September 12, 2010

Hello friends and family,

Yup, once again I'm sitting to blog and starting it out with an apology about not posting more often. Seems like everyone I know is on Facebook and people keep up with The Lenkers there.

I want to take a minute and talk about the amazing church service we had at Grace Community Church today. It was an all out praise time. Besides having probably one of the most awesome music jam sessions, (Ted rocked and looked HOT banging on those drums :)) we got to come up to the microphone and share praises. Most everyone knows about Matthews medicial condition. Today I got up and shared that I was away from Ryan, Josh and Kelly for a long time while he was in the hospital. And Matthews wish through Make A Wish Foundation was granted for his whole family to be together at Disney! Fyi... we leave in 4 weeks from today! (Praise God for hearing this mothers cry for all her babies to be together in a fun place and that it was able to be granted though Matthews illness!!!)

Lets see... about Matthew. He had his EGD in June and everything looks great. Dr. Maisel said she feels Matthew will keep his feeding tube until he tells us hes done with it. I know... strange, eh? Probably till hes a pre-teen and is more embarrassed by it. As for now, Matthew can eat almost all food just fine. His tube is for daily mediciations and emergencies, and trust me, it has come in very handy in those emergencies.

As for what is current. In 3 days, September 15, 2010, Matthew will be having another surgery down at Peyton Mannings Childrens Hospital @ St. Vincents in Indianapolis. He'll be under for around 3 hours. Its supposed to be outpatient, but I'm a little concerned about him being under for that long of time. Please pray that he heals quick and infection does not set in. Pray for wisdom and steady hands for the surgeon and everyone involved in his care.

I'm excited that my mother is coming down with us for this surgery. We are getting a hotel on tuesday night next to the hospital. Shes never been down there before. I want her to see where Matthew and I stayed on and off at for his first 2 years of life. Its a very special hospital with little hidden places that I had plenty of time to discover. I give lots of praise and thanks that Matthew was sent down to St. Vincents instead of another childrens hospital. It holds a special place in my heart.

Stay Beautiful Within,

Erica

April 5, 2010

Hello Everyone,

Another update for Matthew. He saw the doctor last monday, thursday and friday and called the doc on Saturday. He wasn't "sick enough" for the right diagnosis. By Saturday afternoon I knew he had more then a virus. Yesterday (Easter Sunday) Matthews fever rose to 105.2 degrees! Enough was enough! Ted and I ran him into the Goshen General Emergency Room and insisted upon a chest x-ray and an RSV test. I knew he either had pneumonia or RSV....and sure enough the chest x-ray showed pneumonia. Matthew is now on the correct medicine for his illness and on the road to recovery.

I want to take a quick moment to point something out. We love our doctor. We also know she is not with Matthew 24/7 like we are. Ted and I know Matthew inside and out. We know when something just isn't right. Doctors arent God, nor does my doc act like she is. There are limits on what doctors vs. parents know. I'm blessed with medicial knowledge and boldness to be stern and assertive when it comes to Matthews health. We pray one day he won't be labeled as a "special needs" child anymore. Thank you for all your prayers!

We give praise for the healing hands of the Almighty Physician. The will of God will not take you where the Grace of God can not keep you.

Stay Beautiful Within,

Erica

p.s. Matthews EGD surgery he was supposed to have last friday morning is being rescheduled for May. I'll post more at that time.

April 3, 2010

Good Morning Everyone,

I decided to go back to a "universal" blog for everyone to read for Matthews updates. I know several of you are on Facebook, but not everyone. I update facebook several times daily, but I will continue to update Matthews blog for his current situation.

Recap since Matthew was born Jan. 29, 2007: Matthew was born with Laryngo Trachea Broncho Malasia, deformed epiglottis, no right vocal cord, severe reflux, aspiration and obstructive sleep apnea. Hes had a feeding tube in his stomach since he was 4 months old.

Heres the low down on whats currently happening. Two weeks ago Matthew started a funky little rash on his hands that the doc said was exzema.

