Well, we were up at the hospital late again last night. We did not get up to the hospital until about 3 in the afternoon. When we do that we normally like to stay a little later than usual. Matt and I decided around 7 that we would go out to eat, "spoil" (as someone told us to do:) ) Ellie with some new sleepers, and then come back to see her. We were able to get Ellie some really cute new sleepers. We then decided to grab some supper. Matt ordered some fish with tartar sauce. For those of you who don't know, Matt has an allergy to onion, turkey, celery, and cantaloupe, When he gets ahold of any of this his throat can close shut. This is what happened last night. The tartar sauce had small diced onions and capers in it. I had never seen him have a reaction and it scared me A LOT!!! We ended up driving all the way home and he took his inhaler. It opened his throat again. He didn't feel that great the rest of the night but we did go back up to see Ellie. She took all of the pain and uncomfortableness away. Its amazing what a 6lb 10 oz bundle of joy can do for you. She makes it all better!!
Ellie is doing great (those were the exact words we heard from the doctor yesterday when they were making rounds). It's always so good to hear that. Calms mommy and daddy in a way you could never imagine. They have increased her feeds again. She is seeming to tolerate it very well. The important thing is she digests it and she is at this point. We were told yesterday that they were going to start weaning her nitric oxide today. We are so happy to hear that. They have started her on a oral medication to help continue to treat the pulmonary hypertension since the nitric oxide is going to be weaned down. They are also going to do a bronchial scope this week. If you all could please pray specifically for good results of that and that she does ok with it. Matt and I always get excited when they change or take her off of something, but it brings a sense of nervousness too. We want her to do well with any change they make, so she doesn't have to back track. God has blessed us in the fact He has gotten her so much stronger that they have been able to make a lot of positive changes. We know He is not done with her yet! We are so thankful for that. God is just taking care of us every day in ways we could never have imagined. I will never be able to praise Him enough.
Ellie had a couple of new nurses yesterday and they were so sweet. We love love love all of Ellie's nurses. We feel like they have become family to us. They take such good care of Ellie. They know her so well. It's so sweet to see them all care for her. These nurses do a tremendous job. Unless you are up here and see what they do first hand you can't really grasp it. The care and love they give is truly a gift that has been given to them. It takes a special person to be able to do what these nurses do. We are so grateful for the nurses God has put in Ellie and our lives. They are helping to make her better every day and giving her lots of love and attention!
Sometimes I feel God puts things in our paths at just the right time to help us. Matt and I were driving home last night and it was going on 1 in the morning. We were both exhausted. Leaving the hospital is the hardest thing. I hate to do it but I know I have to. We were almost home and I turned the christian radio on. Mandisa's song "Stronger" was on. Oh how it spoke to me. I know it was God at that moment. He put that song and had me turn to that station at just the right time. I encourage you all if you get a change to listen to it. It's so powerful and encouraging all at the same time. It helped me to remember that just when I feel like I could go under, this is all going to make us stronger. How marvelous wonderful and awesome is that!
Love to you all and hope you have a good "cool" day!
Ellie's Mommy
