Aug
15
    
Posted (The West's) in All Posts on August-15-2007


The title reflects a chant that Ella’s cousin, Claire, was reciting yesterday,”Go Ella, Go Ella, No ECMO, No ECMO!”

Dr. Kays just called this morning and said that they Ella had another good night. He reduced the ECMO flow to 60 this morning (the lowest setting on the machine) and would like to try and test removing Ella from ECMO this afternoon to see how she responds.

Dr. Kays has ordered a PICC line that would be used in place of the ECMO, if she can remain off the machine. He will leave the canula attached to Ella right now and all ECMO equipment near her bedside, so that they can monitor her while she is off ECMO and reinstate the ECMO machine if she needs it.

This would be a big step for Ella. Please pray today that her little body would have the strength to remain off the ECMO machine!!!

Thanks everyone for your amazing support and prayers during our journey. You’ve all been amazing.

UPDATE (10:45 am EST): As of right now Ella continues to have her PICC line threaded through her veins. So far she’s tolerating it. This process can take a couple hours and is a key piece in being able to give her the medication she needs. BUT, it’s not always successful on the first try and they would have to wait a whole other day to try again. Please pray specifically for success on the first try!

UPDATE (11:30 am EST): Just received a call from her nurse and the PICC line is in! Praise you LORD! We’re now waiting for Dr. Kays to come out of another surgery. He will then look to take her off ECMO to see how she responds. Stay tuned…

UPDATE (1:05 pm EST): They’re removing her from ECMO right now to see if she can maintain being off of it. Please pray…

UPDATE (3:00 pm EST): Ella’s off ECMO, and she’s doing OK, BUT she is far from out of the woods. We need to continue to pray for her lungs to get stronger and for her blood gases to improve. Lord Jesus strengthen our little girl. Amen

UPDATE (7:15 pm EST): Ella’s stats were fluctuating down a bit earlier, but at the moment she’s doing ok. Her body is still trying to adjust from coming off ECMO; it has to do all the work now. The next 12 hours are critical and will determine the next steps for Dr. Kays. We continue to pray for our baby girl to stabilize and grow strong. We’ll be posting another update later tonight. God bless.



Lesli Richards on August 15th, 2007 at 7:37 am #

We are praying here! That’s a girl, Ella. You just show them all!

Love, Lesli

Char Snyder Jordan on August 15th, 2007 at 7:47 am #

Yes, Yes this is the way. Our love and concern will attend Ella today. We will see what is necessary can be done. One step at a time. Line upon line percept upon precept. Here a little there a little until all that is needed can be done. Be brave little West family. Angels will attend. Love, Jim and Char

Aunt Ginny Snyder on August 15th, 2007 at 7:53 am #

Leave it to a kid to give things “heart” and simplicity. I’ll be chanting Clair’s “Go Ella, Go Ella, No ECMO, No ECMO!” all day.

The Laz Fam! on August 15th, 2007 at 7:58 am #

Praying fervently and unceasingly!

Cousin Claire on August 15th, 2007 at 8:01 am #

I love you Ella!

Claire

Doug on August 15th, 2007 at 8:44 am #

Woot! You go, little girl!

Geoffrey on August 15th, 2007 at 8:49 am #

C’mon, Ella! You can do it!!!

Mollie Rosing on August 15th, 2007 at 8:59 am #

what a wonderful update! thanks for sharing. continued love and prayers, the rosings

Joel Snyder on August 15th, 2007 at 9:37 am #

Ella, You can do this little girl and I am praying for you every minute. Just one step at a time. Taco,Manny, and all the Dinos are praying for you as well. I Love You!!!!!!!!!!! Grandpa

Grandma West on August 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am #

My dear Josh ,Tina & Ella even though we talk every day .I feel led to write this Richard and I both send our prayers ,love and concern every day. Also Ellas Great Grandmother, Grandfather and Aunt Joanne are keeping a close watch and praying every day.I have so many friends that are checking the site and praying every day I am so grateful for all these friends and all the family that are keeping vigel it is such a blessing to see all the support. I want to thank and hug them all. I know this has helped all of us to keep looking UP.
God is so amazing he never cesses to astound me. I am also sure that her Grandpa Burt, who is in heaven with Jesus,must be praying loudly in Jesus’s ear. AMEN! Hallalula!

