This is a photo of Isabelle on her pre-op day. Child Life gave her the supplies to make a princess tiara!
Showing posts with label Isabelle's Surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isabelle's Surgery. Show all posts
Monday, October 17, 2011
Isabelle's Out of Surgery
Thanks for the prayers!! We just met with Dr. Bradley. Surgery took 7 hours due to excessive scar tissue, but other than that all went smoothly.
This is a photo of Isabelle on her pre-op day. Child Life gave her the supplies to make a princess tiara!
This is a photo of Isabelle on her pre-op day. Child Life gave her the supplies to make a princess tiara!
Four Hours Into Open-Heart Surgery
At 11:00 a.m. we received an update on Isabelle. She is on the heart/lung bypass machine, they are through all the scar tissue, and they are working on her actual Fontan. Please continue to pray that she will remain stable through the procedure, pray for skill for Dr. Bradley and for the anesthesiology team and also pray for the entire OR team as they continue to care for Izzy.
This photo was taken of Isabelle as she awaited surgery this morning. We got up at 4:30 a.m. and had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.. This was actually taken after they gave her a dose of Versed so she was quite loopy.
The nurse that took Isabelle to the OR, this morning, was Rita. In God's providence she is a believer, a mother of 3 sons (1 adopted domestically) and has her paperwork in process in China to adopt. Needless to say it was wonderful to hand-off my sleeping Isabelle into her loving hands. God is SO good to take care of even those little details!!
This photo was taken of Isabelle as she awaited surgery this morning. We got up at 4:30 a.m. and had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.. This was actually taken after they gave her a dose of Versed so she was quite loopy.
The nurse that took Isabelle to the OR, this morning, was Rita. In God's providence she is a believer, a mother of 3 sons (1 adopted domestically) and has her paperwork in process in China to adopt. Needless to say it was wonderful to hand-off my sleeping Isabelle into her loving hands. God is SO good to take care of even those little details!!
Isabelle's In Surgery
They took Isabelle back for her Fontan open-heart surgery at 6:30 a.m. They were hoping to begin at 7:30 a.m. and expect it to be a 6 hour surgery. Please pray for the Lord to guide Dr. Bradley's hands as he performs the surgery on Isabelle's heart and pray for the entire OR staff.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
August Updates
August was a busy month full of adjustments, more Dr.'s appointments AND AnnaGrace's birthday. Our family is adjusting to three car seats, a child in diapers again, a shuffling of the pecking order among the children and general turf-warfare. I'm the primary "turf".
We have lots of moments like this....
followed by moments like this...
I think Isabelle is incredulous most of the time that she has been dethroned as the sole princess at the Horton farm.
I spend much of my day sitting on the couch reading books to the girls. It is the only way that I have enough lap to go around.
Aside from the turf wars, I received GREAT news this month!! After 7 months of tweaking my seizure meds and not driving, I got the nod from my neurologist that I can drive again. My driving privileges were granted just in time as adding a 6th child with medical needs has certainly increased the Dr.'s appointments.
Lily is adjusting to farm life including becoming acclimated to all the farm animals....
Lily Rose was a little puzzled as to why this hen wandered onto our deck. But for that matter, so was I???
In addition to accepting the chickens, Lily Rose decided she liked our horses as well. Last week she even mustered up the courage to ride Popcorn...solo. Of course she had to hold the reins all by herself.
and Sarah Mei took her job as assistant very seriously.
Other big news on the farm...
AnnaGrace had a birthday on August 18th. It's hard to believe she's 11. I don't understand why every one of my girls' birthdays catches me by surprise. I just stand in awe of watching them grow into the godly young women God designed them to be. Each with their own personality. Their own strengths. Their own giftings. What a blessing!
We continued our tradition of taking the birthday girl out to lunch with just Phil and I. AnnaGrace picked lunch at Mazatlan...a local Mexican restaurant. The waiters all love it when we bring the girls in because they like to practice their Spanish. AnnaGrace is learning Spanish with Rosetta Stone. Nothing like an Asian child trying to speak Spanish??
In the evening we ate AnnaGrace's favorite meal...grandma's tacos, opened presents and dined on a Baskin Robins ice cream cake.
Can you tell life is a little chaotic around here by the candle on AnnaGrace's cake?? Yes that is a taper candle...not a cute number candle, not a trick candle that won't blow out, not a sparkly candle...but a taper candle. Well at least I made a memory that our family won't soon forget:)
Aside from Annie's birthday, probably the highlight of my month was a "Welcome Home" shower that some of the ladies' at our church organized for Lily Rose and 2 other girls just home from Ethiopia. Not only was it so thoughtful that they wanted to celebrate the homecoming of these three girls, but one of the girls was part of the Summer of Hope program that we helped with two years ago.
To see Helina home with her family fills me with so much joy! Words can't express my thanksgiving to the Lord for bringing her home to her forever family. The great part of the story is after she went back to Ethiopia, her adoptive family found out she had a little sister, and they ended up adopting both of them. So now Helina and her sister (pictured in the photo below) are home together. We truly do serve an awesome God!
