Merry Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas!

Don't I have the cutest Santa pout! I want to say a special thank to those of you have contributed to my medical fund. We are not able to "see" who all the individuals who give are but know God knows! Also a special thanks to the patrons of White Star Market of Seymour, The Station at Boyd's Creek (Sevierville), TimeOut Market and Deli (Woodlawn Ave, Knoxville) and all the employees of the Knoxville Division of Microbac Laboratories, Inc. Currently you have provided approximately $700 of the estimated $12,000 out of pocket expenses for 2006-2007. Mom and Dad are especially grateful to you. God bless you!

I am still having trouble with my calcium levels. In case I have not told you before, if my calcium levels get to low I can have seizures and heart problems. I will be living here in Children's NICU land until January 15th when Dr. Markert at Duke University will send a Jet airplane for me and Mommy! Isn't that the coolest Christmas present ever...a ride on a jet plane to get a new chance at living a long and healthier life! God is so good! I am learning to coo and kick and need some help practicing so I get to spend even more time with my Mommy and Daddy. My Nana (Regina Ogle) brought me a really neat music box that I try to make work, it is still a challenge but a challenge is a great thing for a boy to have! And I love to watch it and hear the music. Both Nana and GrandmaRie sing to me and I am beginning to coo along. When GrandmaRie gives me big kisses and hugs at first I am annoyed but then I begin to "um-oum" right back at her. (You know, I have to humor her or she will just keep going. I am sure you know how grandma's are.) I am practicing holding a rattle and need to work on muscle tone especially in my face and throat. I feed through a g-tube so I have trouble remembering what my mouth is supposed to do. I am sure with practice and your prayerful support I can get it!

A lot has happened since my last post. I did get to go home from the hospital for a whole week. I really enjoyed spending time with the folks. Mommie and Daddy are real good at taking care of me, Dr. Prinz and Dr. Wooldridge at East TN Children's Hospital both told us so. However I was having diarrhea so Mommie and GrandMarie took me to the ER. We learned that my Calcium levels where too low so.....I am back at the hospital again. (Low Calcium sounds simple but in my case it can lead to seizures, heart attack or stroke very quickly.) I am so glad that my Mommy is on top of things and decided to move quickly! I will be staying at the isolation unit for awhile. This is to protect me from germs and viruses. As you can see I am growing and I am learning to smile and coo. I also coo along when GrandMarie sings to me!

Here I go again!!

Hello, again! I am peeking out from under my blanket to see if it is safe to try going home again... Home is great with Mommy and Daddy and my dog Nixon; BUT riding in a car seat is really hard work for me! I passed the test so we are going to try it for real again tomorrow. Please pray for my Daddy, I know he does not want a repeat of the last car ride! But I am sure with your prayers and good thoughts that everything will be okay. God has got us through this far so why should I doubt Him now. Okay, I think I'll crawl on out and give it a try. Your praying aren't you? I am counting on you! Love "Little Coop"

THANKSGIVING AT THE OLD NICU (NEONATAL INTESIVE CARE UNIT)

Happy Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This my daddy. His name is Brooks Ogle. He is my hero. He performed CPR on me the morning my heart stopped. Isn't he terrific? I am grateful for him. I am thankful for all the NICU nurses and doctors. And my whole family is very grateful for your prayers and support. My new pilgrim hat was made by my cousin Bobby Whitaker with the help of his sister Stacy. They think my head is a lot smaller than it is :-) Aren't they silly? As my great uncle Henry always says "gobble, gobble, gobble!"

Here I am with my Mommy. I got to spend the weekend at home with Mommy and Daddy. We had a great time! I like our house and my dog, Nixon. He likes me too!

This morning we were going to the hospital to do some lab work and on the way I really stressed out. (Riding in cars is hard work for really little boys like me.) The doctor is not sure why, so I am back in the hospital for a while. My Mommy and Daddy did really good. My heart stopped while we were in the car, so Mommy got me out of the car seat while Daddy stopped the car. He jumped out and Mommy handed me to him. Daddy did CPR on me on the trunk of the car while Mommy called for an ambulance. They must have remembered all the good training they got at Children's Hospital because Daddy had me alert and responding by the time the ambulance arrived. I thank God for my brave Mommy and Daddy and for all of you who continue to pray for me and for my family. --Love Little Coop

Here is a link to Dr Louise Markert's page at Duke University:

http://www.dukehealth.org/physicians/BD728D3FC1B56D7685256DFD006A9446

Apparently, Dr Markert is working on some issues with the FDA, so Cooper's transplant has been delayed until January.

Emily and Brooks are staying at the hospital tonight with Cooper for their overnight "test"--so that they can bring Cooper home this weekend! We'll update you with pictures when that happens. Please continue to pray for Cooper's protection.

Got a better picture for my profile, Mom? :)

Hello! This is a picture of Emily and Cooper from a couple of weeks ago. We will have an update for you soon!