Eliza Update - 2/12 1pm

Dear family and friends,

Eliza is peeing. This is great news.

Over the past 24 hours, Eliza suffered from severe side effects from propofol (the latest coma-inducing med). Her heart rate and blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels; her kidneys descended to the point of renal failure. Therefore, we joyously report that she is now peeing, her heart is beating strongly, her blood is pressing. She has meds to help with the latter two; the kidneys (and liver, to boot) must recover on their own, which they appear to be doing. We are not out of these woods, but Eliza has found a trail.

There was a point last night when we felt we might be watching Eliza slip away. Instead, she proclaimed to us: "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses...and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Amen, Eliza.

Meanwhile, the seizures have returned full force, approximately 8-10 per hour of 3 minutes duration each. The neonatologist, in consultation with various colleagues, has decided that Eliza should take this day to recover her normal body function without the risks involved in treating the abnormal brain activity.

God willing, Eliza's body will regain its balance quickly. At that point, the next possibility is, again, a coma. Apparently, the first two attempted comas did not "fully quench" the seizures, i.e., stop the seizures completely for at least 24 hours. The new drug is one that is often used in infants for this very purpose. It is called versed or medazlin. Rest assured, we (and the doctors) are proceeding with great caution toward this possibility. Please pray for patient wisdom and protection for Eliza in the mean time. What an awesome privilege to enter into prayer, to seek to know God's will and to act according to it. Let us tread humbly but confidently in prayer together.

Love,
the dixie Jax