Many things went wrong with the Summer of Hope program which I'm not privy to share here. And my heart is broken in SOOO many ways. But I rest in the Lord that even this was part of His plan and I praise Him that six of the children are now adopted and back here in Charlotte including the little girl we hosted!
Below is a photo of Helina, Lidiya and Emma (Meskerem when we hosted her) reunited in the States this summer....what BEAUTIFUL smiles!!!
I am thankful, too, to be part of a church body that embraces adoption as His story! Thanks ladies for the wonderful shower.
August was a full month and September and October will be busy in a different way. Lily is slated to have her open-heart surgery on September 20th. We are praying that Dr. Scott Bradley, the cardio-thoracic surgeon, will be able to perform a bi-ventricle repair on Lily's heart. After looking at the cath results that is his intent. Please pray with us that all will go as planned. Dr. Bradley told us to plan for a 5-7 day hospital stay with Lily's surgery.
After her surgery we'll have a few weeks home in Charlotte before we return to MUSC in Charleston, SC for Isabelle's Fontan open-heart surgery scheduled for October 17th. Dr. Bradley told me to plan on a month long stay for that surgery. Isabelle had some draining issues with her Glenn which predisposes her to drain longer with the Fontan. My prayer is that our stay will not be a full month.
Life is full and busy and the turf wars are intense and hilarious and tiring, and I am loving life and falling into bed exhausted at night! Thank you Lord!!
We have lots of moments like this....
followed by moments like this...
I think Isabelle is incredulous most of the time that she has been dethroned as the sole princess at the Horton farm.
I spend much of my day sitting on the couch reading books to the girls. It is the only way that I have enough lap to go around.
Aside from the turf wars, I received GREAT news this month!! After 7 months of tweaking my seizure meds and not driving, I got the nod from my neurologist that I can drive again. My driving privileges were granted just in time as adding a 6th child with medical needs has certainly increased the Dr.'s appointments.
Lily is adjusting to farm life including becoming acclimated to all the farm animals....
Lily Rose was a little puzzled as to why this hen wandered onto our deck. But for that matter, so was I???
In addition to accepting the chickens, Lily Rose decided she liked our horses as well. Last week she even mustered up the courage to ride Popcorn...solo. Of course she had to hold the reins all by herself.
and Sarah Mei took her job as assistant very seriously.
Other big news on the farm...
AnnaGrace had a birthday on August 18th. It's hard to believe she's 11. I don't understand why every one of my girls' birthdays catches me by surprise. I just stand in awe of watching them grow into the godly young women God designed them to be. Each with their own personality. Their own strengths. Their own giftings. What a blessing!
We continued our tradition of taking the birthday girl out to lunch with just Phil and I. AnnaGrace picked lunch at Mazatlan...a local Mexican restaurant. The waiters all love it when we bring the girls in because they like to practice their Spanish. AnnaGrace is learning Spanish with Rosetta Stone. Nothing like an Asian child trying to speak Spanish??
In the evening we ate AnnaGrace's favorite meal...grandma's tacos, opened presents and dined on a Baskin Robins ice cream cake.
Can you tell life is a little chaotic around here by the candle on AnnaGrace's cake?? Yes that is a taper candle...not a cute number candle, not a trick candle that won't blow out, not a sparkly candle...but a taper candle. Well at least I made a memory that our family won't soon forget:)
Aside from Annie's birthday, probably the highlight of my month was a "Welcome Home" shower that some of the ladies' at our church organized for Lily Rose and 2 other girls just home from Ethiopia. Not only was it so thoughtful that they wanted to celebrate the homecoming of these three girls, but one of the girls was part of the Summer of Hope program that we helped with two years ago.
To see Helina home with her family fills me with so much joy! Words can't express my thanksgiving to the Lord for bringing her home to her forever family. The great part of the story is after she went back to Ethiopia, her adoptive family found out she had a little sister, and they ended up adopting both of them. So now Helina and her sister (pictured in the photo below) are home together. We truly do serve an awesome God!
Many things went wrong with the Summer of Hope program which I'm not privy to share here. And my heart is broken in SOOO many ways. But I rest in the Lord that even this was part of His plan and I praise Him that six of the children are now adopted and back here in Charlotte including the little girl we hosted!
Below is a photo of Helina, Lidiya and Emma (Meskerem when we hosted her) reunited in the States this summer....what BEAUTIFUL smiles!!!
I am thankful, too, to be part of a church body that embraces adoption as His story! Thanks ladies for the wonderful shower.
August was a full month and September and October will be busy in a different way. Lily is slated to have her open-heart surgery on September 20th. We are praying that Dr. Scott Bradley, the cardio-thoracic surgeon, will be able to perform a bi-ventricle repair on Lily's heart. After looking at the cath results that is his intent. Please pray with us that all will go as planned. Dr. Bradley told us to plan for a 5-7 day hospital stay with Lily's surgery.
