This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to see lives transformed by the living Word of God through Bible translation. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie, who has her degree in Public Health, works in the lab at our busy rural clinic. Our son, Isaac, was born in 2004 and our quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace, were born in 2012.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. The you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:3-6

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Evening update, Sunday


Praises:
  • Seth's left lung is better. Now they are trying to better inflate his right lung. He remains on the oscillator ventilator. 
  • The nurse practitioner was able to get a PICC line in David's other arm!
Prayers:
  • Again, that all the babies will begin making their own surfactant, especially Seth, and that Seth's breathing issues would continue to improve so he can get off the ventilator and avoid the complications (including chronic lung disease) that can arise from long-term ventilator use. 
  • There was another unsuccessful attempt to insert a PICC line in Marcie Jane, this time through her leg. Another nurse practitioner will attempt it through her other leg tomorrow. If unsuccessful, Marcie will need surgery from Children's Medical Center to insert the broviac into her chest. I would LOVE to avoid this, looking at Gavin's scar from his broviac during treatment for leukemia as an adolescent, but I realize a scar is one of the least important things on the list of potential concerns. Boys think scars are cool; girls aren't so fond of theirs. :} I'll just be grateful to have her with us in future years and can point to it as a sign of God's faithfulness and goodness. 
  • Gracie had to restart her blood pressure medication at a very low dose, but did a good job without it for most of the day, so that is an encouraging start.
  • I arrived at the NICU tonight to find Will crying and milk coming out of his nose and mouth while his oxygen level dropped. The nurse quickly syringed him and explained that the CPAP can make it difficult to keep the milk down; maybe he needed to burp and just couldn't. It was nice to hear his cry for the first time, but otherwise obviously upsetting to see him struggle. It was a good reminder that even though he continues to sail through the NICU experience thus far, he also has his little challenges and "traumas," and it bothers me that I can do virtually nothing to help him - and in this case it was my milk he was distressed by! So a "little" but important prayer request is that the babies on CPAP will be able to eat without problems. I'm also reminded that if Will were the only baby, we would be praying like crazy for him; it's just that all the others' needs are so much greater at this time, he tends to be the P.S. rather than the center of the attention. I love him just as much as his siblings!
  • Please also pray for Isaac, who has exhibited some signs of anxiety and stress, and for me to be more stable around him. I cry SO quickly and am so overwhelmed in general (not helped by the hormones of having given birth to five babies, and now having five preemies in the NICU, plus pumping around the clock!).  But I sure love these babies and wouldn't trade them for a stress-free life, that's for sure! I can't imagine doing without one of them. 
Thanks again for praying, and please also remember the press conference at 1:30 Central Time tomorrow, that the Lord would honor Himself and that I will be composed and not a sobbing wreck. :} The whole family could use your prayers during this time. It's stressful for grandparents and aunts and uncles too! 

With love and gratitude,
Carrie

14 comments:

  1. Carrie, Gavin, and isaac, know that y'all are in our thoughts and prayers very often through the day and night.
    Jennifer, Kirk and family

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  2. Praying for you sweet friend!!!

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  3. Oh wow ... the press release includes your blog address ...

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  4. I don't know you but am praying for your little babies! God Bless you, I will continue to pray for thier health and wellness. Also for strength for you and you husband and son

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  5. It's fun to see how your blog pageviews are climbing quickly now that the press release has gone out. Praying for all 8 of you. (I'm a friend of Katrina's from high school, my parents worked at JAARS when I was in middle/high school).

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  6. God bless you all. I'm the dad of six myself, although my wife did it the easy way - one at a time - or maybe that is the harder way? Anyway, we'll be praying that God gives you the grace and comfort that you need! God bless! - as he already has!

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  7. Is the press conference going to be televised? What channel? Carrie, I cry just thinking of these precious babies and how badly you want to hold them and cuddle with them. I love you all so much!
    Mary J

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  8. Hi Carrie,
    Would love to hear how you are recovering. I can imagine a c-section for 5 is probably different than for a singleton. Would love to hear a "birth story" too! I know you're kinda busy, so "when you have time"! Love and Prayers, Christina

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  9. Congratulations on the birth of your babies. I was so touched after reading your story. Your family will be in my prayers. God bless you!

    Virginia Beach, Virginia

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  10. you guys are so kind for sharing your story with the world, its easy to lose faith over the small things that dont matter. your family just makes it absolutely clear that there is a force out there watching over us. My thoughts and prayers are w/ you and your little ones!! I hope you're having a speedy recovery and they make it through this little road bump!!!

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  11. Just saw you guys on NBCnews! You all did so well and pointed to God in all that you said...and it was neat that those were the parts they included! Much love to all eight of you! --Libby Davis

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  12. Just found your blog! Sending prayers. I have triplets that were born at 29 wks 1 day. They are now 4 1/2 & very health! Soon this will all just be a memory & you will all be home! They are doing great! So remember those sleepless nights of pumping non stop! lol Get some rest!

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  13. God Bless you and your wonderful family. I saw a quick news flash about your babies yesterday, and prayed for each of them. God is in control, and He will see you all through this. Father in Heaven, please bring healing to these beautiful children you have created. They have come into this world early, and need Your touch to survive. Thank you for these lives, and bless this family with finances, love, healing, peace, and much joy. Amen.

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Gavin, Carrie, Isaac, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, & Grace Jones

Gavin, Carrie, Isaac, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, & Grace Jones

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