Thursday, April 16, 2009

Please pray for our little boy

I'm not sure how many people the news about Taye has reached so far. We've done our best to call as many people as we can but this blog is the best way to reach everyone.

Yesterday morning, while I was watching Taye at home he accidentally rolled off our bed and hit his head on the carpeted floor. After some drowsiness and throwing up I took him to our pediatrician. He checked out normal and was very alert and happy while we were at the doctor. After returning home, things seemed to take a turn for the worse. He continuously fell asleep and woke only to throw up. We then took him to the emergency room at Troy Beaumont Hospital thinking that we were dealing with a concussion. After some initial tests checked out normal, they recommended a CT scan...immediately after the test everything changed. The doctors came urgently into our room and told us there was a huge emergency. The CT scan showed a large hematoma (blood leak) in Taye's brain. They gave us a very, very grim outlook for him. They immediately went to intubate him and indicated that he needed brain surgery as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there was no neurosurgeon at that hospital. They ordered a medevac helicopter to transport him to Royal Oak Beaumont. This was the worst feeling Joanna and I have had in our entire lives. As we waited for the helicopter and prayed over Taye, my dad baptized him in the ER. Then he was whisked away in the helicopter, while we followed in a vehicle.

By the time we arrived here, he was already in surgery. After about an hour, they came and said that they successfully drained the blood and found the source of the bleed. He's been on a ventilator and sedation meds ever since. It was a long night for Joanna and I to say the least. This morning, another CT scan showed that the brain (which had been very compressed by the blood) was back to a more normal size. Also, it showed some areas of the brain which may have been damaged. There are some good signs though...he's moving his arms and legs (the left side more than the right), he does have a cough and gag reflex and his kidneys seem to be working properly.

The hematoma was large enough to significantly push the left side of his brain and shift everything. We just found out tonight that there was some damage to the left side of his brain as a result of this pressure and shift. It's just way too early to tell exactly what this means. The initial indication is that there will be some lagging motor skills on his right side.

Tomorrow is a big day as they will be removing the breathing tube from Taye to see if he can breathe on his own. We're optimistic that this will go well. Through this entire ordeal he has shown a lot of fight and spunk. Tomorrow will probably be a rough day since Taye will be more awake and aware of what is going on and will be pretty agitated. But, it will be good if we can get another tube removed from his body (today he had two removed - a drain tube from his skull and a urine catheter).

As for the cause of this, it's been called by most doctors a "fluke". There is no way that a small fall like that on to a padded surface should have done this. It appears that the fall caused a small fracture in Taye's skull exactly at the point an artery was inside. The artery was nicked and caused the bleeding.

If you're hearing about this for the first time here, this story may seem unbelievable and surreal...Joanna and I felt exactly the same way as we were in the middle of the chaos yesterday. Right now we'll continue to need all the prayers we can get. Prayer has got us a long way in the past couple days and we feel blessed that we've made it this far. The road ahead will likely be long but we continue to hope for positive results.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been praying for Taye and your family since I heard the news from Alison...

-Cory

Anonymous said...

Joanna, Ben, Mikias and Taye,

We love you all very much and we are saying many prayers. Stay strong- God does not give us more than you can handle.

bopclark said...

Chris & I are praying for strength and healing for Taye.
Know that your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers as well.
Denise & Tim in NC, their family, friends and congregation are also praying for Taye.
If there is anything beyond prayers that we can do to help, just send word.
Uncle Brian

deevaa said...

I am a new reader, I have only been reading about three weeks now. This is my first comment.

I just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts.

Mandy said...

The Ruggerio family is all praying for Taye. We love you all!

Sherri and Rob said...

The Massons are sending you our prayers and much positive energy to Taye. He's got a lot of people pulling for him.
Sherri and Rob

Unknown said...

Words can't express. Prayer word is out as far as I can send it.

Denise Bryant said...