After her surgery we'll have a few weeks home in Charlotte before we return to MUSC in Charleston, SC for Isabelle's Fontan open-heart surgery scheduled for October 17th. Dr. Bradley told me to plan on a month long stay for that surgery. Isabelle had some draining issues with her Glenn which predisposes her to drain longer with the Fontan. My prayer is that our stay will not be a full month.
Life is full and busy and the turf wars are intense and hilarious and tiring, and I am loving life and falling into bed exhausted at night! Thank you Lord!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Isabelle's Upcoming Heart Cath
Isabelle visited her pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Hammill, last week. Her heart looks strong and the function looks good. That is always good news!
Despite the fact that she hasn't reached the perfect 15kg (about 33 lbs.), Dr. Hammill wanted to go ahead and send her records to Dr. Bradley, the cardiothoracic surgeon, to come up with a game plan for her next open-heart surgery.
After the specialists conferred, the decision has been made to have Isabelle's heart cath in June. She has to have a heart cath to measure her pulmonary pressures, to check the diameter of her inferior vena cava (and one other thing, which escapes me). If all 3 of these look good, they will schedule her next open-heart surgery, the Fontan for some time this summer or fall.
I can't wrap my mind around the timing of our summer and fall. How do you schedule an adoption trip to China, a heart cath, an open-heart surgery for Isabelle with an estimated 4-6 week hospital stay and then an open-heart surgery for Lily. It could be interesting!
Isabelle is blissfully unaware of any of the upcoming events. Last week she was outside on our porch playing in her sandbox when unbeknownst to me she figured out how to turn on the water.
She was so proud of herself! I found her sandbox full of water, and she was happily "watering" our deck and steps. Then she spent literally hours playing in the sand/water conglomeration. Entertainment is so cheap!
Despite the fact that she hasn't reached the perfect 15kg (about 33 lbs.), Dr. Hammill wanted to go ahead and send her records to Dr. Bradley, the cardiothoracic surgeon, to come up with a game plan for her next open-heart surgery.
After the specialists conferred, the decision has been made to have Isabelle's heart cath in June. She has to have a heart cath to measure her pulmonary pressures, to check the diameter of her inferior vena cava (and one other thing, which escapes me). If all 3 of these look good, they will schedule her next open-heart surgery, the Fontan for some time this summer or fall.
I can't wrap my mind around the timing of our summer and fall. How do you schedule an adoption trip to China, a heart cath, an open-heart surgery for Isabelle with an estimated 4-6 week hospital stay and then an open-heart surgery for Lily. It could be interesting!
Isabelle is blissfully unaware of any of the upcoming events. Last week she was outside on our porch playing in her sandbox when unbeknownst to me she figured out how to turn on the water.
She was so proud of herself! I found her sandbox full of water, and she was happily "watering" our deck and steps. Then she spent literally hours playing in the sand/water conglomeration. Entertainment is so cheap!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
We're Home!!
After almost a month in the hospital, we're home!! We returned home Sunday afternoon after Isabelle's last morning IV antibiotics. I felt like kissing the ground when we drove in our driveway.
Following are a few of the friends we met while at MUSC:
Rachel and Miss Mary got Isabelle ready to go home! 
Conrad Williams, a pediatric resident, made sure all my questions were answered and advocated for Isabelle. He won a place in our hearts!
Adriene and Jenny, two of the nurses on the floor, came into our room for playtime with Isabelle. Izzy loved them both!
Jenny taught Isabelle "Up" and "Down" and showered lots of love on our girl.
Sadly we didn't get a photo with Jen, one of Dr. Bradley's PA's, and another amazing advocate for us. We'll have to get one next time Jen!
I'm grateful for the staff at MUSC and look forward to catching up with them, in a year, when we return for Isabelle's next open-heart surgery.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Although our stay has obviously been much longer than we anticipated, I have to give testimony to the little ways the Lord has used others to minister to us while in the hospital.
Before leaving for Charleston, Phil's school - SouthLake Christian Academy - took up a love offering and gave us a pre-paid Visa for the trip. We've been able to pay for our meals, our lodging at the Ronald McDonald house and our parking with these funds. We didn't know we would need the added funds, for the added days, but the Lord knew and provided before we even asked.
Kifton, RN (one month away from her NP) - found a laptop computer that no one was using and brought it to my room to use. She also just made a recent medical missions trip to Haiti. She shared her photos and contacts with me. Phil and Michaela hope to travel to Haiti this summer for Michaela's first missions trip.
Michael, Phlebotomy - He has drawn blood on Isabelle at least 3 times. He's very well-read and loves China and it's history. After exchanging names of books that we have enjoyed reading, he dropped off a book Mao and Nixon for me to read while in the hospital. What a blessing! I was finished with the one book that I brought (only expecting to be here for a week) and was in desperate need of some diversion.
Adrienne, RN and Jenny, RN - They are wonderful nurses who have fallen in love with Isabelle. They make sure we are well cared for and teach Isabelle new "tricks" like saying up/down when she has to put her arm up for her temperature. They also have "play time" with Isabelle each day. And the best part...they share their chocolate with me!!
