7:23 PM Thursday, October 9

We got word today that Zoe’s platelet count is climbing higher since he left the hospital.  He never was transfused after G-tube surgery, so this is occurring naturally, and we are so excited about that.  Also, his bili count is down about 25%, which is also good.  It is believed that this is connected to the problem with his liver, so possibly this good news reflects improvement of the liver…we have yet to find out.  We will post more as we know more, and again, maybe Jim or BB can post pics and video soon, or at least teach me how to so I don’t have to always ask them.    Have a wonderful night, all!

3:46 PM Tueday, October 7

Zoe saw sunshine for the first time last Friday when we left the hospital.  It was the afternoon, and it was a beatiful, sunshine day…it couldn’t have been more perfect.  We settled in that night at home and had a smooth evening, adjusting to feedings and giving medicines.  Isaac and Katelyn are so glad to be home, they are doing well.  We were home for less than 24 hours when Zoe’s G-tube came out.  I put it back in, we rushed to the ER here in Hazlehurst, and that trip was unsuccessful so we ended up rushing back to Savannah’s ER to have it repaired correctly.  For those of you who don’t know, we live 2 hours from the Savannah hospital, so Saturday we spent 4 hours in the car.  G-tube problems are gone now, so it was worth it.  Sunday AM Jim and the kids went to our church for the first time in 8 weeks.  Sunday PM I went, and it was refreshing to see familiar faces and socialize.  Monday we drove the 4 hour round trip to Savannah again where Zoe was checked by his G-tube doc and liver doc.  Both were pleased with the check up and if Zoe continues to take all of his feedings and gain weight, in about 6 weeks they will remove his G-tube!  Woo hoo!  We are excited about that.  By the way, Zoe is taking every bottle, now 50 cc’s, in under 20 minutes, which is what they require of him.  I have not had to use the G-tube to feed him since Friday night.  His liver is still enlarged, so please pray for that to be resolved.  They took blood to test his bili count, we should know something in a few days.  Today he had a check up with his pediatrician here in Hazlehurst.  He weighs 5 pounds, 1 ounce and is 18 inches long.  We are so happy with his pediatrician that he sees here, he goes again next week for a check up.  Overall, he is doing so great, and he seems to really love being home.  He has several hours of awake time each day, and discovered he loves his baby swing.  Kate Kate and Isaac love having him home, the first thing we did Friday when we walked in the door was let each of them hold him.  Katelyn sings to him, it is so adorable.  Having him home is like having a little piece of heaven to hold.  He is a snuggle bug, and we soak it up.  I am completely illiterate when it comes to computer stuff, so I have no clue how to post the pics and videos, so Jim or BB will have to do that soon.  For now, you are stuck with text from me…it’s all I have to offer. 

Please take a minute to pray for another little girl whose relatives attend our church.  Her name is Cassidy Clark, she is 5 years old, and she has leukemia.  She is on her second round of treatments in 2 years.  Her mother, Myndi Clark, died of cancer over 2 years ago, and did not know of her daughter’s condition.  Her daddy is a youth pastor in California, and he previously was on staff at Southside Baptist here a few years ago.  The doctors are not as optimistic this time around, but we know that God can heal, so we pray in faith, believing.

Another Update from BB

It is true… Zoe is home!!! It’ll take a few months for him to be healthy enough to be out in public so don’t expect to see him chillin at Wal-Mart or The Wagon Wheel anytime soon…

Jim and Carmen promise they will post in a few days and they will continue to update you all on Zoe’s life. I know they are very thankful for your prayers and words of encouragement!

A Quick Update from BB

The internet at the Ronald McDonald House is not working so the Simpson’s have been unable to update today. I’m online at the place I’m staying at so I thought I’d fill you in on what’s been going down the past few days… (Jim will post with more details as soon as he is able to)…

1. Zoe is scheduled to be released from the hospital sometime later today (Friday). We don’t know exact times or anything like that.

2. WSAV NBC News 3 did a story about Zoe again on the Thursday night late news. You can view the story and read about it by click HERE.

3. All of the Savannah stations will be doing reports on Zoe on Friday night at 6pm, 10pm, and 11pm.

4. The Savannah Morning News will have an article on Zoe this Sunday. It will be in Anne Hart’s column in the ACCENT section of the paper.

That is all I got. Again I’m sure Jim will post at least one time tomorrow either before he leaves or when he’s back. I do think they’ll want some privacy the first few days/nights back home so please respect that wish if you are one of the many Hazlehurst’ers who want to meet Zoe… the time will come soon!

11:44 AM Wednesday Day 50

There is an urgent need with a baby here at the hospital named Holly.  Holly’s family has been called in because she is not expected to survive.  I want to ask those of you still checking in on our little Zoe to please pray right now for Holly.  Holly was born extremely premature, but has been fighting to live for more than a month.  I do not know the details of what is happening I just know it’s critical.  Holly’s mom Lauren and Great Grandmother Linda have been staying with us here the Ronald McDonald House since her birth.  They are truly wonderful people and I am very saddened to hear this news.  Please pray and I will post more info as soon as we get it. 

