Had a belated birthday celebration up at the Young Ranch today. We got these pictures while opening presents... :-)
Sunday, July 31, 2005
A Present in Papa's Lap
Had a belated birthday celebration up at the Young Ranch today. We got these pictures while opening presents... :-)
And stretch
Steph lays her down for a moment... and this is the position Elizabeth chose. Whatever works, right? :-)
Friday, July 29, 2005
The 8 pound miracle baby
What a great doctor appointment today!
- Elizabeth is up to 8 lbs. 1.6 oz.
- She's grown another half inch (now up to 20.75")
- Her oxygen level was the highest it's ever been at a Kaiser appointment
- She gets to be fed directly from Mommy, all the time! Woo hoo!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Monday, July 25, 2005
Blessings
The "bills" and "summaries of charges" have slowly been trickling in over the past couple weeks. While Kaiser will be paying for it (minus our relatively tiny co-pay), we still receive information about how much the hospital stays cost.
The following is a reminder that God's provision was thoroughly planned out when He had me start as a biller at CNF three plus years ago.
Here's what we've received so far:
Here's the kicker on the OHSU one: that doesn't include the fees for the doctors' time. That's just for use of the hospital's stuff. We should be receiving another update on the doctors' fees within a month. That should be good for a laugh. And another blessing of God's name for the insurance He's provided.
So, for those keeping score, the total bill thus far is $150,205.24.
The following is a reminder that God's provision was thoroughly planned out when He had me start as a biller at CNF three plus years ago.
Here's what we've received so far:
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| R&B Semi-Pvt | $820.00 |
| Pharmacy | $651.55 |
| IV Solutions | $235.00 |
| Med-Sur Supplies | $1,382.00 |
| Laboratory | $228.00 |
| Drugs/Detail Code | $263.00 |
| Deliv Room/Labor | $3,741.00 |
| Pro Fee/Anes CRNA | $3,137.00 |
| Total | $10,457.55 |
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| R&B Inf Care | $695.00 |
| Nursing Increm | $201.00 |
| Pharmacy | $75.80 |
| IV Solutions | $12.00 |
| Med-Sur Supplies | $1,074.00 |
| Laboratory | $343.00 |
| DX X-ray | $216.00 |
| Pulmonary Func | $82.00 |
| Drugs/Detail Code | $109.03 |
| Birthing Center | $22.00 |
| EKG/ECG | $101.00 |
| Total | $2,930.83 |
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Labratory | $16,680.76 |
| Other Diagnostic Svc | $27,677.49 |
| OR Services | $14,683.50 |
| Pharmacy | $7,836.86 |
| Professional Fees | $272.00 |
| Radiology | $3,981.20 |
| Room Charges | $50,090.05 |
| Supplies | $15,069.00 |
| Therapy Services | $526.00 |
| Total | $136,816.86 |
Here's the kicker on the OHSU one: that doesn't include the fees for the doctors' time. That's just for use of the hospital's stuff. We should be receiving another update on the doctors' fees within a month. That should be good for a laugh. And another blessing of God's name for the insurance He's provided.
So, for those keeping score, the total bill thus far is $150,205.24.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Our little eater
Went to the pediatrician today. We've broken the 7 lbs barrier! Elizabeth weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. That's up 8 ounces from last Friday (5 days for those keeping score at home). Dr. Liu gave us the go ahead to stop keeping exact track of how much Elizaboo eats. And since we don't have to track the food intake anymore, Steph is now okay to feed Elizabeth directly 3-4 times per day instead of the previous 2 times/day we had been working with. Praise God that Elizabeth is putting on the weight!
In other news: I go back to work on Friday. Sad but true. It's been nice to be at home with my girls. :-)
In other news: I go back to work on Friday. Sad but true. It's been nice to be at home with my girls. :-)
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Yeah for Auntie Maria
So today we finally busted out the swing Maria got us and put it to use. Below is before and after. Thank you Maria!!!
