Ella slept fantastic last night. We had a great nurse that was stealth in checking vitals in the dark and opening/closing the door. So, I got a solid 6 hours and Ella grabbed several hours more. After being up for nearly 2 days, it felt great to sleep. Josh actually went to Grandpa’s house with Lola to sleep which is a short 10 minute drive from the hospital.

This morning, Ella had an enema to clear out her colon thus the title of this post. A little came out during the enema, but nothing since. We’re hoping this is a sign that her system is truly cleared out. Doing multiple enemas would insure that everything is cleared out, but it can throw off electrolytes. In the past, they have had a tough time “regulating” her electrolytes, so they want to be conservative and only give 1 per day.

About an hour later, we went downstairs to get more abdominal xrays. They wanted to compare the films to yesterday and verify that all the stool had cleared out of her intestines.

There was a bit of concern with dehydration since her urine output was very low (basically non-existent) overnight, even though she was taking in 50mls/hour of an IV drip. We’re happy that her IV is staying viable since many times they clot off within a few hours. Fortunately, it seems that her system is catching up and she started to urinate more this afternoon.

Then, we had another stick for a blood panel. It was irritating because they did not send in the best team. So we went through a tough 20 minute process of them trying to get blood and failing in two places. I finally cut them off and said that Ella needed a break. It was really a convenient way for me to cut them off and request someone else. And that is exactly what happened. Then, we ended up getting someone that knew us from a prior visit and the stick was successful and much less painful.

A nutritionist came to see us and discuss next steps with food. I reviewed history and gave her the number to our pediatrician. Ella’s pediatrician really wants to move forward and give Ella a new type of food to try (her current formula is intended for infants versus toddlers). So we are hoping that we get to try food tomorrow. We know that it will be a slow drip via the food pump. From there, they will look to see how Ella tolerates food. Assuming that we don’t run into any issues, I think we might be discharged on Friday or Saturday.

Without food and being a bit dehydrated, her oxygen requirements are lower. They’ve almost lowered to her baseline of 750ccs during the day and 500ccs at night. We’re really excited about this because it was concerning to have her requirements so high. We never thought about a relationship between food and her oxygen requirements. But if the intestines/bowels are in fact “stressed” and too full, it can cause pressure on the diaphragm and make it tough to breathe. Who knew that food would potentially impact her oxygen requirements?

Aside from this, Ella has been in a great mood all day. We were able to get a long line for her oxygen and pulled her over to the blowup bed to play with her. Then, she fell asleep and took a nap on Daddy.

All in all, everything is going great. We’re just so happy that she does not need surgery. If you’re going to have a partial bowel obstruction, this is the kind you want. The type where the intestines are still healthy and there are no adhesions. So basically once you get rid of the build-up of stool, you are good to go! And we hope that we can learn of something new to give her to help further with motility, so we can avoid this type of backup in the future. I’m thinking positive but things could still change once we introduce food.

As I was typing this post, the doc came in to discuss next steps. He took a look at her xrays from this morning and determined that she still needs to be cleared out. Since her labs look good, we are getting another enema this evening (possibly even another enema in the morning) along with another set of abdominal xrays in the morning. We’re hoping this gives us the ticket to proceed with food tomorrow.

I read this passage in my devotional and it hit home:

This is my doing (1 Kings 12:24).

The disappointments of life are simply hidden appointments of love.

My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner being, and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head. “This is my doing”.

Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns me too? “For whatever touches you touches the apple of my eye” (Zech 2:8). “You are precious in my sight” (Isaiah 43:4). Therefore it is my special delight to teach you.

I want you to learn that when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in “like a pent-up flood” (Isaiah 59:19), that “This is my doing” and that your weakness needs My strength, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? “This is my doing”. I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident – you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

Have you not asked Me to make you humble? Then see that I have placed you in the perfect school where this lesson is taught. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will.

Are you having problems with money, finding it hard to make ends meet? “This is my doing”, for I am the One who keeps your finances, and I want you to learn to depend upon Me. My supply is limitless and I “will meet all your needs” (Phil 4:19). I want to prove My promises so no one may say, “You did not trust in the LORD your God” (Deut 1:32).

Are you experiencing a time of sorrow?” This is my doing”. I am a “man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). I have allowed your earthly comforters to fail you, so that by turning to Me you may receive “eternal encouragement and good hope” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Have you longed to do some great work for Me but instead have been set aside on a bed of sickness and pain? “This is my doing”. You were so busy I could not get your attention, and I wanted to teach you some of My deepest truths. “They also serve who only stand and wait”. In fact, some of My greatest workers are those physically unable to serve, but who have learned to wield the powerful weapon of prayer.

Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands. Use it freely, My child. Anoint it with every new circumstance, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient, and every weakness you have. The pain will leave as soon as you learn to see Me in all things.