4/25 Update

Well, Carissa didn't get chosen in either of the first 2 rounds of the NFL draft today, but other than that she had a pretty good day. I wouldn't want her playing for most of those teams anyway.

She did get a platelet transfusion today but her count had barely dipped below the threshold they have set for her. She is still eating well and is taking 4 times as much milk as just a couple of days ago when she first started. Now that is still only 6 ml's but we are so thankful that she is able to take the nourishment. At times today she was on straight air on the cpap (the snuffaluffagus contraction). We are hoping they will turn the pressure down on that tomorrow and then maybe move on to just the oxygen buds early in the week if she does well on the lower pressure.

We found out today that Carissa's weight was 4 pounds 13 ounces. Being down 15 ounces for most babies would be a concern but when you are born with way too much fluid being down 15 ounces in a week is a good thing. Carissa did not look as puffy as many hydrops babies do at birth and we do not see that big of a change because we see her every day. Some who do not see her every day, including her first day nurse that had not seen her between Monday and Friday, remarked that she looks very different and a little better now.

Carissa really likes to be held which works out really well since we really like holding her. Colt was pretty anxious to see little sis again today and Luke paid way more attention to her today. Luke enjoyed gently touching Carissa's head with Dad making sure that he didn't get too rough. He was mesmerized when the nurse worked on getting Carissa situated and all her wires and tubes aligned for Pamela to hold her. He was a little miffed that Carissa was the only one that could sit in Mom's lap at that time so we will be working through that adjustment. Just in case I have not put it in these updates, Colton turned 13 in December and Luke turned 18 months the day before Carissa was born. They have been troopers all through Mom's hospital stay and with all the changes and hospital visits that have gone on. We are very thankful for them as well as for your prayers for siblings that do not need to be forgotten in all of this.

I was reading an email devotion today that referred to Noah and the ark and how it was God that saved Noah; He just used the ark. I am sure Noah was very thankful for the ark. Similarly we are very thankful for the doctors, nurses, specialists, technicians, and everyone else that works with Carissa and are very pleased that The Great Physician is using them in her healing.

I know I am in trouble with many of y'all for not including a picture in this update. Sometimes you have to eat your veggies before you get dessert. I don't really know how that applies but I thought it might distract some from being upset with me.

Thanks again for your prayers and please keep praying. They are working.

Yours and His,
Terry