Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 44

Last week they ramped up Samuel's bottle feeding to two times a day. This week they are planning on doing three bottles a day. They are reducing the quantity and increasing the calories by adding formula to Leyla's milk.

Everyone continues to ask when will Samuel be home. We don't know yet, it is up to Samuel. He continues to breathe about 50 to 80 breaths per minute. The doctors would like him to breathe under 60 breaths per minute.

Thank you for your prayers.

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 43

Leyla was able to see Samuel today at the hospital and give him a bottle. Samuel is doing much better now with a bottle. At first he had a hard time figure out how to breathe and eat. I am planning to see him tomorrow night and give him a bottle. He is able to take 30ml (1 ounce) through the bottle. There have been no other changes. He is doing well.

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 42

Good news! Samuel was just given a small amount of milk (20ml) through a bottle today. Samuel responded well to it.

He has been breathing too fast, more than 70 breaths per minute. The doctors would like to see him below 60. He is still at the same level of oxygen (40%).

Leyla was able to see Samuel today. I am planning to go see him tonight.

Things to pray for:
* That Leyla would be able to produce enough milk for Samuel. Right now it is a race between Samuel and Leyla. Leyla's grandma gave Leyla some powdered sesame seeds for her to drink with milk.
* That Samuel's would calm down and his breaths per minute would be low enough for him to take more milk in the bottle.

Thanks!

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 41

Samuel is now drinking more milk than what Leyla is producing. They increased Samuel's milk to 74ml (which is around 2.5 ounces) every 3 hours. Leyla is producing 2 ounces every 3 hours. Leyla is going to drop off some more milk today that is frozen at her moms house.

They haven't been able to decrease the oxygen. The is still at about 40%.

I am planning to visit Samuel tonight and wear a mask since I have a cold yet. Leyla is doing better with her Mastitis.

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 40

There have been no changes the past couple of days with Samuel. He is still on the same level of oxygen and the same amount of milk. The doctors are not planning any other changes.

A few praises, my Dad was able to fix the garbage disposal. Leyla's fever broke and she is doing much better. The girls are recovered from their fevers. However it looks like as of this morning Jasmine (my 3 year old) has a urinary tract infection.

Pray that Samuel will get stronger so they could reduce his oxygen. Right now he is kind of stuck. Pray for Leyla as she still has Mastitus and is in pain. Pray for Jasmine, she is in a lot of pain and was screaming in the early morning.

I went to the Social Security Administration yesterday to apply for Social Security Income for Samuel. It is not much; $30/month but we have to be approved for that before I can apply for Medicaid for Samuel. The idea is that the Medicaid will be used as a secondary insurance when Samuel has his second surgery to remove the gortex patch in his abdomen.

Thanks for praying. Thanks for all the visits to Samuel while we are sick, it means a lot. I am working with my cold but I am staying away from Samuel.

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 39

Samuel is doing well. They took out his pic line yesterday (this was the line that they were giving him the medicines and the intravenous feeding). He is doing fine with Leyla's milk. They put in some more calories and protein to strengthen him.



He is about 40% oxygen. Remember this oxygen is through the nose. He is doing all the breathing on his own. He does well when he is content. When he is hungry or has a dirty diaper his oxygen levels decrease.



This has been a rough couple days for the rest of the Finzer family. The girls have had a fever for the past two days. Last night Leyla and I were up for the whole night because Leyla was so sick with a fever (103 degrees). We slept with a bucket between us because she was naseous. This morning I took Leyla to urgent care. She was diagnosed with sinusitis. They put her on a strong antibiotic. I am starting to get sick since I had no sleep last night. Leyla and I stayed in bed all day today to try to recover.



My mom and dad just arrived and they will be helping with the girls and helping Leyla get better. Please pray for Leyla she is taking it really hard that both her girls are sick and she is sick and none of us can go see Samuel in the hospital. If you can send Leyla a funny get well soon card I am sure it would lift her spirits.

Leyla Finzer
1411 Kellerman Court
Columbus, OH 43228

Thanks to all of you that have given toward the medical bills. I have a peace knowing that there is money in the bank as the bills are rolling in. I just sent out $800 yesterday towards the birth. When it rains it pours. Our garbage disposal just bit the dust about an hour ago. I thank God that we are able to replace that too.

Hope you enjoy the pictures of Samuel and Leyla a couple days ago. She didn't have a fever then but she still had to wear a mask, a gown, and gloves to be with Samuel.

Samuel Kenneth Finzer Update 38

Big news. Samuel was super mad at the ventilator tube this morning and he pulled it out himself while the nurse was out of the room. He is breathing fast and is a little bit scared because he pulled it out. He is being given oxygen through the nose. They also put the feeding tube down his nose. He didn't like that at all. They are going to feed him when he calms down. Pray for Samuel's peace. Pray that Samuel will not pull the tubes out of his nose now.

Pray for Leyla she has a cold and will have to wear a mask to go see Samuel today.