The Amazing Dirt Devil
Oh buddy. Did we ever make a discovery today.
So we had some friends over, and they brought their kids, one of whom is a 2 year old. This means we had to vacuum after they left. :-)
Elizabeth was lying down and crying right before I fired up the blue dirt sucker. I plugged the beast in and fired it up.
Guess who quieted right down and within a minute was fast asleep?!? Fantastic!
So we had some friends over, and they brought their kids, one of whom is a 2 year old. This means we had to vacuum after they left. :-)
Elizabeth was lying down and crying right before I fired up the blue dirt sucker. I plugged the beast in and fired it up.
Guess who quieted right down and within a minute was fast asleep?!? Fantastic!
Friday, July 15, 2005
Weight Gain Update
6lbs 12.2 oz!
Up two ounces from Wednesday. We still have to regiment her food and keep track and all that, but for now, no additives!
Up two ounces from Wednesday. We still have to regiment her food and keep track and all that, but for now, no additives!
Things you might not know about our daughter
- Her Irish roots are coming out: Elizabeth has red hair. Her eyelashes, eye brows and the vast majority of her hair on top is red if you see it in natural lighting.
- Elizabeth seems to be gaining new facial expressions each day. She gets that from her Mommy.
- She really, really likes to be swaddled. Thank you Baby-gami.
- Elizabeth is also really, really stubborn. This too must come from Mommy.
- She has very strong neck control. This can come into play regarding the previous bullet point.
- Elizabeth enjoys streching her limbs, in all directions, even while sleeping.
Flowers for Elizabeth
In vases: from my work (left) and from Grandpa H's work. In the basket: from Grandpa and Grandma H.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Weight Gain
Funny thing, a newborn's metabolism. Just back from the doc. Elizabeth actually lost an ounce since Monday. Steph and I think we may have actually overfed her. Seems if she gets too much liquid, her body burns so many calories processing it all that she actually loses weight. Crazy.
On the bright side, no more Gavage Tube! Monday night Elizabeth took it upon herself to take it out... and Dr. Liu said today that we didn't need to put it back in since she's been so willing to eat by mouth.
Steph and I will be keeping close track of how much she eats, and on Friday, we go back to see how she's doing weight wise. If she still hasn't gained, then we may have to mix in an additive to Steph's milk so that there are more calories in it.
First, Elizabeth has some steriods in the hospital. Now there's talk of additives to her food. Apparently Elizabeth's going to play baseball... **ba-dum-chhh**
On the bright side, no more Gavage Tube! Monday night Elizabeth took it upon herself to take it out... and Dr. Liu said today that we didn't need to put it back in since she's been so willing to eat by mouth.
Steph and I will be keeping close track of how much she eats, and on Friday, we go back to see how she's doing weight wise. If she still hasn't gained, then we may have to mix in an additive to Steph's milk so that there are more calories in it.
First, Elizabeth has some steriods in the hospital. Now there's talk of additives to her food. Apparently Elizabeth's going to play baseball... **ba-dum-chhh**
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Daddy-Daughter Time
Last night saw the first installment of what I hope will become a very regular ritual in the Hutchison house. Daddy-Daughter Time. Last night, I read to my little Elizabeth from Beyond the Stone Arches, the biography of Edward Bliss, a medical missionary to China around the turn of the 20th century. Great book thus far. Elizabeth fell asleep 10 minutes in, but hey, Daddy got some homework done and got to spend some great time with his daughter in his arms.
While the picture was uploading just now, Daddy got another type of special time with his daughter... one diaper change, three diapers.
While the picture was uploading just now, Daddy got another type of special time with his daughter... one diaper change, three diapers.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Back from the doctor
Met Elizabeth's pediatrician today. Great gal. Dr. Liu at the Cascade Park Kaiser. Elizabeth is up to 6 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 inches long. She is eating well and the doctor is pleased with how's she's doing. If she keeps up her weight gain (an ounce a day!) thru Wednesday (our next appointment), then we can take the feeding tube out. Woo hoo!