Jen, Dr. Bradley's PA - While Torie was in town last week, Jen arranged for her to shadow Jen's husband who is a PA in the ER. Torie is a biology/Spanish double-major and is trying to determine which area of medicine she wants to pursue. The day spent in the ER was a great help.
Jen also helped get a file, of a little girl with a heart defect, reviewed last week. We're praying the information will help the adoption agency place this little girl in her forever home.
Jen is the one I know I can always page if I need help or an answer to a question!!
Dr. Rani Bandisode - She's the physician who performed Isabelle's pre-op cath. She's an expert in the field and is the one who reviewed the file of the heart baby from China. What a blessing she gives of her time so freely to help a child 1/2 way around the world.
Dr. Bill Hammill - Our pediatric cardiologist has been available by phone for all my questions while in the hospital. Thanks Bill!!
The Dr.'s say that if Isabelle is "boring" (medically speaking, of course) for the next 4 days, they will discharge her after the 2:00 p.m. dose of antibiotics on Sunday. Sunday will mark the 45th day I've been out of town or in the hospital since mid-January. Pray for God's continued strength as I count down!
Before leaving for Charleston, Phil's school - SouthLake Christian Academy - took up a love offering and gave us a pre-paid Visa for the trip. We've been able to pay for our meals, our lodging at the Ronald McDonald house and our parking with these funds. We didn't know we would need the added funds, for the added days, but the Lord knew and provided before we even asked.
Kifton, RN (one month away from her NP) - found a laptop computer that no one was using and brought it to my room to use. She also just made a recent medical missions trip to Haiti. She shared her photos and contacts with me. Phil and Michaela hope to travel to Haiti this summer for Michaela's first missions trip.
Michael, Phlebotomy - He has drawn blood on Isabelle at least 3 times. He's very well-read and loves China and it's history. After exchanging names of books that we have enjoyed reading, he dropped off a book Mao and Nixon for me to read while in the hospital. What a blessing! I was finished with the one book that I brought (only expecting to be here for a week) and was in desperate need of some diversion.
Adrienne, RN and Jenny, RN - They are wonderful nurses who have fallen in love with Isabelle. They make sure we are well cared for and teach Isabelle new "tricks" like saying up/down when she has to put her arm up for her temperature. They also have "play time" with Isabelle each day. And the best part...they share their chocolate with me!!
Jen, Dr. Bradley's PA - While Torie was in town last week, Jen arranged for her to shadow Jen's husband who is a PA in the ER. Torie is a biology/Spanish double-major and is trying to determine which area of medicine she wants to pursue. The day spent in the ER was a great help.
Jen also helped get a file, of a little girl with a heart defect, reviewed last week. We're praying the information will help the adoption agency place this little girl in her forever home.
Jen is the one I know I can always page if I need help or an answer to a question!!
Dr. Rani Bandisode - She's the physician who performed Isabelle's pre-op cath. She's an expert in the field and is the one who reviewed the file of the heart baby from China. What a blessing she gives of her time so freely to help a child 1/2 way around the world.
Dr. Bill Hammill - Our pediatric cardiologist has been available by phone for all my questions while in the hospital. Thanks Bill!!
The Dr.'s say that if Isabelle is "boring" (medically speaking, of course) for the next 4 days, they will discharge her after the 2:00 p.m. dose of antibiotics on Sunday. Sunday will mark the 45th day I've been out of town or in the hospital since mid-January. Pray for God's continued strength as I count down!
Isabelle - 7 Days of IV Antibiotics
It's Wednesday a.m. and we just received news that the last blood culture is still negative. Praise God!! This means the clock begins ticking from Monday (the day the blood was drawn) for the 7 day IV Antibiotic course. If all goes well, we can go home on Sunday or Monday. Please pray with us that the next 4 days will be "boring" (medically speaking), and that our family will be reunited this weekend.
While Isabelle and I are in the hospital, life continues at home - Full Quiver Farm. Our 47 hens are now in full laying production, and we're servicing 15+ weekly egg customers. We look forward to adding another 50 hens this spring to expand our egg business.
Phil's newest endeavor was planting 120 asparagus plants last week. Lord-willing they'll be in full production next spring. We bought 2 year old plants which means they will begin producing in one year.
Below is a photo of the girls and Phil's LONG row of asparagus!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support for our family. It means SO much to us!
While Isabelle and I are in the hospital, life continues at home - Full Quiver Farm. Our 47 hens are now in full laying production, and we're servicing 15+ weekly egg customers. We look forward to adding another 50 hens this spring to expand our egg business.
Phil's newest endeavor was planting 120 asparagus plants last week. Lord-willing they'll be in full production next spring. We bought 2 year old plants which means they will begin producing in one year.
Below is a photo of the girls and Phil's LONG row of asparagus!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support for our family. It means SO much to us!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday...Day 20 in the Hospital
We continue our stay in the hospital. Isabelle started antibiotics last Thursday for a suspected blood infection. The blood infection was confirmed on Friday and adjustments were made to the antibiotics. Unfortunately she had 3 positive blood cultures. The good news is at 24 hours the 4th culture is still negative. We have to wait for 48 hours to confirm a negative result, but we're hopeful that the antibiotics are beginning to do their job.
