WEANING OFF THE VENT

Witt is still on the ventilator. Any second we should hear from the cardiologist about when the cardiac cath test will be. In the meantime respiratory will begin to wean Witt from the ventilator. If the procedure is tomorrow he will remain on the vent but with the settings low. If the procedure is scheduled later in the week they will try to extubate him. When his sedation wears off he opens those beautiful eyes and looks at you! This morning he even tried to smile with all the tape on his face. For now he is still being sedated so he is not in pain and doesn't fight the tubes. Please pray that his lungs respond well to turning the ventilator down!!

STILL ON VENTILATOR

Lord Jesus...just absolutely invade us with Your strength! Witt is still on the ventilator and is sedated. He looks as beautiful as ever but there is also a pain that runs deeper than any pain I have experienced. To see him on the ventilator hurts deeply. It doesn't affect my faith and trust in God. My faith is not relative to the level of pain here on earth. I find that my dependence on my Savior grows as the pain goes deeper. Witt will remain on the ventilator at least until the doctors come to a decision (and Austan and Mel agree with them) about the timing of the cardiac cath test. This test which was not going to take place until late July or August will most likely take place this week. If it's scheduled within the next couple of days Witt will probably remain on the ventilator. If it's later in the week they may try to take him off it. Tomorrow a decision should be made. I'm not even sure what to ask God for...what decisions should be made so I kneel at the throne of grace where the God of all Truth sits. I ask God to pour out wisdom on the doctors. I carry Witt there with me and leave him in the very lap of God asking God to not let one thing be done out of His perfect timing to His glory!
~Karen

A PLACE TO BELIEVE!

The surgeon met with Austan and Melanie and let them know that they removed 62 cc's of fluid from around his heart. His CO2 level was elevated so he was having a hard time with his normal breathing prior to the procedure. Witt will spend the night in the PICU while he is on the ventalator and hopefully come off it either tonight or tomorrow. In additon, Witt will have a temporary drain to keep additional fluid from building up over the next couple of days or so. Breathing will be much easier for him as the fluid was restricting his ability to breath normally.

Texas Children's Hospital continues to amaze me with the level of care, but more importantly it is interesting to see God at work all around us. We see men and women doing specific things that contribute to life. It is patients walking through the process of healing and others struggling to take another step. In the end...God is here, all around.

And in that place many believed in Jesus. John 10:42

NOW WITT IS BACK!

Witt was taken back about 15 minutes ago. Melanie and Austan are with us in the waiting room. I am not sure exactly how long it will take. Please lift Melanie and Austan up...I can't imagine what it's like to be in their shoes!!!

JOIN ME IN THIS PRAYER!

Here is what God impressed upon me...what I am asking of Him! I am asking that the Holy Spirit usher Witt into the procedure, that the lives of unbelievers are changed from the outside in and that the lives of believers are changed from the inside out! I am pleading with God for Witt's procedure to not just serve earthly purposes but for Kingdom, eternal purposes too! May the name of Christ be lifted high, exalted and magnified through one tiny (although Mel calls him fat!) little almost 8 month old boy...Glory!!!
~Karen

GOD'S PERFECT TIMING

We are asking for and trusting in God's perfect timing! Witt's procedure actually has been pushed back a couple of hours. They had to find Witt's blood type in case he would need blood so the child that was waiting was put ahead. Melanie and Austan are with Witt in the holding area and will remain with him until he is taken back for the procedure. I have total trust in this being God's perfect timing...waiting means more praying too!!! I am praying for Witt but also that as Witt is wheeled into the surgery area that the undeniable presence of God is felt by everyone involved!! I am asking God to change the lives of people today that come in contact with Him through Witt!!!!

TAKING WITT NOW!

They are transporting Witt right now! The procedure will start in about an hour. I will post with any information as soon as I can! Thank you for the prayers, thank you for standing in the gap for Witt!!!

