Final Update on Corban

Yesterday was an amazing day. We were able to bring our little boy home. It was one day shy of a month in the NICU. A song that we have been listening to a lot lately has really been stuck in my (this is Mindy) mind. It is called Waters Gone By and is based on Job 11:13-20. I would encourage you to read these verses but I am going to write the words of the song.

You will lift up your face without shame

You will firmly stand with no fear inside

You will surely forget your troubles and pain

Recalling them only as waters gone by

If you put away the sin in your hand

And allow no evil to dwell

If you devote your heart

And stretch out your hands to Him

You'll be secure for there is hope

And you will safely take your rest

You will lie down

With no one to make you afraid

But the eyes of the wicked will fail

Darkness gives way to morning's light

Life will be brighter than noon day

As the waters go by into the night

I will lift up my face without shame

I will firmly stand with no fear inside

I will surely forget my troubles and pian

Recalling them only as waters gone by

As waters gone by

-Shawn Lewis-Glory Revealed CD

As Matt and I have recalled over the last few days the journey that Corban has taken in his month of life we are reminded of how far God has brought him. I don't know what God has planned for his life but I am sure that it is going to be amazing. He has an incredible story to tell. The past is "waters gone by". I hope that this has been an encouragement to anyone that is going through troubled waters. He will bring you through and "life will be brighter than noon day." Trust me....I've lived it.

Thank you for all your prayers and support during this difficult time. We appreciate it and know that God heard and answered each one.

Update on Corban - June 1, 2008

I know that it has been a few days since our last post about our little boy and honestly it's been because things have been really crazy. Corban is continuing to move forward and has been off of an oxygen support at all since Wednesday or Thursday of last week. His medicine ends on Wednesday, which is great since it was on a twenty one day cycle. Finally, his feedings have been a struggling point, but he seems to be getting the hang of it now. For a while he was stuck around 30 cc's but this afternoon he seems to have cracked that barrier with a little help from mom & dad. We realized that he just needs a little more time, sometimes a break, and occasionally a diaper change to get him through the feeding. We are willing to take whatever steps are necessary to get our boy home. We are in the process of doing the discharge stuff and are hoping to be home by the end of the week with our boy. Please continue to pray for little Corban so that he can get his feedings up to where they want them so he can go home. Also, if you all could say a special prayer for Mindy and I as we are getting worn down and tired of living out of a suitcase. If you would pray for these things it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much and we love you all.

In His Name,
Matt, Mindy, & Corban

Update on Corban-May 29, 2008

Corban sure is a tough little guy. We called to check on him this morning when we woke up and the nurse told us that he had pulled his feeding tube out and they were going to try to let him keep it out. We got to the hospital a short time later for a feeding and he was doing fairly well but at his next feeding they had to put it back in because he was slowing down a bit. He still has some work to do in this area but he has been pushed so much the last few days that we are confident he will get the hang of it! It just might take some time.

He really is a sweet little baby. Not that we are partial or anything, but he really is! He was quite alert and awake this morning so we were able to just take him in some more. It is kind of funny but some of the nurses actually fight over who gets to take care of him. It is a good feeling knowing the level and quality of care he is receiving. We also are being told usually at least once a day how amazed everyone is at his improvement. We know that this is not anyone's doing but God's. There is no way that Corban would be where he is today if it were not for the faithful prayers that have been prayed on his behalf. Thank you for all of your continued support.

In Him-

Matt, Mindy & Corban

Update on Corban - May 28, 2008

Yesterday was another good day for our son. He is continuing to show progress while Mindy and I are able to be more involved in his life. Yesterday we were able to feed him multiple times and change diapers, hold him and just love on our boy. They are continuing to wean him off of things and we are getting closer and closer to bringing our boy home. We don't know exactly when but basically we still have to clear three hurdles before it can happen.
First, is the breathing issue. Corban is on the lowest setting on the lowest machine and may be coming off of it as early as today.
Second, are his feedings. He has to continue to get his feedings down and increase them as they are getting close to where they want them but are not there yet. This would also let the umbilical lines come out which would allow us to hold him without gloves.
Third, is the anti-viral medicine that he is on which will run its cycle on June 4th.
Please continue to pray for our little guy who has overcome so much in his short three weeks of life already as we desire to get him home. Thanks so much for your love, support, and prayers and we love you all.

-Matt, Mindy, & Corban

Update on Corban - May 26 - Part Two & Pictures

Today was another great day for our little guy. Corban has continued to make progress and we are thrilled. Tonight, Mindy and I were able to give him a bath, feed him, and hold him for a long time. We are loving being able to do more with him and looking so forward to getting him home. He is continuing to make progress and we are so excited. I am attaching a few pictures of the bath and feeding from tonight for you all to enjoy. Thanks again for your prayers, love, and support as they are greatly appreciated.

Update on Corban - May 26, 2008

Yesterday was a very big day in the life of our son. We went up to the hospital to see little Corban and while we were there only a short time (because we had to get to church) the doctor told us that he would be coming off the ventilator yesterday. This was wonderful news and we were very excited about it. The took him off the ventilator yesterday morning and he has been doing fine. We were also able to take part in the first feeding of a bottle to our son and I (Matt) was able to change his diaper for the first time. While these may seem like small things to some of you they are huge because this is the first time that we have been able to do these things. Also last night night we were both able to hold little Corban for a good amount of time which was great. We were able to spend about an hour and a half with him in our arms which made us so happy. He is doing very well and we are very excited about the progress our son is making. Please continue to pray for our little guy as he continues to get one step closer to coming home and being in our arms.

Update on Corban - May 24, 2008

Hello again everyone, I wanted to provide you with another update about how Corban was doing. The past couple of days have been great and filled with progress for our little guy. Yesterday, the continued to wean him off medicines and adjust the ventilator settings to which Corban responded great. Today, was an even better day because for the first time in little Corban's fifteen day life he was held by his mother and father. This was great because we were thrilled to hold him and love on him so much. While it was only a short time, it was still great and well worth it! They have been able to stop all of his blood pressure medicine, leave him on only one antibiotic, and just a little bit of oxygen. Overall Corban is doing great and things are looking more positive than ever. We are so thrilled and excited about the days to come and getting our little boy home.