This boy is now 4 years old!!!

 In September 2009, I wrote this blog, entitled "There is this boy. . ."

It was about this sweet faced little guy!

Today, there is THIS boy. . .

If you don't remember this blog, let me take a minute to introduce you to Elijah. 

Elijah is now 4 years old.  He was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome.  All that is explained in the previous post about Elijah.

What I really want to talk about today, is what an amazing little boy Elijah is.  He is already a walking miracle.  He no longer needs his walker, he is going to pre-school, riding the bus, even!  He sits with his grandma in church while she runs the sound equipment and he is still "preaching" from the back of the church, right along with his Pastor.  He can often been seen on the platform at church, singing with the praise team and getting his dance on for Jesus. 

 

He has never met a stranger, and love just pours from his face every time I see him.  I don't get to see him all that much as he lives three hours away from me.  But whenever we do get to see each other, I can always count on Elijah coming to me for a hug!  That little boy gives the best hugs ever!!

I got a call this evening from Elijah's grandma. . .
Elijah has had a "cold" for a few days now.  Yesterday it was determined he actually had a respiratory infection.  He was given IV antibiotics in the ER and sent home with breathing treatments. 
He already has a hard time breathing.  Last time I saw him his sweet little fingers, toes and lips were no longer the only blue parts of his body.  His fingers and toes are now clubbed, his lips are still blue and the blueness is starting to move up his arms and legs.  His condition is worsening.

Elijah was taken to the hospital this evening via ambulance.  He was having trouble breathing, he was lethargic and just not doing well.  The paramedics, sirens and all the ambulance lights and commotion had no effect on him.  He didn't really care that everyone was in a panic and it was all loud.  He was too busy trying to get enough oxygen.  Lethargic. . . saving all his energy for breathing.
Once they got him to the hospital, he got some more IV medications, breathing treatments, oxygen via nasal cannula (which he still didn't fight).  He had a temp of 101.2 at that time.  He is currently being admitted. 

I'm sure his mommy and grandma is staying with him tonight to watch over our sweet baby boy.  She sent me a text message asking me to rally all our prayer warriors.  See, Elijah is due to have another heart surgery on February 17th.  He will be having a Fontan Procedure. 

The last heart surgery he had was in late 2009 and it was to replace his pacemaker and they actually ended up adding another one.  That one worked for a while.  There were great reports as soon as the surgery was over and for a while afterward.  Now he is having trouble again, getting oxygenated blood to circulate through his body.  This is the last heart surgery he can have before he will be placed on a heart transplant list.  There are no guarantees with this surgery.  If it works and he makes it through surgery, it might only work for a week. . . . or it could last him for a few years. 

So far they have been told he isn't "sick" enough to be put on a transplant list.  That is the really sad part. . . how much sicker can he get?  I don't think I want to know that answer!

I love this little boy, beyond words!  I pray that his little body will heal from this respiratory infection and that his body will be ready for surgery come Feb 17th. 

Please, won't you remember sweet little Elijah, whenever you talk to God?  It would mean a lot to Elijah to know that even strangers are praying for him!