Nov
23
    
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on November-23-2007

What a great Thanksgiving yesterday! Ella did real well, resting up from her surgery, while Tina and I enjoyed two Thanksgiving meals. One with some friends in town, and the other with Par’s family and Jonathan’s mom.
 
We spent the morning with our girl before we headed over to have our first dinner. Our first meal was fantastic, complete with all our favorites: turkey, dressing, a incredible whipped sweet potato casserole, cranberries, green beans, and mashed potatoes. My grandmother overnighted her special cranberry sauce for us to enjoy, and it really made us feel like we were home. We then finished the meal off with an amazing home-made apple & pear pie. Man, I getting hungry just talking about it! =)
 
After stuffing ourselves there, we headed over to our second dinner. Par’s grandmother Barbara, with some help from others, put on a wonderful Thanksgiving feast at the Homewood Suites Hotel. The hotel staff allowed them to use their kitchen and dining area to put on the dinner. How nice of them!
 
Our time was spent appreciating each others company, and sharing what we were truly thankful for. It was so incredible that God ordained that we all come together in that moment. We are so blessed to have met the friends we have here.
 
Afterwards, we headed back to the hospital to be with our children. Upon our arrival we were excited to find out that nurse Michelle was taking care of our girl. She hadn’t been with her in weeks. It was nice to see her familiar face.
 
The Bun woke up for us to say hello, but went back to sleep after about 30 mins. We then headed home for the night.
 
Upon our arrival today our girl was asleep. She was very peaceful and looked real comfortable. She’s been real alert a few times, and we’ve had a good time interacting with her. At this moment, Mom is reading her “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, and Ella’s enjoying it.
 
It’s not too fun with her ET tube these days because Ella’s very aware of it. When she was previously intubated I think she was still on a good amount of sedation, and it was all she knew. This time around she recognizes this tube in her mouth and isn’t liking it that much. Plus, it is giving her a pretty good gag reflex. In spite of this, her nose is looking a lot better which is good because she’ll probably be going back on CPAP in the coming days.
 
The IV in Ella’s foot came out today, so they’ll be using her central line to deliver all her meds. Her feedings were supposed to start up tomorrow, but her belly is still pretty swollen from the surgery. This is to be expected, but Dr. Kays indicated that we’ll be holding off on her food until the swelling goes goes down. She’ll be fed intravenously until then.
 
Our girl is scheduled to have another chest x-ray tomorrow to see how her lungs are doing. We’d expect it to look pretty good considering how she’s been behaving. Her vent settings have also been tweaked a bit. She’s now down to 16 breaths per minute and her O2 is at 50%.
 
Baby Par has been moved out of his private room and is in a space right next to Ella. Par is doing incredibly well, in fact he was extubated today! Praise God! So great to see the progress Par has made. He’s now on CPAP and I’m sure in the coming days he’ll get his first taste of some food. Please pray that Par’s lungs will strengthen, and that he will do well when comes time for feeding.
 
Please continue to pray for baby Jonathan. His liver and kidneys are not doing the job they need to be, and Dr. Kays won’t be able to do surgery until they do. We’re asking for healing in these organs, and peace for Jasmine and Chris (Mom & Dad).
 
We pray for Ella’s lungs to strengthen, and for her overall breathing to improve. We also pray for no infection to occur during this time of healing.
 
Thank you for being here with us during this extended journey in Gainesville. You’re words of encouragement in the comments, emails, cards, and prayers mean so much to us.
 
God Bless you all.



Joel Snyder on November 23rd, 2007 at 6:12 pm #

Ella, I am so happy to hear that you are doing well today. Your pictures look really good. I am praying tonight for you to continue those baby steps forward. I am also praying for your friends Par and Jonathan. I will check on you again tommorrow after I check your house. Tell your Mom and Dad I said hello. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Brittain Family on November 23rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm #

She’s a sweetie. We’re glad she’s feeling good and keep you all in our prayers.

The Lizotte Family on November 23rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm #

Easty as 1 2 3… so easy huh!!! Praying for all the children to have a smooth recovery during this holidays. Ella you are always in our thoughts.
Love Always

Fran Jarrett on November 23rd, 2007 at 9:34 pm #

Glad to see that Miss Ella is doing better today. Her photos are always so adorable. Your girl is such a little fighter and continues to move forward with the help of Him who watches over us all.
Prayers for all including your extended family in Gainesville.

Char Snyder Jordan on November 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 pm #

Wonderful to hear the joyous holiday spirit from your Thanksgiving dinner. We are so pleased to hear that things are going well. Ella looks so good. We will continue to pray for good days and nights. LOL Aunt Char and Jim

Adrienne - Melissa's sister on November 23rd, 2007 at 11:35 pm #

Wow.. what a road you are on! And in the future a true testament of God’s goodness to your sweet family. We continue to lift you up daily and pray the Lord’s peace over you as you sleep and throughout your day as well.

As a side note – my brother had some sort of reflux thing when he was a newborn, I can’t remember the name now , it’s common in boys actually from what I recall … anyway he has this incredible scar and got to tell all the girls about his SHARK BITE growing up. ; ) For myself, when I was just out of college I had to have my spleen removed (long story) but I had just met Jeff and we were just dating so I called it my LOVE SCAR… maybe Ella can call hers her FAITH SCAR or something else fitting. : )

Much love across the oceans!
A.

Roxie (Adrienne's friend) on November 24th, 2007 at 12:05 am #

Thank you for your continued postings and the pictures are so reassuring esp. when the Bun is looking right at you. Loved the little crocheted hat and Indian Princess Feathers. I’m sure that love was involved in making those. She’s such a stylin little girl. Ella Bun has to be the most prayed for baby in the world. I’m so greatful to be a part of this prayer team, “Ella’s Team”!
Will be praying for Ella’ lungs to continue to grow stronger and no more set backs, that her Nissen surgery will prove to be most effective and that as she begins the CPAP again her little nose will not be sore.
Praiseing God for Par’s progress and will continue to pettion God for Jonathan’s liver and kidneys. Love and Prayers to you all, Roxie

Rick and Shannon (in Roma) on November 24th, 2007 at 2:25 pm #

Hi guys,

We are arrvied in Rome today for Uncle Ricks Birthday. We have already visited one church and said prayers for our sweet Ella.
Glad you guys had a great Turkey Day.

Extra hugs,

Shannon and Rick

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