After meeting with the Attending today, the tentative plan is to continue her IV antibiotics for 7 days, post a negative blood culture. Beyond that, she may go home with a PIC line for additional weeks of antibiotics.
The last 48 hours were VERY hard for me. We're on Day 20 in the hospital and time is slowing to a crawl. I've never been particularly good at waiting or sitting. I usually have multiple "To Do" lists in place for homeschool, work, home projects, etc. Just sitting in a hospital is making me a bit stir crazy.
That being said, I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of strength. And Phil also surprised me and is traveling to Charleston, today, with AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei for a 2 day visit.
I know in a month or two this will all be a distant memory, but I pray that I'll be conformed more to the image of Christ through this experience. I see His hand in our lives on a daily basis.
After meeting with the Attending today, the tentative plan is to continue her IV antibiotics for 7 days, post a negative blood culture. Beyond that, she may go home with a PIC line for additional weeks of antibiotics.
The last 48 hours were VERY hard for me. We're on Day 20 in the hospital and time is slowing to a crawl. I've never been particularly good at waiting or sitting. I usually have multiple "To Do" lists in place for homeschool, work, home projects, etc. Just sitting in a hospital is making me a bit stir crazy.
That being said, I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of strength. And Phil also surprised me and is traveling to Charleston, today, with AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei for a 2 day visit.
I know in a month or two this will all be a distant memory, but I pray that I'll be conformed more to the image of Christ through this experience. I see His hand in our lives on a daily basis.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Short Update
Today we found out that Isabelle has an infection that was detected through the blood cultures. By tomorrow, they will be able to determine exactly what antibiotic is needed. We are thankful that the problem has been pinpointed! However, Elaine was told by the Doctors that Isabelle would need to be on IV antibiotics for six or seven days starting today or tomorrow, based on the final findings.
Another week in the hospital:(
While Elaine and I desperately want the family together, under one roof, we thanked the Lord that one more week in the hospital is merely an inconvenience in the big picture. Isabelle is healing and growing stronger by the day. We have much to be thankful for and to praise God for! Thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging comments and notes!
We are taking one day at a time and are continually blessed by God's provision in all things!
Another week in the hospital:(
While Elaine and I desperately want the family together, under one roof, we thanked the Lord that one more week in the hospital is merely an inconvenience in the big picture. Isabelle is healing and growing stronger by the day. We have much to be thankful for and to praise God for! Thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging comments and notes!
We are taking one day at a time and are continually blessed by God's provision in all things!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Good News/Bad News
We want to thank all of you for following our blog and praying continually for Isabelle and our entire family.
The good news is that Dr. Bradley did take the chest tube out today! Please continue to pray that her body can adjust to the internal fluids and that they are absorbed and do not settle around the heart or lungs.
The bad news is that last night at 3:00am, Isabelle woke up crying and she had a fever of 103. They are running every test possible to determine the cause of the fever with some results taking 24 hours to complete. Right now they are just giving her meds to keep the fever down.
Elaine will try to access a computer tomorrow to give you a more detailed update. She tries to do that when Isabelle is sleeping. Right now, Isabelle wants her by her side 24/7, which is a wonderful blessing. Our loving Father has used this time in the hospital to truly enhance the bonding process, so soon after coming home.
Again, thank you for your faithful prayers to our loving and gracious Heavenly Father.
The picture below was taken last Saturday. Dr. Bradley did both of SarahMei's heart surgeries and Isabelle's.
The good news is that Dr. Bradley did take the chest tube out today! Please continue to pray that her body can adjust to the internal fluids and that they are absorbed and do not settle around the heart or lungs.
The bad news is that last night at 3:00am, Isabelle woke up crying and she had a fever of 103. They are running every test possible to determine the cause of the fever with some results taking 24 hours to complete. Right now they are just giving her meds to keep the fever down.
Elaine will try to access a computer tomorrow to give you a more detailed update. She tries to do that when Isabelle is sleeping. Right now, Isabelle wants her by her side 24/7, which is a wonderful blessing. Our loving Father has used this time in the hospital to truly enhance the bonding process, so soon after coming home.
Again, thank you for your faithful prayers to our loving and gracious Heavenly Father.
The picture below was taken last Saturday. Dr. Bradley did both of SarahMei's heart surgeries and Isabelle's.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Isabelle Update
Dr. Bradley, Isabelle's surgeon, just made rounds. Isabelle's drainage is staying static in the 40's...the goal was 15-20 mL in 24 hours. However, Thursday will be two weeks since her surgery. Dr. Bradley has decided, if her drainage remains the same or decreases (which so far today it's down a little in volume), he will remove her chest tube on Thursday. I think we'll stay in the hospital for another day after the drain is removed for monitoring.
The risk of removing the tube is that her body will not be able to process all the extra fluids. Please pray that her body compensates for the increased fluid. It's possible that the drainage may be higher due to the irritation of the actual chest tube, in which case, the fluids may decrease with just the removal. Please pray to that end!!
