Before I share the incredible progress Blake has made, I just want to take a moment to say thank you to every single person who has prayed for our little boy. If you ever doubted the power of prayer, let Blake’s story be the proof you need. Just two weeks ago, we were told to say our goodbyes. The entire staff sat with us, crying, offering their apologies, and preparing us for the worst. And yet, today, here we are with our miraculous little boy—a living testament to the power of love, faith, and prayer.
Blake was recently diagnosed with something called CMV (Cytomegalovirus), a common virus that affects around 85% of people at some point in their lives. For most adults, CMV causes mild cold or flu-like symptoms, but for premature babies like Blake, it can be extremely dangerous. It can disrupt growth, development, and cause severe problems with hearing and vision.
When Blake was born, he tested negative for CMV. But as the weeks passed, his symptoms—particularly his very low platelet count—started pointing to the virus. After further testing, we received the confirmation that Blake had contracted CMV. We were devastated, but the medical team acted quickly. Two days ago, Blake was started on a powerful antiviral medication called Valganciclovir (Valcyte). This medication is so strong that the nurses have to wear gowns and gloves when administering it, and his bedding needs to be washed separately to prevent exposure to others. But it’s giving Blake a fighting chance. The medicine helps his body battle the virus and enables his bone marrow to make new platelets.
Since starting Valganciclovir, Blake’s progress has been nothing short of amazing. His lungs, which were once a source of great concern, now look incredible. The doctors no longer need to do daily X-rays, which is a huge milestone in his recovery. Blake is off the INO machine and the jet ventilator, and he’s now on a regular ventilator with just 60% oxygen. For a baby who was once struggling so intensely to breathe, this is an enormous improvement.
Blake is still working hard to gain weight. CMV can make this process difficult, and since he’s been on diuretics to help remove excess fluid from his lungs, it’s been hard to accurately measure his true weight. But now that he’s showing significant improvement, we’re hopeful that we’ll see his weight start to climb in the coming days.
Another big milestone happened today during his weekly eye exam. Two weeks ago, the same doctor who had been monitoring his eyes explained that once Blake came off high-flow oxygen, the abnormal blood vessels in his eyes would likely become much worse, possibly leading to eye damage or even blindness. She prepared us for the worst, explaining that Blake might need special steroid injections directly into his eyes to try to stop the damage.
But today, when the doctor looked into Blake’s eyes, she was left speechless. She said she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Blake’s eyes looked absolutely incredible—no changes, no damage at all. For a baby who has faced so many challenges, this was nothing short of a miracle. The doctor kept saying how impressed and amazed she was by his progress. To see this, after everything Blake has been through, was nothing short of divine intervention.
Blake’s treatment plan includes a number of powerful medications, each playing a crucial role in his recovery:
-
Valganciclovir (Valcyte) – a potent antiviral to fight CMV and help Blake’s bone marrow produce new platelets
-
Fluconazole (Diflucan) – to prevent and treat fungal infections
-
Levofloxacin (Levaquin) – a strong antibiotic to fight any lingering bacterial infection
-
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) – to support his adrenal system and reduce inflammation
-
Budesonide (Pulmicort) – a steroid that helps reduce lung inflammation and ease his breathing
-
Dornase Alfa (Pulmozyme) – helps clear mucus from Blake’s lungs and keeps his airways open
-
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
– a breathing treatment that further helps open his airways
-
Caffeine Citrate (Cafcit) – helps prevent apnea and supports his respiratory system
-
Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) – a gentle sedative that keeps Blake calm and comfortable
-
Parenteral Nutrition (Neonate Central Line) – special IV nutrition that provides Blake with all the necessary calories, proteins, and vitamins while he’s not eating full feeds
-
Cyclomydril and Alcaine (eye drops)
– used during eye exams to keep Blake comfortable and to help the doctor see clearlyDespite the long list of medications and treatments, Blake continues to amaze every doctor and nurse who walks into his room. His resilience, his strength, and his spirit have left everyone in awe. We are so incredibly proud of him.
I want to take a moment to emphasize how much Blake’s story has touched hearts across the world. People from all walks of life have lifted him up in prayer, and we have seen the power of those prayers in his miraculous recovery. It’s hard to express how much comfort and strength we have drawn from knowing that so many are praying for our son. Blake is truly moving mountains, changing hearts, and leaving everyone in awe of his strength.
If you ever doubted the power of prayer, let Blake’s journey be the one that changes your mind. God is so good. We are blessed beyond measure to see our little miracle boy fighting his way through this and showing the world that with love, faith, and determination, nothing is impossible.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us and prayed for Blake. Your prayers have made all the difference, and we continue to trust that, with God’s grace, Blake will keep overcoming every obstacle in his path. 💚
