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
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
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
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
Monday, August 13, 2007
August 13, 2007
Matthew had a check up last Wednesday...the little booger weighs 14.4 lbs now!! He has gained 2 lbs in 3 weeks!! My arms are getting sore from carrying that little man of mine!! What a doll baby. We leave for Indianapolis on Thursday. He has his swallow study on thursday and a bronchoscopy & EGD surgery on friday. Please pray for safe travel. I'm taking my mom down with me on this visit. You can pray too that I don't go crazy in the 3 hour drive down with her....LOL!!! I would also like prayer for wisdom and steady hands for the doctors during the surgery. Last buy not least, I would just love a complete miracle for our baby Matthew. We got great news yesterday that our youth pastor, Rich, is now cancer free. There were many parallels with his cancer and Matthews health, time wise, etc. God healed Rich, I know that he can heal Matthew also. Ted wants to take Matthew to see Benny Hinn this Wednesday night in South Bend. I'm up for anything. Matthew needs healing. He has overcome so much, but has more to go. Pray for me on that one. I'm really undecided what to do. Ok, time to run. Just pray and pray and pray some more.
Love, Erica
Love, Erica
Saturday, July 28, 2007
July28, 2007
I just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone and also welcome WFRN listeners to Matthews health blog. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Matthew does go back on August 16-17 for more testing/surgery stuff. I will update again then.
Stay beautiful within,
Erica
Stay beautiful within,
Erica
Monday, July 16, 2007
July 16, 2007
Hello friends and family,
We are once again back in Indianapolis with Matthew. Praise God we are going home in a few minutes. Both of his follow up appointments went very well. Matthew is now 12.4 pounds. WOW! Hes gaining weight great.
We are scheduled to come back for a swallow study and surgery August 16-17.
All of his doctors met this morning and are going to go down with scopes on the 17. Throat doc, tummy doc and lung doc all have separate scopes with different cameras, etc. Hes a "special" case for them and they are all going to be with him in the operating room together. Gotta love them! Please pray for steady hands and wisdom for Dr. Hamaker, Dr. Akanli and Dr. Maisel.
Time to run. I probably won't post on this blog again until we are down here in Indianapolis for the next procedures.
Love, Erica, Ted, Kelly and Matthew Lenker
We are once again back in Indianapolis with Matthew. Praise God we are going home in a few minutes. Both of his follow up appointments went very well. Matthew is now 12.4 pounds. WOW! Hes gaining weight great.
We are scheduled to come back for a swallow study and surgery August 16-17.
All of his doctors met this morning and are going to go down with scopes on the 17. Throat doc, tummy doc and lung doc all have separate scopes with different cameras, etc. Hes a "special" case for them and they are all going to be with him in the operating room together. Gotta love them! Please pray for steady hands and wisdom for Dr. Hamaker, Dr. Akanli and Dr. Maisel.
Time to run. I probably won't post on this blog again until we are down here in Indianapolis for the next procedures.
Love, Erica, Ted, Kelly and Matthew Lenker
Friday, June 29, 2007
June 29, 2007 1:15pm
WE GET TO GO HOME!!!!!!!!!! THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!!!!!! HOME!!!!!!!!!
I need to keep bringing my ruby red slippers to the hospital more often!....(just kidding). Matthew is doing great. I'm going to have my CPR training in a little bit. It takes Ted about 3 hours to come from home to Indianapolis to pick us up. I'd like for him to be with me through this training, but I can always teach it to him, and the kids too. Matthew will have follow up appointments about every 2-3 weeks. They are following his weight closely. I had blogged the other day he was 11 pounds and something ounces, but hes not, hes only 4.85 kilograms, that's 10 pounds something ounces. (like my something?)
I probably won't be blogging anymore about his health unless hes put into the hospital again. Only reason being we don't have internet at home. I just love St. Vincent's Children's Hospital. Having a computer right in his room is so convenient! We are blessed with large single patient rooms, large bathroom w/ shower in this room, fold out full bed for me and Ted, (yes we both can fit on it together) and food vouchers for the gourmet cafeteria. (no McDonald's in this hospital!) I'm a bit bias, but can you blame me? This hospital is the BEST in Indiana for children! The code of ethics are posted everywhere and they stick to it. There has not been one person in Matthews care that has rubbed me wrong. I LOVE everyone in this place, even Stephany Anderson the janitor! They bring Matthew little toys and animals..its so adorable!
OK, I'm going to sign off for now. Ted and Kelly are on their way to pick me up. Tomorrow is our 18th wedding anniversary. I'm looking forward to just being with my family.
