Today has been a good day. Rudy has been breathing on his own for 60 hours and continues to fight his way to a comfortable breathing pattern. I’m encouraged by the fact that Rudy was less agitated today and when he did get upset, he was easily consoled. We enjoyed some snuggle time in between his RT treatments and his oxygen sats held consistently in the 60s and 70s. In general, he looks good…there are questions regarding the last couple of xrays as it appears there is fluid collecting IN his lungs but he has been getting RT treatments every three hours to break up the secretions and suction them out so hopefully this will help.
He continues to work hard at his breathing but the general feeling is it’s simply a matter of time for him to adjust. We just need to keep an eye on him that he doesn’t get over tired.
The Immunology docs came by today to follow up on their initial tests. It is clear that Rudy’s immune system is weakened. The question is whether it is temporarily weakened because of what he has been through so far or because of a genetic disorder of some kind. Their recommendation is to do futher tests to find out. My prayer tonight is that Rudy’s body will replenish the immune cells it has lost over the past 17 weeks and that his low functioning immune system is a temporary issue and will “kick into action” much like the other systems in his body that have needed time to strengthen. Talking with them opened up my mind to a whole other set of issues that, frankly, can overwhelm me and I’m reminded that this may feel “too big” for me but nothing is “too big” for God. Just as we must take this one day at a time…we also need to digest this one detail and one health concern at a time. Thank you for continuing to join us in praying over all the details.
Rudy's Beat 
Yeah Rudy!!!
Great news! Keep up the great work, Rudy!
This is Amazing!!!!! We’re so happy!!!! You must be exhausted “breathing with him” Trish! What a milestone!!!!!
Thank you Lord!
Trish & Rolf,
I do not know you, you do not know me. But I have followed this blog since Rudy’s birth, praying with you through every twist and turn. This latest turn has filled me with gratitude and relief. Thank you for your wonderful writing, your vulnerability, your joy in your family, your trust that, as Julian of Norwich so beautifully said, “All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.” I cannot even begin to imagine the toll all of this has taken on each one of you and I cannot begin to describe how utterly brave you are. Your son is a champion, a much-loved child of God and despite the difficulties-beyond-belief-and-description he has endured in his short life, a very lucky little boy: he has two of the most remarkable parents on this planet. Many blessings as you continue to follow the road ahead, acknowledging with each step that you are only given enough light to see just where your feet fall and not one step further. Oh my, how hard that is. Thank you for your eloquence, thank you for your courage, thank you for your marvelous modeling of what it means to endure suffering and still find grace.
Many blessings in the name of our suffering, grace-filled Savior,
Diana Trautwein
Associate Pastor
Montecito Covenant Church
Great news! Isn’t God good? He is so faithful! Love the pictures of you Rudy resting on your tummy. You are so precious. Keep breathing deep and strong little one.
Trish,
You are an amazing woman and mother, you inspire me so much. Little Rudy is a fighter – how proud our God must be of the Geyling family, each and everyone of you. You are all on a journey but please know you have an army walking with you.
Keep fighting Rudy, there are so many people who love you. We continue to celebrate and pray with you at each and every blessing and challenge.
Rudy, your eyes are precious, looks can say so much……..Yes, keep fighting… a HLHS grandma[Diana}
Trish and Rolf,
Take one step at a time. Things are what they are and we can pray and hope, but in the end you can and will take on anything…you already have!
Keep Going Rudy!
Each victory unveils another challenge! The fact that Rudy is slowly developing paints a picture of what it is to learn “one step at a time”. All of you are straight A students and will finish the course suma cum laude. We meet each day with you in prayer, faith and optimism knowing God is beside us on this long journey. We are so blessed we have you and the great witness you continue to be to so many.
Peace and rest to you, dear ones, ………..
Yeah Rudy! We are praying you continue to get stronger. Trish, you certainly have the right perspective. One day at a time and God can do it all!
Trish, I thought of you this morning spending each day and night in that hospital – knowing as I do that hospitals are a terrible place to try to rest. I imagine you sleeping very intermittently as the nurses come in for routine checks on Rudy throughout the night. I was burdened by the thought of you and Rolf enduring that routine for 17 weeks with no end in sight. While pondering all the possibilities and asking questions like, “Why do they do that? How can they do that?”, I was overwhelmed by the love and commitment to your child that you and Rolf are demonstrating. It is amazing and supernatural. Rudy may be a superstar, but the brightness of his star cannot coompare to that of his parents. You and Rolf are truly super-duper-stars!
Rudy…you are truely amazing!
I will keep praying for you as you move in the right direction.
I am so impressed by your strength ( and your mommy and daddy’s too)
Keep it up! 🙂
I am praying for all the details to work themselves out one step at a time, one day at a time. Rudy has come so far and is a real fighter. God bless you all!
keep making us proud Rudy lots of prayers for a speedy recovery
Trish…You are so right-one day at a time.There are so many people praying with you about each and every detail of your journey.God Bless!
Lots of Love and Prayers are coming your way from the Hauck and Borkovich Families… on the East and West Coasts! Rudy is a fighter… and God never gives us more than we can handle. Blessings to you!
Rudy,
We are so proud of you and that you are breathing so well and that you continue to learn how to breathe without that annoying tube–keep working on it, little champ! Your brothers and sister can’t wait to show you how much fun they have playing “freeze tag” on the trampoline! You are going to love being home with them all! They are a lot of F-U-N!! 🙂
Keep up the good work, and it won’t be long now…we pray for you to have strength and peace in this journey. And may that strength and peace envelop your Mom, Dad and siblings too. We are praying….praying…
Ruby,
My young friend…. ah, keep it up one breath at a time. You are my hero as well as your family. God bless you all. Love, Jo
We are so happy that Rudy is making progress! Congratulations!!