Ella had a restful night, but unfortunately, her blood gases were worse. The one at 4am was cO2=70, pO2=90. They did a repeat blood gas shortly after and her cO2 went the wrong direction, cO2=80, pO2=124. She had 69ccs of total chest fluid output for yesterday’s total (6 left, 63 right).
Dr. Kays reviewed her chest x-ray this morning. It looks worse on the right and left hand side.
Oddly when we visited Ella, she still seems comfortable. She is not extra fussy, so we have really enjoyed our time with her.
Her blood gases during the day have been slightly better, but not good enough. The next gas at 8am was cO2=62, pO2=79. The one at 4pm was cO2=66, pO2=77. Her chest fluid output has been 10ccs total so far today (0 left, 10 right).
Here is the game plan: Dr. Kays is going to replace her left chest tube this afternoon/early evening. We are not sure what time, but he is planning to do it before he leaves the hospital for the day.
He has been hesitant to mess with the chest tube since it increases the risk for infection (on the same side as the patch for her diaphragm). But this is his last try at giving her body a chance to resolve the issue on its own.
Tomorrow, they are planning to transport Ella in her bed with all the drips and ventilator down to radiology. He has ordered a CT scan of her entire chest area, to gain a better understanding of the fluid problem and to check and see if her superior vena cava is still collapsed.
He is not doing any interventions tomorrow related to the her chest fluid issue or the SVC syndrome; he simply wants to diagnose the chest fluid problem with more precision and take the opportunity to look at the SVC during the same CT scan.
He is not real confident that Ella is going to have a major turnaround within the next ~48 hours. Therefore, he has also scheduled Ella for her surgery on Wednesday.
When we asked, he did mention that he would look to do this thoracoscopically or with minor incisions on one or both side of her chest (near where the chest tube incisions exist). Admittedly, this made us feel better that they would not be making a large incision across her chest.
Please continue to pray for Ella – – for the Lord’s will to be done. We would love for her to have a miraculous turnaround in the next 48 hours, which God could certainly decide to do.
But if that is not His will, that we will continue to trust and cling tight to His promises. We keep hearing the Lord asking us to trust Him and to continue to focus on Him.
As we have experienced so far, each time we keep our focus on Him, we gain a peace that is beyond all understanding.
Psalm 25:4-8
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Kristen on September 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 pm #
Hard to understand. . . nevertheless, the Lord our God is good, He is soverign, He is trustworthy, He is full of mercy and He gently leads those who have little ones. . . . Praying you through . . . and praising Him for a most aweseome baby girl who is the essence of courage!
Char Snyder Jordan on September 23rd, 2007 at 4:31 pm #
We love you little munchkin. You are such a big part of our life. We will petition the Lord on your behalf. We can expect a miracle. Love, Aunt Char and Jim
The Brittain Family on September 23rd, 2007 at 5:15 pm #
What a precious one! Ella has a beautiful smile! We keep praying for you guys and have much hope for the week to come. Keep trusting, one day at a time : ) We’re rooting for you!
Becca Richards on September 23rd, 2007 at 5:15 pm #
Me and my friends are all praying for you and Ella. It is so amazing that Ella is a little part of this world, but a BIG part o God’s plan!
Carl & Cathie Firestone on September 23rd, 2007 at 6:20 pm #
Hi Josh & Tina, Thank you for keeping us up to the minute with Ella Updates! We are praying for you all to be home soon together. Psalm 130:5 Take care..with love..Carl & Cathie
Dana Chambers on September 23rd, 2007 at 6:41 pm #
She looks like she is ready for her photograph now. Ella says: “Mom and Dad have to keep a current pic up on my website and I am ready for my close-up. I am going to give you a little tonguey smile tonight!” You guys have so much strength. We will keep praying for all… Even the nurses that aren’t in the Fab Four. Maybe we will start having the Super Six. We need to love the nurses. I am sure it makes a big difference in how you feel when you leave Ella in their care. She is a beauty!
Dana Chambers on September 23rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm #
BTW. What are her stats at 8 weeks. How many pounds and how long now… She looks like she has grown quite a bit!
monika on September 23rd, 2007 at 8:46 pm #
GRACE AND MERCY DEAR ONES, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN. we trust GOD with you for all the details. thank you for keeping us posted, how do you do it, only with HIS STRENGTH, especially baby ella, how you hold on for HIS PURPOSE you baby jewel!!! i can’t wait to snuggle you one of these days soon. i pray with St. Luke for you doctor and nurses for GOD’S WISDOM, GUIDANCE. miss you and love you, monika and family
Kevin & Sara Allen on September 23rd, 2007 at 9:18 pm #
If those adorable pictures don’t encourage your heart, I don’t know what will. She is precious. We’re praying for another miracle for you. Our God is able.
Joel Snyder on September 23rd, 2007 at 9:26 pm #
Ella, Sorry I didn’t get to you sooner today but I am praying that you will make some small steps forward tonight. J&T keep the faith. I Love You. Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Laz Fam! on September 23rd, 2007 at 10:54 pm #
Father, our hearts ache for a simple, miraculous solution, but we echo the words of Your Son: If You are willing, please let this cup pass, yet not our will but Thine will be done. Amen
Mike and Debi Van Eps on September 24th, 2007 at 6:43 am #
Just wanted to let you know that 28 4th and 5th graders are now praying for Ella as Deb and I are. God bless you both with wisdon, strength, love, and patience as His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Your story is a bleseeing to so many people. Thank you for your continued updates on your beautiful daughter.
Joan Odell on September 24th, 2007 at 6:57 am #
what a beauty!!!! Father, you have brought her so far on this special journey. Josh and Tina have remained faithful and their faith and love for You have deepend as they have walked with you. We pray that you will take Ella past this spot in the road so that she does not have to endure the surgery. Your touch and only Your touch will heal. Thank you for this precious little girl and her Momma and Daddy. In Christ’s name – Amen. Steve and Joan
Jenny Talbott on September 24th, 2007 at 10:53 am #
Soooooo nice to see you All smiling… Post a comment
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