Update for William Goforth

March 20, 2002

 

ANSWERS TO PRAYER! William is 8 weeks and 2 days old today!

Because of the Lord's answer to prayer concerning the improvement of William's lungs and the lowering of the oxygenation of the respirator, we are delighted to report that William has "graduated" from the oscillator to the ventilator. This will allow more flexibility for Joshua and Noelle to begin holding him once again during their visits. Here is a direct quote from Noelle's most recent e-mail to us: "I talked to [William's doctor], and he said I could hold William very soon!!! He was saying some things that finally sounded like they were encouraged with his progress. I thanked him for everything he has been doing for William and he humbly said, 'I haven't done anything. It's his nurses, and mostly...' and he pointed up to God. Praise the Lord!!!" We are so grateful that the baby's Christian physician recognizes that William's primary physician is the Great Physician. 

 

UP TO THE MOMENT. . .

William is now receiving (by tube feeding) 8 cc's of his mother's milk every hour. At one count—and we do keep count, he weighed as much as 3 lbs. 5oz. this weekend, although presently he has settled at 3 lbs. 2 oz. We are also encouraged that there was a lapse of 4 full days between the usual daily taps of cranial fluid. Once again, we continue to be hopeful that there will be a steady decrease in the amount of fluid, resulting in a total healing that would eliminate the need for a permanent shunt.

 

Joshua and Noelle are beginning to learn William's many likes and dislikes. You might say that they are at an advantage with all the instrumentation that is attached to him, measuring every little dip or rise in his respiratory, circulatory, and central nervous system. So far they have determined that he likes certain pieces of peaceful music—Pachelbel's Canon in D for one.  (But sorry, Uncle Josh. He is doesn't seem to like any guitar music yet. Just give him time to mature.) He loves to sleep on his tummy like his daddy, but he strongly dislikes to be on his back. He loves Mommy and Daddy's kisses, and likes to be cuddled with the Threads of Love beanie bags resting on his head and chest. But he definitely dislikes the respirator tube down his throat, as demonstrated by his resolve last week of pulling it out. (After all, one of the meanings of William's name is "resolute, defender".) 

 

Not only is he showing signs of preferences, William is becoming a bit particular. As Daddy plays Handel's Water Music for him, whenever the volume is so low that the music fades out entirely at one portion of the recording, Daddy says he opens his eyes as if to say, "What happened to the music?"  He has done that repeatedly with the same selection at least 5 or 6 times at the same pause. That's fine with us. We rejoice at every sign of the Lord's miracle-working in his life, and we trust in God's lovingkindness to perfect that which concerns us. (Psalm 138:8)

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Today we ask you to please join us in prayer that:

a. his lungs would continue to heal from the infection and bronchial-pulmonary dysphasia.

b. there would remain an immediate and steady decrease in the cranial fluid, eliminating the need for a permanent shunt in the future.

c. his brain would be totally protected from any pressure caused by any fluids or dissolving blood clots.

d. William's eyesight would be protected. 

e. the Lord would continue to give divine wisdom and supernatural insight to each hospital staff member who attends William each day.

  

WORD FOR THE DAY:

William's favorite lullaby verse: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

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