Emma's One Month Update

Well, Emma celebrated her one-month birthday yesterday.  Where are we in this journey?  Well, we are moving at Emma’s pace---slow and steady.  This week has been a good week for Miss Emma.  She has had two pigtail (chest tubes) put in, two IVs put in, one broviac IV access put in, started feeds (slowly at first, now up to full feeds and working up to full calories---YAY), her art line taken out, one pigtail taken out (this morning), and a whole lot of rest and relaxation.  Last week, into weekend, Emma required a lot of pain and sedation medications to do the smallest things (bathe, change a diaper, etc.)  The more this week has gone on, the less pain meds/sedation Emma needs to get through it.  For example, today they took stitches out of two drainage holes, took out a pigtail, did dressing changes, did respiratory therapy, and an x-ray----all with only one bolus of fentanyl.  Also, Emma is growing in her grow box.  She now weighs 6lbs 6 ozs!  YAY!   The nurses and doctors have been great with Emma’s new “pace.”  They understand that Emma needs things to go slow, so they try not to do too much at once.  Since Emma is doing better, Scott and I are able to get more sleep. 

So, how long will we be in ICU or even in the hospital?  All of that depends on how Emma progresses.  We are in NO rush, as Emma seems to do better when she takes baby steps.  We have been told to prepare ourselves for a long hospital stay.  Emma has to be off the vent and on full feeds before we would even move to the 8^th floor.  Emma is being weaned off of the vent slowly.  She is at 25% oxygen at a rate of 10.  This is very good.  More than likely, next week, they will try to do sprint trials to see when Emma can be pulled off the vent. 

All in all, this month has been the roller coaster ride we were told it would be.  We have had some very scary moments.  However, God is good!  All the time!  God is good!  We give him all of the glory and adoration for the AMAZING things he is doing in Emma’s life.   We thank all of you for being such caring and loving individuals who continue to lift Emma and us up in prayer. 

Below is a poem from Emma’s Nana Jana!  Jana is very gifted at poetry and has written many beautiful poems.  This one is extra special however because it is for her first grandbaby Emma.  Emma will cherish this poem forever.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

I cried, "God, Emma's heart is not quite full,

I'll give her some of mine!"

"No, grandmother," the Father said,

"I just need lots more time."

And so I waited, on and on,

to see what He would do;

And I have to tell you, sometimes then,

My own heart broke in two.

Through pumps and tubes, IV's and lines,

I searched for my grandchild,

'Til one day, when I saw her face,

My own heart beat and smiled;

For on her face I saw a look

I'd never seen before,

Her bright eyes seemed to say to me,

"I can handle more."

And so she did, and so she does,

And still she battles on;

As her parents pray and read,

And even sing her songs,

The days turn into weeks, a month,

I pray, "It's been too long!"

But God calmly says to me,

"You really must be strong.

"I told them once, long long ago,

That a little child would lead,

"See, your grandchild in this crib,

Gives all the faith you need."

So now I look into her face,

Through lines, IV's, and things,

And realize that the noise I hear,

Is my heart as it sings.

For God is good all the time,

And all the time He's good.

And His light shining through her eyes

Reminds me that I should

Rejoice in all the folks who pray

For our sweet Princess now,

And thank the Father up above

That Emma taught them how!

Quoting from:

          Isaiah 11:6 -- "...and a little child shall lead them."

(For Emma on her one month BD from Nana Jana)

(November 4, 2010)

Specific Prayer Requests:

Pray that Emma continues to tolerate feeds and gains weight.

Pray that Emma’s heart will continue to function properly and will be without arrhythmias.

Pray that Emma’s lungs function well and will get stronger so she can come off of the vent.

Pray that Emma will not be easily agitated.

Pray for the doctors, nurses, and therapists that take care of Emma.

Pray for the other CICU babies.

Pray for Scott and I to be a light to others.

Mommy (Sarah)