Wednesday, July 1, 2009

UVA


I love you! I love you for reading this blog, for caring about my family, for leaving a comment, for sending us emails, for trying to strengthen us, for praying for Mitchell, for praying for a miracle, for hoping for a miracle for someone besides yourself, for making us feel so lucky that we know you! Our days have been so strengthened by the comments and emails we've gotten. The words you leave us make me feel so empowered to go on, to stay positive, and to rely on the Lord. I cannot tell you how nice it has been to have you support us. It's amazing to me how much we have NEEDED it. Thank you, I love you. We love you.

So Mitchell was transferred to University of Virginia (UVA) Monday. We are so thankful to be here. Jake and I came up here and have been staying at the Ronald McDonald house... for only $15 a night. The doctors and nurses are SO NICE here. I've fallen in love already. They totally let me feel like a parent and a care provider. The visiting hours here are very liberal, and they let us hold him as much as we want. THE BEST PART about all of it... they have a preschool from 9-11:30 and 2-3:30 M-F, followed by free daycare until as late as 8 p.m. for siblings of babies in the NICU. Can you believe that good news? I can have my kids close by and still see Mitchell daily. Jake will stay in Richmond on days he works, and come here the rest of the time. This is probably the biggest blessing I could have hoped for. I no longer have to farm my kids from house to house, and feel like I am imposing on anyone. I am so happy!

It has been a whirlwind of news since we got here. Mitchell had an echo early Tuesday morning, and then maybe 30 different doctors looked at him and consulted with us. He's been examined by neuorology, urology, cardiology, pulmonology, radiology, otolaryngology, and everything short of gynecology!!! The ENT came to examine him to make sure there was not an upper airway problem. (He doesn't cry loud, originally they thought from the ventiltor damage, but the cord was tightly wrapped around his neck during birth and he always arches his back to breathe.) Everything has checked out fine, AND his hypertension, although still there, has improved quite a bit! What this means??? They were able to take him off Nitric and Sildenafil (the drugs that have been keeping him alive for the past month!) He is still requiring high pressure with continuous oxygen through the CPAP and he's exchanging gases perfectly! They don't feel they can improve him anymore until they address the PDA.

The cardiologist agrees that his condition has improved and thinks that this surgery is no longer life-threatening!!!!!! She would like to give him another day to make sure he remains stable. Tomorrow morning they will do another ECHO, and if everything is the same he will have the surgery as early as tomorrow. She thinks this surgery may be the last thing that he needs to transition into this life. His lungs still need to grow and the recovery may be scary, so he'll still be here for another month or so. The fact that he has improved at all is a true MIRACLE!!! He is now a good candidate for the surgery and we are very hopeful this will take care of his problems.

We are going to be fasting for Mitchell and would love for you to join us tomorrow for his surgery or Sunday for his recovery.

Thank you so much for your concern. You have been an integral part in Mitchell's improvement.

Jansen has fallen in love with grandma Sue and insisted on holding her hand the ENTIRE car ride.

Reesa finally got to meet Mitchell before we left the NICU in Richmond. She told us to not cry because Mitchell was going to get better.


Cute baby boy with his new CPAP mask at UVA.

24 comments:

  1. What wonderful news... I hope that little Mitchell keeps improving. We are praying for him, and for YOU!! What a trying time. How long is your mom going to stay? I cry every time I read your post. I really love you and your kids! We will be fasting with you guys. Love ya.

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  2. That is such good news. The Ronald Mcdonald house, preschool, daycare, his health. I'm so glad that the Lord is taking care of you all. Love Kami

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  3. Kelie, that is such great news! I am so happy for you guys! I will keep praying for you guys!! Thanks for the updates!

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  4. Go Mitchell! I'm so glad that you get to be together as a family keeping an eye on Mitchell. We love you!

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  5. I was so relieved to hear some better news! It sounds like life at the new hospital will be so much better for your whole family. Good luck over the next few days. I can't fast at the moment, but I can sure pray!!!

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  6. this is the post i've been waiting for!!! we'll be fasting tomorrow. we love you guys!

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  7. Jake and Kellie,
    This makes me cry. I am so happy that our little boy is doing well. We love him so much. Don't nice nurses make things a lot better? It makes you feel so much better when it seems like they are fighting for you, not against you. Mitchell- you are such a strong boy and are so tough! We know you'll do great in your surgery tomorrow.We'll be praying for you! We are SO RELIEVED to hear that there is positive news and that you are all taken care of at the Ronald McDonald house. Thanks for the post. We'll keep the prayers comin'. Love you all so much!
    Spencer, Hannah, and cousin Emma

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  8. That is great! I am glad that things are looking up. We will keep praying for you and Mitchell and your family! Love ya!

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  9. I can't imagine how relieved you must feel to be able to have your kids taken care of and still be able to be close to your baby. It sounds like this move has been and will continue to be such a positive transition. I think about you guys all of the time. You are an amazing family and I wish that we lived a little closer so that we could help out in some way!

