It is hard to believe that it has been 18 weeks.

Nurse Andrea had a great day with Ella. She was a bit fussy this morning, but apparently they were trying to place a new IV line and Ella was not appreciating the hands-on treatment! I don’t blame her!

When they drew her blood this morning for labs, her hematocrit count was low (the hematocrit count calculates the percentage of red blood cells per micro liter of blood). So, they ordered some blood for her and needed a new IV line to deliver it, thus the bandage on her head.

Ella’s food continued to be increased last night and throughout the day. They are capping her feeds at continous flow of 20ccs per hour and she will be at that volume by 10pm tonight. So far, she seems to be tolerating the feeding well. This is a blessing.

You can tell that having the nissen surgery was the right move for her. Even though she is almost at full feeds, I have not seen any reflux symptoms and she is in a great mood.

Apparently, a couple of staff members were trying to get her to smile today. After several unsuccessful attempts, Dr. Kays approached the bed to check in on her and she gave a HUGE grin. Nurse Andrea said it was just priceless.

Dr. Kays thought about extubating Ella today and asked the nurse and respiratory therapist. After collaberating, they opted to wait until tomorrow morning, get a chest x-ray and make a decision from there. Please pray that her chest x-ray tomorrow looks better. We are hoping that her lungs are no longer “wet” and that she is ready for CPAP.

Par took another huge step today – – he is off CPAP and is breathing via the nose cannulas. So far, so good. We’re so happy for the amazing progress that he has made. Thank you for all the prayers. I have not seen Jasmine today for an update on Jonathan, but either way, please pray for Jonathan. He is scheduled to have his repair surgery on ECMO tomorrow, which is very risky.

Finally, please pray for Josh’s grandma (her name is Kathleen). Ella wants to meet her great Grandma some day, so we lift her up and ask for the Lord to heal her body. She is in the intensive cardiac care unit at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA (heart and lung issues currently). She went in the hospital this past weekend and is having a tough recovery.

Thank you for all the prayer support. We couldn’t do it without the love of the Lord guiding us each day in His truths as well as the support from all of you out there. You minister to our hearts each day with your thoughtful words and prayers (even those of you that don’t post – – we know you are with us too).

Psalm 103:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.