Prayers, Goodwill, and Good Mojo Please.

We have not had the capacity in the last few hours to call everyone, so sorry for the mass email: Today was to be our first visit to the pediatrician, but during the night, Ryan developed a fever of 100.4. He also had not had a wet diaper in close to 12 hours. When we called our ped's help line early this morning, they sent us straight to the ER.

We were immediately seen in Devos Children's hospital's ER. They took endless amounts of urine, blood, measurements and did a spinal tap within 20 minutes. What has transpired since is nothing short of the scariest thing we've ever experienced. Right now Max and I are sitting in our 4 day year olds hospital room as he sits in an incubator with UV light on him. Ryan's Billy Ruben count was sky high when we showed up. This is the condition commonly known as Jaundice. Lots of kids have this condition (kid turns yellow) and are easily treated. However, for kids like Ryan, their levels can spike so high, so quickly, that seizures can happen. So the docs are treating that issue with the UV light while Ryan lies in a neo-natal incubator. He's been under it since 2pm today and at his 6pm blood draw his numbers dropped from a rating of 20 to 15.5 (lower the better). Unbelievable news. So we are thankful for that. Another indicator is that he began pooping again (something that had slowed down since we got home) and this is what pushes the billy rubens out of his body. He is still not peeing very much, even with the IV, so they are trying to figure that out too.

His other issue is an unexplained fever. The spinal tap, blood cultures, etc are being closely watched and will be for the 5 days for signs of any number of infectious diseases from herpes to meningitis. 24 hours from the time we came in (7am) is critical and will tell us a lot. In 48 hours we will most likely know what's going on. 5 days later will be the conclusive diagnosis of what, if anything he has. Regardless of diagnosis, the docs here treat as though he has infections, so he's on 4 different IV antibiotics to get a jump on  the most likely culprits.  There is also a chance that the fever reveals a virus, like a cold or upper respiratory bug that would not react to the antibiotics. The good news is that as of this afternoon, his white blood count was normal, his heart is strong and his lungs are clear...all things a-typical for kids fighting an infection like sepsis, meningitis, etc.

Today has been the hardest day I've ever had. I think Max would second this notion. Not only are we adjusting to parenthood, the lack of sleep and new routine...but everything has changed again in just 24 hours. We're here for the next 48 hours regardless of diagnosis. We're able to sleep on cots in his room...though we find ourselves awake, jumping up to try and soothe our baby boy in a plastic box, and hearing the screams of the kid next door as I type...At one point today while I was in the bathroom, I mistook the neighbor's cry for Ryan and rushed out excited that he had finally reacted to stimulus... He's naked, expect for a diaper and these tiny sunglasses to protect his eyes, under fluorescent lights. There are so many wires, IV's, etc in him...when we take him out to feed him, we have to unhook 7 different cables alone. He's also got a board taped to his left arm that protects his IV...but he keeps whacking himself with it as he squirms around. Then again, up until 5pm, he was not moving or reacting to stimulus at all, so seeing him come out of it and cry is the best sounds we've ever heard. Ironically in the midst of all this, my milk has come in. So a lactation specialist was here and taught me to use the breast pump. The change and the trauma of today leaves Ryan unwilling to breast feed (who can blame him) but he is eating what I pump through a bottle. Max was so excited to get to feed him tonight for the first time. It was a highlight.

Also, in the last day, we've had two other things we are grieving about. The night before we came in, we got news that Max's 95 year old grandma fell and broke her pelvis. Her health has recently been declining and she had to move out of her house last month and into a nursing home. We fear this fall and recovery might break her spirit. Also, many of you know my friend Mindy. Her grandmother passed this afternoon after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer leaving behind her husband of 68 years. She is  a dear person to Max and I as we have spent many a family celebration with her and the Geurinks as well as summers at her cottage. She will be sorely missed, but remains a huge part of our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Geurink clan.

We're asking for no visitors or calls if possible since we are constantly trying to help (they leave lots for the parents to do so they feel involved), but we promise to post news on the blog as soon as we know anything. If everyone could pray for us, we would really appreciate it. My parents have been awesome (as usual) and are helping watch the dog, bring us food, etc, so we are covered on the things that I know you'd all offer to do. We've gotten so many amazing emails in reaction to Ryans birth. I know that all our loved ones (YOU) will be equally as supportive and more as we pray for positive outcomes to the situation.

All our love,

Court, Max and Ryan