This picture was taken yesterday, and yes, she was awake.
This picture was taken yesterday, and yes, she was awake.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
1 Night Down... 6,573 to Go
Twas a good first night and all thru the house, not a creature was stirring, except the cute little baby girl who was hungry, poopy or in need of attention.Sure we're tired. Sure we'd like longer stretches of sleep. But brother, lemme tell ya, nothing beats having your little girl home after 2 and a half weeks in the hospital. With the exception of the Gavage feeding tube that's going thru one of her nostrils, she is one normal little newborn. But even the tube is soon to come out (we think). The only reason it's still in is because in the hospital, sometimes she didn't get all of her required food at each meal. So the rest went down the tube to her little tummy. But since she's been home, she's gotten waaay more sleep than when she was at the hospital. More sleep means she has more energy to eat. Which means at each feeding, she has taken in everything she needs from bottle or Mommy. We've barely used the tube since she's been home.
We're just gonna spend the rest of the day hanging out and resting. In preparation for tonight. :-)
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Guess who's home?!?!
That's right! We're home!
Only 16 and a half days at the hospital and we're home. It's a wonderful feeling. And it's time for a nap. Pictures to come soon.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support. Let the child-raising begin.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Only 16 and a half days at the hospital and we're home. It's a wonderful feeling. And it's time for a nap. Pictures to come soon.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support. Let the child-raising begin.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Friday, July 08, 2005
Guess who's coming home this weekend
Elizabeth is really taking to the bottle and this morning she took 3/4 of an entire meal directly from Mommy. Then the rest of that meal came from the bottle. Things are progressing well.
And we had the same nurse today as yesterday. And she gets moved into the awesome category. Why? Because she said Elizabeth should go home tomorrow. So she called the doctors and ran it by them. As long as Elizabeth's morning tests look good, we get to take her home tomorrow. Regardless, they said she can go home Sunday, but if everything looks good, Saturday's the day!
Woo hoo! Praise the Lord!
And we had the same nurse today as yesterday. And she gets moved into the awesome category. Why? Because she said Elizabeth should go home tomorrow. So she called the doctors and ran it by them. As long as Elizabeth's morning tests look good, we get to take her home tomorrow. Regardless, they said she can go home Sunday, but if everything looks good, Saturday's the day!
Woo hoo! Praise the Lord!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
18 hour difference
What a difference 18 hours can make.
Thank you everyone so very much for your support. Got tons of emails yesterday and this morning. All of them very loving and supportive. A couple even were a good kick in the pants. Thank you.
Elizabeth is doing well. Got a report from Steph a bit ago. Seems Elizabeth took to the bottle very well last night and, if I heard right, took two feedings almost exclusively from the bottle. Elizabeth still seems to tire quickly when eating directly from Mommy, but working on that is today's and tomorrow's project. Steph is feeling very encouraging by all of the positive feedback from the night nurse.
Speaking of nurses, from what I could decipher on the phone with Steph (it was a quick call and I was still sleeping :-)), today's nurse is not the cream of the crop, but by no means low on the totem pole either. We'll take middle of the road. :-)
As for me, I hitting the DayQuil as much as the directions will let me, guzzling down the water and taking it easy. Now is it feed a cold and starve a flu? Or the other way around? I always get those mixed up.
Thanks again for all of your encouraging words and support. It's good to know you all have been beating on our Father's door (Luke 11:1-13).
Grace and peace,
Allen
Thank you everyone so very much for your support. Got tons of emails yesterday and this morning. All of them very loving and supportive. A couple even were a good kick in the pants. Thank you.
