Oct
23
     
Happy 13 Weeks Ella!(Day 92)
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on October-23-2007


Oh the sweet sound of our baby’s cry!

Ella was extubated at 9:15am EST this morning. Dr. Kays indicated that he didn’t expect her to make much of any noise at first because of her vocal cords being so separated. To our surprise, including Dr. Kays, Ella did in fact cry…and continues to do so as I write this =).

At the moment nurse Andrea and Tina are doing what they can to console her. Her saturations look good, hovering around 100%, but she’s still trying to get used to this contraption around her head and up her nose. Fortunately, the cannula’s they are using are not very long, about a centimeter.

She has moments where she will calm down, but then starts fussing again. This is pretty typical with a baby on CPAP; they just don’t like it.

We hope that she’ll get used to it enough to settle down and sleep. They’re trying a binky (pacifier) right now, but it isn’t helping. Also, trying various positions to try to get her comfortable: right side, left side and now she’s on her back.

The blood gas they just took at 10:45am was not the best: pH=7.14, cO2=60, pO2=80. She has been breathing quite heavy for the last hour at 77% oxygen support, but we hope she can calm down.

Nurse Andrea just gave her some versed (sedation medicine) to see if that will do the trick.

Praising God for this huge step and continue to pray for Ella’s forward progress, and for improved saturations. They will continue to monitor her and take blood gases throughout the day, to see if she can remain on CPAP.

p.s. If anyone has heard from Tina’s Mom or Jack within the last 18 hours, please let us know. As of noon yesterday, they were stuck in the middle of the fires at their house in San Diego. We heard that they were able to fight them off with the well water they had until the power went out and the pump stopped. Then, they resorted to shoveling dirt on the fires to protect their house. From what we could tell from the news reports, the fire looks to have burned all around them. Please join us in praying for their safety.

UPDATE (2:30pm EST) by Tina: Once we left the hospital this morning, Ella remained fussy for a bit. Nurse Andrea suctioned her mouth and nose. Once she did that, Ella could breathe better and fell right asleep. Maybe that is what she was trying to communicate to us this morning! Anyway, sleeping for her is really good right now – – it keeps her calm and when she is calm, she breathes better.

Ella remained asleep for about 1.5 hours, then she just woke up and calmly looked around. They took another blood gas and it was a little bit improved, ph=7.21, cO2=65, pO2=120. Dr. Kays says that these blood gases are acceptable for her right now and it is a good sign that she is slowly moving in the right direction. As I type this, she is sleeping and her saturations are 100/100.

Nurse Andrea thinks she is doing really well and feels that she just needed some time to figure out this breathing thing on her own with the nose cannula.

Psalm 28:6
6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.

Thank you for continuing to pray for sweet Ella. In addition, thank you for lifting up my Mom and Jack. My heart is heavy and I am very concerned for them right now. But as the last 13 weeks has certainly taught us, it is wise to rest in Him during these times.

Philippians 4:6
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

UPDATE (3:30pm EST) by Josh: Uncle Cliff just sent a text message to my phone letting me know that: “The fire sheriff said the area already burned (where Mary and Jack live) so they should be OK. He will go check on them soon and call (aunt) Diane back.” This sounds like good news because the last update, from them yesterday morning, indicated that the area around their house was already scorched, but they were OK.

UPDATE (6:30pm EST) by Josh: Mary and Jack are ok. Uncle Cliff just talked to Mary. Click here to see the email with the details.


John & Estela Williams on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:25 am #

Praise the Lord… I am so happy for her progress and know that God has had his hands through the whole journey. You are a wonderful family and only you two could have handled which such dedication to the Lord. God Bless and we love you guys!

Brendan on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:26 am #

See, only God can help a child shout to the Lord with separated vocal cords!!

She looks kinda cute as a scuba diver.

We will continue to pray for her strength and comfort. We will also be praying for Tina’s Mom and Jack.

God Bless…

Loren L. on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:27 am #

She looks great! Funny I never thought a crying baby was such a good thing! Keep on truckin’ Ella! Will you get to give her a bottle too? I bet that will make her feel nice. I will pray for Tina’s Mom and for Jack. Godspeed to all of you.
XOXO

Angie on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:33 am #

Go Ella Go! It’s so exciting to see her extubated! 🙂 Praying for her to do well and stay calm. Also praying for Tina’s Mom and Jack and for the fires to get under control. I’ve been watching it on the news. I have satellite so our news is from California and NY. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong Ella. Happy 13 weeks! ~Nurse Angie

Kristen on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:33 am #

Yippee! Ella! You go girl! All of this is really new. . .and praise God babies are so flexible. She will do just fine, maybe a nap will be just what the doctor ordered and then she realize she is okay and breathing well! xoxoxo

Auntie Shannon on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:37 am #

Sweet Ella’s mouth – so nice to see those beautiful lips!
May Ella learn to tolerate the new devise – heck, she has tolerated much worse.
We are praying for Mary and Jack too — I think I have left no less than 10 messages. The fires are really bad out here and the air is thick everywhere.