If her body does not handle the extra fluids, it will accumulate either around her lungs or her heart. Her condition will be monitored through echos and chest x-rays. If an increase in fluid is detected, her diuretics will be increased (she's on 3 diuretics right now). Worst case scenario...Isabelle will be readmitted to the hospital and a chest tube will be reinserted. We're praying this won't be a necessity.
Although 13 days is a LONG time in the hospital...we're thankful the Lord is using the stay:
To allow us to advocate for adoption, especially of medical special needs children. Many people have asked me about the process of adoption and seem very interested.
To allow for great bonding/attaching time for Isabelle and I since she has my undivided attention.
To remind us that we must lean on Him for ALL things. Isabelle's health is ultimately in His hands, and we're thankful for the success so far!
The risk of removing the tube is that her body will not be able to process all the extra fluids. Please pray that her body compensates for the increased fluid. It's possible that the drainage may be higher due to the irritation of the actual chest tube, in which case, the fluids may decrease with just the removal. Please pray to that end!!
If her body does not handle the extra fluids, it will accumulate either around her lungs or her heart. Her condition will be monitored through echos and chest x-rays. If an increase in fluid is detected, her diuretics will be increased (she's on 3 diuretics right now). Worst case scenario...Isabelle will be readmitted to the hospital and a chest tube will be reinserted. We're praying this won't be a necessity.
Although 13 days is a LONG time in the hospital...we're thankful the Lord is using the stay:
To allow us to advocate for adoption, especially of medical special needs children. Many people have asked me about the process of adoption and seem very interested.
To allow for great bonding/attaching time for Isabelle and I since she has my undivided attention.
To remind us that we must lean on Him for ALL things. Isabelle's health is ultimately in His hands, and we're thankful for the success so far!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
11 Days in the Hospital....and Counting
Phil and the girls came to Charleston this weekend. It's wonderful to see Phil, Michaela, AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei. Torie got the weekend "off" from hospital duty and is in Boone, NC attending a RUF retreat. She'll be returning to the hospital this afternoon.
Isabelle is doing GREAT except for her chest drainage. I anticipated being in the hospital for 5-6 days. Surprise, surprise, Isabelle is still draining more than double the volume that is needed to pull her chest tube and today is Day 11 in the hospital.
However, the drainage isn't slowing Isabelle down a bit. She enjoys spending every minute possible in the Children's Atrium. MUSC has a wonderful children's play area that we visit once or twice a day. It's a nice break from the 4 walls of the hospital room.
The staff on 7C (the step-down cardiac floor) are wonderful and are beginning to feel like family; however, I'm still ready to be home with ALL my children under one roof.
Keep praying that the drainage will dry up!
Here is Isabelle in the child's atrium practicing the skills that are "practiced" on her, every day, by the nurses and Dr.'s.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quick Update
Elaine and I would like to thank all of you for your continued prayers for Isabelle and our family. Elaine has not been able to get to a computer so this is my attempt to convey our phone conversation this evening! (All of the husbands understand the danger in conveying messages from their wives!)
Isabelle is doing very well. Her color is so much better now that her oxygen levels are in the low 80's...up from 60-62. She is also much more animated and interactive with Elaine, Torie and the nurses. The one negative at this point is that her chest tube has not slowed down...draining...since the surgery. In fact, the drainage increased some today. So, our prayer request is that God would begin to heal her internally so that the chest tube can be removed. Once the tube is out, they can come home! We are all praying to that end.
Again, thank you for all of your prayers and the love expressed through all of the notes and comments on the blog.
Elaine and I have been reminded daily that God is sovereign in ALL things. It is simply our responsibility to be obedient to His call on our lives. Thank you for walking with us!
Phillip, Elaine, Torie, Michaela, AnnaGrace, SarahMei, & Isabelle
Isabelle is doing very well. Her color is so much better now that her oxygen levels are in the low 80's...up from 60-62. She is also much more animated and interactive with Elaine, Torie and the nurses. The one negative at this point is that her chest tube has not slowed down...draining...since the surgery. In fact, the drainage increased some today. So, our prayer request is that God would begin to heal her internally so that the chest tube can be removed. Once the tube is out, they can come home! We are all praying to that end.
Again, thank you for all of your prayers and the love expressed through all of the notes and comments on the blog.
Elaine and I have been reminded daily that God is sovereign in ALL things. It is simply our responsibility to be obedient to His call on our lives. Thank you for walking with us!
Phillip, Elaine, Torie, Michaela, AnnaGrace, SarahMei, & Isabelle
Friday, March 5, 2010
Prayers Please
Isabelle is doing well. She had one blood pressure spike last night, which made me nervous, but with pain medicines it came back down. They plan on extubating her this morning which is great news.
The bad news...I had another seizure last night, while sitting next to Isabelle's bed in PCICU. Thankfully Phil was with me; it was short and all is well this morning. After having a seizure I feel pretty sick and weak for 24-36 hours. Please pray for strength for me today.
