Asher Update: It's been 4 weeks since we left the hospital

Dear Family and Friends,

We are well overdue for an update on Asher and our family, but to some extent it is a case of "no news is good news".  You all have been so incredibly kind in caring for us through this storm.  The waves keep coming, but through you we remain afloat.

We are slowly and timidly working out a new normal, but friends, it is hard. Medically, there is good news, in that Asher remains stable at home.  Last Friday he had a follow-up appointment with his cardiologist and pulmonologist who were both pleased with his continued stability.  He really is a little fighter, and has surprised everyone. He's learning to use his hands more, and lifting up his head when on his tummy, but still doesn't smile or hold a gaze very often. This week he has had a cold, with a cough and congestion, but he seems to be weathering it well. His nights are a little more restless with his cough, and we pray he can fight it off.  He continues to put on weight  - up to 8lb 10oz - a good sign that he is using his calories to grow and not just to breathe.  He is still on oxygen and receives all of his feedings through his nasogastric (ng) tube. That tube is of constant concern, as he has managed to pull it out several times, and it is decidedly NOT fun when it goes back in.   

A rare moment without tubes after he pulled out his
feeding tube last Sunday

As far as what life looks like for us right now, we are getting used to navigating the house with cords and tubes and noisy machines (his oxygen concentrator sounds like a snoring dishwasher, but it has become our white noise machine!) following him wherever he goes.  It certainly makes us thankful for our small one-floor home. He doesn't leave the house much, especially not in this cold weather, but we had been trying to get outside for walks using one of the smaller oxygen tanks.  He's still getting Laura's milk through his ng tube every three hours, but it is fortified in order to give him the extra calories he needs to grow.  A wonderful nurse comes to see him two or three times a week.  Laura is getting out of the house for errands, bible study, school events, etc, with the army of helpers that have come to our aid.  She has even been able to go in to work a handful of hours a week.  Michael has been back teaching for a few weeks, and while he loves his job, it is tiring, especially with the extra emotional weight we are carrying.  

We continue to receive meals four times a week or more and are SO grateful!  Grocery shopping, childcare, holding Asher, and errand running, among many other thoughtful acts of service, have absolutely sustained us.  If you are interested in helping in these or other ways, please contact Tim Jones at tim.jones@trinitycville.com or email us directly at thesalvatierras@gmail.com.  We do love visitors, just text or call beforehand to make sure we're there. 

It is still incredibly difficult not knowing how long we will be on this most-challenging road, and we are grateful for a Steadfast God who is loving us through so many dear family, friends and even strangers.  Our plan remains - to enjoy each day that we have with him.  He has given us and so many others an aching reminder of the preciousness of life and the hope that we can bear in it.  But it is exhausting. Some days we feel we are closer to normal, others we are still overwhelmed and fragile. We have talked to Noah and Ethan more about the possibilities and uncertainty of Asher's condition and they always pray that he would get better.  We're glad that they have grown more accustomed to all of his gear and remain devoted and affectionate big brothers. 

Please feel free to share this as needed. Please pray for Asher to keep growing as much as he can. Pray for much grace and patience with each other and with our boys. Pray for blessing upon those who have served our family. Pray that we would find rest and hope in Christ.

With much love,

Michael, Laura, Noah, Ethan, and Asher