Oct
25
     
Spoiled already!(Day 94)
Posted (Tina) in All Posts on October-25-2007


Nurse Kelly is taking care of Ella today. She hadn’t seen Ella for a week and was simply amazed at her progress.

Ella had a stable evening and morning so far.

They slightly weened the versed drip more today which is good (the sedative). Also, they discontinued an antibiotic. This antibiotic was given as a preventative measure starting this past weekend when she had a fever for about 24 hours. But, the blood cultures came back negative, so they have DC’d the antibiotic. Praise God!

As a side effect of CPAP, sometimes the eyes can get a bit puffy from the air pressure. Also, the babies tend to get air in their bellies. This is why the small tube is in her mouth (NG line). Each day, they pro actively suction the air out of her belly. If needed, they can also use this line to administer meds too, although they try and minimize that because it can make her nauseous.

Ella has continued to lose a bit more weight. As of last night, she was around 7 lbs, 8 ounces. This is still a positive sign as she still has some edema and subcutaneous fluid to lose (not chest fluid, thankfully).

Ella’s liver remains enlarged, as it has been since she was born. This is a common side effect for CDH babies, since their bodies are initially working extra hard and not functioning optimally. We pray that her jaundice would reduce and her lungs will continue to strengthen. As her overall strength continues, we expect that her enlarged liver will reduce too.

As far as holding her, we have not asked to hold her over the past 2 days since she was switched to CPAP. Selfishly, we would love to hold her. But when she is at a critical point, we don’t want our desires to get in the way of her progress. Especially at the beginning of her transition, we wanted to make sure that she could successfully tackle this milestone before we asked to hold her again. (When CDH babies are working extra hard to tackle a new milestone or are extra sick, the stimulation is often not beneficial). Since she has been making such great progress, we might just have to get some holding time in soon!

Nurse Kelly commented that she has been awake this morning. Then, she will hear Ella fussing. When she goes into the room to check on her, Ella sees Nurse Kelly and stops fussing immediately upon seeing her. So there is nothing wrong with her, but she just demands the attention! Yes, Miss Ella Bun is spoiled already!

We are hoping that she will be awake when we visit her later. The past 2 days she has been asleep when visiting. Thus, the sleeping beauty photos!

Thanks again for the continued prayers for our baby girl.


Tracy Mitchell on October 25th, 2007 at 10:01 am #

Praise GOD Ella is doing so well! HE has answered soo many prayers. And there is nothing wrong with being spoiled!!! Thanks for keeping us all updated.
Lots of Love,
The Mitchells

Julie Kirk on October 25th, 2007 at 10:10 am #

she is so sweet. God Bless little Ella

Anne on October 25th, 2007 at 11:02 am #

So happy for you guys!!! (and for all of us — your posts make us all smile! –or tear up, could go either way!)… keep up the great progress!

Anne on October 25th, 2007 at 11:03 am #

just to clarify – those would be “tears of happiness” I was refering to!

Loren L. on October 25th, 2007 at 11:06 am #

I think you gusy have wayyy too much selfcontrol! I would be tackling that staff to hold my baby. I know that she needs time to recouperate but there are 1440 minutes in one day, she can spend 15 with mom and dad! I will pray for Ella to continue her progress and for her parents to be more selfish 🙂
XOXO
God bless!

Chambers Family on October 25th, 2007 at 11:44 am #

I remember that now… too much stimulation causes their little bodies stress. Emery would get the hiccups and the nurse said it was over stimulation. You are a very patient Mommy and Daddy. She looks wonderful and snuggled. Every day I compare her new picture to the one on the top of the webpage. It is AMAZING. Great days ahead! You have a wonderfully strong girl on your hands just like her parents.

