Thursday update on RJ

I tried all day to blog about RJ, but Blogger was down yesterday so here is Thursday's update:
"R.J. has made so much progress just in a day and a half. He is breathing completely on his own, by that I mean taking breaths on his own. Oxygen is being pumped through a nose tube for him, but they have decreased that from 35% to 25% in a day. That means he is taking 75% of oxygen in own his own. His lungs get stronger day by day. His coloring is remarkable! He has a normal flesh color. He may look blue or pink in pictures, but that is due to the light he is under. The biggest concern right now continues to be his stomach. Docs say it is very common in premature babies. They have suctioned some fluid off his tummy and are working with a doctor in Shreveport to know the next steps. They are taking xrays of his tummy each day and evaluating each day. They're still not sure if it is bloating, gas, reaction to milk, or premature digestion system. They have stopped feeding him milk for four days until they can find a solution. He is getting nutrients and sugar water through the tube in his tummy, so he's not going without. We are taking each step day by day letting the Lord carry us through. As far as weight, doctor said yesterday that he lost some weight, but that again is common and good for his situation. He's released some fluid from tummy and it's not looking as bloated. Please pray for that tummy. We know we have a long road ahead of us, but we ask and plead for your prayers. He is our little miracle son and he has been prayed over and prayed over, but if you could add R.J. Freeling to your prayer list at church, we need all the prayers we can for his little body right now! As for me, I was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am on blood pressure medicine for 6 weeks which is normal for this HELLP Syndrome, usually the last to level out. Enzymes, platelets, and liver were all at normal marks again yesterday. Praise God! We have a courtesy room at the hospital where we can go and come as we please. R.J. is right down the hall, so he is helping me recooperate by getting me out of bed when I don't want too! Thank you all for being the family and friends that has been so supportive to us over the years and thank you for all you continue to do for my family and me. The visits, food, cards, calls, gifts, and texts have been so humbling in this time of need. We love each of you!"

Also, today I found out that my bosses from Lee's bookstore (the text book store I worked at in college), their son died early this morning after a 10 year battle with cancer. Jake Miller was 17 years old. Please pray for Lee, Kim, Kala, Luke (his twin brother), and the rest of their family as they grieve the loss of their son, brother, grandchild, nephew, cousin, and friend.

My goodness those are some heart breaking things are they. On a more happy note. Matt's cousin, Rand, is graduating from high school this weekend so we are spending the weekend in TN at the river! Fun times! I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to share when we get back home!