An update on Taylor.

Here’s the latest update on Taylor: Please continue to pray as the Lord’s hand is reveled step by step today.

Warming up

Posted 10 minutes ago

Earlier this morning, Taylor's cooling mat was removed, as he has been cooled to approx. 91 degrees for 36+ hours. The next step is for him to warm back up!. Once he is warmed again, only 1 more degree celsius to go, they will start to reduce his paralytic medicines, and depending on his response to that, also some of his sedatives. He is having all of his EEG electodes removed as I write, so that will eliminate some of the many wires dominating him. He will begin tube feeding later today so that his nutritional status will remain strong----sorry Taylor no pizza, hotdogs, or Mike and Ikes for you for a while! We are still vigilantly waiting, prayerfully waiting, and hopefully waiting. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and postings, it really is an encouragement to me during this time. When Taylor wakes up, he will have each and every one read to him.

Please pray for Taylor

Taylor is my sister and brother-in-law's nephew. Yesterday morning at a basketball scrimmage he went into cardiac arrest. I don't want to put out more information then the family wants so I will just copy what is on his care page so far.

Today Taylor experienced cardiac arrest following some scrimmages with the Holland High Varsity Boys Basketball team at Northview High School at around 12:30. An alert referee and also a Spectrum Health recovery nurse who happened to be in the stands immediately began CPR. Taylor came via ambulance to Spectrum/Butterworth. Taylor was still unconscious when mom (me) and Jaime arrived, but did moan a bit, when I talked with him. Taylor was brought to the Pediatric ICU and put on a ventilator and sedated. They started a central line and also connected him to any number of monitors, eeg's ect. Taylor is currently being cooled down and is sedated and artificially "paralyzed" for the next few days. At this point a large concern is swelling on the brain, seen on CT scan, related to the lack of Oxygen during his arrest. Echo's show a strong heart, with normal rhythm at this point. He is unable to respond due to his sedation, but is being talked to and prayed with. If he remains stable through the next few days, more testing will commence on Monday am. We covet your prayers and are believing in a miracle for Taylor. At this point he is very critically ill, but the God who watches over us is a mighty God. To Him be all the glory!

Saturday am

Posted 29 minutes ago

Taylor did very well last night. His heart rate was falling, and blood pressure was rising for a while, but they added a blood pressure med and that has stabilized things quite a bit. He remains on his paralytic and sedating medicines, so he is not conscious at all, but that is a good thing right now. He has 6 iv pumps, brain and heart monitors and a ventilator, so to see him is very sobering and sad, but I know that Taylor, the REAL Taylor is still in there, despite all of the hardware and equipment. The hope and prayer is that he will remain stable over the next 36 hours or so, and then they will wean him off of his sedatives to see what kind of consciousness he will regain. We are not able to be given any prognosis medically at this time, which is frustrating and scary, but our God is in complete control, and there is nobody we can trust more.
For those of you who wonder how to help, to be honest, I am in no state of mind to even know. I can only say, of course pray, but if you are feeling like you want to do anything else, I would just encourage you to go for it. I have no idea when I will even be able to go home at this point. Odd thoughts came to me as I was trying to grab some sleep last night, in terms of helping. HHS basketball team is selling discount restaurant coupons and I realized Taylor wouldn't be able to sell his...so it would be great if you'd grab a player and buy one (isn't that wierd, that is what I thought of?) I think they are $20. Right now, my general feeling is "Life has changed". But I don't know how, or to what extent. The nurse asked me just now what is my goal for Taylor. I responded, "For him to regain consciousness". He is such an amazing kid. All I can think about is seeing his quiet smile again.