Elizabeth is doing well. Got a report from Steph a bit ago. Seems Elizabeth took to the bottle very well last night and, if I heard right, took two feedings almost exclusively from the bottle. Elizabeth still seems to tire quickly when eating directly from Mommy, but working on that is today's and tomorrow's project. Steph is feeling very encouraging by all of the positive feedback from the night nurse.
Speaking of nurses, from what I could decipher on the phone with Steph (it was a quick call and I was still sleeping :-)), today's nurse is not the cream of the crop, but by no means low on the totem pole either. We'll take middle of the road. :-)
As for me, I hitting the DayQuil as much as the directions will let me, guzzling down the water and taking it easy. Now is it feed a cold and starve a flu? Or the other way around? I always get those mixed up.
Thanks again for all of your encouraging words and support. It's good to know you all have been beating on our Father's door (Luke 11:1-13).
Grace and peace,
Allen
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Ugggh...
Super discouraged right now.
Feels like right now is harder than before/during the surgery. The last two days we've had less-than-stellar nurses, I'm home with a cold (can't go in the DNCC with a cold) so Steph has to go in by herself. Elizabeth, although progressing, is still having a hard time with eating. Uggh.
The doctors have been great, but they only come around every once in a while. The last two days have just been super hard because our nurses have not been up to the quality that our previous DNCC experience held. One snapped at me yesterday when she thought I was going to try to pick Elizabeth up with one arm (I wasn't). Made me feel super stupid and like a bad dad. Then today, I couldn't go in because of the cold. Today's nurse is younger than we are and went straight by the book. Hasn't exactly developed the loving tact that a NICU nurse needs. Plus, I think being a mom really helps you in this type of nursing, and well, she's not. Steph felt like the nurse was contradicting every thing she said. Then Elizabeth is not improving in feeding quickly, so Steph feels like that's her responsibility. And of course I wasn't there to be of any help. Also feels like little continuity because we can't be there during the night (there is a bed for a parent in the PICU, not so in the DNCC.)
I feel like Elizabeth would be fine if they would just let us bring her home, but they won't. The trouble is that it feels like there is very little continuity right now because every one (who seems to be different than the folks we saw before) throws in their two cents and don't take into account the fact that other people have already looked at her. For example: the cardiologist came in this morning and said she didn't need the oxygen any more. Later this afternoon, when Elizabeth dropped in her Oxygen Saturation during feeding (normal when she eats or gets upset), the nurse turned the oxygen back on. Man, I wish this was done with. She's two weeks old today. Uggh, how long is this going to go on?
It seems like the DNCC is giving us the low end nurses since Elizabeth is on the flip side of the surgery and is "just" working on feeding. Pray we get an awesome nurse tomorrow. The nurse is what makes or breaks a day. We've had some awesome nurses: Rick, Emily, Debbie, Merritt, Carla, Lori, Serena, Janie, Renee, Leo... those are some great nurses.
Man, am I tired. Also, please pray this cold goes away in a hurry and that it doesn't get Steph. It would be way not good if she had it. Thanks for all of your support. It's much needed in times like these.
UPDATE later 7/6: Got tons of emails in response. Thank you. Feeling better. Got lots of loving encouragement and some loving rebuke. Many thanks to the gal with the street cred. :-)
Grace and peace,
Allen
Feels like right now is harder than before/during the surgery. The last two days we've had less-than-stellar nurses, I'm home with a cold (can't go in the DNCC with a cold) so Steph has to go in by herself. Elizabeth, although progressing, is still having a hard time with eating. Uggh.
The doctors have been great, but they only come around every once in a while. The last two days have just been super hard because our nurses have not been up to the quality that our previous DNCC experience held. One snapped at me yesterday when she thought I was going to try to pick Elizabeth up with one arm (I wasn't). Made me feel super stupid and like a bad dad. Then today, I couldn't go in because of the cold. Today's nurse is younger than we are and went straight by the book. Hasn't exactly developed the loving tact that a NICU nurse needs. Plus, I think being a mom really helps you in this type of nursing, and well, she's not. Steph felt like the nurse was contradicting every thing she said. Then Elizabeth is not improving in feeding quickly, so Steph feels like that's her responsibility. And of course I wasn't there to be of any help. Also feels like little continuity because we can't be there during the night (there is a bed for a parent in the PICU, not so in the DNCC.)
