God has been good this week in allowing Rowan to make visible progress in his healing. God has answered so many prayers and all glory goes to him. Sara & Caleb are beginning to see glimpses of their boy again. As you saw in the last post, Rowan was extubated which allowed him to be held by his mommy again! What a wonderful answer to prayer! Rowan has maintained his breathing with the help of oxygen through his nose and has not required intubation again. For this, we are extremely thankful! His new “vent free” state has allowed him more freedom to be held – and he even tried to play tonight!

After he was extubated, the doctors have begun the process of decreasing some of his medications. He is dealing with a significant amount of withdrawal symptoms as he is being weaned off of high powered pain medications. He is agitated and having a hard time calming down. This is another difficult step in the recovery process and it’s extremely hard for Sara & Caleb to watch as Rowan suffers through these symptoms.

It has been a refreshing change of pace to have a couple days free from a major setback, but Rowan’s journey is far from over. There will continue to be daily mountains and valleys that Sara & Caleb must navigate with Rowan. As you lift up Rowan in prayer, some specific requests and praises are below:

·         * Praise God for a completely functioning liver and pray for no rejection. Rowan’s body has continued to accept the liver and it is functioning at a near normal level!

·        Pray that Rowan’s withdrawal symptoms would be mitigated and the doctors would have wisdom as they wean his medications

·        Praise God that the hepatic artery has continued to flow free from clots – pray that this continues

·         Praise God that Rowan’s internal bleeding has stopped

·         Pray for no infection

·         Pray for rest for Rowan, particularly as he is weaned from medication and has trouble    settling. Also pray that Sara & Caleb would rest well.

·         Praise God that Lily and Sara were able to get some special one-on-one time yesterday, pray that Lily will continue to persevere.

God has been faithful to the Vets throughout Rowan’s illness and He will continue to pour out his mercies daily on Rowan, Sara, Caleb, & Lily.  God is receiving glory through Rowan’s story because of their reliance on Him. Thank you for being a part of their through your prayers, gifts, and notes of encouragement.

Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord I my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him

Lamentations 3:21-24