Clara had another good day today! Her oxygen level given through her nasal cannulas is still set at 100%* and we would like to wean that down over the next week or so (room air is 21%), but we’re grateful that she was having a good day with slightly less labored breathing and that she was able to maintain high oxygen saturations throughout the day. It will be okay if we have to take this wean slowly. We were both able to hold her again today and in a different position she did even better than the last two days. I think I see even more snuggle time in our future. She got her chest tube out today and also the line going into her belly button and with both of these gone we are making great progress on getting tubes out! Not only is that good for potential infections; it also makes it a lot easier to get her in and out of the bed. She was a bit more swollen today so we are still doing the fluid dance. We increased her Lasix again and are hoping that will help, although we are looking forward to the day when we can be done with that drug altogether. She’s been on it a long time and it does have some side effects, so we would love to be able to stop it. However, her chest x-ray was very wet and hazy today and we need to get that fluid off so that she can breathe more easily. We finished off another drug today – hydrocortisone is gone now. It was treating her adrenal insufficiency/low blood pressure and we’ve been slowly weaning it for quite awhile. She is also up to “full feeds” through her feeding tube which for her is 23ml/hr. She’s still getting the enfaport formula, but tomorrow we will start mixing breast milk back in and by Thursday we will be back to 100% breast milk. I am hoping we might begin to start attempting some initial oral feeds this week, too. Feeding is our next big hurdle, so pray that this girl will love to eat as much as her family does (which is a lot!) Clara’s Big Daddy got to hold her today for the first time. He was the first one besides me and Robert to get some snuggle time and it sounds like he really soaked it up. I can’t blame him; it’s pretty awesome. Here are just a couple of photos and some precious video, taken by her daddy.
Big Daddy holds Clara (sorry for the cell phone picture; I'd left already and taken my camera with me) |
Stars and stripes |
Enjoying her tummy time. Clara is a superSTAR! |
Baby Clara gets hiccups:
More hiccups...
Daddy asks, "Is that a smile?"
Prayers for Clara’s next steps:
Tomorrow we will likely transfer her morphine and versed (pain/sedative) into the oral form. Pray that transition will go okay and we can begin weaning those soon too (we’ve got a morphine addict baby now and that will take some time to deal with). Pray that Clara’s irregular breathing pattern will improve and that she will get stronger and stronger so that her breathing can be less labored. We will have another echocardiogram tomorrow for the first time in quite awhile (and first time since she’s been off of Nitric Oxide and Milrinone.) Pray that it will show no worsened pulmonary hypertension! Pray for the fluid to leave her body, especially her lungs. Pray for success with feeding in the days ahead. Pray that we are able to wean her oxygen levels down to 21% so we don’t have to go home with oxygen! Pray for this other family who is spending their first night on ECMO and that their new daughter will have the same fighting spirit that Clara has. Give praise and thanksgiving to our amazing Creator and Sustainer who shows us day after day how great He is.
* Just talked to Clara’s nurse and they’ve got it down to 90% now. More good progress! Let’s hope it continues overnight.
I am impressed with Miss Clara's progress! Full feeds is awesome while breathing on her own at the same time. (full tummy takes up breathing room sometimes) So glad Big Daddy was able to hold his granddaughter,I bet he is on cloud 9!
ReplyDeleteIt is very humbling when you see other parents with a critically ill child and you know what lies ahead for them and their child. I know the two of you would offer your care and support to her parents should the opportunity arise, and it may.
Blessings to all of you,
Joanne
Oh yes, that is definitely a smile! Clara is ready to smile and talk and play and eat! Blessings abound, prayers continue.
ReplyDeleteI have been keeping track of Little Clara! I have a son that is a survivor of CDH! She is an amazing little girl and you both have to be so proud of her. She is a fighter! She will always be a fighter! she is beautiful! She is amazing! Keep your head up and keep the faith!!!
ReplyDeletePraise God! Clara you just keep amazing all of us with your fighting spirit! She is so beautiful and I know it feels wonderful to feel that soft baby skin right up next to you! Praying that all her tests show improvement and all her meds keep getting smaller! You guys are terrific parents and it is great to see smiles on your faces!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited with Clara's progress over the last few days and that you were finally able to hold her in your arms. You are right, there is nothing that compares to the love you have for your child. I am sure Clara is so happy right now and your love is what keeps her going. I pray for continued progress and many miracles and joy in the coming days. Blessings~
ReplyDeleteWith the two of you for her parents, Miss Clara will have a lifetime of sweet smiles. How blessed to be in the Hardy/Davis family. I know you will be of great help to the family of the new little girl. She is on my prayer list, too. Please give a first name if you learn it. GOD's love is limitless so Miss Clara's prayer warriors can help ANOTHER miracle come true, too. HE really is working through the 3 of you!
ReplyDeleteChrissy, did you see what you wrote? You wrote "so we don't have to go home with oxygen". What a beautiful word...home. Isn't it wonderful to be able to say the word and believe it is coming soon? What a glorious day it will be when you do get to take Clara home! I'm praying it is soon. Big Daddy looks so excited. I know this has been hard on all the grandparnts, too. God love them, too.
ReplyDeleteJust spent the weekend with Brooke, Derek and Riley and we were all rejoicing together at Clara's progress and the way God is strengthening her and you two as well. It's just such a miracle! Thank you for all your updates and pictures! They truly make my day! And I will be praying for that other sweet family, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the kind words. I just read your note and I broke down in tears. My name is D.J. Spencer, my wife is Samantha and the little girl is Penelope. We are praying for little Clara as well. Penelope is showing small improvements all the time, and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers. These two little girls have families that love them very much, and sometimes thats all you need. Thank you so much from the Spencer family.
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