Love, Erica
I need to keep bringing my ruby red slippers to the hospital more often!....(just kidding). Matthew is doing great. I'm going to have my CPR training in a little bit. It takes Ted about 3 hours to come from home to Indianapolis to pick us up. I'd like for him to be with me through this training, but I can always teach it to him, and the kids too. Matthew will have follow up appointments about every 2-3 weeks. They are following his weight closely. I had blogged the other day he was 11 pounds and something ounces, but hes not, hes only 4.85 kilograms, that's 10 pounds something ounces. (like my something?)
I probably won't be blogging anymore about his health unless hes put into the hospital again. Only reason being we don't have internet at home. I just love St. Vincent's Children's Hospital. Having a computer right in his room is so convenient! We are blessed with large single patient rooms, large bathroom w/ shower in this room, fold out full bed for me and Ted, (yes we both can fit on it together) and food vouchers for the gourmet cafeteria. (no McDonald's in this hospital!) I'm a bit bias, but can you blame me? This hospital is the BEST in Indiana for children! The code of ethics are posted everywhere and they stick to it. There has not been one person in Matthews care that has rubbed me wrong. I LOVE everyone in this place, even Stephany Anderson the janitor! They bring Matthew little toys and animals..its so adorable!
OK, I'm going to sign off for now. Ted and Kelly are on their way to pick me up. Tomorrow is our 18th wedding anniversary. I'm looking forward to just being with my family.
Love, Erica
June 29, 2007
Matthews echo on his heart was PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!! C'MON AND DO THE HAPPY DANCE WITH ME!!!!!!!! WWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! AND HIS PRAISE FILLS THE EARTH AND FILLS THE HEAVEN !!!!!!!! LA LA LA LA LA!!!!!!!! (I think those are the words) LA LA LA LA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The HUGE sleep study last night went well also. We don't have the results back yet from that, but the news on the heart is what we needed to hear. Its looking like Matthew won't have to have a trache. I am SOOOOOOOO relieved!!!!!!!!! He may stay to have another brochoscopy surgery to look at his airway. He did turn blue again twice yesterday. (little stinker) He keeps the nurses on their toes. (not to mention me...lol) I'm going to have very in depth CPR training today. We'll be sent home with a ambo (sp?) bag. You know....the bag thingy over the face when they say "bag him!"
I found out something else yesterday. Matthew does have a right vocal cord. Hes "a-symmetrical" on some parts of his body. His ears are different, one leg is a little longer and his one vocal cord is significantly smaller then the other. Ya know what?? SO WHAT? God made him perfect in my eyes. We are created in HIS image. (tears) I'm so glad we aren't like cookie cutter molds. We are all beautiful and unique. Heck...my ears are a little off and one foot is smaller then the other and I think I turned out OK. My brother has some webbed toes and a missed placed kidney and hes pretty much OK. To me...the most important thing in life is that we have a relationship with Jesus. Once that is established we are good to go !!!!!!!!!!! Amen!!
I need to get going. Matthews hair is full of "goo" from the electrodes that were attached to his head all night long. It actually looks like he has a wad of gum on top of his head. He may lose a little hair....lol....hes got plenty of hair to spare. Thank you so much for your prayers. I am SOOOOO covered peace today. I especially felt your prayers as I slept last night.
~Stay Beautiful Within~
Love, Erica & Mattie
The HUGE sleep study last night went well also. We don't have the results back yet from that, but the news on the heart is what we needed to hear. Its looking like Matthew won't have to have a trache. I am SOOOOOOOO relieved!!!!!!!!! He may stay to have another brochoscopy surgery to look at his airway. He did turn blue again twice yesterday. (little stinker) He keeps the nurses on their toes. (not to mention me...lol) I'm going to have very in depth CPR training today. We'll be sent home with a ambo (sp?) bag. You know....the bag thingy over the face when they say "bag him!"
I found out something else yesterday. Matthew does have a right vocal cord. Hes "a-symmetrical" on some parts of his body. His ears are different, one leg is a little longer and his one vocal cord is significantly smaller then the other. Ya know what?? SO WHAT? God made him perfect in my eyes. We are created in HIS image. (tears) I'm so glad we aren't like cookie cutter molds. We are all beautiful and unique. Heck...my ears are a little off and one foot is smaller then the other and I think I turned out OK. My brother has some webbed toes and a missed placed kidney and hes pretty much OK. To me...the most important thing in life is that we have a relationship with Jesus. Once that is established we are good to go !!!!!!!!!!! Amen!!
