Rollercoaster

I don't think Abbie would mind me posting her email from late last night.  Her words are much better and smarter than mine.  Hopefully more answers and some good news today!  No word from them yet this morning as the echo is hopefully happening around 9:00 (yes Denver is an hour behind us).  Here's the latest from Ab last night-

Our update for today:

Ellie was supposed to go to the OR this afternoon for surgery but first thing this morning, the cardiologists did a final pre-surgery echo and it created enough doubt about the surgery that after the physicians had a mini-conference, they decided pausing for a moment was the best approach. The hole (PDA) is in the process of closing, but hadn't yet so they have put her on some medicine to close the hole more quickly. They will do another echo tomorrow morning and determine whether to go ahead with surgery or wait once they see how the PDA closes. Ellie may not need any surgery if the hole closes and doesn't pinch the aorta so no surgery today is definitely a positive, but may just be delaying the inevitable. It was worth holding off on surgery today on the chance that she may not need it. Hope to know more tomorrow.

Later in the morning they tried to get her off the ventilator, but she failed immediately and had to go back on. Unless you have gone through seeing your child not be able to breathe, it is really hard to understand - it's really tough to watch. Tonight when we saw her, her breathing looked a little labored again but the doctor didn't seem worried at this point. Another complication is that she likely has an infection somewhere in respiratory tract so she is getting antibiotics right now. Hopefully, this will get knocked out and then breathing through her nose will be easier for her.

Anyway, please continue to pray that the as the hole closes the aorta is not pinched and also that the infection gets knocked out quickly so she feels better. Matt and I are o.k., though not great. Tonight was hard after a rollercoaster day and we got no time today to hold Ellie in our arms. :( As we get tired throughout the day, it gets less easy to handle the stress and much easier to cry at things that wouldn't have made me cry earlier in the day.

Tomorrow they will do another echo and we will see what that reveals. We are in a holding pattern until 1) they make a determination about surgery or no surgery and 2) they can get her off the ventilator and breathing on her own. Thanks friends for praying and we ask our God give peace to Ellie and that the Holy Spirit may just hover over her continually. Continue to pray in faith that Ellie will be healed, either by God's mighty hand or the doctor's skilled ones. We are coveting your prayers for her! Hopefully, we will have a good update tomorrow.

Love-
Matt and Abbie

In my opinion, Matt and Ab are handling all of this in amazing fashion.  They are tending to three other children that just want them.  If they leave at all, they are at Ellie's side every 3-4 hours to care for her needs (figure in a half hour drive to and from PSL).  They are stuck waiting and waiting and waiting- all the while just longing to hold Ellie in their arms.  They have certainly been on a rollercoaster this past week.  Our prayer is that results happen/ decisions are made and they can be out of the 'holding pattern' they are in now so little Ellie can begin to heal.  Good job Matt and Abbie and all four kids.  We are oh so proud of your unwavering faith and grace as you handle all of this. 
 
Thanks for your continued prayers and support.