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  10. I am so happy little Mitchell is improving. We know it's very hard to have such a young fellow in the hospital with so many tubes and cords all around. It brakes my heart. I'm glad Reesa and Jansen will be close to you now. It's a big relief. We have been prying for Mitchell and you all. We'll fast tomorrow and pray that everything goes well in the surgery. We love you and have you in our daily thoughts.

    Claudia

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  11. What a wonderful blessing to have all of your children close by! I know how scary surgery's and the recovery process can be. Just keep taking it day by day-sometimes I would take it hour by hour. Your family is in our hearts and prayers. I'm grateful for you that the new hospital is a good experiance so far. It makes such a difference just feeling confident in the staff. I'm happy they are treating you with great respect. If it hasn't already been done, I'm submitting Mitchell and your family names to the temple today.
    With Elliott, I used to pray that the Spirit would always be felt in his little "room". I know how it helped and anyone that was by him could feel it, members or not. I know he had angels with him all the time, even when we couldn't be with him, he was always watched over. I'm confident that this is true for Mitchell and your family. Through all the trial and hard times, the Lord and all His strength was felt. Those feelings are the ones that have outlasted the hurt.
    Love you. Love your family. Michele

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  12. P.S. My mom thought to bring in paper and an ink pad to do hand and foot prints. If you have a good nurse and when he's feeling better after surgery, I'd recommend doing it. Elliott was 1 month old and it still amazes me to see his tiny prints. I was happy my mom thought of it.

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  13. What awesome news to hear that you can have Jansen and Reesa with you! Seeing him up close, he's looks a lot like Jansen. We're praying for you, missing you, loving you, and wishing we were there to help.

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  14. YAY! Finally some good news! I loved your comment on everything short of gynecology. LOL! How great about the Ronald McDonald House and the pre-school and Day Care! That is great for you and the kids. I imagine it's nice to feel like you have more control of the situation. We're praying for you all and thanks for letting us know about Sunday. We're happy to do so.

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  15. I was so happy to talk to Jake yesterday and find out all of the good news. True miracles! and many tender mercies. We have fasted and prayed and will continue to do so. Your strength continues to be such an inspiration. I am so happy to hear, not only of the medical breakthroughs, but about your emotional worries being alleviated by wonderful programs and caring people.
    As impersonal as things may seem, there is a world of people who care for one another and we must never forget how much it is appreciated and what an impact we can each have on one another, just by caring. We love you all so much. We will be praying for a successful recovery. Love, Mom

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  16. Surgery today at 2pm. Praying for Mitchell.

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  17. Kellie, I'm so, so, so happy that you're all doing so well! I keep wondering if there's something I can do, living so close and all, but I know you're so very busy that it must seem eons away before you can think of people visiting.

    However, with that said, Charlottesville isn't a bad day trip for us (and The Bean is a terrific road warrior--we go to Woodbridge Ikea with no problem!), so please do let me know if you'd like a little company to break up your time there, especially while Jake is still in Midlothian during the week. I could take the kiddos to a playground if you're busy at the hospital, or bring a sprinkler and find a patch of grass to splash around in, or maybe we could all just fingerpaint and get totally gross and messy. It's up to you.

    We're fasting for Mitchell today, as I know everyone here is, too. Sending our love and prayers and thoughts your way.

    ~~~Emily Suggs~~~

    (my blogspot acct isn't working at the moment...wonder if it's because I haven't posted since I was pregnant???)

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  18. I want you to know that we pray for little Mitchy each night. The girls love him already as there own, and Simone and I do too.

    Love, Benson

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  19. We would love to fast for Mitchell with you. He has been in our prayers. We love you and your cute family and appreciate your keeping us updated on the blog. Remember you are never alone! :) Love Aunt Connie & Uncle Newell

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  20. Kellie,
    I am on it like blue-bonnet for tomorrow. I know I am a day late, but will fast for recovery. Thank you for the opportunity. The good news is so good to hear, we are so happy for you. Loved your post, love Reesa's comment about not crying what a sweet girl to her Mommy. (Besides the whole trying to torch the house thing :) Hope all has gone well today!

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  21. Oh, Kellie and Jake! Thank you for sending me an email a few days ago. I have been trying to update myself on your blog with all that has happened. I am so glad that he is a good canidate for surgery. We will include you in our fast on Sunday. That is wonderful that they have a preschool and daycare. Good Luck with everything it sounds like you are in good hands.

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  22. I'm so glad to hear the good news. I am so glad that reesa & jansen get to go to preschool and you get to hold mitchell more! i hope the surgery will be the last thing, what a stroing little guy to be going through so much in such a short amount of time that he has been here. kellie you are too sweet. i am glad you asked friends to fast too.

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  23. Love you Kellie. I was so happy to read this blog post. Count us in.

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