GOD'S HAND

It's a little of a whirlwind here! BUT without a doubt God's whirlwind and not chaos! Dr. Ing was not suppose to be here today but he came in this morning just for Witt. He has done the previous 2 taps. On Witt it's a little tricky because of the size and position of his heart and where the fluid usually accumulates. The tap has to be done on a side entry. Dr. Ing came in during the echo and wanted to do the procedure immediately but in his words: "a kid just got on the table ahead of us." Dr. Ing now has to leave but has total confidence in his associate that he trained and fully briefed about Witt. Once again I am asking God to not only be in control of the procedure but to breath air into Witt's lungs so that he can come right off the ventilator. Witt is next in line for the procedure...he had to bump another child. Pray for that family too! In the meantime Witt has been moved to another room on the cardiac floor. This room is called a step down room but is a step up in level of care...basically the same as PCU (Not PICU). Melanie isn't unpacking because there is always the chance that Witt would need to go to the PICU which would mean back to the recliners. I can't explain the peace I feel but God! It's a peace that is present without any guarantees from doctors or the outcome (they believe it will be totally successful) but the most important guarantee that God is holding Witt's life in His hands!

Just got word that Witt will be taken in about 45 minutes now!!!

MOVING FAST!

The attending on the floor is moving fast. She called Dr. Ing who will do the heart tap because she doesn't think he realized who bad Witt is doing. Witt is going stat for another echo and chest xray. They hear crackling and he is in respiratory distress. He will also be moved to a higher level care room on this floor. I really appreciate the attention and concern of the attending!

ALL SETTLED IN!

Witt is all settled in on the 15th floor. The doctors will decide at rounds in the morning when the heart tap will be done to remove the fluid. I will post as soon as we find out! Witt was his usual cute self even in the ER!

The IV is back...this time in his foot!

ADMITTED

Witt is being admitted to floor 15...the cardiac floor. The fluid around Witt's heart has increased significantly in the last 48 hours. The doctor that has done the previous 2 heart taps was called and he is the admitting doctor. I believe Witt will need the fluid removed tomorrow so his feeds will be held starting at 2am. The doctors can't answer why the fluid is back as of yet especially since last Monday it was totally gone. Once again I pray for God's perfect timing for this procedure. Witt will be under anesthesia and intubated. There is always the concern of how his lungs will handle all of it. I have absolutely no doubt God is in control. He is just as much in control as He was on Monday when there was no fluid. So it is to Christ I turn because I also know that Witt is securely in His arms!
~Karen

BACK TO ER

Mel and Austan have decided to take Witt back to ER...he is still spitting up when he feeds and his breathing is labored. Also, they knew that he would have to go in tomorrow for tests so this way they're hoping the tests might begin first thing in the morning. They still don't know what is causing his feeding issues so the gastro team will likely be called in to see him. In addition, he'll be under the cardiologists' care to watch the fluid around his heart.

Please pray for answers! I am praying that God will not only reveal the answers to Witt's problems but that He will reveal Himself in a mighty way! I continue to marvel at Mel and Austan as they persevere through this journey with Witt...they are not sad...they are joyful and hopeful and simply amazing!

~Cheryl

SMILING THROUGH IT ALL!

Witt is about the same which for Witt means not only is his oxygen still at 1 and 1/2 but he is still smiling! His breathing is still labored but doesn't seem to be worse. I can just tell you that I marvel at Melanie and Austan and their show of God's strength. Through all this, even last night, there is still joy and laughter! And Witt...well Witt continues to smile the cutest smile!

Witt donning the "I'm a Great Patient" sticker in ER last night...placed by his mom!


I love this! Witt smiles at Mel a lot when she is holding him. Sometimes she doesn't even realize it but he is just looking up a her smiling.

PSALM 13:5-6

"But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

Witt is requiring quite a bit more oxygen than his normal baseline. Right now his oxygen is at 1 and 1/2 liter. His baseline just 24 hours ago was 1/2. BUT...I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me, with Witt, with Melanie, with Austan, with all of us involved! How is Witt's situation an example of God dealing bountiful? WE HAVE WITT!!! We have been blessed so far with almost 8 months of his life. I believe the count is up to four on the number of times Melanie and Austan were told Witt was dying. I can't explain the joy that God brings us through Witt. God faithfully pours His strength and peace into Melanie and Austan. I can't imagine what their emotions must go through but the joy and laughter that still prevail are bountiful! For me, God continues to take blinders off...to reveal more of Himself to me. Things that I used to think brought meaning to life I realize are meaningless. Simply the nearness of God is my good...with this knowledge firmly in my heart whatever steps are next with Witt I know my God will see us through it. I know that my Bountiful God will not just get us through it but we will walk with joy, peace and even silly laughter...to His glory!!! For now we are keeping a close eye on Witt and his oxygen saturation level. The fluid is back and there is no explanation. If there is a change it will probably mean a trip back to ER and Witt being admitted. Whatever is next I proclaim for the world to know: "God has dealt bountifully with us!"

