prayers for elias...

please pray...

we currently are at dupont hospital and plan to be here in the nicu for the next few days minimum.

little elias has a very high level jaundice and is in need of urgent attention, which he is now receiving. he is being poked and prodded as we speak in order to assess his current situation. in our conversation with a neonatologist, it was explained that his high jaundice levels are due to a few things...

first, natalie's blood type is o+, elias' type is a+...at times when the mother has this type of blood and the baby has this type of blood the mother's blood fights the antibodies of the baby - and this is what is happening in our case.

secondly, jaundice levels elevate with dehydration, this happens when the baby is not getting the milk supply that is needed. this is also a factor in his current situation.

overall, elias is being monitored by nurses in the nicu, has an iv with fluids to attempt to flush out his system of jaundice, is being treated through multiple lights and is being tested to fully assess his current needs.

we are praying that his current treatment will decrease the high levels (21.5) and that he would not #1) have any brain damage from the high levels, which can happen and #2) that he would not need a transfer exchange (full blood transfusion in order to discontinue the complications between natalie and elias' blood types).

we thought we would be home tonight...watching the bears game, unfortuntately we are here. we have hope that god will see our little man through all of this without complications and that god will restore our strength (as we are very discouraged and tired). it is very hard to see his little face covered by goggles and it's even more difficult to hear his cry when he has been poked with needles for multiple blood draws and ivs. we are just asking for your prayers during this time...