Please Pray for Linus (updated!)

Update, Thursday 2/23, 10:45am: We have good reasons to be hopeful this morning! The doctors think that Linus has a normal, bacterial strain of pneumonia, so it should respond well to antibiotics. He has an intermittent low-grade fever, but that's a big improvement from last night when it hit 105. He still has an oxygen cannula, but seems to be doing well with a lower-level flow, which is another good sign. And Ambrose is doing just fine! 

So there are many things to be thankful for! But please keep praying and thinking good thoughts for my sweet godson and his family. As far as I can tell, the goals are: fever completely gone, cough completely gone, O2 levels normal without any intervention, hemoglobin levels up somewhere closer to normal. And rest for Arwen, who was sitting up most of the night with a baby who decided he doesn't like hospital cribs. 

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. I know that your support is a source of encouragement to Arwen and Bryan!

*****

Hi everyone,

This is Arwen's little sister Miriel, writing to ask for your fervent prayers for baby Linus. He was admitted to the hospital this afternoon with a respiratory infection, low blood oxygen saturation, and radically low hemoglobin levels (hovering at 4; normal is 11). 

Our biggest concern is Linus's immediate health. Another major concern is long-term complications; the combination of low hemoglobin and respiratory distress can cause chronic congestive heart failure. 

If you have extra prayers to spare, please offer them for Ambrose, who will be separated from his mama for long periods of time over the coming days and, against his stubborn will, needs to learn to take a bottle so he can eat. And pray for Camilla and Blaise, for resilience and consolation for them in a time of upheaval. 

Please also pray especially for my sweet sister and her wonderful husband. This is so hard on them and they are already exhausted (two babies will do that to you). Arwen's wonderful friend Lauren is there to help her, which is a great grace, but they can still all use as many prayers as you can send their way. Thank you so much.

(Update: Linus has been diagnosed with pneumonia, so they're starting him on a course of antibiotics. His hemoglobin is also showing an upward trend--he's at 4.7 now. This is good news; please pray that the upswing continues.)

Comments

[A'Dell's Mom]

Sending prayers right now

[Rosemary]

I am praying for Linus and the whole family right now. I will offer something up tonight too.

[Michelle]

Lots of prayers for Arwen and the brood. Praying that the medication works for Linus, Ambrose takes a bottle, the two "big" kids are doing ok and that Arwen and Bryan feel the comfort of our prayers. I will pray for the complete renewal of body, mind and spirit for all of them. Thank you for keeping us updated.

[Barbetti]

Praying praying praying. thank you for keeping us updated.

[Kate]

Prayers going up.

[ccr in MA]

You're all in my thoughts. Hang in there. Hoping for the best.

[Bonnie]

Prayers!

[Jessica]

Praying hard!

[Kristen]

(just a faith and family reader) but one suggestion to try with Ambrose is the "breastflow bottle". It might help him transition (though I'm sure he'll get the hang of it soon). Prayers for Arwen and family.

[Celeste]

Hoping for swift healing and homecoming.

Another suggestion for Ambrose is that if he won't take any bottle at all, maybe he would take a cup, with assistance, or a sippy that has a free flow rather than one of the spillproof ones. But for simplicity's sake I hope he can just take the bottle.

Yay for the rising hematocrit! That can only help.

[Claire]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I will be praying. I have never heard of a low hemoglobin being associated with pneumonia. I pray that the doctors get to the bottom of it quickly, and that his recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

[GeekLady]

Prayers offered. But for Ambrose, do try a sippy cup. My son refused to take a bottle ever, even though we started giving him bottles early in anticipation of my going back to work. Eventually at three months and a week, he took one of those sippies with the soft clear silicone spouts.

[Sarah]

Prayers for you all!

[The Sojourner]

Praying!

[HereWeGoAJen]

I'll be praying here.

[ViolinMama]

PRAYING!!! Oh hugs to your weary family. We love you here on Blogsphere :).

God keep you,
ViolinMama

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

Praying hard for continued good news - and sending you and your whole family good thoughts.

[Heather]

Praying for Linus and everyone. Hope all is well soon.

[Pippi]

So glad for the improving news! I've been thinking of you and your family. I'm hoping for a speedy recover for Linus and some rest for you, Arwen!

[Kiera]

Definitely praying for you all. Hoping he recovers quickly with no long term effects.

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[Alexandra]

Praying for Linus and the whole family with all my heart.

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