Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Benson Update

We are still in the hospital trying to get our little guy well. He hasn't improved much, if anything he has gotten a little bit worse. The doctor says that is normal with this virus. It gets worse before it gets better. We're hoping that we're approaching the peak now. You can click here to read a little more about RSV.

They changed his medicine today that they are giving him through inhaler. They switched it from zopenex to albuterol. They are hoping this one will be more effective. He still has very thick secretions in his lungs so the doctor has them beating his front and back every three hours to loosen up the mucous in his lungs. He really doesn't seem to mind it that much.

They also started using a suction catheter to get the mucous up and out of his lungs. He HATES it. The stick a tiny tube up his nose and down into is throat and suction the gunk up. If mucous stays in his lungs for an extended period of time, it could get infected, leading to pneumonia, so the doctors are pulling out all the stops to prevent that from happening.

Big news today: He's cutting his first tooth... Well, TEETH actually--- There are two teeth on the bottom in the middle that are peeking there way through. So, poor guy, not only does he have RSV to deal with, but the bothersomeness that comes along with teething as well. He's done pretty well though. He goes through times that are difficult where we can tell he's just uncomfortable, but overall, he's our same sweet little Benson, just smiling and being adorable, wanting to JUMP every time his feet touch the bed or the ground.

In the last post, I said that I was hoping they would use the little oxygen tent over our bed instead of the tube in his nose. I didn't realize that in the tent, they pump in oxygen and a cool water mist. Both benson and I would be stuck in the tent and we would both be wet and cold. SO, I take it back... I do NOT want that, but he has grown accustomed to the tube in his nose and seems to be doing well with that. We are still a little concerned because his oxygen levels are dipping down very low quite often. The doctor says this is because of the yucky secretions in his lungs and throat that are preventing the oxygen to get to his blood. When he sleeps, it is especially bad. When he coughs, it clears the way a bit, and that helps, but we're hoping the new additions to his breathing treatments will help.

Please continue to pray for his little body to gain strength to fight this thing as well as endurance for us as the days and nights are long. We are blessed to have such wonderful family who have been here with us day and night helping us along the way and are so thankful for the many prayers that have been prayed by our friends and family. The Lord has been gracious to hear them and he continues to show favor upon us and bless us. We are thankful!

5 comments:

  1. Jessica, Benjamin, and Benson-

    I'm so sorry to hear about the struggles you are going through with RSV- I know that you must be very emotionally drained and stressed. Please know that we are praying for ya'll and the Lord is GOOD! :) Let me know if there's anything we can do to help ya'll out. We can bring food, run errands- whatever... just give me a call!

    Love,

    Leslie (and Jason) Waters

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  2. Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that the "Rogers Family" is praying for you guys. I pray that Benson will be get better soon and he will be able to go home. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.

    Terry, Pauline, Joel, Riley, Jesse and Josiah Rogers.
    951-7170
    Pauline@Tinkertoys.net

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  3. Benjamin & Jessica,
    It was great to see you today. We passed the word along about Benson and the blog so folks will proably stopping by for updates. Y'all remain in our prayers. Merry thought that age tracker at the top of the blog was absolutely adorable!

    We are praying for a good night's rest.

    hey, it's merry, we are praying for y'all... wow, what a week. i can't imagine what stress you have been under and pray throughout the day (and when i roll over at night)that God will strengthen sweet benson and heal him quickly. please let us know how we can help. you are an awesome momma & daddy! benson is blessed to be your baby, hang in there!

    oh yeah, your blog is crazy cute, love the worm that marks his age. can't wait to see you home, in His love, merry

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  4. Hey guys,

    We just wanted to tell you guys we are praying for you. If there is anything we can do for you please let us know. We are praying that Benson will be coming home very soon.
    Terry & Pauline Rogers
    951-7170

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  5. Jessica, I am so sorry Benson is so sick! Just to let you know, my sister had RSV when she was Benson's age. I remember how tough it was and even when she came home, we had to give her breathing treatments for a while. However, she completely recovered and all is well. :) I'm sure Mrs. Janice will keep me updated at school. I'll be praying for you all!

    -Kathy Henson

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