6 HOURS TO GO HOME

Mel and Austan met with the cardiologists on call tonight and they learned that Witt has a little fluid around the heart again. It's not enough to keep him overnight however and after some discussion with the doctors, Witt was released to go home. Melanie and Austan have enough experience now to notice changes in Witt's physical condition to determine if he needs to return this weekend. The doctors saw no need to keep Witt, but will see him Monday to assess any changes that may occur throughout the weekend. We will keep you updated if anything happens this weekend. Thank you for your continued prayers.

AT THE ER

Witt and company are at the emergency room right now because his osat has continued to drop throughout the day. They are going to do an x-ray to check for fluid again. The doctor thinks it may be heart related but is still uncertain of the cause of Witt feeling rough and his numbers changing. Please pray for answers and healing.

Rest assured that the Luphers continue to make the most of every situation. Witt sure has fun parents... check out "Dr." Austan examining Mel's ears while they wait!

ABOUT THE SAME!

Well, the good news is that the surgeon said what is bothering Witt is not the tube. This wasn't Dr. Wesson and frankly, he wasn't helpful at all. Why do some doctors walk in with an answer in mind and not even listen to the mom? His solution is tons of mylicon. He said all babies have tummy issues and poop issues. What he wouldn't listen to was Melanie saying that Witt started acting this way when the gtube was put in and it has gotten worse. Witt's oxygen is still turned up but his osat continues to stay lower. He did say Witt's lungs sound clear which is great! Right now Witt is back home but still acting about the same. Mel's going to up the mylicon and maybe slow the feed down. Please, pray that whatever is wrong with Witt that God will correct it...that he will begin to take slower deeper breaths!

TUMMY TROUBLE

Karen just called to say that Witt is very uncomfortable every time he feeds and, in fact, he threw up once last night. When he's being fed he pulls at his feeding tube and straightens out his little legs. He's obviously in pain. Mel has two calls into the surgeon's office and is waiting to hear when they can take him in...otherwise, they'll take him to the ER. His breathing is very shallow...most likely from the pain...but they've had to turn his oxygen back up.

Please pray that this will be an "easy fix" and for immediate relief for sweet, little Witt! We'll continue to update as things progress.

May your day be blessed! ~Cheryl



**update...this is Witt on his way to the doctor today! Smiling as he listens to "Mighty to Save"...we've all decided that this is "Witt's Anthem!!!" Such a sweet boy...happy, even when he's in pain!

WITT'S STOMACH

I think we are boring Witt these days but for Melanie even a day at home is not boring! The days at home are still filled with administering several different medicines throughout the day, cleaning the entry wound of the feeding tube and loving on Witt. Dr. Wesson will try to put the button on the gtube on the 18th but for now Witt still has a long tube coming out. Please pray for Witt's stomach. It seems to be bothering him quite a bit especially since the surgery. Melanie has a call into the nurse. Hopefully we will hear back tomorrow. He seems to be a little uncomfortable at times. Please continue to pray for God's perfect timing on the cardiac cath test too...the perfect timing for Witt's little body...the perfect timing for God to be glorified!!

"Bah humbug...let's go out!"

For those interested...here is a picture of Witt's gtube with the stabilizer. The "target" is actually just adhesive tape to hold the stabilizer tight in place. Now when Witt pulls on the tube it doesn't move in and out at all. Look at that smile, though!!

SING TO THE LORD

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples."

God continues to bless...to bless Witt with healthy days and us with fun filled days!

The last couple of days have been busy and filled with laughter. First, Rise' came in town to visit him and went with us to his cardiology appointment.

As Cheryl posted, that appointment was great! Witt's valve had been leaking more and more with each visit so to hear that it was leaking less was nothing short of a miracle...and no more fluid! Witt will still need the cardiac cath test to measure all the exact pressures in the heart chambers. The doctors want to do that sometime in July or early August. These last few days have involved just some good hanging out time with Witt too!

Mel and Witt

Rise' and Witt (Witt really did have fun!!)

