Update and some pics

This is Kaden yesterday afternoon when his stats were good--Before ECMO

This is this morning after he was on ECMO

We just got done visiting Kaden in the NICU. He looks sooo good compared to when we saw his last night BEFORE the ECMO. Our little man gave us quite the scare, but we came to realize that the problem with the ECMO procedure was not Kaden's. He was doing very well until the trach tube came out/got clogged. Then his little heart just could not withstand the lack of oxygen. But, we are only looking forward and not back. He is doing really well right now, they are pleased with his levels and are actually going to try weaning his off the paralytic drug. Which means we may get to see his eyes :) The brain scan machine show normal brain activity, so I am putting that out of my mind as well. He is going to be getting an ultrasound of his head everyday now that he is on the ECMO to check for bleeds on his brain. I was actually surprised how swollen he wasn't, but his nurses say he is peeing ALOT. I do expect him to get puffy, but as for now he still looks alot like he did yesterday.

I cannot explain to everyone what it feels like to be told that your son is probably going to pass away and they need you right now. I was almost in a catatonic state--I didn't cry the whole way to the NICU--I felt God with me and knew that I could not change anything that was happening. But when we got there and he was being stabilized I just tried to take a deep breath and told God that I didn't want Kaden to suffer in any way, and if his plan was to take him than just let me hold him and let him go peacefully. So I am praying that this is God's way of telling us that Kaden is meant to be here. We are so proud of how hard he is fighting and know that he is not ready to give up, so we will not give up either.

We feel your prayers and appreciate all your support. I am usually the "blog stalker" but forgive me for being a little MIA for the next few days. We are reading your comments--we read them together out loud and try to make it thru without crying. We have come to realize that Kaden & God are in control and instead of taking it day-by-day, we take it minute-by-minute. We love you all and our prayers are still with your little ones and families. Please continue to pray for our Kaden.

The worst night of our lives

i apologize for the short post, and not alot of details, but we are so physically and emoitionally exhausted that I really don't feel like writing alot. Kaden had a really bad night, and it was decided that it would be best for him to go on ECMO at midnight. During the proceedure, his trach tube came out and they had a really hard time getting it back in because the canulas for the ECMO machine were already in place. The nurse came and woke us up (after about 1 hour of sleep) to come up to the NICU because they didn't think that Kaden was going to make it--his heart had stopped, and the were doing chest compressions and giving him drugs to try to restart his heart. I went up there feeling like this was the end of our journey, but by the time we got there, his heart was beating on it's own again and they were stabalizing him. They are now not sure if the whole ordeal caused any damage to his brain, but they had brought in a brain scan machine that measures brain activity before we left, and said that his brain activity looked normal. So at 3am Craig & I got into bed and we slept unitl about 10am. We are on our way to the NICU to see him, the nurse said he was still stable. I will try and keep everyone posted as much as I can and your words of encouragement are definately getting us thru the day. I know I don't even need to say it, but please pray that Kaden can be that "miracle baby" and astound us all.

We NEED Prayers

I am sure this is probably part of the rollercoaster ride, but I am really getting sick to my tummy:( Kaden is really struggling to keep his Oxygen levels up so they just made us leave the NICU and may be putting him on ECMO. This really scares me, but if it is what he needs... Craig and I are so tired. We have gotten 2 hours of sleep in two days, and I cannot even function. Please, share your ECMO stories with us--I am in need of some serious encouragement. It really just kills me to hear how sick he really is.

Keep praying for us and our little fighter. I will post in the morning...

Kaden Alex Kuehl

This is Liz Nayeli's mom writting for Kristi and Craig. Kaden Alex Kuehl arrived this morning at 6:05am weighing 7 LBS 12 OZ Kristi is doing well and recovering from having a Csection. Kristi said that Kaden squeeked when he was born. I think he was trying to cry but they probably didnt allow him. Kaden has been stabilized. Kristi and Craig were able to see Kaden for a short time and are going to see him again right now. The Doctors are going to meet with Kristi and Craig. Please continue to pray for Kaden as he fights CDH.

Kaden Changed Plans!

It's 3:15 a.m. and we are getting prepped for our ce-section. We went into labor at 8 p.m. and we are UCSF. Please pray for us early as we will be having him by 5 a.m. not 10 a.m.
Updates to come and keep on praying.

The Night Before Kaden

I want you all to know that I FEEL YOUR PRAYERS!! I have, at this moment, a great sense of peace and joy and excitement. The way a Mommy should feel before her beautiful son arrives into this world. I know that Kaden is in God's hands and I am praying that He will heal my precious baby that I wanted for so long and have loved since the day I drove him--"in the cup"--to the fertility clinic. (I bet you don't hear that all that often)! This whole experience,obviously, has not been what I expected but I am so thankful everyday that God gave us Kaden and brought all these great new people into my life. If that alone is Kadens purpose, I'll take it. You all mean alot to me, even if we only get together online. I have never prayed so much in my life, or prayed for so many others--"Makin' Deals with God" is what I like to call it. He is probably getting sick of me, but you know they say the squeaky wheel gets the oil :)

Anyway, here are the finished products for Kaden's Isolet Angels (and his name star so everyone knows who he is in the NICU). I hope his new "CRIB" can accomadate all his guardians.


I am going to try to get a good night's sleep tonight--yeah right! We are all packed and ready to go. Kaden is very active right now. I think he is excited too. I promise we will update the blog as soon as we get a chance tomorrow. Everyone seems to think we will be preoccupied, but I know I will be needing some serious prayer requests and I know how much it meant for me to read the updates after the babies arrived. I just want to say one last time how much all your support and prayers mean to us!

Two Days and Counting!!

I guess I should at least check in once a day to post at this point. Ashley, you crack me up! I was the same way when Max and Addison were on the way--I was definitely a STALKER! I would look every hour for an update...Craig thought I was crazy:)

I have been unbelievably busy trying to prepare for the "Big Day". I am not going to lie, I am still really scared, but I am starting to get really excited. I cannot wait to see him (tubes and all) and get on the roller coaster. I am not excited about the ride, but I feel mentally ready to face it. Thanks in no small part to all you Mommies (and Daddies) that have gone before us--no matter what the outcome. Your strength and encouragement has inspired me and hopefully helped prepare us for the weeks to come.

On a different note, my Mom arrived yesterday and it is so good to have her here. I feel so guilty about having to leave Logan but he loves spending time with his "Grandma Mary". I know we will make it work, but we will just have to take one day at a time. It is hard for a 5 year old to really understand what is going to be going on. He is sooo smart, though, and always seems to amaze me with how much he really does understand. I guess I should give him more credit...

We did celebrate CDH awareness day. We all wore our CDH Awareness T-shirts that we got from Cafe Press, and at 4:00pm we let our balloons go. We did "special balloons" for Addison, Max, Joseph, Corben, Ryann, and Kaden Morrow, and other balloons for all the other CDH Angels. I will post pics when I get a sec to download them. I know the Angel Babies are enjoying those balloons in heaven.

I know all my still pregnant buddies are getting excited and nervous (and probably uncomfortable), but I want to encourage you to stay positive think NOTHING BUT GOOD THOUGHTS! I truly believe that it can make a big difference. We will all make it thru this together....

I will post my FINAL THOUGHTS tomorrow night, and I promise I will post after Kaden arrives--as soon as he is stable--not because I know what it is like waiting for an update, but because I will need your prayers & support :)