Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Day 3: Edmonton

Sunday February 17, 2013

After a super short sleep we made our way back to the PICU to check on our baby girl.  Thankfully she remained stable since we left her at 4am.  We arrived as the cardiac, infectious disease and intensivist doctors were doing their rounds. This was good timing for we were able to answer a couple of background questions that they had.  At this point every nugget of information felt like it held the missing key to Ellie's health.


Her attending (the doctor in charge and responsible for Ellie) came by a little later and shared the plan of the day.  The goal for the day was to ween her off epinephrine and possibly take her off of the ventilator.

We spent a large portion of the day sitting and staring at her... Trying not to fixate on her vital sign monitors.

We were able to get away for lunch with our awesome cousins Jon and Sara McKay.  It allowed us to  escape our reality and enjoy some fellowship with family for a few minutes.  It also gave us the opportunity to hand off our dirty laundry!  I had to pack a lot of dirty clothes (I hadn't done laundry in a while) and Dan's stuff from Jamaica was pretty ripe!  Lucky for us Sara has a servant heart and didn't even think twice about it!


While we were away our day nurse Melissa started Ellie on the "Treasure Life" program.  It's a bead program for cardiac kids that keeps track of a child's procedures while they are in the hospital.  We've decided that we are going to participate in the program.  We are not going to include every single test, IV line or blood work... If we did that her journey cord would be a few feet long.  Instead we've stuck to the major procedures.  It at least gives us something to do.  Seeing the collections of our neighbours, it's the first time that my competitive nature is working in reverse.  I'd like her to have the shortest cord!

The afternoon was roughly the same as the morning... Waiting, looking at her stats and tearing up.

We moved into our new accommodations conveniently located across the street.  This forces us to get out of the building and take a break from the intensity of the situation.  Our suite consists of a full kitchen, eating area, living room and separate bedroom and bath.  It's like our own one bedroom condo.  This wouldn't have been possible without the amazing cardiac program in Winnipeg.   Children's Variety has been amazing by dealing with the logistics of everything.  (If some of you out there don't donate your money to charity, you should consider this wonderful program.)

After getting settled and consuming some dinner, we headed back to her unit.  Awaiting us were results from her earlier ultrasounds of her head and other major organs.  The doctors were looking for swelling in the organs and any possible brain bleeds.  Apparently brain bleeds are common after CPR so they performed one as a precaution.  Fortunately for us the results were good.  There was no swelling or bleeding found.  Also, the epinephrine weening process was going well, by morning she should be completely off of it.  They were also going to lower her rates on the respirator and possibly remove it tomorrow.  Could it be possible that we would be able to hear her cry, laugh and babble at us?

After a long day we headed back to the hotel and passed out.  I guess our sleep deficit was still incredibly large!

19 comments:

  1. Sarah said it best on FB...she's a Bailey so she's tough as nails! What a little trooper Ellie is. We continue to hold you all up in prayer, trusting our great God for a good outcome. Glad you're able to get some sleep, that's an answer to prayer! Love you. JO XOXO

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  2. What shocking news...I'm praying for the strength of God to be poured upon you and to bubble up from within all 3 of you! Love and prayers xoxo Ella

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  3. Just always remember all of FA is praying for you guys!!!! miss you M.O.

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  4. remember all your family and friends are praying for you all FA is praying for you and i hope God will show the doctors and guide them to helping your daughter dont forget God is with you and we are with you.

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  5. We're all praying for you. Stay strong, God is by Eliana's side.

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  6. Love and Prayers out to you in Edmonton, you've got all your fmaily, and friends behind you back here in winnipeg, in prayer. love you guys! God will provide and give strength.

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  7. So sorry to hear about all of this :'( God's with all of you guys. You will hear her cry, laugh and babble at you guys, because God gave her that ability. Stay strong and just trust in the Lord, because he has great things in store for Eliana. Love and miss you mrs.Bailey! i cant wait till we hear the great news that Eliana is healthy and smiling again. From Raj!

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  8. Mel - I saw the link via Mrs.Andrus's FB page and came to say that you all are in my prayers. I am in tears now thinking of how you must be feeling. I'm so glad Dan was able to make it back to be with you - having your partner in life always gives strength.
    Tamika

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  9. Dan and Mel,
    I don't know if you remember me from many years ago. But I'm friends with Pauline and came to visit you guys with her when we were in high school. I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you both and your little girl. When my little boy, Ender, was 3 weeks old, I had to take him to the ER for a fever and we were there for a total of 5 days. It was the longest 5 days of my life. I was an absolute basketcase over every procedure and test that was done (catheters, IVs, spinal taps, chest x-rays,etc.). They never found out what the infection was, but he ended up beating the fever and our story ended the way I desperately wanted it to. I want to encourage you that God is bigger than this monstrous thing that feels so much bigger than you. In your helplessness and weakness, He is strong. Continue to take time for yourself away from the hospital - an extra long shower, a midday nap, watch a movie. Don't worry about friends/family feeling uncomfortable, if you need to cry, do it. If you need to get angry, do it. Your descriptions of these last few days have brought me back to those 5 days of mine, and really put into perspective the worries in my life right now. Thank you for sharing your struggle in an honest and vulnerable way. I trust that this blog will bless many people and that it will soothe your souls. May God fully restore little Ellie's health and bring you peace.
    With Love,
    Sheleena (nee Kent)

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  10. this sounds incredibly similar to what happened to my cousin rikki. you were there through that very difficult time and i will be here in this difficult time as well. praying that the outcomes are different and that your beautiful miracle makes a full recovery!

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  11. "by his stripes we are healed"
    -The Fortalezas

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  12. Dan & Mel

    You and Ellie have been in our prayers since we heard. We are praying for her healing, and strength and peace for you both. Every night Maya & McKenna also pray that she gets better (in McKenna's words: "God, let her little heart beat good and strong!") McKenna has also named one of her dolls Ellie in her honor.

    Tracey (Kirk's home wife)

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  13. Dan & Mel

    I had a cry for you both as soon as I heard. My heart hurts for you both and I am praying for her health and strength for all 3 of you.

    Karen F.

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  14. Melanie and Dan, we were praying for you in our small group this evening, asking God to continue to reveal Himself to you in all that is happening. Our study of Esther reminded us that God is at work in our stories, often in ways we do not see -- God is at work in your story and in Eliana's story...be encouraged!

    Your Friends at Valley

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  15. Philippians 4:13
    "I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength!"

    Just remember that you guys are stronger than what you think of yourselves. God is with you no matter what happens. And especially for Eliana she is a child of God, she will be just fine. God's divine protection is upon her and your family Mrs. Bailey and Dan Bailey. Ill keep you and your beautiful daughter in my prayers. Im claiming that she will get out of that hospital and live a normal life. I know she will have one of the greatest testimonies. And i still have yet to see your beautiful daughter. I will be waiting for that day to come. :)
    -Jayar Ballesteros

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  16. My heart is aching for you all. My prayers are with you through this time, healing prayers for Eliana and prayers for strength and peace for you all.
    Kelly L.

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  17. Mel, Dan and baby Eliana

    My son and I have been praying for strength and healing to Eliana. We have prayed for the courage, strength, patience and an abundance of love to wash over you and to bring you all home fully recovered.
    ~An abundance of Blessings~
    Love and well wishes,
    Candace & Easton

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  18. I hope that you can find strength in my prayers for your daughters recovery, and loads of patience and courage to you both

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  19. Dan & Mel,

    My heart goes out to you both. My families thoughts and prayers go out to you and your baby girl Eliana.

    If she is anything like Dan... she has the strength to overcome anything.

    Love always... Kris Stevenson & Family

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