THANK YOU JESUS!

First we would like to say THANK YOU to our Heavenly Father for sparing David's life.
And THANK YOU to all those who prayed for him.

The boys in our family have always had a weakness with croup every winter season.
Even Daddy did as a child.  David started with croup symptoms on Saturday.  On Sunday morning he had trouble breathing but quickly recovered by being in a steamy bathroom. He had a good day other than the barking cough and said his throat hurt.  Sunday night he started having trouble catching his breath.  Daddy took him outside in the cool air and that soothed him so much he took a 2 hour nap.  When he woke up about 8:30pm again he had trouble breathing and nothing seemed to help make it better. 
He passed out due to respiratory distress caused from the croup.
Daddy and Mommy took David to Lancaster General Hospital Emergency Room.  He was immediately rushed to a bed and approximately 12 people came running from every direction to assist.  By this time his oxygen level had dropped to 60 percent.   After trying several other procedures quickly they resorted to putting him asleep, inserting a breathing tube, and placing him on a breathing machine.  David stabilized.  My parents were told he needed to be transported to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) because he needed to be in a pediatric ICU.  He was transported the hour and half ride by ambulance with Mommy, while Daddy followed in the car.

The ER doctor said David would have only lasted about 15 minutes to an hour longer. 
 Just the thought of loosing our sparkly David so unexpectedly makes me want to cry!

This is Sunday afternoon


Within hours....Sunday night.

 

 

 

Uncle Steve reminded us of Psalm 16:1

Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.

 

  David was kept very sedated because of the pain and also so he wouldn't pull his tubes out.  His hands were tethered to the bed.  He would wake up for a few minutes every couple hours and be very disoriented.  Daddy and Mommy tried to be sure to be holding his hand at all times to console him when he did wake up. 

 

 This picture is a small victory. David could not talk so communication was limited other than asking questions and waiting for a head nod or hand squeeze.   Once when David opened his eyes Daddy waved to him.  You can see he is trying to wave back. 

 

During flu season this hospital only allows 4 visitors per patient for their entire stay,
 other than immediate family. 

The girl's read books to him...

This is when the doctors are removing his breathing tube.
Every person that walked into his room had to be gowned and masked at all times.
David had to be awake for this procedure so he could fight for breath.
You can see the fear in his eyes as he is being surrounded. 
Mommy said it was awful to hear his desperate coughs,
even though that was a good thing.

 

 After the breathing tube was removed he was supposed to have this mask on but he was not very cooperative. 

He hadn't eaten for awhile so he started with a popsicle,
even though PIZZA is what he really wanted!

 

The nurses referred to this as his "GLOW TOE".  It monitored his oxygen levels.

 

The medicine made David very upset and confused.  So when they tried to move him out of ICU he got so upset he almost went into respiratory distress again.  The doctors waited a little bit until he was asleep and about 11:00pm Tuesday night they wheeled him to his new room. 
Unfortunately he started to wake up just before we got him there.

 Joshua is trying to help David get sticky residue off his chest.

 He liked rubbing this piece of cloth from one of Bro Branham's suits

Acts 19:12

  

 

 David thought it was pretty cool to be able to eat in bed.

 Kaitlyn flew in Tuesday evening to be with her little brother

This was a rare happy moment in the hospital.  Daddy had taught David how to use the controls on the hospital bed and then pretended to fall out of the bed.
  It was too much for David to think about coloring, but he really enjoyed watching Kaitlyn color.
 

 

David spent most of Wednesday evening out of the bed, which he really enjoyed.

 

 

Oh HAPPY DAY!  David was discharged on Thursday. 

 All of the children were so excited to have David home we made him cards

 and bought him little gifts.

 

Benjamin was so glad to have his buddy home!  David was watching a nature video on the sofa, when Benjamin woke up from his nap.  So he scooted beside him and put his arm around his neck. 

 It was so sweet.

 

Several doctors/nurses have said David's case is unusually rare and are amazed he has recovered so quickly. We know why....our God is awesome and everyone's prayers!

Thank you!