The doctors have decided to hold off another day on releasing Zoe.  He has a minor infection around his G-Tube and they want to watch it for another day.  I will also post mor info on Zoe as we get it.

11:38 PM Monday Day 49

A few improvements to note today, the first of which Zoe successfully took 2 bottles, both 40 cc’s each.  This is exciting because it’s the first time since his surgery that he drank a bottle at all.  He was lovin’ every minute of it, too.  When we go home we will continue to work with him on taking bottles, adding more bottle feedings as his little body gets the strength.  Our goal is to not have to use the G-tube at all, but we understand that will take some time.  Right now, he seems pretty motivated.  Another thing is that he passed his hearing screening test.  This is exciting because weeks ago during his critical stages, it was assumed that his condition would leave him with hearing loss.  As was confirmed today, that is not the case.  Music is a big part of our lives, and especially where my husband goes, so does the ipod for everyone to hear…so now Zoe will be a participant as we enjoy the tunes of life.  There are a few things that will happen tomorrow to further prepare us for going home, one of which will be the car seat challenge.  Zoe has to be able to sit in his car seat and be monitored to be sure his stats don’t drop for the amount of time that it would take us to drive home.  Jim and I will be instructed on things such as CPR and administering meds, operating/understanding the heart monitor, etc.  The heart montitor is not for a heart problem or anything, it is just a machine that tells us his heart rate and breathing patterns. 

I want to share one more thing before I go, something that is so interesting to me.  One of the stories in the Bible that has been a major part of our lives as youth pastors for teaching the students has been found in John 10:10.  Jesus is teaching and he says this, “The thief (some translations use the word “enemy”) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Not knowing that this verse has already been one of our favorites, a volunteer here at the RMH handed us a piece of paper she copied from a book last week.  It was a description about this verse, she found it and wanted us to see it.  It explains that in the New Testament, there are several Greek words for “life”.  “Bios”, which is the origin of our word “biology”, generally translates into the meaning of “lifestyle”.  Another one is “Zoe”, which translates into “life as God has it”.  In John 10:10, Jesus used the word “Zoe” when he said he came to give ” ‘life’ more abundantly”.  Jesus came to give us “life as God has it”.  He also uses the word “Zoe” (life) in John 11:25 when he stated, “I am the resurrection and the life.”  We knew the name Zoe means “life” when we picked that name.  Reading this information on the translation of one of our favorite verses is exciting in a whole new way.  Hope you find that encouraging as well. 

 

Have an awesome Tuesday!

P.S. Late as it may be, let me just humbly proclaim…ROLL TIDE!  We put the Dawgs in the kennel!

9:35 AM Sunday Day 48

Happy Sunday to you, hope your weekend is going well.  We are continuing to be excited at Zoe’s progress.  Before I begin, let me say that the story on Zoe in the local newspaper is scheduled to come out next Sunday, October 5th.  Sorry for the confusion, but please look for it next weekend.  We have learned how to feed Zoe using his G-tube and it is quite simple.  For those of you who have worked with one before, you know what I’m talking about.  When we lived in B’ham, Isaac had a little friend who had one so I had been just a little familiar with the idea of it.  (Thank you, Danielle for being my example!)   Anyway, before the surgery, Zoe was taking apx. 40 cc’s and today he is back up to 35 cc’s.  If that is tolerated well, he will be up to 40 tomorrow, then by Wednesday they expect us to “room in” with him over night.  Then we would be looking at heading home Thursday.  That is the plan for now, we will let you know if it changes.  Jim mentioned Zoe pulled out his oxygen tube, he must have just wanted to show us all how strong he really is.  He has been free of the tube since sometime early Friday.  It looks like at this point, all he may need to go home on is a heart monitor.  Previously, we were under the understanding that he would go home on 3 different machines, so the news of just one machine is exciting.  Please continue to pray for his liver, it is enlarged and needs to decrease in size.  It is decreasing, but very slowly.  It is believed that the liver problem is connected to the blood count (red blood cells, platelets, etc) problem, so we need it all to be better.  Zoe has come so far from where he was and we are so pumped about that…grateful beyond words.  We continue to pray and believe for his FULL recovery, that he will tell for himself one day of the power of God that has sustained his life.

We continue to be thankful for the provisions of the Ronald McDonald House, where we  have been staying now for 7 weeks (tomorrow).  If it were not for this establishment, we would most likely be living out of our car right now, seeing as how staying in a  hotel for 7 weeks would get quite pricey.  For those of you who are able and willing, please check out info about the house.  Many have asked what they can do to help us, and it would mean alot to us if people could help out the house.  There are simple things like collecting pop tabs and bringing them by to drop of so they can be recycled, or donating food for the families here.  If you can, take a look and see how you can help. 

