Slow but steady

The last few days Aron has continued to open his eyes. Yesterday he started opening them for longer periods of time—for 10 or 20 minutes at once multiple times throughout the day. His eyes are not all the way open, and he is still fighting to blink them open. He is building up stamina. It seems like he is looking at us but not quite tracking or following us yet. Also, Aron has continued to respond occasionally to commands. Other times he is just too drained and tired to exert any more effort. So we all need to be patient with him.

Today, Candace, Jill and I met with the doctors and staff at Little Company for our first “monthly meeting” to discuss our concerns as well as Aron’s progress. Overall, the meeting went well. We were able to express concerns regarding: Aron’s picc line; providing more padding on his bed so he doesn’t cough and hit his head; his blood sugar, which has been high and low sporadically; and a variety of other issues.

There are a couple positives to take from our meeting. Firstly, Aron’s doctor told us that he doesn’t think Aron’s brain was ever cut off from oxygen. This is different than what the neurosurgeon said—she thought his gasp-like breathes after his fall weren’t sufficient and called his injury anoxant as well as traumatic. However, this doctor said that since Aron’s heart never stopped, the blood going to his brain was still carrying oxygen.

Secondly, the doctors and staff are trying to wean Aron off the ventilator. There are three settings. Aron was on the strongest ventilator setting that completely breathed for him, but now he is on the middle setting, which allows him to breath over the ventilator. The doctor said that he could be off the ventilator in just a couple weeks. Then they will reassess removing the trach, since he has to be able to cough and clear his lungs on his own, or he could develop pneumonia again.

We thought that we should break down a list of specific prayer requests, so that all of you know what to be praying for. Please pray:

1. For God to restore the neurological function to Aron’s brain.
2. For no infections or bed sores.
3. That Aron will be able to respond more consistently, not only for us but also for the staff—to commands as well as to painful stimuli.
4. That the swelling in Aron’s brain keep subsiding.
5. That Aron would be able to open his eyes all the way for longer periods of time—that he would be able to follow us with his eyes and really be able to see (right now everything is probably fuzzy and unclear to him).
6. That Aron can get off the ventilator and the trach.
7. For the nurses, staff, and doctors—that they would have wisdom and a sense of responsibility to fulfil their duties and take good care of Aron (even if it’s just turning him on schedule so he doesn’t get bed sores).
8. For all those touched by Aron and this situation—that they would know Jesus and His power.
9. We will keep pray for healing, restoration, and mercy, but ultimately our prayer is that God will be glorified.

Again, the Shubin family, Aron’s friends, my family, and I cannot even fully express our gratitude for all of your prayers and support. It really is encouraging to hear from so many different people. Aron is so loved—it’s overwhelming to think that God loves Aron even more than we do, and we can trust that God has a perfect plan in all of this, even though we don’t understand it.

Jeremiah 29:11-14—"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..."

-Amy