Look Who’s Feeling Better!!

// November 5th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Loux Family News

OOHHH, Silas was a little dizzy when he sat up!

Good Morning World!

Enjoying a little play time!

Blowing kisses! What a little love!

Silas looking at the beautiful picture/card that his sister Michaela made for him!

Happy Birthday to our priceless son Sasha! Upcoming pics and a special post on Sasha's party soon to come! We love you angel boy!

We have great news to report concerning Silas!  In our earlier post, we mentioned that Silas was in a lot of pain and that he was receiving help from the Bipap machine for his breathing.  He was not expected to be moved out of ICU for one to two days because he was struggling so much with his breathing and his pain level (wasn’t responding well to pain meds).  He made a quick turn all of a sudden yesterday in the late afternoon.  He was taken off of the Bipap machine and began breathing well with only the help of an oxygen mask.  He also began responding well to a few different pain meds that were given to him.  Because he was stabalized and doing so much better, his doctor had him moved out of ICU onto the main floor.  Now he’s even breathing on his own without help from even the oxygen mask he was wearing only hours ago! We are so thankful to those of you who have been faithfully praying for Silas!!  What a difference prayer makes!!

Yesterday was our Sasha’s birthday.  Between being at the hospital with Silas and running errands to pull off Sasha’s first  birthday party ever, it was quite a busy day for Derek and I.  Sasha’s birthday was never celebrated at the orphanage he was in, so this was a pretty big event for him! Sasha’s eyes lit up when he saw all the balloons and the “fireman” decorations (his birthday theme) around the house.  It was a very emotional day for us.  We feel so blessed to have Sasha as our son.  We knew he felt loved and cherished by all the friends and family who gathered to celebrate his priceless life!

As I sit here next to Silas’ crib in his hospital room, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of God’s goodness and His love.  I’m thankful for His faithfulness and for the peace that only He can give.  What an awesome God we serve… so full of mercy and compassion!

Thank you again for praying!!  Blessings and hugs!

A Hard And Painful Day In ICU

// November 3rd, 2009 // 15 Comments » // Loux Family News

Silas is in a lot of pain today which is to be expected after all he’s been through. He was being weaned off of much of the pain medication he was being given right after surgery, but as of 3PM that has now changed.  He is still in ICU. He pulled out his intubation tube on his own and that didn’t make his nurses or doctors  very happy.  His doctor decided to try putting him on a nasal canula to see if he could tolerate it without his oxygen saturation level dropping. That didn’t last long.  His levels dropped and so he was put on a Bipap (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) machine, which is one step down from being back on the ventilator. The Bipap apparatus helps provide more air to Silas’ lungs. His breathing is very retracted right now.

Silas is not happy about having so many tubes and wires connected to his body and he is in a lot of pain.  He keeps trying to lift up his body and turn himself over. Silas’ doctor gave him more morphine and other pain meds to make him a little more comfortable but he is not responding well to the pain meds. His doctor said that some children with down syndrome don’t respond to pain meds the way they are supposed to.  Silas is one of those children.  He now has his arms and legs tied to his bed to keep him from pulling at his IV sight and his Bipap tube.

Silas’ doctor called in the ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) to see if there might be something blocking Silas’ airway and causing the problems he’s having with his breathing.  After the ENT doctor put a camera scope through Silas’ nose and down his throat to look for any possible problems, she said that his airway had a very bad case of adema (swelling or excessive build up of fluid in the tissues or an increase of tissue mass).  She’s not sure if this was caused by the ventilator tube or if one of his vocal chords might have accidentally been severed during surgery.  Silas’ doctor said the only way they will know for sure is to wait until the swelling goes down.  That may be a little while because the doctor said they might have to put Silas back on the ventilator tonight if he doesn’t show any improvement in the next couple hours.

We would appreciate your continued prayers for our precious little one.  He is putting up a brave fight and is in desperate need of strength right now.  Thank you again to those of you who are faithfully praying.  We appreciate you more than words can express.

Silas getting examined by one of his doctors

After the Bipap tube was inserted

I know if Silas could talk, he would tell his Daddy how much he loves his sweet kisses.

An Update On Silas

// November 2nd, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Loux Family News

Silas came out of open heart surgery around 3PM today.  Everything went well and his surgeon said it was a “textbook” case.  Silas will be kept sedated until tomorrow morning.  We anticipate he will be in ICU for 2 more days and then moved to the main floor.  They expect his stay at the hospital will be for  7-10 days.  Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers!  It’s so comforting to know that we have such an awesome and extensive support system.  We thank the Lord for keeping his hand on Silas, preserving his life, and showing us His boundless mercy time and time again!

Daddy and Silas in the pre-op room

Mama and her handsome little darlin!

Silas fell asleep for a little while, in his Daddy's arms

Bye bye everyone! See you after surgery!! Thanks for your prayers!! XOXO

Let's roll!

After surgery in ICU

Our beautiful boy!

Mama, thanking Jesus that her little one is doing so well!

Sleep tight little angel! We love you so much!

Silas’ Cardiac Surgery

// November 1st, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Loux Family News

We love you our precious Silas!

Tomorrow, November 2nd, we will be taking Silas to Children’s Mercy Hospital.  He will be having cardiac surgery at 9AM to close a very large hole in his heart.  We would appreciate your prayers for our little guy.  He’s come a long way in the short time that he’s been ours!  We are looking forward to having his surgery over and seeing the positive changes in his little body that will take place after surgery. Silas will be in the hospital for 7-10 days if all goes well and there are no complications.  God is good and so faithful! We are trusting that His hand will flood Silas’ body with healing and that Silas will be running around, being his happy little self very soon!  Thanks to all of you who have committed to pray!  Love, hugs and blessings to you all!