April 11, 2016

Ezekiel Martin Austin (Baby Zeke) couldn't wait to join our family. He barreled into the world in a hurry, butt-first on April 10 at 9:12pm, at 29 weeks 3 days. He was 3lbs 3oz and 16in. He didn't wait for Dad, didn't even wait for the Dr, and definitely wasn't waiting for a c-section.
Not for the not fun news. 
His lungs are really small and severely underdeveloped. He wasn't breathing on his own, so he's on a ventilator that's breathing for him, and medicine to try to help his lungs work. They're not sure about kidney function at t his point, either. They did a renal (kidney) ultrasound this morning and it didn't look good. He still hasn't peed yet, which isn't a good sign. They couldn't get a catheter in, so if he hasn't peed by this afternoon they'll do another u/s to see how much fluid is in his bladder and see whether they want to have the urologist try to put a catheter in. The preliminary testing they did doesn't suggest that he needs dialysis right now, which is good, because most places wouldn't do it on a baby this small, especially with lungs in this condition, and they don't know that he'd survive transfer to another facility. They're increasing his iv fluid intake in hopes that it will help with the kidneys. He's stable for now, but it's all very touch and go, and if his lungs aren't working, there's nothing they can do.
Please keep him in your prayers. He could use all the help he can get. We'll try to keep the group page up to date with info so it's all in one place. If you're not on there and would like to be, let me know.
Fun fact. Gary picked the name. Ezekiel means "God strengthens", and Martin (after my dad, brother, and grandpa) means "warlike". This guy is a fighter.