Jan
25
     
Ella has left the building!(Day 186)
Posted (Tina) in All Posts on January-25-2008

Yes, it happened! They let us leave the hospital with Ella Bun.

Our official discharge started this morning at 9am at our apartment. The home oxygen service that normally meets parents at the bedside made an exception to meet us at our apartment. They knew we had some concerns about the compressor unit and mobility with Ella, so they gave us all our training in our own environment. That was great.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat (our last without Ella) and headed back to the hospital for all the official discharge information. Everything from a complete medical history to when all your follow-up appointments are scheduled to all the hugs and well wishes from the NICU staff that have come to know and love Ella. It was exciting and sad for us all at the same time.

They had Ella sit in a car seat for 1 hour and monitored her saturations, just to make sure that she could tolerate that position. She passed with flying colors.

The only bummer is that they decided they wanted to check her potassium level before she left, so they could contact us and treat it if there was a problem. This is basically one more set of blood labs, so poor Nurse Kelly had to prick Ella shortly before discharge. That procedure got Ella very upset, but she recovered nicely and started to give smiles again shortly thereafter.

The ride home was easy and uneventful. She was looking around at first and then dozed off for a cat nap.

Once we arrived home around 5pm, it was time to hook Ella back from the portable oxygen to the compressor at home and unpack all her stuff. I could not believe all the stuff that we had accumulated at the hospital over the past 6 months.

I think we are a bit in shock. It doesn’t seem real that Ella is here with us tonight as we write this post.

Yes, I have to have a cheat sheet. Almost every hour, it seems that I must be doing something whether changing a diaper,venting her g-tube, feeding her, giving a med, etc. She was discharged with these medicines: Diamox administered once a day, Bumex administered twice a day (every 12 hours), Reglan administered three times a day (every 8 hours), Viagra administered four times a day (every 6 hours) and a multivitamin with iron once per day.

So far, we have gone through 2 feeding sessions, 3 medicines, a few diaper changes, a nap for Ella and a bath. She is falling asleep in Daddy’s arms right now. We have 3 more medicines before we retire for the night as well as setting up her continuous feed with a pump that will run from midnight till 8am. We will be waking up once to administer a medicine, otherwise we can all sleep through the night…and Ella has been sleeping through the night at the hospital. We will see what happens tonight.

Our first pediatrician appointment is Tuesday, Jan 29th. We’re excited to meet Dr. Kathy Sarantos; we’ve heard nothing but great things about her and her practice. We get to follow-up with Dr. Kays on February 5th and with the cardiologist on February 7th.

We weren’t sure what to expect, but I think all the training at the bedside has prepared us for this day. It has been nice to take care of Ella in the comforts of our home.

We are so blessed to have our baby girl at home with us tonight. It is amazing to think how far God has brought all three of us. We have been stretched beyond our imagination, emotionally and spiritually. And through all the pain, there has been such incredible joy.

Our baby girl is such a reminder of Him and His love. We hope and pray that all of you will continue to seek God and join us as we continue to trust Him in each moment, no matter what He has planned for the future chapters.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
by: Thomas. O. Chisholm

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.


laura blackwell on January 25th, 2008 at 10:05 pm #

This is so COOL! I’m glad I was right here to get his update! Congratulations!!!!!

God is so GOOD!

eusey family on January 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm #

We have been waiting from afar for this miraculous day.
We feel so blessed to be part of your journey and oh so proud to be Ella’s Uncle, Aunt and Cousins.

much love,

RSMRCR

Liz, Rusty & Par Rich on January 25th, 2008 at 10:12 pm #

Praise God, for HE IS GOOD!!!! We are so happy for all of you–GO ELLA!!!

The Whole Correia Family!!! on January 25th, 2008 at 10:18 pm #

WE ARE SOOOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!! Tonight when I was making dinner I said to jerry, Josh and Tina are home with Ella!!!! That is just so awesome and amazing. The pictures today are priceless. Ella’s personality is just jumping through the computer screen!!! We can’t wait to meet her. You guys look and sound like pros so have a great time with your beautiful daughter!! No one deserves it more than you guys.

