Thursday, April 5, 2012

*updated* He Shines On *updated*

Today is day 9 post op for Ivy Joy. She has come so far!!

Nutrition and Rest are very important right now. She is not having trouble sleeping, but it is work trying to get 750 good calories in to her between her naps. A feeding tube goes in if we can't, so by golly we will!

Physical therapy started today. She was able to sit up first try but it took every ounce of her energy and she has been sleeping for the past 2 hours. These were taken towards the end when she was absolutely exhausted!

 Reaching up is supposed to be a hard one but baby girl did it with ease and then added the second arm too. 
Ivy's sedatives have been reduced quite a bit so she is acting more and more like a normal awake baby now. She is so sweet with everyone and so patient. Her nurses are madly in love with her and all comment on how sweet her personality is. She even did the stink eye to Nurse Jaime yesterday! I offered her chocolate today because the ones we have waiting for her are 50 calories per little nugget! And every 50 calories counts! But she refused.... So I know she is not herself just yet :)

It took about 50 minutes to get all her cords situated so that I could hold her!!! She was SO happy to be in my arms! She just kept dozing off and then she would wake up and see she was still in my arms, do a little smile and fall back to sleep. She is seriously the biggest love bug!!! I was blessed with 2 snuggle bugs from China! Her patience and temperament continue to be amazing. I would have just kept her in my arms through the night but we got a surprise order to remove her last chest tube!!! It is out! 


Her temporary pacemaker is still being 100% relied on. Her upper lung is still collapsed. The other lung is still full of junk. She sounds very gurgley today but she has a respiratory therapist working very hard on that. Our nurse today is STELLAR!!! She totally rocks right up there with Nurse Jaime! I just found out she goes to my church too!!! And she lives about 5 minutes from me! We love her!! She LOVES our girl! 
We have lost more accessories as you can see in the pictures. (well I guess we added a few too, but they're cute ones). It is still not possible for me to pick Ivy up and just hold her but I can do so with help in a chair very close to her bed and I can do it in her bed with her. Much of that is due to her temporary pacemaker. There are lots of very short wires on her stomach area and a large control panel attached to the wires. She still has one chest tube and it is still draining a fair amount so there is no talk of taking that out. Once Ivy's lungs are in good working order and she is stable she will likely need to have surgery to place a pacemaker. We are praying that her heart just needs a little more time and we will see improvement by next week. Not because we are sad she has to have a pacemaker but because we are sad she would have to be operated on again and recover all over. None the less, We are ready for whatever the plan is!!! She is recovering and He is Shining!!!! Thanks be to God!!

We ended the night with almost the full amount of calories to keep the feeding tube out. But it was enough to keep it out for now. Tomorrow I will have breakfast to work with as well so we should meet it no problem. She gets very tired from everything including feeding. Today was a perfect day!!! Best nurse in town (so sad it was her last day here :( God is calling her to work outside of her comfort zone and she said Yes! So thrilled to have met and connected with Nurse Lindsay today. She even gave me her number and asked if she could watch the girls some time! Again, only God!!! Our night nurse tonight is with us for the first time. Her name is Olga and she is absolutely lovely. I will sleep well tonight knowing Ivy is in her care. 

Maggie, I love you! Have a wonderful trip to China, can't wait to see Jenny in your arms!!! Jane, praying for you guys!!! Hope it was a perfect day and can't wait to hear all about your precious girl!!! Amy T, I love you my sweet friend. Please know that God's got this and He will get you through even the hardest times!!! 
Cathy Riccio and family, we were thrilled to receive your card today. You are such a special family and Ivy is blessed by your prayers and love!  Moriyah, Thank you for the special surprises that came today! Ivy is smitten with the little panda and everything was just as sweet and thoughtful as can be! What a sweet surprise! You made our day!
Catherine and Hannah, We feel your prayers! 
Julie M, I'm so excited to see God move and I'm so thrilled to have ~met~!
Sis, I miss you!! The kids miss you!!! XXO
Annie, Praying for discharge for Katie Grace!
Jess, you are a gift!!!!
Jennifer G, you bet can do this!! Your going to love being a mama and I have started praying specifically for your precious daughter!
Luciana your prayers, scripture, sweet emails and comments are a blessing! And as for the socks...... I can make you some! Just let me know what size and colors and give me a few weeks (kinda tied up right now lol) But I would be happy to do this for you!
Sharyn and the rest of the teachers, XXOXO
Sharon and Melody, you've prayed for us from the very first day! Thank you!
Jennifer S, thanks for everything! Will never forget the day we found out how sick Ivy was in China and you prayed with me on the phone. We were complete strangers and you stayed up until midnight just to pray with me! Love you friend!!!
Pete, I will pray for your sweet friend at work, that she would feel the love of Jesus so deeply that she just can't deny it! She is so loved!
Laurie, Chrystal, Gina R, Brandy and the whole J family, Diana, Jill, Natalie, Tina B, Bryan M, Chris, Jenna, Claire... We feel your daily prayers and God has answered! We love you all so much!
There are so many of you to thank, most of you I have never met yet you continue to lift us up every single day!!!! This red thread, this family God created for all of us, I could never be worthy of , never! I love you all, So Thank you!!!







33 comments:

  1. That is one beautiful little girl sitting up in bed!!! Prayers are continuing to be sent your way! What an awesome witness Ivy is of our Lords unending love and healing. Shine Jesus shine!

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  2. What a blessing to see Ivy Joy sitting up!!! Praying with you that she continues to grow stronger each day, that her lungs heal, and that she will not need the pacemaker!

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  3. So nice to see her sitting up, just as precious as ever. We are not stopping our prayers!!! So thankful for you all seeing better results!!! Praying for those lungs!!!

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  4. ALRIGHT, SHE'S WEARING THE FLUFFY SOCKS! :) I was wondering when you'd bust those out. So happy she's such a little fighter. xo

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  5. Glory To God In The Highest, Baby Girl Is Sitting Up!!! What a beautiful sight:)
    I looked right past her remaining "accessories" and into her beautiful eyes! She is sooooooooo adorable!
    God Bless Your Little Angel:)
    Diane

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  6. Mary, she looks so good!!! The difference in just the last few days is remarkable!! Praying that those lungs heal quickly.

    Blessings to you and your beautiful family~

    xo,

    Lisa

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  7. Love it! And I love those socks! Those are totally awesome!

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  8. So nice to see Ivy sitting up. She is so precious. She just melts your heart.

    We pray that Ivy continues to heal.

    Blessings from CT.
    Caroline

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  9. So nice to see Ivy sitting up. She is precious. She just melts your heart.

    We pray that Ivy continues to heal.

    Blessings from CT.
    Caroline

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  10. Mary,
    My son had the same surgery two years ago. He also needed to start eating or we were looking at the same thing. It took going to the chinese place and getting egg drop soup and lo mein for my little emperor. Just something about noodles that just makes it alright. The nurses started bringing him food in! Praying for your angel. So awesome to see her sitting up. She is doing awesome!
    Love, Lyn Thomas
    www.treasuresoftheheartthomas.blogspot.com

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  11. Amazing - she doesn't look like the same child we saw on Sunday. We prayed so hard for her - God is good! She is so beautiful - what a precious blessing.
    Love You, Sammons Family!

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  12. These pictures are so sweet. I can imagine everyone at the hospital smitten with her.

    Asking Him, who can do more than we can imagine, that no pacemaker is needed and she continues to gain strength and heal. In His name.

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  13. What a beautiful sight to see her sitting up. I also LOVE the pink furry socks. Praying for continued improvement each day.

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  14. Praise Our Wonderful GOD IVY JOY IS sitting up she looks good--therapy started, too !! Eat, sweet one ,eat! so thankful God LOVES US!! Cathy in Illinois

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  15. What a precious sweetie your Ivy Joy is! Thanking God for the way He is healing her little body.

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  16. Jumped over to y our blog from Katie Grace's. Your ivy is precious and seems to be doing well. I love being able to pray for all these precious heart babies. I will keep Ivy in my prayers also!
    Kathie in NY

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  17. Hi!!! Just catching up on everything tonight now that everyone is down & I am FREE to be ME!! Ha! Seeing Ivy sitting UP- WOW!!! WOW!! What a huge blessing Mary!! I have you all on my heart constantly. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!
    Love you,
    Amy

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  18. Ah! You have me in tears! Finally in your arms. She truly is a lovebug. So attached to her mommy. I love it.
    Mary, I can't believe how lovely and selfless you are at such a trying time. You're such a beautiful person. I had to share the whole story with my husband within 3 whole minutes before I lost his attention span. lol. I showed him some posts and pictures: Lexi/Ivy/blue nails/heart surgery/tubes/lack-there-of/ice chips/prayers/therapy/fluffy socks! lol. He was moved.
    Keep on strong my dear. I am so happy for you family today and it seems everyday I sigh happy and relieved sighs.
    xoxo

    “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.” -
    Isaiah 41:10

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  19. Love seeing her sitting up! Praying all the time.

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  20. I am so thrilled to hear how well Ivy is doing! WHat a precious blessing!! Praying for a quick recovery!

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  21. Still praying for Ivy...

    She looks so awesome sitting there with her beautiful eyes open.

    I will be praying specifically for her one lung to clear up, the other to reinflate, her precious heart to grow stronger and her to be super duper hungry.

    "Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart praise Him." Psalm 64:10

    Praising God for all His done and is doing for sweet baby Ivy Joy...

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  22. Just LOVE seeing these pictures of her sitting up. What a strong little sweetheart! I've told that story of her O2 levels a few times now. I get choked up every time. I love to hear and tell of God's deliverance! God has is being praised!

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  23. To see her sitting up??? So much joy. Such a beautiful child!

    I will be praying that Ivy wakes up from her next nap with tons of energy and a ravenous appetite. To think of what she has been through and to see her sit up - God's work for everyone to see!

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  24. I haven't commented before but now i have to. I am trying to pick my chin up off the floor...your girl is amazing, just incredibly, wonderfully, AMAZING.
    Get well soon little bug.

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  25. So thrilled to see her sitting up! She is just precious! Praying she does not need to have surgery for a pacemaker, and that her lungs start to clear up and heal asap!

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  26. Oh Mary... These photos brought tears to my eyes: hopeful, grateful tears ~ to see Ivy sitting up was priceless. And the one of you holding her, I could just imagine her waking up and seeing your face, and that smile she gave you knowing she was safe and loved in her mama's arms. What a little hunny!!

    We continue to lift your precious baby girl up in prayer, and will specifically be praying that God would cause her heart to kick in and do its job, so that another surgery is not needed. AND that her lungs will clear up and heal up and be strong again. HE is able!!

    And those sweet fluffy socks. Khloe still fits BOTH pairs you sent when we returned home 2 years ago... they are her FAVES and we are wearing them in honor of Ivy Joy!! Sending love and hugs your way!

    Blessings & Hugs,
    ~Tanya

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  27. I've been following your story daily & praying for Ivy, your family, the doctors, therapists, nurses, & all that care for her! I pray God will continue to give you comfort & strength! It was such a blessing to see beautiful Ivy sitting up!! So touched by that precious baby! We will continue to pray for all of you!

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  28. Well will you look at GOD'S LIVING TESTIMONY!!! I've got chill bumps!!

    GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME....ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.

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  29. What a thrill to see precious Ivy in your arms. God is so wonderful.

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  30. I love seeing her eyes open, sitting up and reaching for that toy...brought tears to my eyes!

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  31. Praise God!! How is little Lexie doing thru all of this? So precious these China jewels are.

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  32. So thrilled to see that sweet girl sitting up!! AND able to back in her Mama's arms!! Tears.

    Gin =)

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  33. I love seeing her sit up and you holding her. I just know she will be running down the halls soon. Better yet-at home!!! I can't believe she just had MAJOR SURGERY and now she is playing on the bed. God is good!!!


    Love,

    Sharyn

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