Update on Reggie

Well the last few weeks have seemed like an eternity but, things are going in the right direction. The Doctors say they are please with his progress. My sweet little guy had his second surgery and it ended up being best case sinario. Out of his 200cm of small intestine the Doctors were able to save about 57cm. Now it has just been a waiting and healing time. We feel very encourage about how well Reggie is healing. Even though we still have a long road ahead it is so much easier to go down when it is not IF we are bringing him home but WHEN. We are still waiting for his intestines to wake up and to see what they are able to do. Every Doctor says this just takes time. Once he can start eating we will be able to see how much longer it is before we get to bring him home. I get to hold him now and he keeps getting one tube out at a time which makes me happy. On the outside he looks perfect (minus the big cut that is healing on his tummy:)) he is very handsome, alert, smiles, cries, and holds my finger. Thank you all again for your prayers, kind words, and help on our behalf. If it isn't asking too much we would love the prayers to continue until our little Iron Man is home healthy and happy.

Life, Love, & Hope

Sheree and Cory welcomed their 4th child, a beautiful baby boy on Friday, October 1st at about 8:30pm. Sheree was induced and everything went smoothly (and relatively pain-free.) The cute little guy weighed in at 7lbs 14oz. It took a few days, but Sheree and Cory finally agreed on his name--definitely a name fit for a future football player--Reggie James Russell. The boys are excited to have a little brother, and Jordyn, will be pleased to maintain her status as family princess! Reggie is such a joy to the whole family!

A few days after his birth, he began to show signs of some problems. After a few hours of inconclusive testing, the doctor decided that Reggie needed to go to Primary Children's Medical Center right away. At PCMC they determined that he had a kink in his small intestine, much of the intestine had died and needed to be removed because it was causing infection (sepsis) throughout his body. The intestine was too unhealthy at that time to stitch back together and the swelling was so significant that the surgical opening could not be closed at that time. This means that Reggie has to have another surgery, and if the intestine has improved it will be able to be reconnected.

This will be a long road for the Russell family and little Reggie. If all goes smoothly, if the surgeries are successful, and there are no other problems, Reggie will come home in 4-6 weeks. It is too early to know what the long term prognosis will be. Right now they are just taking life one day at a time. What a precious life it is!

Sheree and Cory have been so overwhelmed with appreciation for the outpouring of love and support that has come from friends, family, ward members, and neighbors. They want to thank everyone for their concern, their compassion, and their efforts to help and assist in any way they can. They have felt the very real power of fasting, prayers, and priesthood blessings. They know that their prayers are heard and that the Lord truly has them, and Baby Reggie, in the palm of His hand. Please remember the Russell family in your prayers.

Please check back on the blog for updates. Sheree doesn't have the time to blog right now, but we know that a lot of people are concerned and pulling for little Reggie, so I (Tiffany) will try to keep you all updated. Thank you again for your love, support, and prayers.