I've had Matthew back to the doctor 4 times in the past 2 weeks. He was supposed to have an EGD surgery down in Indianapolis on Good Friday. On wednesday he developed a low grade fever and thursday he was diagnosed with the start of ear infections and sore throat. So we cancelled his surgery for friday morning. I took him back to the docs friday afternoon and his ears already looked better and things were going well.... until 11:30pm and his fever spiked up to 104.6!!! I have never seen a fever so high! Matthew still has his feeding tube in his belly so we brought out his pump and bags and started to get him hydrated with Pedialyte. Hes on an antibiotic, 2 fever reducers, nausea medicine, antihistime for his exzema and his regular meds along with breathing treatments with 2 steroids he inhales. We got his fever down by 1:30am and thought he was on the road to recovery. Buy 4:30am his fever spiked back up to 104.4! Our local doctor said its probably a virus that needs to run its course.

I'm not thrilled that Matthew has to endure these high fevers. Nor are we convinced its "just a virus". Hes never had exzema before and its a sign that something is "not right" within his body. And now the high fevers and wretching (he can't vomit due to the Nissen fundoplication surgery he had at 4 months old) are following the full body exzema break out. We love and respect our local doctor but shes not a specialist and sometimes it needs to go beyond her locally and send Matthew back down to Indianapolis.

Please pray for guidance for Ted and I.

Pray for wisdom for ALL the doctors involved in Matthews care.

And most important pray for healing for Matthew.

This is my prayer for Matthew today:

Oh Lord, my healer, I pray for my son Matthew to be strong and courageous, and not terrified or discouraged with the illness he is facing. Please be with him wherever he goes and provide your strength as he fights daily challenges. Ted and I long for the time when Matthew can fully enjoy good health. I pray for your healing power to touch my child's body. During this time of sickness, I pray that you will strengthen my child's inner spirit. I pray that during his sickness it will make Ryan, Joshua and Kelly more compassionate, caring people, who are quick to pray for others who are sick. I pray for the doctors and ask you to grant them wisdom, understanding, and compassion in treating our precious Matthew. Please help Matthew to sleep peacefully knowing that you are with him and will never forsake him.

In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Stay Beautiful Within, Erica

January 28, 2009

Once again I need to appologize to those of you who have followed Matthews health via this blog. Its been almost a year since I have written in it. Now that we have a new pc at home with internet I am able to post on here as Matthews health changes.
The latest test that Matthew had was last week. It was a nuclear gastric emptying study. He had to eat eggs with some sort of dye in them. Then he laid flat on his back for an hour as a scanner followed the eggs through his abdomen. Matthew didn't pass the test. His stomach empties at a very slow rate. This is really nothing to be very alarmed about. Considering all he has been through this seems very minor. He started a very low dose antibiotic to jump start his metabolism. We pray that's the answer. Matthew is not under or overweight. Hes the perfect weight for his age and actually a little taller then the docs expected. He still has the feeding tube in his belly and he will have that for a few more years. He eats and drinks everything by mouth, but we use the feeding tube for daily medications, burping his stomach (way cool) and emergencies.
It has been a long road but glorious 2 years with this precious angel from heaven. Matthew turns 2 years old tomorrow!
Thank you all who have followed this blog. Your prayers are heard and many have been answered.
Much love from the whole Lenker Family :)

March 31, 2008

Hello Everyone.
Once again we are back in Indianapolis at Peyton Mannings Childrens Hospital at St. Vincent's. The direct number to Matthews room is (317)338-0008. Matthew has been wretching for about 2 weeks now. Hes not accepting any fluids by mouth and after giving him fluilds via feeding tube, he wretchs. Its agonizing to see him do this. Its also extremely dangerous for him to wretch. His surgery last May closed off the top of his stomach so food can enter but not exit. Well...it exits South, not North. He may have torn the surgical procedure (Nissen Gastric Fundoplication), he may have an ulcer due to the tube in his stomach, he may have blockage, a mass...we aren't sure. Tomorrow (tuesday) he will have a series of testing done. Barium, dye, abdominal ultrasound, possible cat scan...and in the next few days he'll have surgery to actually go into the stomach through his throat (EGD). Matthew also has sum eye gunk happening. Hes scheduled April 18 to have his left tear duct unblocked. I'm not sure at the moment if thats even an option with what is going on right now.
Ted and Kelly drove down with me but they need to leave to get Kelly home for some sleep before school tomorrow. (its already 9:40pm) Matthew can crawl really good now, and is also pulling himself up....so he won't stay still in this big metal crib. Hes hooked up to a pulse/oxygen monitor and of course the alarm keeps going off since he won't sit still. The nurses are going to come in later to put in an IV.
Keep on Praying for this precious baby God blessed my family with.
Stay Beautiful Within,
Erica

