Happy Halloween

So Halloween hasn't gone exactly the way I envisioned. We didn't get to dress him up or visit the pumpkin patch for pictures, but we have a lot to be thankful for. Caden's surgery for a central line was "easy" according to the surgeon. Everything went smoothly. Nathan was working today so I was thankful to have my mom, Jaime, Nikki, Janna, and Angie (and of course their adorable kids) to keep me company throughout the day.

Check out Caden's first Halloween picture. The highlight of his day was a 2 hour snuggle with Mommy before his surgery. The bear is wearing part of his Halloween costume. He was a pilot with a leather bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses. We will dress him up for pictures after he comes home.

Halloween Update

At 11:00 a.m. this morning Caden will go into surgery to put in a central port. This should help him not have to get poked so much with IV needles! He's been doing well these past few days. Please pray for a smooth procedure and easy recovery. Thank you!

Things I Already Love About Caden...

1. The way he looks into my eyes when I talk to him.
2. The way he fights to keep his eyes open when he's falling asleep.
3. The way he grasps onto my finger and holds it tightly.
4. The little grunts he makes when he moves around.
5. How he likes to keep his hands up on his face.
6. How quickly he's calmed by a familiar voice or snuggle.
7. The way he plays with his tongue.
8. His new obsession with his pacifier.
9. He's a trooper. I'm scared of IVs, and he's already had many.
10. His silky hair.
11. His soft skin.
12. His long, big toe.
13. He's ours.
14. He's a good and perfect gift from God.

The Weekend Report

My mom (Marcy) went to visit Caden this afternoon and left encouraged. . he has two of his tubes out--ones that were in his nose and taped across his face. . so he looks more comfortable--that's the good news. The "opportunity to pray news" is that he is fighting infection. He's on antiboitics, cultures have been sent off, and they seem to have it under control.

He's enjoing being held by his parents and family after 2 whole days last week of not being able to be held.

My mom also said that it's so sweet to see how Caden responds to Melody's voice--that he really seems to calm down and his heart rate go down.

Thank you to all the many, many people praying. Please keep interceding for our little one. We know that God IS in control. We're praying for the infection to be healed, for the feedings to go well (they'll start that when they get the OK from the surgeon), and for wisdom for Melody and Nathan as they make decisions about his care.

This is a prayer that my (Star) friend Michelle wrote and prayed for Caden. You can pray it, too! :)

Father, we are praying for Caden Joseph Lilley in need of Your healing touch. We ask You to look upon him with mercy and compassion. You have taught me that sometimes we don't have what's needed because I haven't asked, and so we gather together and ask for healing. Father completely empty the Doctor's, nurses, and any person making medical decisions for Caden and fill them up with Your Wisdom and Your Wisdom alone regarding all needs that need to be administered to little Caden. Father, we praise Your name for the gifts you have given those on this earth to perform surgeries to help our bodies but most of all we Praise Your Name because You are The Lord Who Heals, The Lord Our Peace; God Almighty, I AM. Thank you for making Caden perfect and choosing wonderful parents who love You Lord and place their hope and trust in You. May Your Spirit strengthen Melody and Nathan right now. Father, comfort them with the assurance of Your love. Help them trust You, and remind them that You are the One who makes a way when things seem difficult; nothing is too hard for You! NOTHING. Help them not give up, to keep watching for Your answers and Your healing. Give them faith. Help them not to lose their confidence in You and Your faithfulness, to know they will see how Good You are. Thank you that you hear them in their distress; May they sense Your presence right now. In Jesus' name, amen.

The Good, the bad, and everything in between!

The good: 1. Dr. Bloss performed Caden's surgery. It turns out that he is one of the leading pediatric surgeons in Houston. 2. Cade's intubation tube was removed on Thursday. He is now breathing room air, which is great. 3. The fluid they've been extracting from his stomach is more clear instead of brown. That means it is improving. 4. After three procedures, they successfully entered a PIC line. Now they can use this instead of poking him for an IV over and over again.

- Thank you Lord for answered prayers!

The not so good: 1. It looks like the PIC line might be inflammed. If they determine it is, it will need to be removed. We really need the PIC line to avoid a possible surgery for a central line. 2. His incisions are probably infected. They took a culture to see what is going on. They started him on a new line of antibiotics to take care of it. 3. On Thursday his IV infiltrated into his foot. It made his foot swollen and blue. Now it has a big bruise on it.

Prayer requests: 1. Please pray for a successful PIC line. 2. Please pray that his infection will go away quickly. 3. Most importantly, please pray that he will be comfortable and able to sleep soundly with all that is going on in his body.

Thank you for all of your support! -Melody and Nathan

Thanks be to God for a successful surgery

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Caden today. The surgery went well, and the surgeon said that Caden did "very well". They removed the blockage by removing a small portion of his small intestine. He has a temporary colostamy. He'll remain sedated for the next couple of days and then they'll begin the process of feeding him and decreasing the IV. When he can take a full feeding, he'll be ready to go home. Caden looks good and is peacefully recovering.

Melody wants a verse to put on Caden's crib, and the verse that we prayed today was

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

If you have a verse that you've been praying for Caden, Nathan, and Melody you can share it with them by clicking on the COMMENT button and posting your verse or prayer there. Thanks so much for your support!

Star (Melody's sister)

Surgery today

I just got a call this morning that Caden’s stomach is becoming distended (this is not good). The concern is that it will cause his bowel to rupture if it continues. He will be having surgery this afternoon. Details to follow. Please say a prayer for him today.

Melody

Caden is Here!!!

We are excited to report that Caden Joseph Lilley is finally here! He came at 12:02 am on Friday, October 19. I went to the doctor on Thursday for a check-up and my doctor accidently broke my water! We were sent straight to the hospital to be induced. He weighed 7 lb. and was 19.5 inches long. He has lips like his daddy and a nose like his mommy. And who could miss his full head of beautiful brown hair!

He is doing well except for a little potty problem. The poor guy hasn’t “pooed.” He is currently in the NICU and will be staying for a while. They are running tests to see what is causing the blockage. Right now they are giving him medicated enemas in hopes that it will cause the plug to pass to avoid surgery. We will send updates as we learn more. Please be praying for a poo poo in the near future!

-Nathan, Melody, and Caden