I feel like Elizabeth would be fine if they would just let us bring her home, but they won't. The trouble is that it feels like there is very little continuity right now because every one (who seems to be different than the folks we saw before) throws in their two cents and don't take into account the fact that other people have already looked at her. For example: the cardiologist came in this morning and said she didn't need the oxygen any more. Later this afternoon, when Elizabeth dropped in her Oxygen Saturation during feeding (normal when she eats or gets upset), the nurse turned the oxygen back on. Man, I wish this was done with. She's two weeks old today. Uggh, how long is this going to go on?
It seems like the DNCC is giving us the low end nurses since Elizabeth is on the flip side of the surgery and is "just" working on feeding. Pray we get an awesome nurse tomorrow. The nurse is what makes or breaks a day. We've had some awesome nurses: Rick, Emily, Debbie, Merritt, Carla, Lori, Serena, Janie, Renee, Leo... those are some great nurses.
Man, am I tired. Also, please pray this cold goes away in a hurry and that it doesn't get Steph. It would be way not good if she had it. Thanks for all of your support. It's much needed in times like these.
UPDATE later 7/6: Got tons of emails in response. Thank you. Feeling better. Got lots of loving encouragement and some loving rebuke. Many thanks to the gal with the street cred. :-)
Grace and peace,
Allen
It's all about the eating
Wanted to let you all know that yesterdat morning around 9:30, Elizabeth was moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and back into the DNCC (Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center). She will be there for a few days (probably, the docs are hestitant to give a timetable of going home) trying to figure out how to eat again. :-)
Having had that breathing tube down her throat for so long, Elizabeth does not take too kindly to things being in her throat again (namely, milk). To the praise of the Lord, she still has a very strong sucking motion (some babies can lose that after surgery). But as soon as milk hits her throat she stops. A lactation consultant came by yesterday afternoon to help Steph and Elizabeth get back into the swing of things. Good progress was made. Basically, as soon as Elizabeth can get a whole feeding down without the assistance of the nurses (Gavage tube), we'll be set to come home. Your prayers for a quick learning daughter would be greatly appreciated. :-)
I'll let you all know how it progresses. Again, a million thank you's for all of your support. It was been overwhelming.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Having had that breathing tube down her throat for so long, Elizabeth does not take too kindly to things being in her throat again (namely, milk). To the praise of the Lord, she still has a very strong sucking motion (some babies can lose that after surgery). But as soon as milk hits her throat she stops. A lactation consultant came by yesterday afternoon to help Steph and Elizabeth get back into the swing of things. Good progress was made. Basically, as soon as Elizabeth can get a whole feeding down without the assistance of the nurses (Gavage tube), we'll be set to come home. Your prayers for a quick learning daughter would be greatly appreciated. :-)
I'll let you all know how it progresses. Again, a million thank you's for all of your support. It was been overwhelming.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Liquid Gold
Yes indeed! Elizabeth just finished up 42 milliliters of bottled liquid gold. It was a bit slow going at first, but once she caught on, she was set. And from the sound of things, our new night nurse is totally okay with Steph trying to feed Elizabeth directly tonight, something I know that Steph has been wanting and looking forward to for a long time coming. (And yes, I got to hold her for a while. It was great. :-))
What an answer to prayer. What a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God!
Grace and peace,
Allen
What an answer to prayer. What a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God!
Grace and peace,
Allen
Happy Sunday Continues!
Yesterday there had been some concern as to her progress due to oxygen saturation in the mid 70s and occasionally low 80s. Well... when we went back inside today after they took the first few tubes out... removing the tubes gave her body more room to work and her levels went UP to the mid 80s and low 90s!
