Amazing Recovery

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4

Today, our hearts are encouraged and filled with joy! We have so much to be thankful for. The doctors and nurses keep telling us that Ella has gone through major, complex surgery. They expected problems in her recovery. They expected complications and a long stay in the Pediatric Cardiac-Thoracic Unit (PCTU). God is showing his healing power in Ella's life and surprising everyone. Her heart is beating strong and her body is healing quickly. Friday morning, her breathing tube was removed! Overnight, her art line that was hooked to her umbillical cord was removed. Then, her chest tubes that were draining excess blood from her chest cavity were removed. The nurse, Jim, also started feeding her. He started with Pedialite. Then he gave her my milk mixed with water. By the time we got to the hospital this morning, she was in the process of being moved from the PCTU to the floor. We didn't expect this at all and thought maybe she would go to moderate care or the floor on Monday.

The floor is the final step in Ella's recovery. It is here that I will learn how to feed her and take care of her. There is even a place for me to sleep in the room with her. I have no idea how long our stay will be now, but guessing about a week more. It really depends on how well she learns to eat. So keep praying! God is hearing you loud and strong! Pray that Ella would learn to eat and eat enough each feed from a bottle. The nurse will set a goal for each feed. Whatever Ella is not able to eat on her own in the allotted time, then we have to feed her through a nose tube. I think that is really gross. The nurse is going to teach me how to insert the feeding tube and how to use it... but I sure hope she won't need it for too much longer.

Some of you have asked how you can reach us here at the hospital. Address is below.

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
5 East Box 0236
200 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0236
Unit Telephone Number (734) 763-4387