Nathan's Rainbow

The morning I was in labor, August 3, 2003, on the way to the hospital, there was a big rainbow in the sky. I haven't seen a rainbow since. This morning, I was sitting outside and it started to sprinkle, but yet was a little bit sunny outside. I thought, will there be a rainbow. I kept looking. A few minutes later, it appeared. I called Trey and Owen outside and we just stared at it. We said hello to Nathan and thanked him and God for the sign that all is well. Within a few minutes, the rain was gone and so was the rainbow. What a special moment that was. I pray as time goes by, Nate and God will continue to send us signs like this to help with healing.

Nathan's Arrangements

Viewing on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 12:00 Noon - 9:00 PM at Floral Haven, 6500 S. 129th E. Ave., Broken Arrow, OK 74012, 918-252-2518 (www.floralhaven.com). Memorial Ceremony followed by Reception on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Mason Chapel - Asbury United Methodist Church, 6767 S. Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74133-3309, 918-492-1771 (www.asburytulsa.com).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nathan's Memory to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy - FSMA Donations, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 or https://www.fsma.org/Fundraising/Donate

Nathan is at Peace

It is with profound sadness that we let everyone know that Nathan earned his Angel Wings Wednesday night at 9:45PM. He passed away with Jen & I at his side talking to him, letting him know that he had fought a valiant battle.

We are extremely thankful for all the thoughts, prayers and support that all of you have given Nate and our family. Please know that he is running around in Heaven with all of the other SMA Angels enjoying all the things that they could not do here with us.

Trey & Jen

Nathan to the hospital

HORRIBLE NIGHT!...Nate's worn out so we are transporting him to the PICU at St. Francis. Jen & Nate just left in the ambulance and I right behind them...will update when possible...NEED EXTRA PRAYERS!!!!

Dr. also not sure what's going on!

It's not an ear infection, doesn't seem to be allergy related, possibily bronchitis (although his lungs sound clear). Started him on a Zpack today. Mobile x-ray coming to do chest x-ray this afternoon. Nasal swabs were taken to check for bacterial or viral infection. If it's viral, obviously we just have to wait it out - bacterial, and hopefully the z-pack will take care of it. He is having these coughing spasms that last about an hour. Non-stop coughing. It comes and goes at random times of the day. It just wears him out. We use the cough assist and get some stuff out, but his coughing spasms continue. Sometimes, he needs supplemental O2 and his heart rate is way high, other times, his saturations remain normal during these episodes. He's never had anything like this before. I'm actually hoping it's bacterial form of bronchitis, so we will have an answer and the z-pack will work!!! It's so FRUSTRATING!

Prayers would be appreciated! Thank you!
Jennifer

To this dr. this morning

Nate had a really rough night. Don't know what's going on with him. He's on so many different medicines and nothing seems to be working. Dr. appt 10:00. Will update later.

Extra Prayers

Nate's allergies have flared up again and he has had a REALLY ROUGH day...tons of secretions, coughing, gagging, choking, etc. It was a repeat of what Easter Sunday was like except that his heart rate has been lower and he's not running a high fever.

We changed to a new antihistamine this morning so hopefully we'll start to see results soon. Until then, a few extra prayers would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Trey

PLAY BALL!

NATE PLAYS BASEBALL! He's in Challenger Baseball League, on a team called the "Jets". All kids have some kind of disability. Nate's team seems to have the most kids in wheelchairs. He had his first game yesterday morning It was a so fun! We met a lot of nice people and Nate enjoyed "throwing" the ball around and batting. So special! We'll probably post pics every week from each game. It was hard to get very good pics or a good video this time because Trey was dealing with Owen (typical 2 1/2 year old all over the place!) and I was helping Nate throw and bat.

Not knowing what to expect, since this was his first time to play, we learned a couple of things. Owen needs someone else to watch him, so Trey and I can both be with Nate. Trey missed out on a lot because he was chasing Owen around the whole time! Nate needs to be in his power chair, not his manual chair - it was very heavy and hard to move on the grass and dirt. Plus, he will love driving around the field! Next time, he will be in full uniform! Too cute! Hopefully, we can get some videos and pics of him throwing the ball with his teammates, batting and rounding the bases.

Nate Off His Bipap Today

He's lookin' good! And it's a great sign that he's a lot better when he can be off his "pappy"!

Owen Conked Out!

He just started using a pillow. Before you know it, he'll be in his big bed and the crib will be history. He is getting big for the crib, but it's nice to have him "confined" for now :) !

Candid photos

Nate and the Fish Hat from his teacher

It's for you...

Owen makes a fashion statement...

Brothers...enough said...

Owen in the Rain

Posters from his classmates

Last weekend, Nate's teacher dropped off some posters that his classmates had made for him. He usually sees his classmates a couple of times each week (either in the classroom or while driving his power chair in the gym). Since he did not go to school at all the week after Easter, they started asking about him and the teacher told them that he was sick...so the made him these "Get Well" posters...

Easter Weekend Pictures #2

Even though he wasn't feeling well, we got a couple of good pictures of him on Easter

The finishing touches on the cupcakes...

Easter Weekend Pictures #1

Bring on Easter Lunch!

Ready for the Hunt!

Doing Better

Nate's doing much better, but still not 100%. We've obviously stayed in all week, although he has had school here at the house. We'll continue to let him rest, recover, and get better throughout the rainy weekend, and hopefully next week, he'll be back to 100% and out and about at school, and possibly enjoying some nice weather outside!

It's an Ear Infection

Went to the dr. today. Found out Nate has an ear infection, most likely spurred on by all of his allergies. So, he added an antibiotic, which he will start today. I'm so glad we figured out what was going on and have all the meds to get him better! No hospital - yippee!

A long night followed by an OK Sunday...

Last night Nate fell asleep around 9:30PM but started having problems with his secretions about 12:30AM or so. Jen got up and suctioned him off & on until a little before 3AM. At that time, I got back up so she could go back to bed. He finally seemed to get them under control about 3:30AM or so and finally feel back asleep after being changed at 4:15AM.

He slept until 8:30AM and did NOT appreciate us waking him up! The morning was good and we were able to give him another quick bath. We also were able to get him up in his wheelchair for about 30 minutes so he got to watch SpongeBob on the big screen in the den.

This evening was OK...still has a lot of secretions and they can be pretty thick at times. The good news is that his lungs appear to be clear as we can hear good air movement in all lobes when we listen to him. The other good news for tonight is that Katie can cover the overnight shift. Jen & I are exhausted so we hope that he has another good night with her and we can get a little rest.

Thanks again for your prayers & support...please keep them coming!

A better day...

Nate had a better day today....he still has a lot of secretions but they have decreased compared to Thursday night and Friday. We suctioned out several thick globs today but the new medicines seem to be helping. We were able to give him a quick bath this morning and I know that made him feel better. He took a good nap and fell asleep around 9:30PM. Hopefully, he will have a good night and get some much needed rest.

We know that he is not out of the woods yet but he is slowly headed in the right direction. Thank you for all your prayers & support!

Trey

Good night...so far so good today!

The meds seem to be helping. A home health nurse is coming to draw blood for a CBC count to check for any infection, since he has been running a temp also. Then we will know if he needs antibiotics on top of everything else.