Auntie Shannon on August 15th, 2007 at 10:15 am #

Way to go Sweet Ella! Go Ella, Go Ella, No ECMO, No ECMO!! — if you need the beat to the chant, give me a call. ; ) Okay, the prayers really need to kick in now – I know I shouldn’t put this on a website, but while I pray quite a bit in life, yesterday was the first time in years I actually got down on my knees to pray for our Sweet Ella. For all those reading this post – we need everyone to pray and ask everyone they know to pray. Ella has made it on 4 prayer chains on our street alone. I firmly believe in the power of collective prayer and I think Sweet Ella needs all we have right now through surgery and beyond.

Love you Sweet Ella,

Your favorite Auntie (Shannon)

PS Thanks to everyone who is sending pieces for the “Book of Love” — they are wonderful!

Joan Odell on August 15th, 2007 at 10:58 am #

Prayers, prayers and prayers. He is holding her safe and strengthening her. Hugs – Steve and Joan

Auntie Shannon on August 15th, 2007 at 11:12 am #

Please keep us posted. We are praying.

Mary Turner on August 15th, 2007 at 11:27 am #

Be strong sweet Ella. You have so many people praying for you and we are all in this together! God, Please bless Ella while she is removed from ECMO and keep her little body strong. Thank you!

Love the Turner’s, Mike, Mary Morgan, Emma and Joseph

King Fam on August 15th, 2007 at 11:27 am #

We’r praying! Go Ella! No ECMO!

Lesli Richards on August 15th, 2007 at 12:33 pm #

We are watching and praying.
Love, the Richards

pattie henderson (orona) on August 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm #

What a beautiful bundle of love. I prayed and cried that our wonderful Lord would completely heal Ella, put evrything in its proper place and make a miracle. She already is a gift and miracle of God I love you guys.
Pattie, Krystal & Blake

Sara & Kevin Allen on August 15th, 2007 at 1:13 pm #

We are praying and watching your updates. We are pleading with God on your behalf for strong little lungs. I’m reminded of a childhood song everytime I check in on Ella:
“I may be small, but I’ve got a Great Big God, who watches over me. I may be weak, but my Father made this world…” We love you all and pray God’s strength and blessings upon you.

Rebecka Roberts on August 15th, 2007 at 2:20 pm #

Crying and praying for baby Ella. I check for updates several times a day and tear flow each time. SO glad to hear she is off ECMO. Our family will be praying for her and for you, too.

Delicia Reeves on August 15th, 2007 at 2:34 pm #

Go Ella, you can do it! The Little Engine (Ella) that could.

Kristen on August 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pm #

Oh Lord, you are the God of miracles! We need one now! Praise you for your great mercy and goodness!

Todd & Eve Sheridan on August 15th, 2007 at 2:59 pm #

Great news guys! We’re still praying and thinking of you guys every day, and cousin Claire said it best ‘Go Ella, No ECMO’ 🙂

Keri (Shannons neighbor) on August 15th, 2007 at 3:25 pm #

My husband and I have set aside tonight to fast and pray for sweet Ella and another young boy named Jud who is fighting the good fight(www.myspace.com/levasheff)

‘Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name….Hitherto, you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.’ John 16:23b-24

Lisa (Ms. Texas) on August 15th, 2007 at 3:52 pm #

Oh great news! Go Ella Go! No ECMO! Lord protect Ella! Bless her with BIG strong healthy lungs!!Amen!

The Williams on August 15th, 2007 at 4:47 pm #

I know you guys know we’re with you every day in every way we can be. We love you.