All our love,
The Correias

Nicole on January 25th, 2008 at 11:00 pm #

Oh I am so happy for you all! I have followed your story and I’m so excited Ella is home with you finally! Please, if you’d like, let me know of anything at all that I can do to help…

The Rainey Family on January 25th, 2008 at 11:08 pm #

Oh my goodness! We are VERY excited for you guys!! Congrats on finally being able to bring Ella home with you! This is the best news! Enjoy being a new family together at home! 🙂

Lisa T on January 25th, 2008 at 11:10 pm #

This is great news! Welcome home, Ella! How wonderful and exciting for you all. 🙂

Jean Rich on January 25th, 2008 at 11:17 pm #

So glad to hear that you are finally! home with Ella Bun. God Bless your sweet, loving family.

Tracy on January 25th, 2008 at 11:31 pm #

This is such wonderful news! Congratulations to you all. What wonderful pictures! I hope she likes her new home..:0)

Julie on January 25th, 2008 at 11:55 pm #

Tears of joy over here!

Yay, yay, yay!

Jodi on January 26th, 2008 at 2:29 am #

Yay! It’s so exciting seeing Ella outside in the sun! Congratulations on a big day for all of you. We’ll keep praying for you as you enter this new phase with the little sweetie.

Joel Snyder on January 26th, 2008 at 4:39 am #

Ella, It is so great to see you with your Mom and Dad going home. The pictures of you and everyone at the hospital and the ones with Mom and Dad are terrific. I am praying for all three of you and will check in with you later. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!

Laura Arneson (Adrienne' friend) on January 26th, 2008 at 4:46 am #

Put your hands up it’s a ride! Blessings Laura

Tammy on January 26th, 2008 at 4:56 am #

Congratulations and welcome home!!
How exciting for all of you.
ENJOY!!!!!!

The Dirirm Family on January 26th, 2008 at 5:15 am #

YES!!!!! My hands are raised in praise to our awesome God!! We are so excited that Ella is finally home. We will be praying for the days ahead that there will be no complications and you will fall into a wonderful routine.
Blessing- The Dirrim family

Char and Jim Jordan on January 26th, 2008 at 5:23 am #

Such love and compassion is evident in each picture. The staff is something else. We already know what STUFF you and your family are made of God is wonderful. We are so proud, happy and delighted to see the outcome. All our love to you this great day. LOL Aunt Char and Jim

The Lee Family on January 26th, 2008 at 5:55 am #

Yesterday when I read that you were heading home, all five of my children (even our 21 month old) began doing the “happy” dance. How great to singing praises to our Lord and Savior on your behalf! Thank you Lord for bring baby Ella this far!!
Praising… The Lees

Kristen on January 26th, 2008 at 6:53 am #

Great is His Faithfulness indeed! Amen and Amen. We celebrate with you as you begin your family journey at home! We cover you in prayer as you learn the routines of home. Blessings to you both and to the Bun!

The Lizotte Family on January 26th, 2008 at 7:14 am #

How cool! Life is such that to really know sweet you have to taste bitter.
I’m a mess again. We are all overjoyed to see your trip home.

The Kennedy Family on January 26th, 2008 at 7:25 am #

We have been keeping praying for and keeping tabs on Baby Ella and are so happy to hear that she is home with you now! It brings back memories from 3 years ago when we took Matthew (LCDH) home from Shands (home to our temporary Gainesville apartment, too). It may seem like a lot to do to care for her now, but it will become the norm for you. We wish you all the happiness as you have your baby home with you.

-Janice, Jason, Morgan and Matthew Kennedy from Ohio

Motormouth on January 26th, 2008 at 7:28 am #

You’ve come a long way, baby! Welcome home Ella. And your traveling outfit is too chic for words!

Matt, Abby, Austin & Caed on January 26th, 2008 at 7:32 am #

God IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!

