4/18 Update

4/18 update
Well, Carissa has already made it to almost 30 hours as of the start of writing this update. She has had a really busy day with many tests and procedures. They did draw some fluid out of that right lung area this morning to try to help out her breathing. She will likely have the breathing tube in for quite a while although she is breathing some on her own. They have her on varying amounts of oxygen that is constantly monitored and adjusted when needed. She is considered generally in stable condition but that is a relative term concerning her condition.

Carissa had 2 doses of serfactan today to try to help her lungs function better and more like they naturally should. Her blood gas numbers often are not right where they should be, but are not in a terrible range either. If you can see past the tubes and sensors she is a very normal looking baby that doesn't show the battle going on within her.

There seem to be 3 main lines of trying to find out what the root cause of all her challenges are from. The hematologists are looking hard and running many tests trying to find out if something withing the blood or withing the manufacturing of the blood is not functioning correctly. There is still some thought that this could be from an as of yet undetected virus and fluid and blood samples are being sent off all the time and some results will start filtering in on Monday. There is also thought that there may be some sort of circulation misfire that is causing the red blood cells and platelets to be destroyed.

Pamela is working so hard on getting stronger, better, faster to be able to be with and encourage Carissa as much as possible. She got to go see Carissa early Saturday afternoon and we went again to spend time with her tonight. It was so special to be able to stand beside her, cup her little arms or head in your hand, and just talk with her and sing to her. How amazing it was to see the oxygen assistance have to be decreased just from the sound of Mommy's voice talking and singing to Carissa. Just the sound of Pamela's voice literally lifted Carissa's vital numbers. Can you help but wonder how much it helps us when we listen to the voice of our Heavenly Father?

Grandparents got to go in today and Colton got the meet her and find out a lot about the machines and processes for helping infants in NICU from a nice staff member there. Luke even got to go in and see baby sis for a handful of minutes. He is still trying to get his head around everything. As we walked in (scrubbing up to go in was his favorite part. I think he wanted to climb fully into the sink and just splash around) and I started telling him about getting to meet Carissa, his baby sister, we got to where she was and he just immediately locked into a stare and gave a low "Ohhhhhh" filled with wonder, confusion, and amazement...and 45 seconds later he was ready for his next adventure. Colton quickly picked up that her abdomen is noticeably larger due to the enlarged liver and spleen, but that she looks basically like Luke did when he was born. He noted later that it is still hard to realize that he has a sister and he wants her home soon so she will feel more a part of the family.

It was so hard to leave her tonight. I think Pamela would have tried to sleep in the wheelchair just to be by her side if I had not convinced her that Mommy getting better is a very important part of Carissa's healing process as well. She needs her Mommy well to be able to help with all that loving that is needed. As good as the doctors and nurses and others are there is no substitute for a parents love.

We plead for your continued prayers for Carissa. Please pray also we will have great judgement on doing what is best for Mommy and daughter on how often and how long we visit. I better end this because my beautiful bride is going to be waking me in a few hours letting me know it is time to go visit with our daughter. We cherish every minute and it has helped me to consider whether or not I am doing that with Colton and Luke and life in general.

Yours and His,
Terry