They checked her breathing tube and throat at about 11:30am this morning and she wasn't quite ready to have it out yet. But after a dose of anti-inflammatory medicine, when they checked again at 3:00pm, they felt she would be alright. So at 3:20 they took out the breathing tube!!! After a few minutes of getting used to life again without those tubes, Elizabeth's oxygen level went up the to mid to high 90s!
Right now, Steph is holding our little Elizabeth!
We have to wait four hours after the tube being removed before we can try to feed her, so a little after 7:00pm tonight, we'll try giving her a bottle and go from there. Will let you know how she does.
Praise our Faithful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He has seen Elizabeth and us thru all of this, and will see it thru to the end.
Grace and peace,
One very happy Allen
They checked her breathing tube and throat at about 11:30am this morning and she wasn't quite ready to have it out yet. But after a dose of anti-inflammatory medicine, when they checked again at 3:00pm, they felt she would be alright. So at 3:20 they took out the breathing tube!!! After a few minutes of getting used to life again without those tubes, Elizabeth's oxygen level went up the to mid to high 90s!
Right now, Steph is holding our little Elizabeth!
We have to wait four hours after the tube being removed before we can try to feed her, so a little after 7:00pm tonight, we'll try giving her a bottle and go from there. Will let you know how she does.
Praise our Faithful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He has seen Elizabeth and us thru all of this, and will see it thru to the end.
Don't forget that 'Elizabeth' means: Consecrated to God. This little is very special to our Heavenly Father and He is taking great care of her. Thank you for blessing us with your support and prayers. I'll send another update tonight.But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:25-28
Grace and peace,
One very happy Allen
Happy Sunday!
What a way to start the day: The doctors just finished making their rounds. Little Elizabeth is down to 25% ventilator (75% her) for breathing, and weaning even more off her medications. As I type this one of the surgeons is taking out a few more tubes from various places, AND at around noon, this afternoon they will be taking out the breathing tube (ventilator). Once the breathing tube is out, she has to wait four hours before she can eat again, but if at around 4 she takes well to the bottle, they may let Steph feed Elizabeth directly later tonight. Regardless, it's looking like we'll be able to hold our little today!
What a blessed Sunday!
--Allen
What a blessed Sunday!
--Allen
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Conflicting numbers
Elizabeth's oxygen saturation percentage is lower than they would like. She is hanging out in the mid 70s to lower 80s. They would much rather that number be in the mid 80s to low 90s. She is doing well in the grand scheme of things, but cannot really progress a lot until that number goes up.
The confusing part: every other number related how her heart and are doing is AWESOME. Everything (blood pressure, pH levels, amount of lactic acid, heart rate, etc.) except that one stat.
The docs and nurses are going to back track little by little thru all of the changes they made today to see what, if anything, can improve it.
I find myself getting antsy, wanting this fixed right now. My gut tells me we may actually have to... *gasp*... wait and be patient (nooooooo!).
The confusing part: every other number related how her heart and are doing is AWESOME. Everything (blood pressure, pH levels, amount of lactic acid, heart rate, etc.) except that one stat.
The docs and nurses are going to back track little by little thru all of the changes they made today to see what, if anything, can improve it.
I find myself getting antsy, wanting this fixed right now. My gut tells me we may actually have to... *gasp*... wait and be patient (nooooooo!).
Tubes and Meds
God has given us a very strong daughter!
Elizabeth is doing well. The doctors took out a couple of tubes this morning and are starting to wean her off of her medications (one of them is done totally!). They just started her back on to breast milk, which will increase in volume slowly as time goes on. They're looking to take out the breathing tubes in her nose tomorrow. Her color is good and her response to stimuli just where it should be (as far as I can tell). And even in her sleep she is making the sucking motion with her lips, so retraining her to feed isn't looking to be much of a problem. :-)
They were going to take out more tubes later today, but there was a little more bleeding than they would have liked from taking out the first couple of tubes, so they're just going to hang back and watch her while she rests the remainder of today. This provides Steph and me some much needed down time as well. We've been reading and sleeping and playing cards. Last night saw the longest game of two-player Uno in history. :-)
Thanks for all of the prayers and support you all have showered us with. God has blessed us thru you and thru Elizabeth being so strong.
