Ella continues to feel better…you can just tell by her clinical behavior.
She’s still fighting a lot of secretions. There are two major components: inflammation in her lungs and the hiatal hernia. The bronchoscopy will give further insight by providing a closer look into her bronchial tubes and her airway. This should tell whether or not there is aspiration occurring which could be a major contributor to the inflammation. Also, the hiatal hernia is likely the cause of the retching and is adding to the inflammation too, since her nissen is in her chest and resting into the side of her esophagus.
The Prednisolone (steroid) was helping with the inflammation and secretions over the last few days, but since we reduced her dosing to every other day, the secretions have increased again. We’re pretty sure it’s not a virus or cold at this point because she’s not running a fever. Once we have the bronchoscopy and surgery is complete on Wednesday, we should have a better picture and can hopefully treat the secretions more effectively.
The prospective renter that Tina was going to meet today bailed out on us. We’ve not had a lot of traffic over the last 6 weeks, and summer is coming to an end. Now is the best opportunity to rent a house, and with every day drawing closer to fall, our chances are getting slimmer. We’ll see how things pan out in the coming weeks, but for now we’re going to be patient.
Tina and I are holding up ok albeit lacking in sleep. With Ella’s congestion, she doesn’t sleep as well, plus the nurses come in to check on her through the night (administer lasix, check vitals, etc). This activity tends to disrupt our sleep, and Tina has been taking the brunt of it so I could be alive to work during the day.
On top of physical exhaustion is the emotional side of things. Being here in the hospital with Ella, and all the elements that go along with it, has been very draining. We’d love to be back home, making forward progress with our girl, but this is where we’re supposed to be.
But…
Just like we experienced in Gainesville, we see glimpses of our Lord throughout the day. Whether it be someone we meet in person that is touched by Ella’s story, an email filled with love and support, or a comment left on the blog that lifts us up in prayer. Our strength is found in these, and in knowing that our Father is in total control.
The journey has not been easy, but we know God is always right here with us.
Please pray that Tina and I can catch up on rest, and that our bodies will resist any potential colds that would love to attack us while we’re in this compromised state. And especially pray for Ella, that her congestion and secretions will be minimal and that she will gain strength and stability for surgery.
We praise our Lord every day for the amazing testimony of our little girl. She is such a blessing!
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
