Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Day 3 - A long night


As I mentioned yesterday, Yvette's mom stayed with us last night so that we could some sleep, however, what was supposed to be a night of much needed rest quickly became anything but that. We did not go to sleep until midnight due to Yvette's nausea and weakness from the transfusions. As Tristan's 4:00 AM feeding rolled around we entered into the darkest part of our journey so far. Earlier on we had attempted to bottle feed with no success due to Tristan's small size and lack of ability to suck, therefore we had no option but to tube feed. As we began administering the 4:00 AM feed we quickly realized that all of his feedings thus far were backed up into his stomach and he began aspirating his formula. As his little body quivered the neonatologist and I quickly removed all the tubes and began suctioning out his airways and stomach as Tristan stopped breathing and quickly turned a dusky shade of blue. Fortunately God gave Tristan the strength to fight his way through and after some aggressive massage and a little oxygen "blow by" his color began to return and God extended his stay. Thirty minutes later we began to realize that the root of his problem had not been solved. As he had his second apnea episode. In while we cleared his airways and stomach, the problem lie in the fact that every meal that he had eaten up to that point was backed up in his intestines because he had not yet eliminated the "tar like" meconium. We decided to give him glycerin to help him produce stools, and release the pressure in his distended bowels and allow for greater expansion of his lungs. Between 4:30 and 11:00 Tristan stopped breathing eight times and had to be assisted. Once his poops increased, his stomach decreased and he was incident free for the remainder of the day. Yvette and I had read about "blue spells" through other families experiences and I must say, it was more terrifying than I could have imagined. Thank you Father, it wasn't his time. We have since begun checking for residual undigested food from the previous meal before we begin his next feeding. Maybe tonight some rest will come.
(Written and posted by Trayc Hostetter)

15 comments:

Laurie in Ca. said...

I am so sorry to hear about such a frightening day for you with Yvette feeling so badly and poor little Tristan. I pray that God calms your soul and gives you deep peace right now, that you all get complete rest and Gods assurance that He is there with you, watching over you, guiding and loving you so very much. Praying for you and asking God to wrap you all up in His loving arms.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Aunt_Nette said...

Goodness, I was just going to the dining room to eat, I decided to check on your family. I am glad I checked. I will lift you up in prayer for this area of Tristans health. Please know we are out here lifting you up.
You know when your growing up adults never tell you all the gross stuff you will encounter. I guess that is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

I am on a business trip in Switzerland and although it is nearly 11am here, it is the wee hours of morning for you. I hope that right now you are all sleeping comfortably and getting the rest you need. I just wanted to let you know that thoughts and prayers for your family are covering all hours and all parts of the world!

Anonymous said...

Praying for you in Northwest Arkansas ...

Pat N Fl said...

I am thankful that you have made it through another night. When I wake in the middle of the night I lift a prayer up for all of you but espically Yvette and Tristan. That she is getting the rest she needs and is healing so that she can enjoy this precious time with Tristan. Tristan that he will be able to get some substance and continue to breathe on his own. For God's arms to wrap all of you in his love and grace. I am reminded of the song we use to sing on Wed. nites (you may still sing it) "God is So good, God is so good, God is so good to me. God answers prayer, God answers prayer, God is so good to me." What a might and awsome God and father we have.

I pray that you go a night of rest last night. Please enjoy you time with Tristan, I am going on the assumption that no news is good news.

Happy Birthday Tristan.

Luv Ms. Rodgers

Anonymous said...

Continually lifting you guys up in prayer. I can only imagine what a terrifying experience that was for you both. Thank God that the issue seems better and for the precious time you are getting to spend with your little boy! What a testament to the power of prayer!!!

Jen said...

Thank God you saw what was happening. I am praying that he is going to shock everyone and stick around a long time. Really, I'm praying for all of you, and I am worried about Yvette, and wondering how Tayden is doing and how much of this Tanner understands, and I've never met any of you. Please know there are prayers coming from all over for you all to have strength and an immense amount of joy celebrating the births of two very special baby boys.

Tiffany Thigpen Croft said...

God is so good! I woke up at 3:50 a.m. and could not sleep. I didn't fall back asleep until 6 a.m. - but as soon as I awoke I thought of you all and began praying for Tristan, it felt urgent and I knew I needed to pray. I am in tears right now understanding what God was allowing me to partake in during prayer. I prayed off and on with urgency until sometime after 6 when I fell asleep. I thought at the time that I was just awake and praying to help me go back to sleep - instead I was praying for Tristans life right along with you!!!
Our God is so amazing.
I hope today is a much better day and that you will get to rest!
Love, Tiffany Thigpen Croft

Unknown said...

I am so relieved to hear yvette and Tristan are well. Yvette I know you from work and thru many conversations we had , I know that you have one of the closest relationships to god. You and your sister ALWAYS bring light to a room and I know that you bring light to Tristans world. Hang in there, as he will continue to give you strength and courage to continue these restless moments. He is a lucky to child to have one of the sweetest moms in the world. Your undeniable strength encourages us all.
My whole family is praying for you.

Kenzie said...

Know that we continue to pray for you as the Lord has greatly laid you on our hearts these past several days. I can't imagine how frightening it must be to see him not breath... We are praying specifically for his strength, Yvette's strength and recovery and all of your as you go through this time. Much love and prayers!

Kenzie

MomtoAPKMGJCandL said...

My daughter was Trisomy 18.

May your time with Tristan be long and full of wonderful memories.

Praying for your family

Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com) said...

How frightening that must be for dear sweet Tristan to stop breathing. I will be praying for this to continue to subside so that your time with him is joyful and relaxing and free from difficulty. I am still praying that Yvette will gain her strength back so she can truly enjoy her sweet baby boy.
Thank you for continuing to update us - we are so prayerful for you!
Kim

Anonymous said...

I am thrilled to see the miracle God has done by giving Tristan a much longer life than doctors predicted (shows you who is really in control). I am continuously praying for continued recovery for Yvette and a blessed life for Tristan. Please know people in South Florida are praying for you too! Love & Prayers, Lynda B. Branch

So Blessed said...

Praying for your family...that our heavenly Father will sustain you with the strength that you need. His promises are true, and He is faithful...the One who watches over you will supply all your needs. My prayers continue for Yvette's healing and for precious time with your baby boy.

Kim said...

Poor Tristan. I hope he's feeling better and that you guys can get some rest.

And I hope soon we can see his sweet face! :)