Aug
23
     
Childrens Hospital…yup…we’re here…again(Day 396)
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on August-23-2008

I got home from work around 1am this morning. Tina was already asleep, and I was tasked with checking the temperature in Ella’s room and changing her diaper.

When I entered the room I was a little bummed at what I saw. Ella’s heart rate was at 135 on 2 liters of O2 and she was in a deep sleep. This is higher than we’ve seen during the last few nights.

She started coughing around 5am this morning and when I went to check on her she was real congested. Her humidifier had run out during the night, and so had the water in her oxygen concentrator. Now that she’s been on 2 liters of O2, the distilled water in her concentrator evaporates a lot quicker. Instilling the moisture back in the air helped a little with Ella’s congestion, but she was having a hard time getting comfortable. Plus, her heart rate was even higher than it was earlier, jumping around the 170 mark.

She tossed and turned for a couple more hours, then Tina got up with her around 7:30am. Ella woke up retching, was still pretty congested, and was also more fussy than normal. Tina brought her downstairs and after hooking up her pulse oximeter the numbers confirmed what we already knew…Ella’s going the wrong direction.

While still on 2 liters of O2 she was saturating between 96-98 and she was looking kind of dusky. Her heart rate was real high too, between 175 and 185 while just lying there.

This was more than we are comfortable with because there’s not much headroom above 2 liters of oxygen.

Tina called the pediatrician and he agreed that her excessive weight gain plus her current numbers were indicative of pulmonary edema. He recommended we head in to the ER….and that’s where we find ourselves now. As you can see above, the Bun and Mom are still trying to have a good tim espite the circumstances.

We’ve been in the ER for almost 5 hours. They tried to get an IV again with no success. Ella’s was wiped out from the experience (lots of crying) so she’s zonked out next to me.

We’ll update again when we know more.

UPDATE 11:00PM MST – by Josh
We’re up in our room in the hospital and Ella is sleeping soundly.

It took three more tries before they were able to place an IV. They didn’t get it the second to last time because Ella overpowered one of the nurses and moved her foot right when the catheter was being set and it pulled out. They then had to find another vein in her foot. I held her down the next time and they got it. MAN THE BUN IS A FIGHTER!!! Not that I didn’t know this but it took all I had to keep her still!

The Lasix is on board now and we’re hoping to see some of this fluid come off. Tina and I will both be spending the night in the hospital with plans to be in our own bed tomorrow night. Hopefully Ella has the same plans :-).

Please pray that the Lasix will do the trick and that we can find the right balance of meds to stabilize Ella moving forward.

Thanks for all the love and support.


Eli Brown on August 23rd, 2008 at 5:24 pm #

I will be praying for all of you. I am sorry you are back in the hospital. I will pray that God gives the doctors wisdom.
Eli

Kristy on August 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm #

Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for beautiful Ella and that she will be at home with you again very soon.

Kristy, mummy to angel ^^SKYLA^^ LCDH
http://skylacdhbaby.blogspot.com

Jennifer on August 23rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm #

ugh! Get better sweet girl!!!

Dawn Franck on August 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 pm #

I am so sad to hear she is not feeling well and back at the hospital. Please keep us posted on her progress and try to get some rest. Lots of Love, Dawn

The Lee Family on August 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm #

Praying for you Tina and Josh. We pray that the doctor’s would have wisdom regarding Ella’s situation and Ella would respond to the treatment.

Tammy on August 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm #

As my grandma used to say, “mercy”! This has been quite a time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tammy

Lesli on August 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm #

praying in Georgia. I hope you get some rest tonight and our girl gets some relief from all this soon.
Love you. The Richards

Chambers Family on August 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm #

Bless her little heart!

Williamsburg on August 23rd, 2008 at 8:33 pm #

I just can’t help marveling at the utmost importance God places on trust, to be asking so much of it from you. Maybe that’s also why it’s so essential to be doing the journey together – way too much to ask of anyone alone. With you always. XOXOXO

Laura Marold on August 23rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm #

Dear Tina and Josh, Praying for you and for the little, lovely Ella. Please let her(and Mom and Dad) get some relief and some rest. It must be so hard for them to see such a beautiful little lady be under such distress. Give the doctors the help they need to help her feel better. Love, Laura M.