I need to get going. Matthews hair is full of "goo" from the electrodes that were attached to his head all night long. It actually looks like he has a wad of gum on top of his head. He may lose a little hair....lol....hes got plenty of hair to spare. Thank you so much for your prayers. I am SOOOOO covered peace today. I especially felt your prayers as I slept last night.
~Stay Beautiful Within~
Love, Erica & Mattie
Thursday, June 28, 2007
June 28, 2007
Its 7:45 pm........no results back yet on the ECHO of Matthews heart. I'm now getting anxious. He turned blue earlier.....oxygen went down to 56 (supposed to be 100) Everyone came running in to rescue him. Last nights sleep study went haywire through the night....another more serious sleep study is going to happen tonight. He'll be monitored with a nurse at his bedside. I don't think I'm going to get much rest tonight. Sorry for the short blog.
Love, Erica
Love, Erica
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
June 27, 2007 3:00pm
The pulomoligist, Dr. Akanali, came in to have a little chat with me. Matthews pulse oxygen sleepy study last night went well. That's great news. He will have a more intense sleep study tonight. In the mean time, MATTHEW NEEDS AN ECHO CARDIOGRAM ON HIS HEART. He is generally a calm baby with a good disposition, but when he does cry and get upset his little heart just races. Matthew has struggled since birth to have a perfect airway. This could be putting stress on his heart. The echo will let us know if the chambers of his heart are enlarged due to airway stress. PLEASE PRAY that his heart is just perfect. If his chambers are enlarged it would make the doctors want to trache him even faster.
That's all for now. I'm tired and need to rest. Matthew is happy in the big metal crib playing with toys and watching "Finding Nemo". He snuggles and cuddles deep into his blanket and takes little "cat" naps.
Stay beautiful within,
Erica
That's all for now. I'm tired and need to rest. Matthew is happy in the big metal crib playing with toys and watching "Finding Nemo". He snuggles and cuddles deep into his blanket and takes little "cat" naps.
Stay beautiful within,
Erica
June 27, 2007 11:00am
Its 11am. Ted had to leave. Duty calls at home...kids, cows, chickens, turkeys, bills, work...etc. Its so hard to walk him out to the car not knowing when I'm going to see him and the kids again. I'm glad Kellys softball is over with. Joshua is still in baseball and Ryan's football practices have started. I can't interrupt the kids activities just because I'm in the hospital with baby brother. I'm greatful for the rides they have been getting to and from games and practices. Those cell phones are great investments for the kids, especially in our situation. But needless to say, it was very hard walking Ted down to the car and saying goodbye. Seems like every time we are here it turns out to be a long long hospital stay. I enjoy walking over to the main hospital and going to the cafeteria there. I found a yummy deli in an attached professional building. (best hidden secret down here) I'm eating the most amazing Reuben sandwich right now....mmmmm!
MATTHEW had a fantastic night sleeping. He only had one apnea episode where his heart rate and breathing decreased together. That was at 1:21am. Other then that he had his normal apnea stuff....nothing out of the ordinary. Its been a quiet morning around here, and I'm waiting for the specialist doctors to come from surgery to see Matthew. All we've had this morning has been nurses, techs and respiratory therapy. We are on the 4th floor and its full...so is the 3rd floor. (2nd floor is ICU) They are scrambling to get patients sent home so they can have room for more patients. I offered them Matthews room and said we could just come back another day....HA HA....jokes on me. Well in the mean time, I'm going to finish up this delicious hot dripping Reuben sandwich and top it off with a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie.
I'll post more when I talk to the specialists later.
Love, Erica
p.s. thank you to those of you who have responded to this blog and have posted comments. Hearing from all of you is such a HUGE inspiration to me. I miss everyone so much when I am down here. I still go back to the emails from Matthews first hospital visit back in April and read and tear up to them. GOD is so good!
MATTHEW had a fantastic night sleeping. He only had one apnea episode where his heart rate and breathing decreased together. That was at 1:21am. Other then that he had his normal apnea stuff....nothing out of the ordinary. Its been a quiet morning around here, and I'm waiting for the specialist doctors to come from surgery to see Matthew. All we've had this morning has been nurses, techs and respiratory therapy. We are on the 4th floor and its full...so is the 3rd floor. (2nd floor is ICU) They are scrambling to get patients sent home so they can have room for more patients. I offered them Matthews room and said we could just come back another day....HA HA....jokes on me. Well in the mean time, I'm going to finish up this delicious hot dripping Reuben sandwich and top it off with a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie.
I'll post more when I talk to the specialists later.