Brendan on August 15th, 2007 at 5:13 pm #

This reminds me of a song I learned in Sunday School:

Jesus loves the little children, (especially babies)
All the children of the world, (including Gainsville, FL)
Black and yellow, red and white (and those formerly on ECMOs)
They’re all precious in his site (the Hogan Headband is the best!!)
Jesus loves the little children of the world. (Go Ella Go…No ECMO)

Watching and praying for Ella.

PS. Jesus most definitely loves Josh and Tina too!!

Daphne & Ron Hollowbush on August 15th, 2007 at 6:17 pm #

We continue to pray for you, Tina & Josh, and especially little Ella. We have been out of town for a couple days. During that time I thought of you often. One of the first things I did when I got home was to check your blog. Praise the Lord for the good news. You are on our church prayer chain. Love, Ron & Daphne

Joan and Steve Odell on August 15th, 2007 at 6:24 pm #

Going off ECMO may cause Ella to fluctuate a little until she can stabilize but I know that our Lord is right there and helping her little body strengthen and stabilize. Our prayers continue for her and both of you. You all are so loved by so many and it is indeed a miracle that has brought us all together in Christ’s name for Ella, both of you and her caregivers. Hold on to each other in love and strength for sweet Ella and the Lord will carry you through. Hugs and love – Steve and Joan

Becky on August 15th, 2007 at 6:57 pm #

Sweet Ella….Sweet Dreams and God Bless You. Stay Strong through the night.

Laura Marold on August 15th, 2007 at 7:21 pm #

She is so beautiful! God bless her and make her well! Also praying for Tina and Josh for stamina. Praying for the doctors, nurses, techs, and all of the rest of the hospital staff to be ready for the surgery to come. May they be strong of heart, clear of mind, and guided by the hand of the Lord. This is great news.

Michele on August 15th, 2007 at 7:41 pm #

What a beautiful, faith-filled family! Ella, you are surrounded by so much love & hope– our family will continue to pray for your healing.

Christina DuHart on August 15th, 2007 at 7:48 pm #

Gimme an E, gimme an L, gimme another L, gimmie an A, Goooooooo….. Ella Stay strong Baby Girl.
We Love you lots.
XOXOX The DuHart Family

Julie on August 15th, 2007 at 8:30 pm #

I, too, have been praying and praying for Ella. And for strength for Josh and Tina. I can’t imagine how very exhausting this must be.

So glad to hear she’s still fighting. And I’ll pray for little Jud, too. I remember his dad from Biola (though I don’t think he knows me).

Little ones, get better!

Gloria Butler Jacobsen & Red on August 15th, 2007 at 8:46 pm #

Offering lots of intense prayer for little Ella,she is a amazing fighter as are Tina & Josh. Ella is on my heart,with every thought of her,I pray! Ella is keeping all of us in prayer,the Lord touching all of us through your darling Ella. I feel strongly she will make it! Sincerely, Gloria & Red

Cristy Overholtzer on August 15th, 2007 at 9:04 pm #

Keep up the good work Ella! You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers every day!

Angie on August 15th, 2007 at 9:26 pm #

Hugs & Kisses to Ella today! She’s puttin’ up a fight “GO ELLA, GO ELLA, NO ECMO, NO ECMO!” We’re praying for you ~ Love, Nurse Angie

kristin on August 15th, 2007 at 9:53 pm #

Go Ella! Sweet Baby West! We all are here behind you. We are all behind your wonderful parents and family. We love you and pray for you. Hear our voices, the songs and words and whispers of all the angels and saints…Josh and Tina, we lift you and Ella up to Our Lord. He hears, he listens and he understands that we all trust in Him. We love you all!
Kristin

The Nesbitt Family on August 15th, 2007 at 11:21 pm #

Just learned of your situation this evening, and have shed many tears in the process. We will be praying for you in this extremely critical time. Baby Ella is exquisite, and we pray for the Lord’s strength in holding up her body for the surgery. We pray for your entire family in this time.

All our love to you

Jenny Talbott on August 16th, 2007 at 8:48 am #

So I noticed the monkey swiped Ella’s headband, what’s up with that? Just you wait till she’s strong enough to box… she’ll take it back. 🙂

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