Hugs,

Ella’s favorite Auntie ; )

Roxie (Adrienne's friend) on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:45 am #

I’ve checked your site several times today!!! Praise God!! She is extubated!! We will be praying for her continued improvement. Look at that sweet litte mouth.
Didn’t realize you guys had family in the area of the fires… My son is also there. Will be praying for your family. Roxie

Heidi Ham on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:48 am #

Ah the cry of ones baby! Music to our ears 🙂 Praise the Lord for this beautiful day. So awesome to look at how far God has brought all of you. Ella you are so beautiful – keep up the strong fight. Praying for you all and will also pray for Mary and Jack – have a blessed day!

Julie Kirk on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 am #

such a beautiful little mouth. God Bless You All. This is wonderful news.

Kelli Billman on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 am #

What a beautiful photo! Continued prayers that she tolerates this well and also for your family in San Diego County!

Roberts Family on October 23rd, 2007 at 9:20 am #

Praise the Lord for a baby’s cry! So good to see Ella extubated. Prayers for her to settle on the cpap and for your family in San Diego.

tamara tessmer on October 23rd, 2007 at 9:40 am #

Yeah Ella!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah God!!!!!!!!
So glad to see her cute little face and to read that you got to hear her sweet voice. I will be praying for the next steps. Lord, please be with Ella as she breaths on her own. Help her lungs to continue to grow stronger each day. Father I ask that you heal her body from head to toe. I ask for strength for Tina and Josh as they begin the secong half of this journey. I pray that Ella will EAT EAT EAT!!! I ask you this believing that all things are possible through You Father, but also knowing that your ways are not our ways. I give you all the praise Lord. You are so faithful. In Jesus name- Amen
P.S. where can I sent something to you. I bought Ella something for this day very long ago. I am so excited to finally be able to send it.
Let me know
Tamara

Michelle on October 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 am #

It is so good to see her extubated. I can’t wait to hear her. My prayers continue for her recovery and now for Tina’s family’s safety.
Michelle

Laura Marold on October 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 am #

It’s so exciting to see her mouth! She is soooo pretty! All good news for Ella!!!****ALSO****Have been checking all my contacts (Marrilee, Becky, Rosalie, and Leticia) for an update on Mary and Jack since 9 A.M. but no new information so far. I’m going to go to the ALTV Thrift store later (it’s Mary’s regular day so they may have heard something) to find out if they have any information there. Will post as soon as I hear ANYTHING! Fondly, Laura M.

The Brittain Family on October 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 am #

Sweet little baby girl, it looks like she’s there saying, “Daddy, why can’t they just leave me alone?” All in good time, baby bun. We have a lot of hope that she’s going to be doing just great over the next hours as she makes this adjustment and for now pray for her strength and perseverance. We can’t believe she’s turning 3 months old tomorrow! Hang in there!

Avery Kronz on October 23rd, 2007 at 11:39 am #

She looks so much better! keep on moving ELLA! We love you! Love the Kronz Family

Joel Snyder on October 23rd, 2007 at 12:11 pm #

Go Ella, Go Ella, Just take your time “Gator Girl” you will get used to this new way of breathing. You look great and I am praying hard for you to proceed with baby steps toward the next goal. I am also praying for your Grandma and Jack and hope they are O.K. I will check on you later tonight. Love, Grandpa!!!!!!!!!

‘

Kristen on October 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm #

Sleep baby sleep,and grow stronger moment by moment. What a precious little chin and perfect petal lips she has. Wow, what a beautiful example of the Lord’s exquisite handiwork she is! I am in awe of her.

