Papa Bob reports on Saturday:
"Baby Heath had a good day today-still completely sedated. Heart-lung machine and pacemaker doing their jobs. Everything but heart seems ok."
Blessings, "Gran" Sarah
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday afternoon- Call from Chris
Friday afternoon greetings....
I just received a call from Chris. He wanted to touch bases with the latest on Heath's condition. The doctors have begun their attempts to wean Heath off of the heart/lung machine. Upon Chris's call, he had been off of the machine one hour with good results. The procedure to place the permanent wire/pacemaker device went very smoothly. Heath is officially on the transplant list. They are now faced with the reality that Heath will likely remain in the hospital until he receives his transplant.
As you can imagine, the stresses are many. One stress that is growing is the financial stress. The Tuttles are meeting with some financial advisors on Monday of next week to try to establish a fund that helps them deal with the short and long term expenses of this difficult ordeal. Of course as Presbyterians, they want to proceed "decently and in order". So, for those of you who continue to ask, "How can we help?", this might be the answer. They hope to know more next week. As you can imagine, this decision is one of many difficult ones for Chris and Carrie but one made after facing yet another difficulty reality of the costs of Heath's care and the daily "hospital living" for the family.
During this Advent season, we are learning the very real anguish of waiting...
Blessings, Sarah Beth
I just received a call from Chris. He wanted to touch bases with the latest on Heath's condition. The doctors have begun their attempts to wean Heath off of the heart/lung machine. Upon Chris's call, he had been off of the machine one hour with good results. The procedure to place the permanent wire/pacemaker device went very smoothly. Heath is officially on the transplant list. They are now faced with the reality that Heath will likely remain in the hospital until he receives his transplant.
As you can imagine, the stresses are many. One stress that is growing is the financial stress. The Tuttles are meeting with some financial advisors on Monday of next week to try to establish a fund that helps them deal with the short and long term expenses of this difficult ordeal. Of course as Presbyterians, they want to proceed "decently and in order". So, for those of you who continue to ask, "How can we help?", this might be the answer. They hope to know more next week. As you can imagine, this decision is one of many difficult ones for Chris and Carrie but one made after facing yet another difficulty reality of the costs of Heath's care and the daily "hospital living" for the family.
During this Advent season, we are learning the very real anguish of waiting...
Blessings, Sarah Beth
Friday's News
I spoke with Bob (Chris's father) this morning and he and Uncle Robert had stayed overnight with baby Heath. During the night, his heart rate became irregular and use of a temporary pacemaker became necessary. Today they are transitioning to a more permanent pacemaker.
The good new is that the echo cardiogram revealed improved heart function and good recovery from the heart "episode" earlier in the week. He will continue to be on the heart/lung machine for a few more days. The decision to wean him off will come when it is time. At this point, they are dealing with one decision at a time. Just as the doctors had told them, Heath would continue to experience "two steps forward and one step back" in this process. Yesterday was the "two steps forward" and last night and today have been the "one step back".
Ella Brooks is doing well and enjoys Playschool with the good folks at Westminster. Westminster continues to embrace the Tuttles and provide tremendous love, support and meals.
Your continued prayers and loving support are sustaining the Tuttle family. Carrie and Chris's parents, siblings, etc. continue to help them find their way through this difficult time. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and offers of help.
Advent Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah
The good new is that the echo cardiogram revealed improved heart function and good recovery from the heart "episode" earlier in the week. He will continue to be on the heart/lung machine for a few more days. The decision to wean him off will come when it is time. At this point, they are dealing with one decision at a time. Just as the doctors had told them, Heath would continue to experience "two steps forward and one step back" in this process. Yesterday was the "two steps forward" and last night and today have been the "one step back".
Ella Brooks is doing well and enjoys Playschool with the good folks at Westminster. Westminster continues to embrace the Tuttles and provide tremendous love, support and meals.
Your continued prayers and loving support are sustaining the Tuttle family. Carrie and Chris's parents, siblings, etc. continue to help them find their way through this difficult time. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and offers of help.
Advent Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Stable
Genie (our Associate Pastor) visited with the Tuttles this morning. She said the doctors were very reassuring to Chris and Carrie this morning. Heath is responding well to the medications, his blood pressure has stablized and he continues to do well with the heart/lung bypass machine. Their goal is still to wean him off in the next 24+ hours.
