Two weeks and two days!

Click on photo to enlarge. We ask for prayers for this tiny little girl, for her family and for her medical team.

The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Update from Gramma Penny today:

September 12, 2009

Sorry it is later than usual for the first report.

We were able to see Eliana last night!! Well there are other machines like the dialysis and an incredible number of “lines” but the large tubes with blood are not there from the ECMO are gone (yeah!). The nurse was busy all evening with beeps and bings but everything was fine. It is a miracle they know how much of each medicine to administer!

Eliana is off the epinephrine and with the help a few other medications her heart is working!

Last night we realized she was on insulin but they have taken her off of that today!

She is on dialysis but last night the nurse was so excited to see that she had 4cc of pee (this is not a lot) – it was actually cute to see the nurse – at first we didn’t know what she was so happy about. Eliana has again had a very small amount today. They have just recently decided to space out the dialysis more and try to see if that helps her pee more (like maybe it was working to well and she didn’t have enough fluids).

She is on a ventilator and not sure what else is being done for her lungs but she is only doing a little bit of the work of her lungs. I think Monday is the day when they will decide what is going on and what to do. This is another very critical area. There are still questions regarding a possible blockage in her pulmonary arteries – also I am not positive but it seems that the arteries may not be exactly in the right place. I will try to learn more about this today when we go to the hospital.

This morning Becky texted, “The surgeon came by and said it looked pretty good. He said what we have seen so far is ‘miraculous’. I would agree.”

Prayers are being answered!!! Prayers for Eliana but also the surgeon and the rest of the medical staff! Thank you also for your prayers for Eliana’s family. It is by the grace of God that Chris and Becky are having the strength to see this through. Don and I also appreciate the prayers; I know it is through grace that I am keeping it together.

God is amazing! and so is Eliana! Just have to keep taking the next steps!

“…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”  Isaiah 43:1-3

Your steadfastness in praying and asking others to pray has been incredibly beneficial. We ask that you please continue. We know that God is amazing! We know Eliana is amazing! We want you to know that your faithfulness, prayers and support are also amazing and so appreciated.

Blessing on you and your loved ones,

Penny

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AMEN: Granny Boogies 
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Second Post from Penny:

It is a thin line we walk. We know we are to pray and make our requests known to God. On the other hand, we need to realize that God is in control. And as we have seen throughout Eliana’s healing process, our prayers are being answered in God’s way and in God’s time. He is the creator and ultimate healer.

We are traveling a rough, slippery, rocky path. We treasure the support you are giving us for this journey.

At first we heard the survival rate was 80%

Then up to 90%

Then 60%

The day before the surgery the head of cardiology was called into the NICU to consult on things and with doctors and medical personnel and I watched as many things were being done to keep Eliana alive. The gentleman later stepped over and introduced himself. I said they were told 60% and he just looked at me. I said, “It’s not that good any more is it?” I knew from his look what the answer was. He went on to tell me that in his 30 years of practice he had not seen anything so bad.

By the grace of God Eliana survived that day so she could get the desperately needed surgery.

She survived the surgery.

Her only chance of survival then became the ECMO machine.

We were told that only 40% of those who are put on the ECMO survive. There are numerous complications including bleeding, kidney, liver, brain and other possible organ damage.

By the grace of God Eliana is off the ECMO.

Eliana struggles with her kidneys, other health issues, and her lungs.

Another incline is here.

It is through the grace of God that they will determine, not only what is going on with Eliana’s lungs, heart and kidneys and other physical problems, but how best to proceed.

God is the designer of this passageway. God is in charge. He determines the turns and twists and provides peaks and valleys.

We trust that like the Israelites we will make it through the Red Sea of our corridor of struggles. God has proven to be faithful in the most unlikely of ways.

God is God

God is the great I AM

Blessings,

Penny

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"Into Your Hands, Oh Lord, we place this tiny child of Yours. Your Will Be Done! Glory to God!"

Evan /Granny B