Sep
05
    
Posted (Tina) in All Posts on September-5-2008

Please pray for Ella. She is increasingly having a hard time breathing.

We had another episode overnight and they opted to give her an unscheduled dose of IV Lasix. Keep in mind that this was not really an incremental dose in diuretics since they did not give her one of her doses of Bumex yesterday.

We had labs this morning. Her BUN is 12 – – her lungs are wet. You can tell by her behavior and how much she is struggling to breathe. Right now, she is on 2.5 liters and her heart rate is fluctuating between 160-185, definitely on the high side.

Her nose is now officially raw and bleeding on the tip. Her cheeks and lips are close to skin breakdown.

Poor little Ella is just feeling rotten. Please keep her in your prayers today.

UPDATE: 8:00pm MST:
Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. I am happy to report that Ella is doing much better this evening.

When the doctors came by to do rounds this morning, we explained how Ella’s clinical signs had worsened and now we had the labs to back it up. We advocated for Ella and expressed the importance of giving her extra doses of IV Lasix today. If we continued to let Ella go down this slippery slope and let her lungs become even more wet, we could find ourselves in a really bad place.

Fortunately, they looked up the chest xray after rounds and the images confirmed pulmonary edema. (Side note: even though she has been admitted to the hospital twice recently for this diagnosis, her chest xrays never showed pulmonary edema. The fact that they did this morning just indicates how wet her lungs have become). Also, when they did their assessment this morning, her lungs did not sound clear. She sounded like she was wheezing. Her chest xray has worsened just from the one yesterday morning. We certainly were not celebrating in Ella’s condition, but it was a great way for us to prove to them that we know our baby girl.

All in all, the staff here is fabulous. And the best part, they not only are realizing that we are very tuned into Ella, but we are giving them just enough latitude so that they can practice medicine and see that everything we are predicting about her care is coming to pass. We’re hoping this makes for smoother hospital visits in the future (we have completely accepted the fact that this is not the last time).

It is also nice to know that we are building relationships at the hospital. We have had 3 nurses sign up to be part of her primary care team. They have fallen in love with her and can tolerate us…and they WANT to take care of Ella. That is a great feeling.

As all three of us are breathing a bit easier this evening, we are once again praising our Father in Heaven.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.



Auntie Shannon on September 5th, 2008 at 9:34 am #

Sending a great big hug and some prayers.

Aunt Shannon

Steve and Joan Odell on September 5th, 2008 at 9:38 am #

Praying continuously for her comfort and answers for the docs. Hugs – Steve and Joan

Nancy Costas on September 5th, 2008 at 9:41 am #

Oh sweet Ella! Hang in there. We are praying you will start to be able to breath easier and feel better soon. You are all in our hearts and thoughts! Lyle, Nancy & Amaya

Anne on September 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am #

Ella is always in our prayers… extra ones for today!

Adrienne (Melissa's sister) on September 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am #

We are praying for Ella —- what a tough thing as parents! We are praying for YOU TOO! Our hearts are with you!

Fran on September 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am #

Baby girl, prayers for you to begin to feel better. Prayers for Mommy and Daddy as well as they go through this difficult time with their precious little one. Hang tight. He is with you. Much love and prayers sent your way. Fran

Lesli on September 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am #

Oh, praying for our little sweet girl. This must be so hard for you to watch. I am praying especially for strength and comfort from God for you. He holds you all in the palm of his hand. Hopefully that Lasix will kick in and do it’s job drying Ella out. Love, the Richards

Kelli Billman on September 5th, 2008 at 10:01 am #

Prayers for you all as always!

Julie Kirk on September 5th, 2008 at 10:06 am #

We will pray that things turn around today and that Ella starts feeling much better. My heart goes out to you both. Being sleep deprived makes all of this so much harder, and starts playing with your emotions as well. Hold tight to your faith through this storm and know that He is with you every second.
God Bless

Julie Kirk on September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am #

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!
~ Psalm 42:11, NLT

Jennifer Harris on September 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am #

We have that precious baby in prayer! Let’s watch HIS miracle workings…
Jennifer & Chelsea

Donna on September 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am #

Baby Ella,
I am saying extra prayers for you today. Hang in there sweet girl. Conitinue to be the fighter you have been since day 1.

Megan on September 5th, 2008 at 10:32 am #

Ella I am sending a lot of prayers and thought your way. Hang in there sweetheart!

The Brittain Family on September 5th, 2008 at 10:40 am #

Dear Sweet Ella,
May Jesus be near to you as you continue down the road to recovery from your latest surgery. May He bring comfort to your parents as they lift you up to Him. It’s tough to see you struggling so but we trust in a bright future and know that for now, He will carry you.

Kim & Brian Brennan on September 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am #

Prayers for health and peace for all of you.

