt.  Noah has so many drug allergies that everyone is hesitant to try a new drug on him.  The good news/bad news is that they have increased his vancomycin to every 6 hours instead of every 8 hours (bad news) but since he gets premedicated with IV benadryl for each dose he is getting extra rest just from the effects of the benadryl (good news).   He is still in a great deal of pain and we are just praying so hard that the source will be revealed and addressed as soon as possible. 

Those of you who know him in person know that he loves (is obsessed with?) his little car that we push around (and around, and around, and around) the halls for hours a day.  Noah hasn't felt well enough to ride in the car.  Now that his fevers are coming down a bit I think he would benefit from a nice distracting ride - but he can't sit comfortably in the car.  I walked him around the halls a bit this morning but he is hard to carry right now with his balance so off.  He pulls up his right knee (good leg) and rests all of his weight on that knee right on top of my pregnant belly while using my shirt and/or hair to keep himself upright.  My mom will be up here soon and I think with two of us we can prop him on some pillows and pull him around in a wagon.  He really needs a change of pace - he wants to be in his crib and try to play a little bit, but he keeps falling over on his face or into the crib bars.  I'm holding him a lot, but he is very fretful and irritable because of the pain, so it is extremely difficult to distract or amuse him at all. 

I will update as soon as I know anything for sure, which may be a while.  Thank you all for your prayers and love.  I know that God is simply carrying us through this right now in the way that only He can.  (Oh, and for those who asked - I really feel surprisingly well considering all of this.  I'm really just pretty achy from holding Noah so much when his posture and weight bearing are so awkward.)

Love,
Kate
UPDATE:  Just as I finished writing this transport came to take Noah for his MRI.  He was in the machine for over two hours but came out of sedation fine.  His oxygen sats fell very quickly right after he was put under, which has never happened to him before, but the PICU doctor was prepared with oxygen which he needed until he woke up after the MRI.  We should know something soon.
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Comments

Nov. 26, 2007 - how to get Noah comfy

Posted by Anonymous
Just happened to think - What about a baby carrier/snugli or sling. If you could position him with his hurting leg up so the weight was on the OK hip...

Maybe he could lay on his tummy on a bed wedge with his head and hands over the top and a toy on the bed where he could reach it below.

Also, eggcrate foam can be very helpful to use for padding. If, the hospital doesn't have it, Wal mart(and probably most everyone else) sells mattress pads made out of it)

I will be praying for all of you.
Melissa
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Can I Help?

Posted by ShayC
Hello,

My name is Shay Carr and I live in Enoree (very small town near Woodruff, SC). I've been keeping up with your blog, and you all are in my prayers. I noticed that Noah is in Greenville now...I live about 30 away but am in the Greenville area often (running errands and such). If there is ANYTHING I can do for your family while Noah is in the hospital in Greenville...PLEASE, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask.

Your Friend In Christ,
Shay
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
I am cotinuing to keep you and your family in prayer. So glad to hear you feel well being so far along in your pregnancy.
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
I will pray that God works a miracle for Baby Noah.
Ginny
Try and get some rest.
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
God Bless and Take Care !!! Jessica in Fl. You are on our minds !!
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Sweet Noah

Posted by Trisha & Scott

Standing with you all in love and storming the gates of heaven for Noah. Praying for HIS peace and HIS Presence to surround you and for Him to give Noah pain relief. Also praying that Jesus will supernaturally and quickly give these docs HIS wisdom and HIS knowledge for Noah.
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Thank you for the updates......................

Posted by jkiessling
Dear Lord,
Please help the drs. find the source of Noah's pain.
If it be your will - Put it to an end!!!!

Dear Kate,
We want you to know that we praying for you and Noah always. I am so glad to hear that the infection is not in his kidney!! PTL!!! I know that you do not want him to have another surgery - we will pray that the infection is not in his leg or joint - that this will miraculously be wiped out with antibiotics!!!

You take care of yourself, too. As we know that you are!

Hugs and Blessings from the Kiessling family from Fresno, California
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Nov. 26, 2007 - more prayers

Posted by Anonymous
I have been following little Noah and praying for you all. It is so hard to understand when a little one must suffer. May the God of all comfort sustain you all through the surgery and recovery.
blessings and prayers,
Judi
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Nov. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Susan in Va
Nothing much I can say that hasn't been said before, but its worthwhile maybe to let you know that you and baby Noah are never far from our minds and remain continually, urgently, in our prayers.

I don't think any suggestions from me are going to make this better, but oh, how I am praying that the One who can - soon will!
In Him
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Take a look at our sometimes crazy but always blessed life as we homeschool our eight children, run a homeschool business, and serve God as He leads us. You can also follow our baby Noah as he struggles with some serious health issues - we covet your prayers for him.

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