I simply cannot express how grateful we are for all of your comments, flowers, calls, pages, and blog comments.  They are literally sustaining us hour by hour. 

The doctors commenced with the ECMO procedure this morning about 9:00am.  He was placed on a heart and lung machine (bypass), and 2 catheters were placed in his carotid and jugular arteries on his right side.  As a result of the insertion of these two catheters, he will lose his use of these arteries permanently, but the use of the same arteries on the left side will remain. 

According to the Doctors, the procedure went as well as it could.  He is in more stable, but still very critical condition.  He has pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, and an infection.  His brain ultrasounds have shown no bleeding so far, but because of the heparin he is now receiving he faces an increased risk of bleeding.  There are other issues, but not enough time to mention them all.  According to the staff (of whom I cannot praise enough - they are first class in every respect), he is a very, very sick little boy.  He is fighting, but the next 24-48 hours remain extremely critical for our boy. 

For now, the goal is to keep him as stabalized as possible through ECMO for at least 2 more days, and then to gradually reduce the assistance he is receiving from the bypass machine to see how his body reacts to working on its own.  How his body reacts to this reduction in assistance will determine how quickly (or slowly) the reduction occurs.

ECMO was our last resort to save our boy, but so far it is working how the Doctors anticipated it to work.  At Georgetown last year, 10 ECMO procedures were performed.  They are rare, but again they are life saving procedures used only as a final option.  The Doctors are optimistic about his chances at the time of this writing, but of course only time will tell.  Every year in September at Georgetown an ECMO ";family reunion"; takes place, with many of the former ";ECMO grads"; who are now in high school and college returning to see their Doctors and nurses and to encourage families that are currently undergoing the process.  These are the ECMO success stories that we hear about, and it is our hope that Bennett becomes the next ECMO graduate. 

Bennett has quickly become the "favorite" among the NICU staff.  It is obvious they love him, and they are providing him the best care I have ever seen.  I continue to remain at his side as much as I can, reading Bible stories and verses, singing to him, and simply holding his hand and kissing his sweet head.  I haven't known him 3 days, and I already can't imagine life without him.  Please continue to pray for our precious boy.  I cannot thank you enough for all you have already done.

Also, Kelly is recovering well for the most part.  Earlier this afternoon her blood pressure spiked unexpectantly, and it caused some concern.  Thankfully, after a long nap and staying off her feet, and finally finding a vein for the antibiotics, her pressure came down to safer levels and her pressure is doing well.  Her spirits are good, but please keep her in your prayers.  I hope to bring her up tonight for her to see Bennett for the first time today.  I probably forgot to mention this, but we were able to have her transferred to Georgetown from Sibley yesterday evening, so that has been a tremendous help for us.  She loves knowing that she is just down the hallway from her son. 

I have taken a few more pictures of Bennett today, of the ECMO machine and his 2 catheters.  I will try to post these by tomorrow.   

Thank you again for all you have done, and are doing for our son.  

Love,

Travis, Kelly, and Bennett 

I simply cannot express how thankful we are for each of you.  Your words and comments have encouraged us more than you can possibly imagine.  Our good friend Erica Taylor has printed out copies of the comments, and Kelly and I read them constantly.  I have sat beside Bennett for most of the day, and have read many of the comments to him.  He knows he is loved. 

I implore you again for your prayers for Bennett's healing.  It has been an extremely difficult day for him.  His condition has slowly deteriorated, and he has been officially labeled the sickest baby in the NICU.  For the Georgetown NICU, that's really saying something. 

There are many issues he is facing, but the one of most importance now is his oxygen level.  His lungs are too weak and are simply not getting the oxygen he needs.  The ventilator is nearly maxed out pressure-wise.  Our last resort (and the Doctors are about 95% sure he will have to go this route) is something called ECMO, which first places Bennett on a heart and lung machine for 5-7 days on average, and then proceeds with a surgical procedure that places two catheters in his neck towards his heart and lungs.  There are many, many risks, pros and cons to this procedure (pre and post op), but it is life-saving and boasts a nearly 80% survival rate.  At the time of this writing,  the Doctors are trying everything possible to prevent the ECMO from occuring, doing everything possible to try and improve his condition in less invasive ways.  It is a last resort, and they will only proceed if they are convinced nothing else will save our son.

Please pray for healing for our precious boy, Bennett.  He's a fighter, and he needs your prayers now more than ever.

Love,

Travis, Kelly, and Bennett