A Sweet End to A Difficult Day

So today, after much convincing and nudging from the nurses and my husband, I left my little boy and went home for some much needed rest. I took a long nap, did a little housework, and even went to Target. I called to check on Carter, and the nurse informed me that although he'd been in good spirits, he was not eating and was lathargic. When Gary got home from work, we went back to the hospital. Sure enough, our sweet little boy was gray in color, and his fontanel was sunken in. His energy was low, and he was sleepy. His bloodwork came back up a bit from yesterday, but everything else pointed toward dehydration.
That was at 5 p.m., and we just loved on him and played. By 6, he was wide awake, smiling occasionally, and ready to eat! I guess he just needed some time with Mommy and Daddy. He had a good evening, eating both his 6 and 9 bottles completely! When we left at 10 p.m., he was resting peacefully in his crib.
Carter is still getting albumin, sodium bi-carb, a steroid, gas medicine, and several antibiotics. Add to that list a new saline with sucrose in it due to his low blood sugar, and we are keeping his nurses quite busy! He is still putting out a very large amount from his abdominal drain, with no end in sight.
Gary gave Carter his bottle tonight. It is the sweetest image in all the world to see the man you love holding and caring for your child. He is an amazing daddy, and I am so truly blessed. I know that Carter is going to grow up to be a kind, caring man just like his dad.
Tomorrow Gary and I meet with all the doctors and the family coordinator to make a plan. We are going to ask about seeking another opinion, as the doctors don't seem to know what to do. We have had the very best care at KUMed, and we are sad to think of going someplace else, but perhaps he needs more specialized care. Pray that we and the doctors will make the right decision about what to do.
We have so many questions, so much frustration. Right now we are in the middle of the greatest storm of our lives. It's hard to see the break in the clouds, and even harder to imagine a rainbow. But we have hope in God's grace. I just keep going back to the belief that I have the arms of God around my family. Here is a song by Casting Crowns called Praise You In This Storm (sometimes the words of others say it far better than I):
I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
that it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain,
I'm with you
and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And i'll praise you in this storm
and i will lift my hands
that you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
you hold in your hand
you never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
you heard my cry you raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find youand as the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with youand as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth