4/27 Update

Carissa Faith Shuffler...I kinda like the sound of that. Today was one of those moments when you know you are just smitten. I got to the hospital a little earlier to try to catch the doctors before they left. Pamela was not with Carissa because she actually had taken a nap since she was not allowed to be in the area for a while because the other baby by Carissa was getting a procedure done. When I got there I was standing over Carissa's bed and talking with one of the doctors and I looked down and Carissa was staring intently at me. I probably offended the doctor at that point because I quickly lost interest in what they were saying and proceeded to have an incredible conversation with my 10 day old doctor. I talked, she cooed and hiccuped and grabbed tightly to my finger and moved her mouth in response to me moving mine...and I will never be the same. I wish I could have videoed this time and I am counting on many more in the future.

Luckily the doctors were still "rounding" on the baby next door and I still got to visit with them. God still continues to work in amazing ways for our little daughter that really wasn't supposed to make it this far, especially this fast. Carissa is up to 17 cc's of milk per feeding and they turned the cpap to the minimum pressure and would like to remove it pretty soon if she still keeps doing well. I asked some more direct questions today and found out that her liver is closer to normal now and her spleen is back up under the rib cage and undetectable (or maybe it was not easily detectable, whichever it is supposed to be) by touch like it should be. The main doctor, Dr. Adams, reiterated that a baby that was this sick in the womb really was not supposed to progress this well after birth while still having a big mystery going with the platelets. Pamela learned from the attending doctor earlier in the day that they think the only reason Carissa needed a transfusion yesterday was because they have taken so much blood from her for tests during the last week. That was very good news.

We thank the Almighty God every day for the amazing steps He has already guided Carissa to take. His strength and grace have been made known so clear to us for these last 20 days, 10 before Carissa's birth and 10 after if you are scoring at home. I started reading through Genesis again today and how amazing is it the the Almighty Creator who spoke the universe into being with all its details in six days, still has the desire to be there for each one of us. loved us enough to give His only son to pay the price for our sins, and still meets our needs each day, giving us mercy and grace instead of the nothing or judgment that we have earned on our own.
Please thank God for all He has done in Carissa's life and the countless prayers He has answered on her behalf.
Please pray that Carissa continues to breathe better on her own and that the cpap can be removed soon
Please pray that the platelets will start to normalize and if needed the doctors will find a method to treat this challenge
Please pray that Carissa's story will cause people to pause and realize the source of her progress and God is glorified
Please pray for the baby in her area, Dante, who turned one month old today and seems to have some real challenges ahead of him.
Please know that there is nothing automated about us thanking you for your prayers or asking for you to continue them...know that we are sincerely thankful and that we really need your continued prayers for Carissa.

Yours and His
Terry