Grace and peace,
Allen
p.s. Haven't seen Derek or his wife yet today, but we did hear that the doctors were able to close their son's chest this morning, so hopefully all is progressing well on that front.
Elizabeth is doing well. The doctors took out a couple of tubes this morning and are starting to wean her off of her medications (one of them is done totally!). They just started her back on to breast milk, which will increase in volume slowly as time goes on. They're looking to take out the breathing tubes in her nose tomorrow. Her color is good and her response to stimuli just where it should be (as far as I can tell). And even in her sleep she is making the sucking motion with her lips, so retraining her to feed isn't looking to be much of a problem. :-)
They were going to take out more tubes later today, but there was a little more bleeding than they would have liked from taking out the first couple of tubes, so they're just going to hang back and watch her while she rests the remainder of today. This provides Steph and me some much needed down time as well. We've been reading and sleeping and playing cards. Last night saw the longest game of two-player Uno in history. :-)
Thanks for all of the prayers and support you all have showered us with. God has blessed us thru you and thru Elizabeth being so strong.
Grace and peace,
Allen
p.s. Haven't seen Derek or his wife yet today, but we did hear that the doctors were able to close their son's chest this morning, so hopefully all is progressing well on that front.
Friday, July 01, 2005
All finished
Alrighty, our daughter's chest is now closed for business! Only took the doctors and nurses 30min to close her up. She has a decent sized strip of gauze covering the center of her chest, but other than that, it looks great. She does have a few tubes and things sticking out of other places (which we just try to avoid looking at :-)), but they said they might be able to start taking out some of those tomorrow.
Surprisingly Elizabeth still has color and a little bit of movement. She's pretty out of it, but still just as cute. Jesus gave us one strong little trooper.
Side note, met a couple whose son (born a day before Elizabeth) had the same defect that Elizabeth had (tetralogy of Fallot). They operated successfully on their boy this morning and left his chest open, just like Elizabeth. The parents had just as much trouble seeing him afterward as we did with Elizabeth. They were on their way home when we met them. We'll be seeing there more throughout the next week in the PICU and then back up in the DNCC. Please pray for their comfort and peace tonight as they go thru what we went thru just a couple of days ago. Also, please pray that Steph and I would be an encouragement and support to them and that we would be a strong witness to them. Don't know where they stand in terms of eternity, but the prayers never hurt. The dad's name is Derek. Didn't catch the son's or mother's name. We'll try to find those out later.
Thanks again for all of the emails and prayers. They warm our hearts everytime we get one. We'll send another update tomorrow probably.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Surprisingly Elizabeth still has color and a little bit of movement. She's pretty out of it, but still just as cute. Jesus gave us one strong little trooper.
Side note, met a couple whose son (born a day before Elizabeth) had the same defect that Elizabeth had (tetralogy of Fallot). They operated successfully on their boy this morning and left his chest open, just like Elizabeth. The parents had just as much trouble seeing him afterward as we did with Elizabeth. They were on their way home when we met them. We'll be seeing there more throughout the next week in the PICU and then back up in the DNCC. Please pray for their comfort and peace tonight as they go thru what we went thru just a couple of days ago. Also, please pray that Steph and I would be an encouragement and support to them and that we would be a strong witness to them. Don't know where they stand in terms of eternity, but the prayers never hurt. The dad's name is Derek. Didn't catch the son's or mother's name. We'll try to find those out later.
Thanks again for all of the emails and prayers. They warm our hearts everytime we get one. We'll send another update tomorrow probably.
