"Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard."

Luke 1:13

It's Brenna again and I just got all the news of the day from Elizabeth. She requested this to be the title of tonight's post and described the day's events as "the evidence of God's hand and prayers being answered." She also shared that this verse just kept running through her head while in the operating room. Amazing how the Lord is at work!

She shared how sweet it was to hear Preston Banks cry twice in the delivery room and that she even got to kiss him on the way out. He was doing so well that Dan got to be with him for the initial assessment. When he was intubated they started him on 100% oxygen and very quickly worked him down to 30% (it is only doing 30% of the work). The doctors even said they probably could take it down even more but they don't want him to work too hard so they are leaving it there.

All of the tests from today have come back very good. His heart echo showed no pulmonary hypertension, his pulmonary pressure is normal, the ultrasounds of his head and kidneys are normal. These are all huge praises! He is doing so well that the doctors plan to assess him again in the morning and if he still is this good they will go ahead and have surgery tomorrow afternoon. This is earlier than expected and amazing news.

Elizabeth is recovering very well. She was up in the NICU with Preston Banks by 5:30 this evening. She shared that she got to pat his hiney, his eyes were wide open, and he held her finger. Such a joy for a mama's heart. They can't hear him crying because of the vent but he is quite a fighter as he was trying to pull the tube out!

Praises of the Day:

-Preston Banks' heart and lungs truly have been strong and courageous!
-All the tests that have come back so good and is allowing him to have surgery so soon.
-Mom got to get up to see her little boy so soon after a c-section.
-That Preston Banks only needed intubation and not to be put on ECMO.

Prayer Requests:
-That Preston Banks will continue to be strong. That this is not just a "honeymoon" period, and he will keep fighting.
-Wisdom for Dr. Camps (surgeon) and Dr. Rao (neonatologist) as they assess and make decisions in the morning.
-For Dan and Elizabeth to not be anxious, to be at peace and resting in God's provision. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phillipians 4:6
-For Preston Banks' lungs to remain strong after surgery so that he will not need ECMO at that time as well.
-For everyone to get rest tonight!

***With the anticipation of surgery tomorrow Dan and Elizabeth have requested that they still have no visitors tomorrow. They appreciate everyone's love and support and especially covet your continued prayers.