Hand in Hand for Nathan

Hi Everyone.  My brother Nathan came to visit from Laredo Texas to Shreveport Louisiana on Thursday December 27th.  When we arrived from picking him up in Dallas Texas he already was very sick and had shortness of breath and his legs were swollen.  As soon as we arrived to Louisiana I took him immediately to the ER.  The doctors told us that he had Pneumonia on both lungs, Flu on both lungs and Congested Heart Failure.  His oxygen level kept decreasing and they had to do an emergency procedure called ECMO.  ECMO is where his blood is cleansed and oxygenated.  He has a two tubes where blood is flowing in and out of his body to his heart.  He still has the breathing tubes in his mouth.  In times he is alert and knods his head to respond to us or he also squeezes our hand.  Lately he’s been smiling more and moving to the rhythm of the songs (of course carefully because of the tubes in his mouth and neck) and in times he moves his lips singing along to songs that he loves.  This will be a slow process.  And we celebrate every daily Victory.  Challenges have come up like his kidneys not functioning properly but thank God the doctors are amazing and work fast to try and fix anything that my brother needs.  They are doing a temporary dialysis and everything is looking much better.  My family, his children and I are so grateful for all of your messages, prayers and positive thoughts for my brother.  His treatment and recovery will be a lengthy one and we are reaching out to his friends and family and whoever feels in their heart to help my brother.  He won’t be able to work for now.  We are believing that our Heavenly Father will continue the work he has started in my brother’s body, heart and life!  I know that together, Hand on Hand, we can help my brother carry the load!  ❤️  Thank You beforehand for all your prayers, donations, positive words, text messages, calls and everything great that you wish and hope for our brother Nathan!  From the Santana family, THANK YOU!!!