I am praying for Taye. It sounds like he's under the best of care.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for all of you.....God is always good and He is always in control....lean on Him.

Krista said...

You are definitely in my prayers and thoughts. Thanks for the update. Psalm 91.

The Clifton Family said...

Praying as well....God is in control and it sounds as if the little man is making some big strides already. Praise GOD that you were able to get him the care he needed!

Heidi said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. We are praying for you and won't stop!

Anonymous said...

We are on our knees for you and your family. May God wrap his arms around all of you and give you strength... especially Taye.

Justin and Mari

Wendy said...

We're praying for Taye and your family. Please let us know if there is anything at all that we can do for you.

Anonymous said...

You have been in our prayers and thoughts continuously since we heard. That little guy is tough and he is fortunate to have the two of you and all the other people that love him, offering care and support.
Love, Jean and Kurt

Anonymous said...

We love you, we are praying for you and we are here if you guys need anything.

Love,
Paul, Tamara & Mateo

DDanielle said...

We are constantly praying. I can't stop thinking about you. It is very surreal, I just can't get over it, it can happen to anyone.

Beckee said...

Cheyenne and I just held hands and prayed for you and Taye. We prayed for his health, and for the Lord to be close to you and make Himself very real to you during this time. Love, Beckee Young Lewis

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with Taye and your family. Keep the faith..

Anonymous said...

Sending all my prayers your way! I am so sorry to hear about this. ~Erica

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with you. Twenty years ago, I stood in much the same place that you are in. It is a surreal nightmare. But kids are incredibly resilient and it sounds like Taye is a trooper. He is certainly a beautiful boy with a wide, happy smile!

Julie

The Siegles said...

We have you in our thoughts and in our hearts. We wish Taye a quick recovery so he can return home to his loving family. If there's anything we can do, let us know.
-Judy, Dan, and Owen

Anonymous said...

Joanna and Ben,

Thinking about you during this very difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Pam

Anonymous said...

Jan is keeping us up to date. Continuous prayers come from North Carolina, including our church prayer warriors. God has His hand on Taye and is holding you both in His arms. Keith,Jo, Jessica & Alexandra

Anonymous said...

We will continue to pray for Taye and all of your family. Let us know if we can be of any help.

Love, The Unger Family

Deanna said...

Oh my gosh! This is the first we are hearing about it and we will be praying like crazy for you guys. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do...I know we are on the other side of the state, but seriously, no request is too big.

May God bless your family in a huge way over the next few days!

Andrew Vaz said...

We will be praying for healing for Taye and strength for all of you as you get through this.

Anonymous said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers and we will be praying for you at church on Sunday. Please let me know if there is anything elso that I can do to be supportive.
Love to you all,
Kirstin (Tannas)

Anonymous said...

please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Lisa O'Neil
AAI

Jill said...

Wow...I am so sorry! God can do anything and will heal your baby!

Joyce said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Taye. Our prayers are with him and you.

Anonymous said...

Wow, my niece, Katie, is a friend of yours. I cannot tell you how much I have been praying for you and your family! This is such a horrible thing, but God will bring him through, I know that. Just know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Megan Cebulski and family

Karen said...

Taye, Mikias, Ben and Joanna,

We're praying for you all and sending healing throughts Taye's way!

Let us know if there's anything we can do.

Anonymous said...

OH my you are in my prayers!!!!!

hugs,leslie

Mary said...

I am praying. May God give you continued peace and miracles...

Mindy said...

Saying many prayers for all of you right now!!!

Karen said...

We serve a mighty God, who is never surprised and always has a plan. Praying for your strength as well as his. KC

Katherine said...

I am a co-worker of Tom's at Anchor. He told me the story and my heart broke. My husband and I and our 10 month old son have been on our knees for you and all of your family ever since. You can fight this battle knowing God is sufficient for all your needs. We will continue to pray.

Anonymous said...

I just heard the news today. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.

Dan Brunet