More news...

Hi everyone! I have found the business center in the NICU that they let families use, so now I can start posting again! Many thanks to Jami and Heather for updating the blog on Thursday and getting the pics up so fast!

First, a couple of corrections and clarifications:

1. Liam was acutally 19 inches long at birth, not 17.
2. They did end up finding 2 VSDs (holes in his heart). One, the largest, looked like it was in the process of closing, and Dr. Liske thinks the other hole will close, as well. They will continue to monitor them.
3. They are not concerned about the left ventricle, as was initially reported. It ended up measuring just inside the normal range.
4. The primary areas of concern are the coarctation of the aorta, which means his aorta is too narrow in one spot, and a bicuspid aortic valve. The only one that requires immediate attention is the coarctation.
5. There is a chance that Liam will still end up needing open-heart surgery. Dr. Liske is waiting to confer with the surgeon before they make a final decision, and there is a thought that it may end up being an open-heart surgery.

Updates:

1. It appears that they are making every effort to set up surgery with Dr. Bischell for this coming Tuesday. We are hopeful that it will be Dr. Bischell, as he is the HLHS surgeon who trained at Children's Hospital Boston, the leader in the nation in treating pediatric cardiology problems.
2. Liam continues to hold his own and is stable. The medication they are giving him to keep the duct open is making him quite sleepy, so he hasn't been very alert.
3. Have I mentioned what a BEAUTIFUL baby he is? :):):)
4. Some have been asking about Lisa's health and recovery. I'm doing great and have had a very easy recovery, all things considered. More pain than with my first C-section, but just cramping, not incision pain, so it's been easy to get over to see Liam. I'll be released from the hospital tomorrow.
5. Emotionally, the entire family is doing shockingly well. We attribute this to the many, many prayers being said on our behalf every day. We know God is giving us the strength to face what lies ahead.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the messages you've been posting, and for the phone calls and visits. It has helped us tremendously to know we have so much love and support.

Prayer requests for this week:

1. PRAISE for Liam's birth and the fantastic news that we are facing a less severe scenario than originally thought.
2. PRAISE for the wonderful docs and nurses at Vandy. We have been so pleased overall with the care we've received so far. In particular, Lisa's nurses deserve a huge pat on the back--they've been extraordinary.
2. PRAISE for all the friends and family that have been helping us so much. Extra special thank yous to Jami, Grandma, and Heather. Heather, the photos you've taken have been spectacular, and we are so thankful to you for sitting with Liam when we haven't been able to.
(Honestly, our list of PRAISES at this point could go on endlessly, so I think I'll just stop there!)
3. Please pray that Liam will not need open-heart surgery. If he does, that increases the chances of so many complications versus being able to go in from the left side to correct the coarctation.
4. Please pray that God will continue to guide and direct the doctors and treatment team members working with Liam.
5. Please pray that God will give Liam's entire family the strength, courage, and wisdom to face what lies ahead.

Keep praying! In Christ,
Bill and Lisa

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18