Joan and Steve Odell on October 23rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm #

Dear little Rosebud — The Lord has helped you take another very important step today – relax sweet baby and continue to heal — He is holding you safe. Tina and Josh – we are praying for your Mom and stepDad and all the others who are suffering in one way or another in these terrible fires. Lord Bless you and many hugs – Steve and Joan

Ashley on October 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm #

Josh & Tina,
I am so excited!!! She looks so good. I can’t wait to see her. I am praying for Ella and your family ~Ashley

Chambers Family on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm #

Can’t take my eyes off that little Ella with her heart shaped lips. So very sweet! Glad to hear they are using the shorter canulas! We hand longer ones with thinner tubes around the head. Medicine is amazing. It is really exciting to see Ella in a crib, off the ventilator and snuggled up. We are glad the San Diego connection is safe.

Dana

Char Snyder Jordan on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm #

Boy do I like to see tht CPAP. Progress,progress. Yeah! Ella. Please tell your parents that everyone has been evacuated. We are in good shape with friends in Temecula. Fallbrook is deserted. We have been evacuated and don’t expect to return until this weekend. If our home still stands we will e-mail you. If not I have call Aunt Ginny. You can call me on my cell phone. We are very grateful for our friends who came and got us after leaving Fallbrook. We are well. And put our life in the hands of the almighty Lord Jesus Christ. All of the residents where we lived were taken to shelters. We are lucky to be alive and well. Let me tell you once more, we are fine. We will keep in touch. All our love, Jim and Char

Adrienne - Melissa's sister on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm #

Wow…. I hadn’t been able to get online in two days and when I saw Roxie this morning she shared with me about Ella moving into a *big girl* room! And now getting that big ol’ tube out! Wow… she is really taking those steps! We are so excited! I can’t wait to show the boys tomorrow morning! They pray for her each night and whenever we say grace too…. so cute to hear their sweet prayers for your precious little Ella. We can’t wait to see her ourselves… what a day of rejoicing!

Auntie Shannon on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:30 pm #

I have been on the phone with Aunt Diane. I am going to call the Sheriff to get some more details. I will get back to you shortly.

Shannon

Auntie Shannon on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:48 pm #

I spoke with the Sherrif’s department and they did say the case was closed when they went to visit – they told me that this means they “were there”. She doesn’t have record of who they spoke with. I think as Josh said this is good news, but I really would like to hear from them!

Extra prayers for Sweet Ella and her Grandparents.

XO

Laura Marold on October 23rd, 2007 at 4:50 pm #

I just talked to Merilee Batchelor in Temecula. She had just talked to Mary 40 min. ago. Fires were picking up as were the winds but Mary and Jack have decided to stay. They have neighbor’s permission to use their generator as M&J was burnt. Also they have drinking water. Mary said she would call back as she had to go. Will update you when I hear more. Laura M.

Williamsburg on October 23rd, 2007 at 6:38 pm #

So glad you and your mom and dad are safe, Ella-bun – you are our beautiful little shining light. My aunt in San Marcos is also safe, praise God, but suffering from the smoke and tough conditions. Also so glad and blessed Mary and Jack are safe – we will be praying for the power to come back on, continued safety and health, including Jack’s eyes. Thank you Jesus for your love and the love and support of friends and family. Hugs all around. XOXOXO

Ani on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:10 pm #

Tina…I’m so glad you heard from your mom and that they are ok…I’m even happier that Ella is going in the right direction…she looks so cute and I’m so happy that you heard her cry…Love all of you so much!

Melissa on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:18 pm #

What a happy 13 weeks it is!! Yeah Ella, that is so awesome that you got the tube removed. Relax and take deep breaths so it can stay out. That is so exciting. One step closer to going home.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…
I am so glad to hear that your mom and Jack are safe and o.k., Tina.
Rest in His arms. When you feel like you can’t get a break – let go!!
I pray tonight that Ella would continue to get stronger, that she would be able to relax and enjoy breathing on her own. What a HUGE step.
I really am glad that EVERYONE is doing well.
Get some rest and take care of yourselves.
It is well… it is well…
Ella just looks as cute as a button.
Go GOD Go!!! Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers.
AMEN!!
Love, Melissa

monika clark on October 23rd, 2007 at 11:15 pm #

dears tina, josh, baby ella miracle, am praying for you and your folks. wow, california is cinders. but everyone is so supportive. i thank GOD you overcome each hurdle. we trust in OUR LORD. hope yoo received my LOURDES ROSARY. GOD BLESS AND KEEP Y0U. xomonika

Tammy on October 24th, 2007 at 8:32 am #

Congratulations!!! Ella you look wonderful……and what a blessing to your parents to hear you voice your opinion!! CPAP’s and cinders, it quite a roller coaster ride, but the Lord is faithful and will see every body through.
God Bless!

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