After returning to the Ronald McDonald House last night, and having a good cry about the events of the day, I had to smile. Why am I surprised when the trials come? This is our opportunity to bring glory to the Lord. He is NOT wringing His hands in heaven. His plans are NOT thwarted. He is sovereign and in control of even these details of our lives!! Pray that we will bring glory to Him and that those around us will see Christ reflected in our lives.
We woke up this morning to the news that AnnaGrace (9) now has the stomach virus that Sarah Mei had last week. Hers is upper (not lower like Sarah Mei's)...ugh!! So sorry Torie & Michaela!! Phil will be leaving the hospital in a few minutes to head back home while Torie hops in the car, in Charlotte, to head down here to Charleston. By this afternoon they will have switched posts. Pray for safety as they both travel today.
And of course...pray for our sweet Isabelle that she'll continue to progress, that her oxygen saturation levels will stay in the 80's and that her chest drainage will continue to slow.
Thanks prayer team!! What an encouragement it is to us to know that we have all of you joining us in prayer!
The bad news...I had another seizure last night, while sitting next to Isabelle's bed in PCICU. Thankfully Phil was with me; it was short and all is well this morning. After having a seizure I feel pretty sick and weak for 24-36 hours. Please pray for strength for me today.
After returning to the Ronald McDonald House last night, and having a good cry about the events of the day, I had to smile. Why am I surprised when the trials come? This is our opportunity to bring glory to the Lord. He is NOT wringing His hands in heaven. His plans are NOT thwarted. He is sovereign and in control of even these details of our lives!! Pray that we will bring glory to Him and that those around us will see Christ reflected in our lives.
We woke up this morning to the news that AnnaGrace (9) now has the stomach virus that Sarah Mei had last week. Hers is upper (not lower like Sarah Mei's)...ugh!! So sorry Torie & Michaela!! Phil will be leaving the hospital in a few minutes to head back home while Torie hops in the car, in Charlotte, to head down here to Charleston. By this afternoon they will have switched posts. Pray for safety as they both travel today.
And of course...pray for our sweet Isabelle that she'll continue to progress, that her oxygen saturation levels will stay in the 80's and that her chest drainage will continue to slow.
Thanks prayer team!! What an encouragement it is to us to know that we have all of you joining us in prayer!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
She's Done!!
Dr. Bradley just met with us and said the surgery went great. There were no surprises and the anatomy of her heart looks good for her next open-heart surgery, the Fontan.
We're praising God for carrying us through this so far. Continue to pray for Isabelle as she wakes up from anesthesia.
In China Isabelle was deemed "inoperable", but praise God, He had other plans for her! We're blessed to be chosen, by Him before the foundation of the earth, to be her parents.
We're praising God for carrying us through this so far. Continue to pray for Isabelle as she wakes up from anesthesia.
In China Isabelle was deemed "inoperable", but praise God, He had other plans for her! We're blessed to be chosen, by Him before the foundation of the earth, to be her parents.
1:25 p.m. Update
We just received an update and Isabelle is off the heart/lung bypass machine. They are hoping to wrap up her surgery within the next hour. Continue to pray that she will remain stable through the balance of the surgery.
Also please pray that they will be able to take out the breathing tube late tonight or in the a.m. She will do better, with her Glenn, once she is extubated. Last week she had a hard time breathing on her own which led to a delay in taking out her breathing tube.
I wanted to post pictures of Torie (19) and Michaela (14) but unfortunately the hospital computer won't let me download photos. The girls are our unsung hero's right now. Due to the flu season and H1N1, MUSC won't allow children under 18 to go into the PCICU. Because of this, Phil and I traveled to Charleston and left Torie and Michaela to hold down the fort at home with AnnaGrace (9) and Sarah Mei (4).
Torie works full-time at Tractor Supply. She took this semester off of college. It wasn't by choice. Our China trip took her out of the 1st 3 weeks of classes this semester. She petitioned her professors to make up the work, but the majority of them said they'd fail her for missing so many classes (despite the fact that she was in China picking up her new little sister!). As disappointing as it was to miss those hours of classes, the Lord had a better plan. In April she will be traveling to Austria to attend a Torchbearers Bible School session. She'll return to the states at the end of June and resume her classes at UNCC. We're so thankful that she'll have this opportunity for intense Bible study and international travel! In the meantime she arranged her work schedule, while we're in Charleston, to work in the late afternoons/evenings and take care of the girls during the day.
Michaela is continuing her on-line homeschool classes while we are away. I'm amazed at her ability to juggle her school work, take care of the horses and 47 chickens, and still find energy to do crafts, baking and reading with the little girls in the evenings.
I know I'm bragging, but Phil and I are SO proud of how Torie and Michaela have stepped up to the plate in this time of "crisis." They are going to be amazing Keepers at Home one day! Please pray for their continued strength until Phil returns home tomorrow.
Also pray for AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei. They are used to being with me 24/7. First I was in China for 2 full weeks, then out of town last week and now again this week. It's beginning to take a toll on them both to be seperated from me and out of our daily routine.