Joan and Steve Odell on October 25th, 2007 at 12:01 pm #

She looks so cuddly – It is so obvious when she is awake how much awareness she has – you can see it in her eyes – I love to watch her eyes. Our prayers are for this day to continue to be a quiet one with lots of healing! Prayers also for Tina’s folks — this has impacted so many people — Enjoy your little ‘bun’ tonight – Prayers and hugs – Steve and Joan

Roxie (Adrienne's friend) on October 25th, 2007 at 12:55 pm #

Josh & Tina you are wonderful parents. Ella Bun is getting her beauty sleep now. I have always been so amazed that in most of the pictures she has been awake and so alert. I love it that the nurse was reading fairy tales to her the other day…Maybe she read Sleeping Beauty to her and Little Bun is away in a fairy tale. Sleep well Little Bun, heal and get strong! She is never alone. Love to you all, Roxie

Myra on October 25th, 2007 at 1:13 pm #

Tina,
Your family’s strength is truly inspirational! Thank you for sharing every moment of Ella’s progress with us. It’s so good to see her doing so well 🙂

Joel Snyder on October 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pm #

Ella, I am glad to hear that you are having another good day. Keep up the baby steps of progress “Gator Girl”. I am on my way to your house in Lonetree to check on things. I will check on you later. Love, Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel & Ava on October 25th, 2007 at 1:39 pm #

She looks wonderful, like she is gaining strenght everyday. I’m so happy for you as parents to get to see this great turnaround. I pray for continued progress and look forward to the day you can update us with Precious Ella at home and all healthy

The Laz Fam on October 25th, 2007 at 2:59 pm #

your sweet pics and wonderful news are a welcome change from the sadness and devastation I see every time I turn on the TV, and the gloom I see in the sky outside my window. I’m remembering when you all lived in Foothill Ranch — wow that’s a lot of years and a lot of moves ago!
I find myself praising God today for brave firefighters, wise doctors, and nurses that exemplify God’s love!
Thanks for the update!
Love – KTJB

Jeff Jacobson on October 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pm #

Great pictures Josh and Tina, and good news. I haven’t been able to check-in on the blog for awhile, but continue to think good thoughts for all of you. Hang in there!

deanna on October 25th, 2007 at 3:41 pm #

i just recived the card you sent 2day it is real sweet ella keeps scootin right along i love you all so much

Lesli Richards on October 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pm #

We are praying here for sweet Ella and also for those poor Gators who will be meeting the Dawgs this weekend! You better take good care of Uga…I imagine he’ll be quite the target for those who want to take out their frustrations after the game!
Love you, The Richards

jan Costas on October 25th, 2007 at 7:28 pm #

You DO know that you can’t spoil a baby. What a wonderful sign that she calmed when Nurse Kelly came in. See, Ella is socializing already! Praying for continued baby steps.
Love, jan

Kathy Lee on October 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pm #

My three year old, Ellie just demanded an “Ella check” before she could fall asleep (oh, the things you guys have to look forward to :). Great to read the good news, we are still praying everyday at the Lee house.

Lesli, are you sure you shouldn’t drive to Gainesville and rescue UGA before game day?

The Lee family

Laura Blackwell on October 25th, 2007 at 8:26 pm #

Still checking, praying and enjoying your posts- especially the pictures!

Char Snyder Jordan on October 25th, 2007 at 9:03 pm #

Hi, Ella girl. It is good to see you making wonderful progress. All our love to you and your folks. We are still unable to get into Fallbrook but we know that our houses were not burned. All things happen for a reason. All things will work out in THE LORDS TIME. We lost over 1,000 homes in Fallbrook. It is wierd to have the national Guard in the major intersections. We are with our friends in Temecula and are doing fine. We are saddened to know that the fires were started by Arson. QualCom stadium has many thousands of displaced families staying in the parking lot and in the stadium. It is a shame to know that Californians are so generous and illegal persons were allowed to steal the donations. Those who have lost everything they have worked for didn’t even get the needed supplies. It definitely is a sign of the times. We are grateful that there was not a larger loss of life here in this fire. The fire is still not contained. We are hoping to be back in the home tomorrow. We have had many rumors that are not true. It is awful not having true information. That is the hardest part. We are with friends and are safe. We are excited about your progress. We love you. LOL Char and Jim

gurar

Adrienne - Melissa's sister on October 26th, 2007 at 4:26 am #

I don’t want to to sound politically incorrect and I KNOW Ella is *very* feminine, but maybe someone needs to try to teach her to BURP or *something else!* Heeeheheh! Wish it were that easy! : ) Isn’t it great to enjoy her see her interact! What a joy she is! How’s her scar healing? Continued prayers your way!

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