Abby Day 17

Today is Abby's 17th day in the NICU.  She is still dependent on a ventilator to breathe but improving a little day by day.  She is tolerating breast milk with no GI issues.  Abby grabbed my finger today when i went to touch her.  I know that her vision isn't focused yet, but i think she knows im there with her.  Her brother Ethan, came to the hospital with us today but is not allowed in to see abby because of his age.  He spent his time entertaining the families in the waiting area.  I can't wait for them to meet each other.  They will make a fine pair.  Chad and I may be crazy by then though.  

Abby Day 13

Abby is doing so good. She is responding well to the surgery on Sunday. Now we have to just work on getting her off mechanical ventilation and keep her free from infections. She is eating a little more also through her feeding tube. Thanks everyone for the prayers and concern. Special thanks to the NICU staff, everyone there has been amazing!!!

New Pics! Abby Day 13

"I got my eyes on you"

Please someone get this crazy hat off me!



I love being on my tummy



ABBY DAY 11

Today is Abby's 11th day in the NICU.  Yesterday Abby had surgery on her heart to close the PDA.  The surgeon said the procedure went well.  Abby is now adjusting to her blood flowing in the right direction.  She is requiring more ventilator support, but the dr's say that is to be expected for the next few days.  Abby was stuck six times yesterday in attempts to place an arterial line, which were unsuccessful.  She is on dopamine to help bring up her blood pressure.  The nurse had to place an IV in her head because her other veins were too small.  I can't wait for the day when I can look back at all of this as just an unpleasant memory.  Trying real hard to stay strong for her and the rest of my family.  Keep Praying for her please.

Abby Day 9

Today is Abby's 9th day in the NICU.  Abby will have surgery on her heart tomorrow to close the PDA.  She started developing pulmonary edema so the Dr's decided to go ahead and do the PDA ligation.  The next few days are going to be tough for all of us.  The surgeon is excellent and has a lot of experience, which is comforting.  Today abby has to get a blood transfusion and the nurses are having to try and start another IV.  Her kidney function is doing a little better they say.  This whole experience is very difficult for me to understand.  I am so thankful to have such a strong supportive husband to lean on.  Thanks to family and friends for prayers and support.  My grandmother is bringing us her famous fried chicken today.  Chad has not experienced that yet, he is in for a treat. 

ABBY DAY 8

Abby has made it through 8 days in the NICU.  Her heart sonogram yesterday showed that the PDA (hole in the heart) is still there and the indocin did not close it.  The dr's want to hold off on surgery for now but say she might need it in the near future.  She is getting blood and platelet transfusions.  She is still on the ventilator but doing well so might be able to come off in a few days.  Chad got to change her diaper yesterday.  I told the nurse to get him well trained at that to maybe one day he can overcome his fear of poop.  We are still waiting for Abby to open her eyes.  I can't wait for her to see that her mom and dad are at her side, waiting eagerly for her to get better and come home with us.  We are so greatful for all the support family and friends are giving us.  Keep praying.

More Pics from the past week...



Under the Lights



Dream Land

Thinking

Abby Day 6

Today is Abby's 6th day in the NICU.   Today was a good day.  Her central line was placed successfully and her brain scan came back looking good.  Tomorrow they might let me hold her .  The Dr. who told me when i was in labor that this would never work , seemed a little positive today.  Another, more positive Dr. came by and told me Abby was doing Amazing for her age.  I have to hang on to the more positive comments at this point.   Tomorrow Abby has a heart sonogram to check and see if the endocin has helped close the PDA in her heart.  If not, she will have a surgical ligation to close the hole.  Thanks for all the continued prayers amd encouragement.

Boy its been a long 8 days!

Getting off work this morning I stopped by to see Abby. Today was a big day for her,  she had a head ultrasound to check for brain bleeds, a common complication in premies. The scan showed a tiny bleed , but the Dr. says that it is not something to be too concerned about at this time.  She also had surgery to put in "Broviac line" (central line) in her Jugular vein....scary sounding i know. All in all she is a champ and doing super good. We love her so much.   Tomorrow Abby will have an ultrasound of her heart to see if the endocin has made the PDA ( hole in the heart) any smaller.  Keep praying and hoping for the best.  She is fighting hard and the many prayer lists that she is on seem to be working.

Can Abby have some chicken mom?

Abbys big brother Ethan wants to know if she can have some chicken to go with her milk!

ABBY ESSARY Born Jan 13th 1 pound 5 ozs

The story of the journey of Abby, as told by her mom and dad...

     Just getting setteled into another long night shift at the hospital i was oblivious to the events that would unfold over the next several days. My name is Chad, and my wife Kelly and I were expecting a beautiful healthy girl to be born in May 2011. Although,  since early on in her pregnancy Kelly had been on bedrest and it had been a stressfull time for both of us to say the least.  

     Monday January 10, 2011 came like any other day untill I get a text message from my wife at 10 pm. Kelly says she is having pains, contractions she thought, every 2-3 minutes and they had been consistant fo a while.  Concerned that theese pains were not subsiding she called her OB. Kelly was told to go to the hospital to be more closely monitored. Sure enough she was dialated to 3 cm, and in active labor. What was concerning was that she was only 23 weeks a 4 days preganat which is a bit early to say the least. The full court press was on to try and slow down if not stop the contractions. A myriad of drugs were used to help curb the contractions, and they worked...at least for a while.

     As we were settling in to our new digs at the hospital ,and not having slept for 2 days  we were both spent. Unfourtunately, Wednesday night the contractions returned with a vengence. Another round of meds were attempted with no real effect. Early Thusrday monrning we found ourselves back in Labor and Delivery. As Kelly begins to dilate even more we prepare ourselves for what seems inevitable.

     At 7:10 am Thursday January 13, 2011 we gave birth to a 1 pound 5 oz beautiful baby girl. Her journey and our journey as a family now begins...