UPDATE: Parents of preemies face ‘Russian mountain’ in the NICU

Wes and Carrie Gotcher hold their twin boys in the neonatal intensive-care unit in a Brazillian hospital. (Photo via www.niteroimission.com/gotcher)

We received a request for an update on Graham and Gibson Gotcher, the preemie twins of Wes and Carrie Gotcher, missionaries in Niteroi, Brazil. (Read our previous post about the twins’ birth.)

The best way to keep up with the twins is through the Gotchers’ blog — www.niteroimission.com/gotcher
In a recent post, Carrie talks about the medical challenges faced by both boys. Graham had fluid in his lungs and was given an antibiotic. Gibson underwent a procedure to alleviate the pressure on the ventricles in his brain. Both boys are improving, Carrie writes.
“Everyone says that the NICU experience is a roller-coaster and it is so true,” Carrie writes. “On a side note, the word in Portuguese for roller coaster is ‘montanha rússia,’ or ‘Russian mountain.’  Wes and I love this translation and he tries to use it as often as possible.”
Carrie also reflects on the comfort she has found reflecting on Psalm 23:
“This was such a wonderful thing to read because I have felt overwhelmed the past couple days by the challenges, the tubes, the procedures and all there is for our little men to overcome. I really have been just seeing the mountain and was so thankful for the reminder to keep my eyes on the One who is over and above it.”