Update No. 4... "GO DAWGS!!!"

First of all, I want to thank each of you who have left us voice and text messages, emails, and facebook comments.  Your thoughtfulness and prayers have meant so much to us.  Already, words of appreciation just do not seem to be enough.  

So today has been off to a pretty good start.  I was able to get about 5.5 straight hours of sleep at the hospital last night.  I went down to NICU around 5:30 am to visit and feed Ely.  When I arrived, Ely was looking at the wall and when I started talking to the nurse, Ely turned her head toward me.  Such a sweet moment to know that my child recognized my voice. We had great snuggle time and she ate really well.  The nurses informed me that she is definitely a night owl; so, I'm counting on them to get the day/night mix-up straightened out for us.  A perk, I suppose, to having your baby in NICU.  

Ely is still having a few "episodes," of her oxygen levels dropping too low, each day.  The good thing is that she is recovering from those episodes without any assistance.  Also, Brad got to go down for a visit with Ely later this morning.  He met with Dr. Kenny Robbins, the neonatologist.  Apparently Ely is the healthiest baby in NICU and really does not have any problems, other than keeping her blood oxygen levels normal.  They are going to continue to run every test in the book in an attempt to get an answer to what's causing this; even though Dr. Robbins has already told us that there's a good chance she'll just grow out of this and we may never know the "cause."  Transitional apnea may be the answer and the treatment is actually no treatment at all;  but requires close observation and a readiness to provide oxygen in case she needs help.  

So the most popular question of the day is this:  "When will she get to go home?" 

Well, the best I can say is that Ely has to go for several days being perfectly normal and without any episodes before they will even consider sending her home.  This could be at best a week or at worse, many weeks.  

Matthew is still feeling pretty yuck.  He went back to see Dr. Denney this morning and seems to not only be battling Strep throat, but fighting some "croupiness" as well.  His spirits are still fairly good and although his coping mechanisms are not great, he is trying so hard to be sweet and asking for lots of snuggle time.   After Brad took Matthew to see Dr. Denney this morning, it was time to pick me up at the hospital.  Matthew and I haven't seen each other since Thursday morning, so it was quite a joyous greeting at the hospital (for both of us).  He helped me pack, while Brad went down to visit Ely, and was trying to not emotionally fall apart because he couldn't go see his little sister.  We told him when he got better he could go for a visit and immediately, in the most angelic voice, he said, "..but I'm not sick anymore.  I'm all better,"  all while trying to suppress a croupy cough.  Poor thing.  It just stinks to be disappointed!  Looking out the tall window, however, made everything better.  

I've been struggling with some asthma/allergy issues for the last 2 days and Brad is fighting off a sinus infection.  So, while we'd love to have Ely home with us, we will take advantage of the time without a newborn and get some rest and try to recover as quickly as we can from all the crud that seems to be going around.  We will also be spending a good bit of time at the hospital with Ely.  It is a very busy and somewhat logistically challenging time for us right now; but with the fabulous support of our family and friends, the wonderful doctors and nurses caring for both Ely and Matthew, and most importantly, knowing that God is in complete control of everything, we are at peace with this entire situation.  

We didn't get to watch much of the, as Matthew said, Mississippi "Steak" game; but we are thrilled that the Dawgs made ALL of us proud!!!  

One last thing..... many of you have left me voice/text messages about bringing us a meal.  YES!!  I will never turn down food; however, I'm really overwhelmed with other responsibilities right now and have turned over the meal scheduling to one of my sweet friends, Kelly Headley.  Please contact her via cell phone texting or email and BE SURE to leave your name with the message (she may not know some of you who have offered to feed us).  

Kelly Headley:

cell phone:  601-720-8343

email:  bheadley@comcast.net

Thanks again for your friendship and support!  We covet all prayers and look forward to each of you meeting Ely as soon as we can get her home.  

Love to all,

Amy