I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that you get to bring your precious baby girl home!! We will continue to pray for all three of you, for healing, for rest, for peace, for wisdom and for your home to overflow with God’s love. If we can do ANYTHING at all PLEASE let us know. How blessed are we who witness the work of our Lord’s hand…

The Weir Family on January 26th, 2008 at 7:50 am #

Praise God!! We are all so thrilled for you. What a joyous day!! Congratulations!! You have persevered and endured such a process to come to this point. God has been so faithful — I loved the hymn that you posted too. May every day continue to be marked by joy, trust and thankfulness as you continue on in this wonderful journey with Ella! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. That has truly been a gift to our family.

Rachel & Ava on January 26th, 2008 at 7:52 am #

I am so excited for you & josh!!!!! What an incredible day for you guys and ella. I know how exciting and scary it is to take your precious gift away from the hospital for the 1st time. I’m so excited for your faimly and all the new adventures y’all are going to have together. God truely is amazing and wonderful. God Bless`

Debbie Bennett on January 26th, 2008 at 7:55 am #

God is good!!! So happy to hear that y’all are home. You have made a great decision to stay in Gainesville a while. The people there are amazing and Dr. Kays is the BEST!!! We are due to come down in February, I would love to meet you guys.

Much Love & God Bless,
The Bennetts

rachel on January 26th, 2008 at 8:19 am #

We are so happy that Ella is finally home with you both. We will pray for her to continue to grow strong and for you two to be able to get good sleep when you can. 🙂
Praising God for answered prayers,
The Pates

June on January 26th, 2008 at 8:39 am #

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!! I have never met you but have been following your journey with Ella for quite a few months now. I don’t even know how I came across the site now but I have been praying and rejoicing with you on each step. May the Lord bless you as you continue on this journey. I can only imagine the joy you are feeling having your precious little one home with you. Praise God for allowing you to reach this point.

Blessings,
June

Jim and Lisa on January 26th, 2008 at 8:56 am #

Hooray! You are all perfect in His image and likeness! What a pillar you have been to all of us who follow you! I am so thrilled for you! I can’t imagine they joy you felt driving home yesterday!- It must have been surreal! Thank you for allowing us to share in your journey! Ella is a true beauty! I am sure everything will go just fine and your princess is going to grow so fast…right before your very eyes! In a blink she’s going to be off to school somewhere! 🙂

Enjoy your weekend!

Darrell Rich on January 26th, 2008 at 8:56 am #

Congratulations! Think you you often and Ella and you guys are always in our prayers.

Darrell and Mary Rich
(Rusty’s father and stepmom)

Lesli on January 26th, 2008 at 9:03 am #

Wow! We are so happy today…just rejoicing with you. We are all so thrilled. Hopefully, Uga made it safely out of the NICU and is home, too.

Love, The Richards

Katy Nilsson on January 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am #

What wonderful news. I have never seen Ella look happier. You guys have been on an amazing journey these past 6 months for this day to arrive. Enjoy your first weekend at home together.
Love, Katy

Fran Jarrett on January 26th, 2008 at 10:18 am #

How beautiful are the pictures of you both with your Bun! She certainly looks happy to be home with her Mommy and Daddy!
Love the hymn you posted. Always thought of you whenever we sang it in church. Thank you for including me on your journey of love and faithfulness.

Zandra on January 26th, 2008 at 10:36 am #

Praise be to God!!! How wonderful to see your family together at HOME!!!

Laura Marold on January 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am #

How wonderful! Congratulations! Love, Laura M.

The Spivey Family on January 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am #

Praise the Lord! We are so happy for all three of you and can’t wait to hear how she does at home with her loving parents. Congratulations and we will continue praying for all of you.

Auntie Shannon (forward from a good friend) on January 26th, 2008 at 11:47 am #

Tina and Josh,
As you know we have an army of friends holding Ella in prayer. I sent an email out yesterday letting them know of Ella’s progress. I thought this email was especially sweet and so true. Ella truly has left an imprint that will be on our hearts forever.

Shannon,

The BEST, most wonderful news! Watching Ella struggle & grow these
past 6 months, experiencing a tiny little piece of Rick’s sister’s
journey through the website, sharing in their hope and feeling their
pain and now seeing Ella going home…. has left an imprint on our
hearts forever. Thanks be to God for this miracle.

