Continuing to Get Better

Ok, ok, I have seen many inquiries about how Emma is doing today.  I can catch a hint. HA HA!  Emma had a good night and has had a busy but good day.  Her heart rhythm has been really good since they started her on Amiodarone.  They lowered her dosage and she is continuing to do great.  One challenge with her lately is her irritability level.  The Fentanyl (pain med) that she is on to help with this is becoming somewhat ineffective because her body is getting used to it.  This causes problems because she does not want to be messed with for respiratory therapy or even a diaper change.  Her stats move around a lot when she becomes irritated, so the nurses, doctors, and therapists can only do a few things at a time.  Since she is so easily irritated, they stared her Versed (a sedative) to help.  It seems to be working as she is resting now.  They also upped her calorie level on her TPNs.  They are trying to put some meat on her bones.  She is so skinny and is down below her birth weight by just a little.  They also put her feeding tube back it and started giving her breast milk.  This was very short lived though because she threw-up the milk , so they had to stop feeding her.  Mommy Sarah thinks she threw it up because she was so upset after having the tube put in and being messed with.  I have been told that we will try again tomorrow. 

Since she had a good day, Scott took me on a little date.  This is the first time we have been out together since she was born.  We went to P.F. Changs.  This was the first Chinese food I have had since becoming pregnant.  It was so yummy!  Scott and I enjoyed our time together and even stopped by Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream afterwards.  On the way back to Children’s we heard a song with the following lyrics:

I have seen the many faces of fear and of pain


I have watched the tears fall plenty from heartache and strain


So if life's journey has you weary and afraid


There's rest in the shadow of His wings



I have walked through the valleys, the mountains, and plains


I have held the hand of freedom that washes all my stains


If you feel weight of many trials and burdens from this world


There's freedom in the shelter of the Lord



And I have seen the healing hand of God


Reaching out and mending broken hearts


Taste and see the fullness of His peace


And hold on to what's being held out


The healing hand of God

  This song seems so appropriate considering everything we have been through the past 16 days.  God is always near.  He hears our prayers and is our comfort throughout all of this. On a side note, Gramma Sharon babysat and really enjoyed her time with Emma. Cousin Samantha and Uncle David came and visited.   

Specific Prayer Requests:

1.     Pray that Emma will be able to tolerate breast milk tomorrow.

2.     Pray that Emma’s last chest tube will stop draining so that it can be pulled out.

3.     Pray that Emma’s heart rhythm continues to stay good.

4.     Pray that her lungs continue to stay up.

5.     Pray that Emma’s sats, stats, labs and neers continue to look good.

6.     Pray that Emma will gain weight.

7.     Pray that Emma will not be so easily irritated.

8.     Pray for the other families in the CICU

Thank you so much for the prayers and support.  It is days like today when I see a lot of Facebook posts wondering about updates on Emma, that I realize how loved and cared for we are by so many people.  We are truly blessed.

~Mommy Sarah 

Reading to my baby girl!

Mommy and Daddy with their little Princess before their date!

Miss Emma!  My little Punkin'!

Date Day at P.F. Changs!