Grace and peace,
Allen
Sew it on up
Exciting news everyone!
Elizabeth did great over night and the doctors decided to close the incision today! And they're doing it right now! We'll update more when it's done, but just wanted to take a sec to let you all know.
Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.
Grace and peace,
Allen & Steph
Elizabeth did great over night and the doctors decided to close the incision today! And they're doing it right now! We'll update more when it's done, but just wanted to take a sec to let you all know.
Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.
Grace and peace,
Allen & Steph
Feeling Better
Good evening everybody,
Steph, Elizabeth and I are all doing much better. Thanks to you all for your prayers. God is sustaining us with peace, much of which came just within the last couple of hours. Steph and I went to see Elizabeth late tonight. She looks MUCH better. She has the color back in her face and looks much more restful.
The night nurse for Elizabeth is fantastic. Her name is Laurie and is very personable and very articulate. She spent a good twenty minutes tonight explaining what all the new info on the monitors and new machines actually meant (in layman's terms). We had the monitors and machines down great in the DNCC, but in the PICU, it's a whole new ballgame. Like going from single A ball straight to the majors.
Elizabeth is still on the meds to keep her sedated. She'll be on them til they close her chest. She does move a little bit from time to time and will even open her eyes every once in a while. It's really cute when she does the sucking motion with her lips (and exciting that she still knows how to do that! Sometimes after surgery skills like that can be lost). So even with all the movement and everything, she is still quite out of it, Laurie assured us. It was great to be with Elizabeth tonight though. Her stats got better while we were there (Laurie's observation, not ours), and it was certainly good for Steph and I to see her and to see her improvement. We know that it won't be an easy couple of days, but tonight was such a huge comfort. Elizabeth even has her cute little baby smell back.
As for when they will close her chest, Laurie was unsure. Saturday is looking more likely she thought. But that's not for certain. We'll know more after the doctor team does their rounds in the morning. Steph and I plan on being there for that, so I should wrap us this email.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. They have been effective and of great reassurance to us. Please continue to pray that Elizabeth's swelling would go down and that she would recover quickly from the closing (whenever that happens).
More info to come tomorrow after we hear from the docs.
Much love, grace and peace,
Allen
Steph, Elizabeth and I are all doing much better. Thanks to you all for your prayers. God is sustaining us with peace, much of which came just within the last couple of hours. Steph and I went to see Elizabeth late tonight. She looks MUCH better. She has the color back in her face and looks much more restful.
The night nurse for Elizabeth is fantastic. Her name is Laurie and is very personable and very articulate. She spent a good twenty minutes tonight explaining what all the new info on the monitors and new machines actually meant (in layman's terms). We had the monitors and machines down great in the DNCC, but in the PICU, it's a whole new ballgame. Like going from single A ball straight to the majors.
Elizabeth is still on the meds to keep her sedated. She'll be on them til they close her chest. She does move a little bit from time to time and will even open her eyes every once in a while. It's really cute when she does the sucking motion with her lips (and exciting that she still knows how to do that! Sometimes after surgery skills like that can be lost). So even with all the movement and everything, she is still quite out of it, Laurie assured us. It was great to be with Elizabeth tonight though. Her stats got better while we were there (Laurie's observation, not ours), and it was certainly good for Steph and I to see her and to see her improvement. We know that it won't be an easy couple of days, but tonight was such a huge comfort. Elizabeth even has her cute little baby smell back.
As for when they will close her chest, Laurie was unsure. Saturday is looking more likely she thought. But that's not for certain. We'll know more after the doctor team does their rounds in the morning. Steph and I plan on being there for that, so I should wrap us this email.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. They have been effective and of great reassurance to us. Please continue to pray that Elizabeth's swelling would go down and that she would recover quickly from the closing (whenever that happens).
More info to come tomorrow after we hear from the docs.
Much love, grace and peace,
Allen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)