Hopefully the next time I update, it will be to say Isabelle is in the PCICU.
(We just got word that one of my favorite nurses, Heather, is going to be Isabelle's nurse again today in PCICU!! Whoohoo!! God takes care of even the little details.)
Also please pray that they will be able to take out the breathing tube late tonight or in the a.m. She will do better, with her Glenn, once she is extubated. Last week she had a hard time breathing on her own which led to a delay in taking out her breathing tube.
I wanted to post pictures of Torie (19) and Michaela (14) but unfortunately the hospital computer won't let me download photos. The girls are our unsung hero's right now. Due to the flu season and H1N1, MUSC won't allow children under 18 to go into the PCICU. Because of this, Phil and I traveled to Charleston and left Torie and Michaela to hold down the fort at home with AnnaGrace (9) and Sarah Mei (4).
Torie works full-time at Tractor Supply. She took this semester off of college. It wasn't by choice. Our China trip took her out of the 1st 3 weeks of classes this semester. She petitioned her professors to make up the work, but the majority of them said they'd fail her for missing so many classes (despite the fact that she was in China picking up her new little sister!). As disappointing as it was to miss those hours of classes, the Lord had a better plan. In April she will be traveling to Austria to attend a Torchbearers Bible School session. She'll return to the states at the end of June and resume her classes at UNCC. We're so thankful that she'll have this opportunity for intense Bible study and international travel! In the meantime she arranged her work schedule, while we're in Charleston, to work in the late afternoons/evenings and take care of the girls during the day.
Michaela is continuing her on-line homeschool classes while we are away. I'm amazed at her ability to juggle her school work, take care of the horses and 47 chickens, and still find energy to do crafts, baking and reading with the little girls in the evenings.
I know I'm bragging, but Phil and I are SO proud of how Torie and Michaela have stepped up to the plate in this time of "crisis." They are going to be amazing Keepers at Home one day! Please pray for their continued strength until Phil returns home tomorrow.
Also pray for AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei. They are used to being with me 24/7. First I was in China for 2 full weeks, then out of town last week and now again this week. It's beginning to take a toll on them both to be seperated from me and out of our daily routine.
Hopefully the next time I update, it will be to say Isabelle is in the PCICU.
(We just got word that one of my favorite nurses, Heather, is going to be Isabelle's nurse again today in PCICU!! Whoohoo!! God takes care of even the little details.)
10:55 a.m. Update
Isabelle is now on the heart/lung bypass machine and remains stable. I'm amazed at medical technology and what is possible!!
During surgery, in addition to doing the bi-directional Glenn, Dr. Bradley will also be patching one of Isabelle's pulmonary arteries which is too small to allow enough blood flow to her right lung. He will use cadaver pericardium to make the patch. It won't grow with Isabelle but her own artery will continue to grow and the patch will have enough "play" (I have no idea what the correct medical term for that is???) to accommodate her growth.
In the bi-directional Glenn they will connect her Superior Vena Cava to her pulmonary arteries. Blood which is pumped into her head and shoulders will go, by gravity, into the SVC and into her lungs. The rest of her blood will be pumped through the lower chamber of her heart. There will be less red/blue blood mixing than there is currently. This will improve her oxygen saturation levels to the
80's and will allow time for her body to grow and develop to prepare for the final operation - the Fontan.
We'll keep updating throughout the day.
"My soul finds rest in You alone, Oh Lord."
During surgery, in addition to doing the bi-directional Glenn, Dr. Bradley will also be patching one of Isabelle's pulmonary arteries which is too small to allow enough blood flow to her right lung. He will use cadaver pericardium to make the patch. It won't grow with Isabelle but her own artery will continue to grow and the patch will have enough "play" (I have no idea what the correct medical term for that is???) to accommodate her growth.
In the bi-directional Glenn they will connect her Superior Vena Cava to her pulmonary arteries. Blood which is pumped into her head and shoulders will go, by gravity, into the SVC and into her lungs. The rest of her blood will be pumped through the lower chamber of her heart. There will be less red/blue blood mixing than there is currently. This will improve her oxygen saturation levels to the
80's and will allow time for her body to grow and develop to prepare for the final operation - the Fontan.
We'll keep updating throughout the day.
"My soul finds rest in You alone, Oh Lord."
1st Update
At MUSC they give the parents a pager and the PA texts updates during surgery. We just received an update from Jennifer, one of Dr. Bradley's PA's, and she said "Surgery is underway. They are just getting into the chest. Sweet little Isabelle is doing very well and remains stable."
We love Jennifer and are thrilled she's in with Isabelle during surgery. That's one of the many things I love about MUSC; you feel like family by the time you leave. Everyone is so attentive to the children here and truly take a personal interest in their care.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We are resting in His arms.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace." Romans 15:13...we can truly say, He has!!
We love Jennifer and are thrilled she's in with Isabelle during surgery. That's one of the many things I love about MUSC; you feel like family by the time you leave. Everyone is so attentive to the children here and truly take a personal interest in their care.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We are resting in His arms.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace." Romans 15:13...we can truly say, He has!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)