Awesomeness

Thank you for your prayers.  They have been answered with awesomeness.  :)  We met a PA who really connected with us on a deep level.  She really went out of her way to help us it seemed.  She made a meeting happen that was VERY helpful with Coltrane's surgery.  It would've gone very differently if this lady didn't have us meet the right people.  Coltrane's last intubation went very poorly.  Only 20 minutes after he was extubated, he had to be re-intubated.  This time, we were instructed to make sure we told EVERYONE we saw that intubation was a problem last time.  We told the PA this during our Pre-Op meeting with her.  She then made an appointment for us to see an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor.  The doctor went into the O.R. as soon as Coltrane went to sleep.  He used a microscope and a camera to look and take pictures of Coltrane's throat.  We are so happy that he did.  The doctor came in and said it was very necessary, as Coltrane's throat had a lot of damage from the last intubation.  It would've gone terribly if the surgeons blindly intubated him.  So the ENT doc split the scarring with a balloon which opened up his airway.  This way, Coltrane didn't have to be intubated at all.  They just used an LMA, which is a lot less invasive and applied a anti-scarring agent to his throat.  Coltrane is breathing even better than before surgery!

Coltrane is now on day 2 of his 4 day high dose chemotherapy treatment.  He was feeling pretty crummy this morning, but started to feel better after the nurses gave him some more powerful anti-nausea medicine.  He is sore from his surgery and has a very severe diaper rash from his TPN and chemo.  

We call Coltrane, Coltrane the Bull.  He is fierce and he is one tough little man.  I look up to my little son so much.  He shows no fear during times of stress and the unknown.  However, he still lets the nurses know what he doesn't like, when he doesn't like it!  He is a good boy too.  

Jack is doing very well, except for his sniffles.  He loves to play at the Korral where we are staying.  Between the hospital and the Kid's Korral, we are very well taken care of.  There are volunteers around the city that make dinner for the residents here.  We have dinner here every night this week, for free.  It's a huge blessing.  

Please pray for:

Jackson and I to feel better and our family to not be sick.

Coltrane to not have any more diarrhea, soreness, or nausea.

Our spirits to focus on God and His plan

Our family to be one unit, even though we are distanced for a while.

Me to get the Xbox to work on this Tv.

Thanks so much for your prayers, help, and support. 

We love you so much.  Merry Christmas!  May God bless you.

Love,

Justin,

Sonja,

Jackson,

and Coltrane the Bull