Love you all–what an incredible support team you have been for
their family.

Michele

Tracy Mitchell on January 26th, 2008 at 12:25 pm #

PRAISE GOD!!!! I know you guys are so happy and will continue to trust GOD. GOD is so good!!! Lots of love from TN ~ The Mitchells’s

Gloria & Red Jacobsen on January 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm #

Just soo happy for you!! The pictures could’nt be any cuter!! Thanks for the privledge of being on the prayer team for your little bun! We continue in prayer always for you all! God bless you! Gloria & Red

Aimee in AZ/CO on January 26th, 2008 at 1:20 pm #

YEAH swet Ella. I am so happy you are home and doing so well. I cannot wait to see how you grow and learn. You have to much to chatch up on:)
Love, Aimee

Melanie & Tim Hennessy on January 26th, 2008 at 4:15 pm #

Praise God – He is SO good!!! We have fallen in love with sweet Ella as we have followed her journey through your blog. It is so amazing to see so many answered prayers! We continue to pray for Ella’s adjustments and progress. The Lord has great plans for this little one!
~Melanie & Tim
(Friends of Par)

John & Estela Williams on January 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm #

HOME Sweet HOME…. that is awesome Ella. Get loved, feed and changed… that is your Job. Love you guys and it’s awesome to part of this journey with you 3. Can’t wait to love on Baby Ella one day in Colorado. God Bless.

Eli on January 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm #

Tears of joy for the West family. Congratulations.

tamara tessmer on January 26th, 2008 at 5:53 pm #

So happy for you. Praise God for his faithfulness. His mercy is never ending. Enjoy your precious little girl. Thank you Father!!!!
Love,
The Tessmers

P.S. Evan said to tell Ella he can’t wait to play!!

Heidi Anderson on January 26th, 2008 at 6:08 pm #

Oh my goodness!!! What a special day for you three! We are so happy that you get to have Ella in your arms to cuddle… away from all the beeping machines, sterile environment and hospital “stuff”!! I am beyond happy for you all!! WooHoo!!!!! Enjoy your precious little girl!

Laura Sizelove on January 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pm #

Yeah!! Hope she sleeps well tonight and so do you! 🙂 What an incredible blessing to have her in your temporary home, but also to be alone as just the 3 of you…that’s actually a first too! Praising God and can’t wait to hear about her continued progress!

Williamsburg on January 26th, 2008 at 8:40 pm #

Oh you incredibly precious family. We are – and you know this is rare – almost speechless with joy for you to be home with your princess CinderElla. We love you so much and are so overawed with how much the Father loves and cares for you, too. Deep prayers and blessings for sleep your first night and for everything going well in all the days to come. XOXOXO.

Dawn ( Tamara's friend) on January 26th, 2008 at 8:54 pm #

I have read your daily posts for 6 months and prayed each and every day for your precious little girl. It has been an amazing journey to witness. I have cried and rejoiced for you three. Today I am doing both!
I am so thankful for this day and I praise God for His provisions…May He continue to bless each of you and keep you in His loving care and may He make His face shine upon you. Congratulations on this BIG day! I hope we will get to watch Ella grow up. I know I am in love and look forward to what God has in store for her. Too bad she is too young to run for President!

Steve & Veronica Johnson on January 27th, 2008 at 12:27 pm #

how very cool – congrats! she’s quite the cutie – we loved the pictures of her looking at Josh during her bath the other night. 🙂

Tim & Laura Brown (steve's sis) on January 27th, 2008 at 4:13 pm #

Welcome Home! We are so happy that God has blessed you with such a cute little girl. Look us up when you get back to CO.
=)

Kara on January 27th, 2008 at 8:52 pm #

Praise the Lord!!!!

Christe Mitchell on January 28th, 2008 at 7:20 am #

Congrats! I am so happy for you all and I pray everything continues on smoothly. God Bless!

Your friends at Dr Richard Wallace's office on January 30th, 2008 at 7:23 am #

We are all so happy for you and your Ella Bun!!!!! We know all will be well. Your baby girl could not be in better hands…

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