NOVEMBER 24, 2007

Hello Friends and Family,
Just a quick update on Matthew. He is doing well. He is still on his feeding pump at night. He is able to eat baby food during the day and drink a little bit of formula. He is still very protective of his airway, so drinking out of a bottle really isn't his favorite thing to do. He has another sleep study scheduled for Wed Nov. 28. In my previous posts you can tell I'm NOT fond of sleep studies for Matthew. Its VERY STRESSFUL on both him and me. It has to be done as part of his regular health maintenance. Please pray for both of us. Ted has to work, so my mom and I are driving little Matthew down to Indianapolis for this overnight test. His apnea episodes are far and between what they used to be. He still turns blue from time to time and it still freaks me out. I'm so grateful for his oxygen tank AND the apnea monitor.
I trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. There is SO much to be thankful for. God Bless you and your family during this joyous holiday season!
Love,
Erica and Matthew

August 16, 2007

MATTHEW PASSED HIS SWALLOW STUDY!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.K. everyone......do the happy dance with me!!!!!
Matthew had his first bottle and taste of applesauce today. It was scary and exciting all at once. The bottle and applesauce both had barium in them. It shows up on an imaging screen as he swallows. Neither the formula or applesauce went into his lungs. PRAISE GOD!!!!!! This is the best news we have heard in a LONG time. I get to very slooooooooooowly feed him bottles again. Its going to be a long process teaching him to suck and swallow from a bottle again. Hes trying very hard. He was adorable. He loved the applesauce. I was tickled pink to be able to feed Matthew like a normal baby again. He will have his G-tube removed at the earliest in 3 months. That's very optimistic thinking on the genetic doctors part. Matthew still has to have his bronchoscopy and EGD surgery tomorrow. Hes got 3 other doctors that are VERY protective of his airway. I'm just happy to be able to hold him and give him a little taste of a bottle. He is now 14 lbs and 8 ounces. Hes gaining weight great. At 6 months he should be around 18 pounds. Hes just a little behind. He'll catch up. Hes a LENKER ya know!
I want you all to know that I choose not to go see Benny Hinn for healing for Matthew. I went to prayer encounter at my church on Wednesday night instead. (http://www.gracecommunity-church.com/) Matthew was able to be anointed by Pastor Jeremiah, Pastor Craig, Pastor Jon and Elder Dave. (Thanks guys, we love you all so much) I love my church, church family, pastors, elders and deacons. I trust in them and believe in them. Thank you so much Jesus for all of them.
Oh, and also, Ted and I came down here instead of my mom coming with me. Grandma is at my house with Ryan, Joshua and Kelly. They started school today. Ryan is 16 and a sophomore, Joshua is 13 and in 8th grade, Kelly is 10 and in 5th grade. Ryan has a pretty bad neck injury so he won't be in football this year. His spine is jammed up into the base of his skull and his left rib cage is twisted. It was a hard decision to fully pull out. Hes also got to work on his grades. Hes got dreams of another mission trip and playing his guitar. He sings LOUD for Jesus. (as a mom it doesn't get any better then that!) He got an A- in his drivers training class over the summer. He'll get his license in October. (I'll be on my knees praying not stop) Joshua is in 8th grade football. Hes adorable and loving. Hes taught Matthew to make raspberries with his lips. Its darling. Kelly is beautiful. Her hair is short now and cut like Victoria Beckham/Posh Spice. She got glasses over the summer so she looks very different for going back to school today. I also got mine cut. I'm back to my Lady Diana hair. Simple and easy. Wash and go. (Why didn't I do this hair after Matthew was born?)
I need go for now. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. Matthew has been touched by our Creators hands. A true miracle has happened and more are to come. Thank you JESUS!
Stay Beautiful Within,
Erica