Today was therapy day! Between therapy Melanie continues to feed Witt at home

He did pretty good at therapy today...however he doesn't like chicken !

I pray that God is even magnified in the "easy" days. He is certainly magnified in these faces!

PRAISE REPORT!!!

I just heard news from Karen that has my heart leaping with JOY!!!

Witt had an excellent report today from cardiology...the echo showed that there is no fluid around his heart AND (I just can't stop smiling about this part...) his heart valve is leaking LESS!!! Karen also said that there is a measurement that they take that has been 12-15 and today was 6-7...she said that she has no idea what it means other than it's VERY GOOD!!!

Thank you for your faithful, prayerful support of Witt, Mel, Austan and our entire family! You have shown such overwhelming love and concern...please join us in praising our Lord for this wonderful report!!!

I plan to shout it from the mountaintops!!!
~Cheryl

THE LITTLE THINGS

Thank You, Lord for the little things that are huge! Today Melanie and Witt went for their first car ride alone!!! Up until now Melanie needed to sit in the back seat with Witt because of the danger of him pulling out the feeding tube from his nose. Jim and I are out of town so Mel ventured out with Witt. He still has the oxygen tube in his nose but that doesn't seem to bother him as much so he leaves it alone most the time. Also, the monitor alarm would sound if he grabbed the oxygen. Melanie called and left us a message. I wished I could put the message on the blog. The sound in her voice was wonderful. It had to feel huge to be able to get out on her own with Witt! Here's a picture she sent. The caption was: "What a trip to Sonic does to a guy". Thank you, Lord...may I never take anything for granted again!!!

NORMAL WEEK OF LEARNING!

Psalm 66:16 "Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul."

This week has been a great week...sort of an abnormal normal week! It seems that I prepare myself more for weeks of doctors and hospital stays than normal days. What is amazing to me is how God uses Witt's more normal uneventful days to still teach me. I know how desperately need I God at the hospital just to breathe but I now know that I desperately need Him no matter what. My need for God is not based on Witt's condition but based on my condition!! My condition is that my flesh, my humanness, sets itself against God. This earth and all it contains has nothing for me. No matter what circumstances I am walking through, good or bad, God is Life, He is Breath, He is Strength!! It is so easy for me to run to Christ in tough times and now I realize that my need is just as great in so called easy times. God is Faithful...Faithful to teach. God is teaching me through Witt, that Witt doesn't need God more than I do...God just had to tear down my walls of self reliance!

Witt loves baths! Right now Melanie has to be careful not to get the tube or the stitched area wet but baths are still fun!

Before the Bath

"Anointed"?!!!

All Done!

WEDNESDAY IS THERAPY DAY!

Witt continues to do well! Some days are lazy days at home for Mel and some days she takes him on an errand or two. Today its back to therapy! The occupational therapist really worked with Witt on eating baby food with a spoon. He did better than ever! The physical therapist said he was doing better too on holding his head. Witt had physical therapy first so after "eating" some with the OT he feel fast asleep. Unlike this grandmama, Witt wouldn't wake up to take another bite! Stephanie and Kelli are wonderful gifted therapists...full of patience and encouragement. They are checking into getting a chair like they use at therapy for Witt to have at home. Thank you for your prayers...please know that even on our normal days with Witt they are still needed for peace and strength. Peace and strength for today and whatever Melanie and Austan face next in Witt's incredible journey!!

Mel and Witt enjoying a peaceful day yesterday!

Witt asleep in his therapy chair!

CARDIOLOGY CANCELLED

I always enjoy helping Melanie take Witt to his doctors appointments and there are many reasons I actually enjoy going to Texas Children's. Mainly, I am always in awe of God at work at the hospital! BUT this morning when we learned that Witt's appointment needed to be rescheduled, Melanie and I both were pretty excited. Witt is doing great and the appointment is now set for next Monday. I thank God for these days...for these days that He is every bit a part of but at home instead of the hospital! It's these days that I want to make sure that I am "dwelling in the shelter of the Most High" so that on those harder days I can be confident that I "will abide in the shadow of the Almighty". That "I will say to the Lord, My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in whom I trust!" (Psalm 91:1-2)
Here are some video of Witt from this morning as Melanie and I just plopped back on the couch and relaxed!