News about Liam

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August 11, 2007

Liam is resting comfortably, thanks to the help of lots of pain medicine! It has been a challenging day for Liam, not painful... just frustrating. He wants so badly for the ventilator tube to be removed, but the doctors feel it needs a little more time. Liam is breathing fine on his own, so it is comforting to know that the vent is not in place because he needs the respiratory support, but rather because his body is still struggling to become one with the new liver. The vent tube helps Liam to relax so that his body can begin to heal better. He tries to communicate with hand jestures and also by writing notes - scratchy - but if we watch him write, we can easily figure out what he is trying to say.

Shannon and Dad and Liam's best friend Caitlin Jones flew home tonight. Liam has not yet realized that they are gone and I'm sure that will be a bit of an emotional hurdle for him. The girls were amazing in helping to keep Liam happy and peaceful before the surgery, and I think it was pretty emotional for them to see him afterwards. Each time they have come back to the ICU, they comment on how much better Liam is looking. He was able to reach for their hands, to whisper 'I Love You' and has asked many times if the girls could come in to see him.

The struggles we are working with today and those which will continue tomorrow are 1) Removing the vent tube - also known as extubating. 2) Alleviating the fluid build-up in Liam's body tissue 3) Reducing the tissue inflamation in Liam's new liver so that the portal flow will show less pressure into the new liver 4) Blood levels to be brought to stable levels 5) Keeping Liam calm and comfortable and keeping our family strong even when we are miles apart.

The bottom line is that PRAYER is the answer - and we need all the prayers we can get right now. Please know that you, too, will remain in our prayers!