So sorry that we haven't updated the blog in awhile. I am having to go back and forth from Texas to Oklahoma for my final rotation in pharmacy school and haven't had time to get on and update like I usually do. Also, that means that when I am gone, Sarah has less help here and therefore less time to update. So, needless to say, we apologize to all of you that have been checking for an update!
Emma is doing good. We are on track to try and start pressure support trials on the ventilator to see if we can come off of the ventilator (for good!) this week sometime. They did a recent echocardiogram of her heart and, as one doctors put it, "it couldn't look any better than that." God is good! Other than those two things, the issue we have been having, as of late, is an increasing BUN. This stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen. It can rise for a number of reasons such as: dehydration, bleeding, and excessive protein. The doctors are still trying to isolate what is causing this steady increase. So we will see after the initial tests come back as to what may be causing this problem.
Emma has been smiling at Sarah and me occasionally. I think that it is a legitimate smile when Sarah smiles at her, but it may just be gas when she looks at me.... The jury is still out! ;-) She has been a little more irritated today but that is probably because we had to hold one of her sedation medications yesterday, which can cause you to go into a semi-withdrawl period. She is better tonight though now that the medication is back on board.
We ask that you all remember our precious little friends in prayer: Katie, Taylor, Ella, Lyric, and Haven. They are all on a heart journey of their own. Remember their parents as well as they support their precious little ones.
Some specific prayer requests:
1) Pray that these pressure support trials will go well and that Emma will be able to come off of the vent.
2) Pray that this situation with the BUN will be fixed.
3) Pray for her to continue to be in a good mood and not become easily irritated.
4) Pray for Sarah and I to have continued peace and strength for the road ahead.
5) Pray for the nurses and doctors and all the other health care professionals that take care of Emma! May they be blessed because of their efforts!
Thanks again to everyone that continues to support us and Emma with thoughts and prayers! You do not how amazing that truly is to us!!!
To God be the glory! God is good, all the time!
In Him,
Daddy Scott
Emma continues to teach so many of us valuable lessons about perseverence, strength, and love. And probably one of the best lessons we are learning from her life is to value TODAY.
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes: "Today is a gift: that's why it's called 'the present.' "
Anyone who doesn't understand that saying can learn its importance by just visiting the CICU ward where Emma and her heart buddies (and their parents) labor long and hard through each day and still find pleasure (and value) in it.
Someone once told me that "Twenty-four hours is all we can handle at a time, so that's why God gave us today...yesterday is past; if tomorrow arrives, it will be another 'today,' so we should live our lives in the present, alert and aware of today...not in regret of yesterday, and not in dreams of tomorrow...but right now, because right now is what time we have to make a difference."
Well, Emma, you and your little buddies do indeed make a difference every "today" and we are proud of you and of your parents...God bless all of you! And thank you for the lessons; we need to remember them!
Hugs and love from your Nana Jana, little princess! What a blessing you are, precious granddaughter!
LOVED this post! The pics were great and the post was SO encouraging.
ReplyDeletePRAYING HARD for your precious Emma. We love reading every word the family writes about her and seeing every beautiful pic.
You will have our prayers as long as you need them. God bless you all!
You all look so happy in the pics and the little "princess" is looking wonderful. We all know that if you don't update in awhile, that things are ok and that you are both busy as can be. There is so much to be thankful for and we give God all the glory. We pray that this journey will continue on an uphill climb.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to here that our little Emmma is doing so well. Praise God for answered prayers. I continue to check the blog and I will continue to pray for everyone.
ReplyDeleteDarla R.
So thankful to see an update from you! God is Good! Still lifting you in Cookeville, TN!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS))) Michelle, John and baby Piper
I continue to pray for Emma. There is nothing more precious to parents than smiles from your precious baby. Especially when they make eye contact and you know that it's meant just for you. Praise the Lord for Emma's continued progress.
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating. I can't seem to go online for anything without making a quick stop on Emma's blog to see if there is any news.
Praying for all of you, as well as the medical team, as you continue this journey.
Thankful that Emma is doing better. Prayers are still going up for the little one. Being able to hold her must make the day better. Praying for strength for Sarah and Scott to stand up to what each day holds. Praying for more healing each day for Emma. Thanks for taking the time to update.
ReplyDeleteAngie-Ada
Best wishes for continued success on your family's journeys.
ReplyDeleteCharley
Continuing to pray for you guys. So thankful to hear things are going well!!! Wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving. With much love The Bussey's
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to get the update and see that things continue to improve with that little angel. It is wonderful to see a baby smile at the sound of momma's voice. Just wait till she first says the words. "I love you" to momma and daddy. That time will come some day. Hang in there and prayers are still being said from everywhere to our Heavenly Father in behalf of Emma and her wonderful family.
ReplyDeletePictures were so sweet and such good news that Emma continues to improve. We continue to remember Emma and all of you in our prayers. We know you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving with that precious little baby. Kendall and Darla
ReplyDeleteMy family and I are praying for baby Emma! I think about all the little ones still in the ICU all the time. Hope your family has a happy thanksgiving as there is much to be thankful for. God has given us miracle babies!
ReplyDeleteYou can find me on facebook if you'd like. We can keep up to date with each other.
Praying and may God bless your family.
Love, The Karnish family