XOXO

Jan Costas on September 5th, 2008 at 10:48 am #

We continue to lift all of you up. It is so hard to see Ella without her smile. I pray that she will be able to breathe freely, that they will get the right mix of medications and everything else she needs, and that you will all get rest. I pray for supernatural strength during this time, and that you will see His hand and feel His presence. Many blessings. jan and Mike

Williamsburg on September 5th, 2008 at 10:54 am #

Sending constant love and prayers your way. XOXOXO

Christe Mitchell on September 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am #

Oh sweet baby girl. I am so sorry you are feeling bad. It breaks my heart to see you going through so much. Your in my thoughts and prayers daily. I pray you get to feeling better real soon. God Bless you all.

Mary on September 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm #

Want to just mention again that a lasix drip worked very well for us post op for 3 surgeries – the only thing that did. She just doesn’t need to be dealing with this while she heals from major surgery. I hate to think of Ella so miserable. I hope she turns the corner soon.

Mary

Debbie Bennett on September 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm #

Keep trusting in Him. We love you guys and are praying hard.

Marge (Indiana friend of Keith & Liz Mueller - Chris' parents) on September 5th, 2008 at 1:35 pm #

Lots of prayers for Ella; rest precious little one and know the fullest blessings of God’s healing. We all love you so much Ella……

The Lee Family on September 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm #

Baby Ella, we are praying that the medicine will do its trick and you will be back to your spunky self in no time. Tina and Josh, we pray that God would help you physically and emotionally during this next challenge of your journey.

Praying, praying, praying!

Michelle L on September 5th, 2008 at 5:06 pm #

I’m praying for all 3 of you. Ella, feel better!

Jill E G on September 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pm #

I’m praying for all of you. Feel better Ella. Tina and Josh try to get some rest and hang in there.

sherry martinez on September 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm #

cayden and i think of you everyday i will pray for all of you. keep strong in your walk with the lord he has been there all the way.

Vicki/CO on September 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm #

Oh, you precious three. I just lift you up to the Lord for comfort and a peace that can only come from Him. And, Ella, I just pray for His healing touch to be on you as He gives the doctors wisdom and skill in what they’re doing to adjust the meds. Hang in there, baby girl…you are so very loved, and none of us can even love you a smidgen of what our Heavenly Father does, so you know how much He loves you! Josh and Tina, I pray for strength and courage for you both as you watch your baby girl struggle. It’s a hard place to be, but you are not alone…we are all with you in thoughts and prayers, and most of all, HE is with you every second. But, I also realize that words of encouragement help, but the road you are walking on right now is tough and hard. Hang in there, precious parents…He has you all in the palm of His hands. God bless you all three.

Rachel on September 5th, 2008 at 6:04 pm #

Praying for this precious baby girl…and her sweet mommy and daddy…
In Atlanta,
Rachel

Nurse Angie on September 5th, 2008 at 6:57 pm #

You guys are in my thoughts and prayers…hope Ella gets to feeling better soon.

Aunt Marla on September 5th, 2008 at 7:18 pm #

Praying for you Ella girl! You are gonna get better real soon. Love you!

Eve Johnson on September 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm #

Sweet little girl. So blessed to have a mommy and daddy who love her so.

Laura Arneson on September 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm #

Blessings, peace and pee. Sleep well as we got you covered through the night. Laura

Jim and Char Jordan on September 5th, 2008 at 9:31 pm #

It is wonderful that the nurses are getting the message and want to care for her. Just wait till they see her well and happy. They will be waiting in line to attend to her needs just like Florida. It seems like a good start to a better hospital care. We are praying always. Love

Stef agente on September 5th, 2008 at 10:55 pm #

Oh my little agentes – we are so happy to hear that Ella is feeling a bit better tonight. We love you very much! You are always in our thoughts and prayers. We have shared your story with many who you do not know, who are praying for you and Ella now. Love you guys very much!
Love, Stef

Dr. and Mrs. Robert D. Wootton on September 6th, 2008 at 5:17 am #

We are in constant prayer for your precious little angel. We pray for God’s will to be done in her comfort and healing. We also lift both of you up for God’s strength and guidance. Our church members are lifting you up in prayer also. We pray that everything is turning toward getting better and that Ella is more comfortable and getting to be more like her happy self as the pain and healing improves.
Love in Christ,
Dan and Nancy Wootton

Fran on September 6th, 2008 at 6:37 am #

Much love sent your way little one. Tina and Josh much love and continued strength to you both. He continues to be with you all.
Love,Fran

Grandma on September 6th, 2008 at 7:01 am #

Dear Baby Ella We are so happy to here you are doing better . You all are constantly on my heart Love and prayers Grandma and Richard

Tammy on September 6th, 2008 at 10:02 am #

Sweet baby….your poor little nose looks so sore. I pray the lord will kiss away the “owies” and bring you rest!
Blessings
Tammy

Joel Snyder on September 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am #

Ella, Yesterday was terrific to see you not doing so well and start the turn around while I was at the hospital with you. I will sleep better tonight knowing that you are doing better. I will be at the hospital for lunch tommorrow. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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