The Daily Kaleb

Many Steps Forward

It's 73 degrees and sunny here in Boston. The autumn leaves are glowing and dancing in the cool breeze. It feels like what's going on in our hearts as well. Kaleb has been doing very well this week! Coming into his room and seeing less machines in there each time is a wonderful gift.

Here's a summary of his many steps of progress:

•  He's been off of his pacemaker for 48 hours without any issues.

•  He's back to receiving breast milk and lots of it.

• He was moved out of the infant warming bed into a crib because he no longer needs that temperature regulation.

• Last night they also started "ventilator sprints" where they take him completely off of the vent for a short time, closely monitored, to see how he does. He did two sprints last night with little issues.

• They found a better medication to treat his arrhythmia episodes and he hasn't had an episode in the past 48 hours.

• Based on the latest echo, both the valves that were repaired and his ventricular function has improved.

We're very aware with these steps forward there could still be one or two steps backward, but the team is doing such a wonderful job following his lead as they slowly seek to move him toward to the step-down floor and eventually home.

His night nurse, Jay, is a "Southie" native who's worked at the CICU for two decades. We rarely have had the same nurse for more than a couple days, but it seems like he's going to be taking care of Kaleb for a while and we're grateful for that continuity, and for the expert care Jay is providing!

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING:

1. Pray For strength for us as we continue to balance

2. For continued progress for Kaleb. The next big milestone is to get him off of his breathing tube, but he is a ways away from that.

3. For continued healing for his heart

4. REJOICE in the unwavering grace of God that sustains and empowers Brittany and myself.

5. REJOICE in the progress Kaleb has made!

It's hard to believe it's been over a month since Kaleb was born and how far we've come from wondering if he would even survive childbirth. We are truly overwhelmed with gratefulness to God and humbled that He would show us His mercy in this way.