We continue to wait and pray for Heath to receive the transplant he needs.....
Blessings, "Gran" Sarah Beth
We continue to wait and pray for Heath to receive the transplant he needs.....
Blessings, "Gran" Sarah Beth
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Difficult News
The Tuttles have had a very difficult day. Heath was not feeling well so they took him into the doctor this morning. I called Carrie just to check in and she said she was with the doctor and that Heath was very ill. The doctors were not immediately sure what was wrong but they were anticipating hospitalization. Carrie said she would call me back once she found out more information.
About 4:30 p.m. I received a call from Ella, Carrie's mother, telling me that Heath was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, was very seriously ill and asked me if I could come and stay with Ella Brooks while the family went to Duke's PICU. Of course I dropped everthing, headed to Carrie's home and Ron headed to Duke.
Ron was able to see the family and discovered that Heath's condition had changed very quickly and has been sedated and placed on a heart/lung bypass machine for the next few days in order to give his heart a "rest". The hope is that Heath can be weaned off of the heart/lung machine in a few days and they will consider a pacemaker in the days to come.
For now, the family is taking shifts staying with Heath and caring for Ella Brooks. Of course the family is worried, exhausted and overwhelmed with this difficult turn of events. Fortunately, I was able to spend an evening with Ella Brooks cooking, playing, reading, pretending and keeping her completely unaware of Heath's condition. Chris's parents, Bob & Pat arrived tonight in Durham ready to do whatever is needed.
The doctors are encouraging Chris & Carrie to go home tonight and get some sleep while they can. The coming days will be challenging and they will need what rest they can get tonight. Chris's sister, Sarah, is staying with Heath tonight so Chris and Carrie can try to sleep.
It is late, and everyone is indeed exhausted. As I learn more tomorrow, I will update the blog again. Please continue to pray in earnest for Heath as he weathers this storm and as they anxiously await a transplant....
Blessings, "Gran" Sarah
About 4:30 p.m. I received a call from Ella, Carrie's mother, telling me that Heath was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, was very seriously ill and asked me if I could come and stay with Ella Brooks while the family went to Duke's PICU. Of course I dropped everthing, headed to Carrie's home and Ron headed to Duke.
Ron was able to see the family and discovered that Heath's condition had changed very quickly and has been sedated and placed on a heart/lung bypass machine for the next few days in order to give his heart a "rest". The hope is that Heath can be weaned off of the heart/lung machine in a few days and they will consider a pacemaker in the days to come.
For now, the family is taking shifts staying with Heath and caring for Ella Brooks. Of course the family is worried, exhausted and overwhelmed with this difficult turn of events. Fortunately, I was able to spend an evening with Ella Brooks cooking, playing, reading, pretending and keeping her completely unaware of Heath's condition. Chris's parents, Bob & Pat arrived tonight in Durham ready to do whatever is needed.
The doctors are encouraging Chris & Carrie to go home tonight and get some sleep while they can. The coming days will be challenging and they will need what rest they can get tonight. Chris's sister, Sarah, is staying with Heath tonight so Chris and Carrie can try to sleep.
It is late, and everyone is indeed exhausted. As I learn more tomorrow, I will update the blog again. Please continue to pray in earnest for Heath as he weathers this storm and as they anxiously await a transplant....
Blessings, "Gran" Sarah
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Turkey Tales
No big updates to report except a funny Turkey Tale from baby Heath. I was out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday and received a call with Carrie's caller ID. I of course was concerned knowing that we had not planned on talking again until after the Thanksgiving weekend. When I answered I soon discoverd that this was not the "usual call". I quickly called Carrie back to discover that Heath was playing with Mommy's phone and decided to make a phone call to his Gran Sarah. Of course, I think he missed me but I am open to the possibility that he simply pushed a button by accident!
I expect to talk to Carrie the first of the week for an update unless Heath calls me sooner than that!
Blessings, "Gran Sarah"
I expect to talk to Carrie the first of the week for an update unless Heath calls me sooner than that!
Blessings, "Gran Sarah"
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