Denise -"Gizmo's Mom's" grandbaby critical in ICU

[Gizmo's Mom]

The kindness of my YT friends has been overwelming, the days seem to run together lately. I heard Nate recieved many cards yesterday, his mom will get them to him today. Your thoughtfulness has met with grateful hearts.

Not this week but next, Nathan will be recieving a pacemaker. The meds by mouth are not keeping him in check. Last night they asked my son and his wife to go home for the night. This is a test to see just how high his heart rate will get when he has his (I guess some would call it a tantrum) episodes. Children with autism can become uncontrolable over the least things and sometimes become violent...maybe his cartoon wasn't on when he wanted. Anyway they are wanting to decide on the voltage of his pacemaker and if he can learn to calm himself without his parents there. I'm sure they had a long worisome night.

Micheal and Maggie are still floored over the kindness and generocity of people they do not know. I'm not. I knew my friends would come thru.
~Maw Maw Neese

[crystalsmom]

Oh yes, what a hard time for Mom, Dad and Grandmom. You hang in there, God has his arms around you all and the pacemaker will be such a help. It sounds like he is in a wonderful hospital with good care. Our children's hospital here is wonderful and they have a McDonald's House right across the street which is such a blessing for parents.

I agree with you YT people are so wonderful and I think it's hard for people to invision affection you can have for people in syber space when you don't have a computer but I have one and I'm so glad I do.

Prayers and hugs your way. Joan

[Gizmo's Mom]

Tought I would include the info the Newspaper asked for to do Nathan's story. It was written a week a go before the new findings. I'm sure it was very hard to write.

Nathan Powell is six years old.

He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of high-functioning Autism, at the age of three.

He has one younger brother, Tony, 3, who has been diagnosed with standard Autism.

Nathan is in Texas Children's Hospital on the 18Th floor (CV-ICU) being treated for Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Tachycardia, and Congestive Heart Failure.

Cardiomyopathy is a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes including viral infections. Biopsies have been done to determine the cause, but an explanation has yet to be found. The doctors have already begun preparing the parents for the likelihood that Nathan will need a heart transplant if his heart doesn't begin to strengthen from the medication he's receiving through IV around the clock.

The heart condition was discovered after being hospitalized for a week at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Nathan's doctor noticed that his heart was racing and ordered tests to be done. Immediately after reading results the doctor informed Nathan's family that he needed to be transferred to Texas Children's Hospital as soon as possible.

Once Nathan and his family arrived at the hospital in Houston his heart-rate continued to climb, and a team of over a dozen cardiologists had to sedate him and get his heart to calm down so that it wouldn't stop beating. He was put into a medicinally-induced coma for five days with a breathing tube, after such time he was brought out of it, and he now has to be given numerous medications intravenously to prevent heart failure. If his heart does not shrink in size, a transplant is a likelihood.

My husband's job just informed us that he can be on medical leave, but it has to be without pay. We have to now pay our insurance premiums ourselves so we can have insurance for myself, my wife, and my 3yr old.

We have to move to Houston in case the transplant is a go, and we need to be within 1hr away from the hospital at all times. We will have to wear a pager 24/7 in case a heart is found and have to be at the hospital as soon as possible.

If the transplant takes place, his 3yr old brother cannot be around him in case of infection. He has to be on numerous meds in case of rejection. We have no idea how long he will be in the hospital.

Our friends have started a benefit account for him at DuPont Goodrich Credit Union Under the name Nathaniel J. Powell Benefit Account. The Account number is 700639700. The money will really appreciated and used towards his hospital bills and other necessities.

Please help our son. . . . one day, he will do great things in this world.

Written by Michael D. Powell Jr. and Margaret Powell
(aka. Dad and Mom)

[Gizmo's Mom]

To all who aked for updates. The dr's are shooting for friday to put in Nate's pacemaker. The cards have been just wonderful and a lift for him and his parents. For all the prayers and kind words I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tony has gone to stay with his parents at the Ronald McDonald house. He's so happy to be with them and having a ball playing with all the other kids.

[Betty'sMom]

I have been thinking of Nathan. I will definitely be praying on Friday.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

We are constantly sending up prayers of strength and healing for Nate and his family..... We will be sending out cards today in hopes of sharing a few smiles.

Thank you for the continued updates..... stay strong and keep believing!!!

[Patti]

Thanks for the update. Glad he is now able to stay with Mom and Dad and have some playmates. My card went out Saturday.

[ARCHIE]

Thank you for the update on Nathan. Prayer's coming for Fri that all goes
perfectly for the pace maker implant. I am glad so many YT'ers came threw
for your family. It's heartwarming to know so many other's are praying
and thinking of your family and I'm sure it is very comforting for them to
know this.

Hugs,

[LuvMySissy]

So glad Nate is doing better and the cards are lifting his (and his parents') spirits. YTers have kindness that knows no boundaries and is unrivaled by any other

Still sending prayers and will send another card and a little something for Nate.

[Gizmo's Mom]

Originally Posted by Gizmo's Mom

To all who aked for updates. The dr's are shooting for friday to put in Nate's pacemaker. The cards have been just wonderful and a lift for him and his parents. For all the prayers and kind words I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tony has gone to stay with his parents at the Ronald McDonald house. He's so happy to be with them and having a ball playing with all the other kids.

By Tony I meant his little autistic brother that had been staying with me. Nathan is still in ICU.

[Gizmo's Mom]

Nathan will be recieving his pacemaker in the morning (friday)at 8am. Positiive thoughts and prayers please.

[crystalsmom]

I have been taking a 2 wk. break from YT since I have been under such stress since by yorkie died but had to come on for this. Your little darling will be in my prayers. Hugs, Joan

[Gizmo's Mom]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

I have been taking a 2 wk. break from YT since I have been under such stress since by yorkie died but had to come on for this. Your little darling will be in my prayers. Hugs, Joan

Joan, your heart has been thru so much and yet you find the time for others that are in pain. You truly are a special person. My heart grieves with you over the loss of Crystal, you and your girl are in my prayers, may your heart find peace. I know these little guys are our babies. ~Denise

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Just checking in for an update on Nathan's surgery yesterday.... he has been heavy on our hearts and we're anxious for news. Please post when you find a free moment and we'll continue sending up prayers of strength and healing!

<<edited>> (I found the update thread!!) <<color me BLONDE!! haha>>

[crystalsmom]

Still no word. Nathan hold on sweetie, we're praying for you.