Vicki/CO on August 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm #

Oh, God bless you, all three, and may He hold you tightly in His arms, infusing you with strength and courage and healing for little Ella. May the doctors have wisdom and skill in their diagnosis and treatment of what’s happening this time. My heart aches for you and at the same time smiles when I see Ella’s wonderful smile even when she’s fighting so hard! Keep fighting, Ella, and may you all get some rest in the midst of this new trial. I continue to lift you up…thank you again for allowing us to view your journey so we can go to our Heavenly Father on your behalf!

Michelle L on August 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm #

Hey West family!! I’m still following your blog and Ella’s progress from North Carolina (I gave you my new e-mail address). I hope that these issues get resolved soon and Ella can continue to move forward. I miss you guys….

Laura Arneson on August 23rd, 2008 at 9:42 pm #

Heavenly Fathers, swoop up this family let them know in Your good way that they are cared for and loved. Bless the hands that touch Ella, give this baby rest and breath through the night. I will pray you through the night, peace and blessings.

Adrienne (Melissa's sister) on August 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm #

Last night we were praying for Ella quite extensively – we will continue to lift all of you up and pray for your peace in the this situation as You continue to walk this path. Know that you are not alone and that this body walks with you although not physically there…. we are there through His spirit. Like Laura just stated so eloquently — we will pray you through the night on this side of the world. Love and prayers to you – all of you.

Laura Blackwell on August 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm #

Lord, lay your healing hand on Ella as we have seen You do many times before. We pray the Lasix is effective and immediate in response. Help her little body to get needed rest tonight. Lord provide Josh and Tina with needed sleep and rest so that they are at their best for Ella. We pray for Your overwhelming presence among in their room.

kristin on August 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 pm #

Lord, thank you for giving Ella the will and strength to be such a trooper. Tina and Josh, we are all praying for the Lasix to be effective and give Ella the extra boost she needs to feel beter.

May you all rest, restore and repair tonight. Lord, wrap your arms around this family. Help them all rest and repair. They are such a wonderful family…bless them all.

Sweet dreams West family.

Love,
Kristin

Katy Nilsson on August 24th, 2008 at 5:56 am #

While this is certainly a tough time that none of us want to see you have to go through, it is comforting that it seems the doctors there are caring and supportive. My prayers go to you and Ella and let’s hope they find the right combination to get Ella back on the right road.
Love
Katy

Joel Snyder on August 24th, 2008 at 6:13 am #

Ella, I am sorry to hear you are back in the hospital but maybe you will get on track for your surgery. I will call your Mom and Dad later today when I am off work. I will check you later. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy on August 24th, 2008 at 6:18 am #

OH! I am so sorry to hear that poor Ella is back in the hospital! She IS a fighter!

I thought I would share with you a scripture: The Lord is close to all who call upon Him. Yes, all who call upon him in Truth! Psalm 145:18

God bless you all! I will be keeping ya’ll in my prayers!

Kathy

Elizabeth Norman on August 24th, 2008 at 7:25 am #

Dave and I pray that Ella is doing much better today and that you can all go home today.
Elizabeth

Joan and Steve Odell on August 24th, 2008 at 10:20 am #

My word!! She is such a fighter and stays the course. Prayers for the three of you and the medical team working with you – Lord Bless and hugs – Steve and Joan

Roxie (Adrienne's friend) on August 24th, 2008 at 11:17 am #

My Sweet Ella, Rest in His Hands little one and be well. Josh and Tina, you are in my thoughts and prayer. May our Father in Heaven pour blessings on you heads for the race that you so faithfully run.
Love to you,
Roxie

LoriAnn & The Gang on August 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am #

Yes, your Ella-Bella is a fighter. She has shown proof if this since before she was born. I am praying that she gets out of there soon and that the surgery will be the answer to all this frustration. The Lord is guiding y’all and it is good that you are listening. Love to your family, LoriAnn

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