Thank you for taking time to check up on Zoe, and most of all, thank you for the prayers offered in faith.  May you and your families have a wonderful, beautiful Sunday.

2:00 PM Saturday Day 47

Greetings to all.  I think we have the internet issues resolved here at the house, so we will try not to miss any updates.  Here’s what’s been going on.  Thursday night at some point Zoe pulled his oxygen out and never missed a beat.  In fact they decided to leave it out.  So he has been well over 24 hours now without an oxygen machine.  In fact they are suggesting that if he continues to do so well he wont even need to come home with oxygen.  So now Zoe’s face is clear of all hoses and cables.  I promise to get a picture of his face up soon.  

His G Tube continues to heal and he is already recieving feeds again.  As soon as he gets back up to full feeds we should be able to go home.  That should be sometime this week.  It’s amazing just how good he appears to be doing.  

Thank you all again for your continued prayers.  We can’t wait to go home.

a new prayforzoe.com… again

Hey… this is Brian Buchanan. I had some spare time today so I totally redid the look of prayforzoe.com. I figured that with the story being on national radio on monday and it being in a local paper here tomorrow that it was time to spend some extra time into making it more visually appealing. All of the information about Monday’s big radio story is on the site and as soon as we have a link to the newspaper story we’ll get that up as well.

I’m sure that after Jim and Carmen and all of us watch the Georgia/Alabama game then either Jim or Carmen will post an update. Some pretty amazingly cool things have happened since the last post but I don’t want to be the spoiler so I’ll let Jim share it all when he gets a chance.

11:30 PM Wednesday Day 45

So Zoe had his suregery today and it was a success.  He was in and out with a G Tube in no time.  Everything seems to be going well.  His liver size is reducing but slower than the doctors would like.  This seems to continue to mess with his platelet count and causes him to need transfusions.  I know that healing sometimes takes time and so we wait.  Patiently impatatient if that makes since to anyone…. 

We were asked today to speak to some teens from a local church who were volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, so we shared Zoe’s story.  There are two primary emotions involved everytime we tell Zoe’s story.  First is the why?  Why did God do it?  Why doesn’t He do it for everyone?  I can say God is all knowing or we’re just blessed.  But it’s hard to say my faith was just bigger or better, mainly because I just don’t believe that “faith for healing” is the only thing going on.  For Carmen and I we know God will, from beginning to end, be glorified.  Then we just believe His Word.  The truth is I don’t know why “us” and not “them,” why “this time” and not “that time.”  That emotion keeps us humbled and won’t allow Zoe’s story to be bragging rights.  The second emotion is just knowing that God is the one who has brought Zoe to this point, that makes us want to shout and give Him glory.  The fact, that every question asked should have an answer having something to do with Jesus, is one that surprisingly comes with caution.  You want to say things like, “Sure the doctors did a lot, but God did the most.”  Then we quickly exclude those who didn’t get their miracle.  It’s like looking another believer in Christ in the face and saying, “My God’s better than yours.”  That’s crazy.  Sure God is the responsable party.  He is the one who did the impossible in Zoe’s life, but He’s the same God who didn’t in the child’s life just two beds over from Zoe.  It’s not just that we go to God asking, but it’s the manner in which we do.  God’s not just the leader of a cool club we get to be a part of.  He’s everything.  We trust Him to do what’s right.  I have come to the conclusion that faith is more than just claiming the prize.  Faith hinges on trust, and trust is understanding that you will not understand.  “His ways are not like our ways, and His thoughts are not like our thoughts.”  They are just different, and we cannot comprehend them.  So when we share Zoe’s story it is important that we do so yes giving honor and glory to God who is responsable, but to also be aware of the fact that my faith was not the demand that made it happen.  My faith through obedience and trust just enabled it to happen. So without fear we try to maintain the balance of those emotions and gladly tell Zoe’s story.  Why?  Because anytime God is involved, it is a story that needs to be told, and we have the responsability to rell it right, so that everyone may be drawn to Him.

You may remember me asking you to pray for a young man named John Paul who was recently in a car wreck returning to school here in Savannah from home.  He was supposed to have surgery today, but could not because his temperature spiked.  The doctors believe he has pneumonia.  John Paul is in need of a miracle so I ask again that you would pray for this young man.  If he were your son would you want believers believing for his healing?  Yes. 

Also some of you may know Scott Martin a missionary to India.  I am working on a project with him and he sent me an email asking me to pray for his daughter.  She has contracted Dengue Fever which can be fatal.  Please lift this family up and believe for healing in this young girls body. 

I know that many of you have been and continue to pray for Zoe.  Maybe you don’t check in everyday or multiple times a day, but Zoe is on your heart and mind.  Carmen and I are thankful for that.  We have had strength through some tough days recently, because of the love and support of so many believers.