Love, Erica
p.s. thank you to those of you who have responded to this blog and have posted comments. Hearing from all of you is such a HUGE inspiration to me. I miss everyone so much when I am down here. I still go back to the emails from Matthews first hospital visit back in April and read and tear up to them. GOD is so good!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
June 26, 2007
Hello friends and family. This is my first time posting anything on a blog. I hope you were all able to reach this site safe and sound. Some friends from church use this blog site, so I'm going to trust that its a safe place to post Matthews health on.
MATTHEW WILL BE 5 MONTHS OLD ON JUNE 29.
HIS WEIGHT TODAY WAS 11 lbs. 5 oz.
Yesterday, Monday June 25, Matthew stopped breathing twice. The first time was at 9:00am and he was still hooked up to the apnea monitor. He had pulled the blanket up and over his head (he likes it dark, and loves to cuddle his face in his blanket). When Ted got to him he had stopped breathing and had a glazed eye look. It wasn't hard for Ted to bring him back. Then we had another stop breathing episode. This one happened right around midnight. Ted had just finished giving Matthew all his breathing treatments (3 in all that takes about 45 minutes) and I was getting Mattie ready for bed. Attaching his apnea monitor leads, changing his diaper and getting his jammies on...he was fussing but stopped abruptly. His little nose turned blue instantly, then it spread out purple then the whole upper half of his body turned deep purple black. Yeah, I panicked. Ted and I blew in his face and started shaking him. I was ready to start CPR and call 911. Matthew came to and actually smiled at me within 5 minutes. I honestly have to say this was the first real time I thought we lost him.
He had two regular doctor (specialists) appointments scheduled today here in Indianapolis anyway. His GI doctor said hes is doing wonderful with the feeding tube and hes gaining weight great. The pulomoligist says his lungs are clear and sound good. Its just his crazy obstructed airway thats causing him problems now. Hes been admitted for observation and is hooked up to a mild sleep study monitor tonight. Hes going to have a more detailed sleep study tomorrow night. From there, the doctors will decide if he needs a trachea put in. (I'm going to post a complete medical history for those of you who want to know whats transpired from the beginning)
Ryan, Joshua and Kelly are at my friend Kim Robinsons house tonight. (Thank you Auntie Kim~Kim) Ted is here with me. Our 18th wedding anniversary is Saturday June 30. Ted is going home tomorrow. Gonna miss him terribly, like I do the kids already. Gonna sign off here for now. I hope this is a better way for all of you to get his updates.
Keep praying.
~Stay beautiful within~
Love, Erica
MATTHEW WILL BE 5 MONTHS OLD ON JUNE 29.
HIS WEIGHT TODAY WAS 11 lbs. 5 oz.
Yesterday, Monday June 25, Matthew stopped breathing twice. The first time was at 9:00am and he was still hooked up to the apnea monitor. He had pulled the blanket up and over his head (he likes it dark, and loves to cuddle his face in his blanket). When Ted got to him he had stopped breathing and had a glazed eye look. It wasn't hard for Ted to bring him back. Then we had another stop breathing episode. This one happened right around midnight. Ted had just finished giving Matthew all his breathing treatments (3 in all that takes about 45 minutes) and I was getting Mattie ready for bed. Attaching his apnea monitor leads, changing his diaper and getting his jammies on...he was fussing but stopped abruptly. His little nose turned blue instantly, then it spread out purple then the whole upper half of his body turned deep purple black. Yeah, I panicked. Ted and I blew in his face and started shaking him. I was ready to start CPR and call 911. Matthew came to and actually smiled at me within 5 minutes. I honestly have to say this was the first real time I thought we lost him.
He had two regular doctor (specialists) appointments scheduled today here in Indianapolis anyway. His GI doctor said hes is doing wonderful with the feeding tube and hes gaining weight great. The pulomoligist says his lungs are clear and sound good. Its just his crazy obstructed airway thats causing him problems now. Hes been admitted for observation and is hooked up to a mild sleep study monitor tonight. Hes going to have a more detailed sleep study tomorrow night. From there, the doctors will decide if he needs a trachea put in. (I'm going to post a complete medical history for those of you who want to know whats transpired from the beginning)
Ryan, Joshua and Kelly are at my friend Kim Robinsons house tonight. (Thank you Auntie Kim~Kim) Ted is here with me. Our 18th wedding anniversary is Saturday June 30. Ted is going home tomorrow. Gonna miss him terribly, like I do the kids already. Gonna sign off here for now. I hope this is a better way for all of you to get his updates.
Keep praying.
~Stay beautiful within~
Love, Erica
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