PRAYER ALERT!
Update for William Goforth
May 29, 2002

ANSWERS TO PRAYER! William is 4 months and 1+ week old! and now weighs 6 lbs. 1.1 oz! Good news! Since our previous update, there has been promising headway as to two specific prayer requests, namely—healing of the baby's respiratory system (to eliminate all supplemental oxygen) and his gastrointestinal system (to eliminate the need for a permanent G-tube)!

On Monday night we received a surprise call from Noelle with the exciting news that William was off all supplemental oxygen (as a trial run, you might say.) Although he was put back on the nasal cannula before the night was up, we are encouraged that the settings were substantially lowered.

Secondly, not only has there been vast improvement with the problem of reflux, he has managed to take his entire preemie bottle of 50 cc's and keep it down (where it belongs). Once again we have renewed hope with evidence of the inner workings of the Lord's attention to the continual prayer requests that we have often shared with you, our prayer partners. Thank you! and thanks be to God!

UP TO THE MOMENT. . .
After orientation and preparation, including a CPR class, Daddy and Mommy had a "crash course" this past weekend in Advanced Parenting 101. For the very first time ever since his birth, they spent a continuous 48 hours rooming-in as a family with Baby William in the hospital. Josh and Noelle reported that the baby was quite curious and looked all around at his new surroundings in their unusually quiet, private room.

During this weekend's "furlough" from the NICU, William was outfitted with a home apnea monitor which signals an alarm whenever a baby stops breathing. We are pleased to report that it did not go off even once. PTL! As is true of so many full term newborns, it seems that even after 4 months "on active duty" in the NICU, our "little conqueror" still has his days and nights turned around. William managed to keep Daddy and Mommy on "night watch patrol" nearly the whole 48 hours. During times of fussiness, in the wee small hours of the morning, he was sometimes satisfied just to hear their reassuring voices say, "Go nigh-night." But at other times during the all-night vigil, it took a more active strategy of the old reliable, pacifying pats on the back to keep the peace. Needless to say, once Josh and Noelle returned home, they both slept like a baby—a very sleepy baby...

COUNTDOWN TO HOMECOMING!
As it stands, all that remains for William to be released from the hospital is recovery from one more minor operation to correct an inguinal hernia. Since the intestines are still not fully developed in preemies born at 24 weeks gestation, a hernia (caused from a weakness in the intestinal wall), is a common occurrence. William's surgery is presently scheduled for Thursday of this week. It is our hope that the recovery will be quick and uneventful, and that he would be released as early as Monday. That would be a very special birthday present, indeed, for Auntie Aimee.

PRAYER ALERT!
One serious matter, though, could delay William's release, and that is a possible reversal in the progress of his eyes, especially his right eye. Results from the most recent eye exam have caused the doctor to be concerned, once again, for detachment of the right retina. At this time, it has not detached, but it appears to be very threatening. Since this would necessitate a trip to a specialist in Houston, we most earnestly covet your prayers for the Lord's intervention on behalf of Baby William...

PRAYER REQUESTS:
Today we would ask that you would join us in trusting the Lord God our Healer in His abundant grace for...

  • continued healing in William's eyes to prevent detachment of either retina.
  • a quick and full recovery from surgery for the inguinal hernia.
  • continued healing in his respiratory system to eliminate the need for any supplemental oxygen.
  • continued protection from anything that would delay William's release from the hospital.
  • strength for the challenges ahead for Josh and Noelle.

WORD FOR THE DAY:
During a recent home school convention, a mother offered us the priceless gift of encouragement. After sharing a testimony of a life-threatening illness that had caused the doctors to give up all hope for recovery for her precious toddler, she entrusted us with a personalized Scripture note card that she had carried around with her for so long as a comforting companion. It served to remind her of the mercy of the Lord before, during, and after a miraculous healing of her daughter who was totally restored. We pray this for William and for your loved ones in need..."O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me...you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever" (Psalm 30:2;30:11b-12).