Big day ahead...

John's nurse Donna with doing his bolus feed  (think of it as an after meal meal).

John would like to proudly announce that since he received his nasal feeding tube, he has gained 1 lb! WOW! This is huge progress and means that the green light is on for the placement of his G tube (the one put into his stomach) tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 14th.  

It promises to be a long day as he will get an MRI of his brain @ 6:30 am and then get his tube placed.  We found out a few days before we came to the hospital that John has a Human Growth Hormone Deficiency (HGH).  This means he will need a shot 6 days/ week for the next 15 years (until his body has stopped growing).  We were advised that the medications for this deficiency are time tested.  SO when we get home from this hospital stay, we will be trained to mix and administer Humatrope on an almost daily basis. 

Although this news felt overwhelming for a number of days, God's timing of John's feeding tube has been confirmed as essential through this discovery.  The Humatrope will cause his bones to grow, which means he will need even MORE calories than he does currently.  And since he was getting only 50-60% of his daily calories through eating now, he would have an even greater need for help in feeding with taking the shots. 

The reason that the MRI is scheduled is that (HGH) can be caused by a couple of reasons.  One is a tumor on his Pituitary Gland and the other is that the formation of his entire mid-line of his body was defective (i.e. his cleft lip and palate are a part of this also).  So the MRI is required to rule out the possibility of a tumor. 

We are grateful we were able to have the MRI and the g-tube surgery at the same time so that it reduces the amount of anesthesia and the "trauma" that comes with these procedures of a child.

Your prayers are making a HUGE difference!  Thank you for your support. 

Please pray

• That the placement of John's feeding tube goes perfectly
• That his pain will be controlled well
• That since John will not be able to eat tomorrow and will also not receive feedings through his tube yet that he makes it through the day with minimal discomfort.
• That he will not be too upset that they are not taking out his nasal feeding tube for several days to insure the one in the stomach works.  (He has asked a number of times to have it taken out and also to go home).  

Thanks from the pit crew,
Laurie, Ron, and Grandma M (Menefee)