Regarding Henry

We've had some questions about our little buddy Henry and how he's doing. The picture is from a few weeks ago when his mama got to hold him the first time during Kangaroo care (skin to skin time with mom and baby).Thank you all for praying for him and please continue to do so. This is the e-mail that we received this morning from Henry's parents:

"Friends and family,

We’ve got great news to share tonight, so without further ado…

Henry was extubated yesterday! His doc decided during rounds yesterday morning that it was going to happen at noon, so we were able to be there and watch our sweet boy take his first breaths off of the ventilator! (Well, his first breaths this time…he was off the vent about 12 hours several weeks ago, but we were in Fayetteville that day!) He is still on oxygen, but in a less invasive way with nasal cannula (those little nose prong things). We don’t know how long he’ll be on the nasal cannula, but they’ve already reduced his oxygen level today because he’s doing so great! He’s resting so well…he just looks so much more comfortable today. His doc said that his chest x-ray this morning looked better than it has in a long time. Praise God for clearing Henry’s lungs and giving him strong and steady breaths all day!

I can’t remember if we updated on the results of his head ultrasound last Thursday, but if not, it was a good one! It looks like his ventricles have returned to near normal size and the clotting has reduced a bit. Any improvement is huge and we are so thankful for God’s healing our boy’s brain. They’ll do another ultrasound next Friday, so we’re continuing to pray for complete healing.

His breastmilk tube feeds are going well. They’re working on getting him to take the full amount slowly, but all at once, like if he were nursing. Right now he’s taking it over the course of 2 hours, and they’ll try it over an hour next. He also had his first occupational therapy session today. The OTs will work on oral stimulation to help him learn to draw his Mama’s milk when he’s ready. She said that she was impressed with him today, considering he came off the vent just yesterday. She said she felt 3 or 4 sucks in a row from his little tongue. After he’s taking his feeds all at once we’ll start working on nursing. We’re praying that he continues to tolerate his feeds and that nursing comes naturally to our little guy (and his mama!)

The rest of our family is doing well also. Baba and An Na have been spending a lot of time together, and it that has been good for both of them. This time together for them has been a Godsend, as nothing builds closeness like face time. Praise God for managing our lives. I’m doing well also, and am leaning hard into God for strength, and for protection against attacks for the enemy. He knows my vulnerabilities and exploits them whenever possible, but fortunately our God does not leave me to deal with this on my own and I know He is protecting me and my family. Praise Him with me for knowing what we need and when we need it.

This coming week we are praying for continued improvement in Henry’s breathing, and smooth going with his feedings. These are the primary objectives we need to have met before he can go home. Of course we are a way off from that glorious day, but please join us in praying for continued development and a healthy week.
In His care,
Nikki (Steve, An Na, and Henry)"