Friday

I spent much of the morning with the Tuttles and found baby Heath to be in a holding pattern. The doctors want to let him rest and continue on ECMO for the weekend and not even attempt to "cycle down" because he continues to tolerate the ECMO so well for now.

One challenge has been Heath's sedation. As he becomes accustomed to the sedation medications, he is more easily awakened by voices-especially his mom's! Yesterday he awoke and tried to "make a break for it" as Chris put it. Chris wanted to simultaneously cheer and calm him down! Their little fighter is still at it! So, they have changed the class of sedative drugs they are using to keep him adequately sedated while connected to the ECMO. He was "dancing" a little early this morning but was resting comfortably by mid-morning.

Because of the challenges with the sedation, and Heath's response to voices, the family and medical team are asking that only family be allowed to visit Heath. The extra voices continue to wake him and that is not in Heath's best interest as he continues to rest in hopeful anticipation of a transplant. The Tuttles appreciate your love and concern so very much and trust that folks will indeed honor their request.

They continue to wait in what has become a "holding pattern". So many of you continue to ask what you can do to help and some first steps have been taken towards establishing opportunities for folks to contribute financially to assist the Tuttle family. So, family friends who have been trying to figure out a way to help are working out establishing two options for giving.

Option 1
If you do not need a tax deductible option, a Custodial Account has been established in Heath's name by his grandmother Ella Strowbridge through the State Employees Credit Union. Checks may be made payable to "Heath Tuttle" and dropped off at any State Employee Credit Union branch or mailed driectly to:
Ella Strowbridge
514 Oak Bluffs
Pittsboro, NC 27312

Option 2
Cary Presbyterian Church (Carrie's home church) is in the final stages of creating a fund under the church's 503C status that will be a tax-deductible giving option. Information will be available in the next few days. I will post the information on the blog as soon as it becomes available.

We continue to wait, hope and pray for the Tuttle family we all love and especially for baby Heath.

Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah