CV ICU Day #3

Today was filled with ups and downs. I actually had to send an email to myself while I was sitting back with Elle reminding myself of all the events of the day. I suppose the most important thing to relay (and for everyone to pray specifically for) is that Elle may have developed Pneumonia. The doctor called Lee and I into her room this evening to tell us that earlier in the day they had sent a sample of some of Elle's secretions from her mouth to the lab. The test came back that there were a lot of white blood cells. He said this in an indication of pneumonia. He also said that they found a certain kind of bacteria in the sample that is also attributed to pneumonia. However, her lung x rays looked good and he couldn't see any pneumonia in her lungs from them. To be on the safe side, he is starting Elle on a cycle of antibiotics to knock out whatever is in her system. This morning during rounds the only thing they changed was stopping the continuous morphine drip. Instead, they are giving it to her as needed. While they stopped the morphine drip, they still wanted to keep her sedated because they didn't end up pulling out the breathing tube. So, they continued a Presadex drip which keeps her sedated but does not effect her lung function. They didn't want to mess with her lung function because during the day they were also doing vent tests where they would periodically allow Elle to breathe on her own to exercise her lungs. It was a hard day emotionally. I was hoping by this point she would be without the breathing tube and we would be on our way to settling into our own room on the 15th floor. Elle has her own agenda and I just need to sit and be patient and know that the Lord has her plans already laid out for her. The nurse was so nice this afternoon. The doctor called to talk to us right at shift change so our day nurse had to stay a little late to hear him talk about the pneumonia. She could see I was visibly upset and tried to comfort me. I just want our little girl to be well and it pains me so much to see her open those little eyes and look up at us and just cry a silent cry. It hurts so badly to see her stare at the nurses and doctors as they poke her and readjusted stuff. Her eyes get so big - like she is so frightened of them. I wish I could just take all her pain away. I have to remind myself that tomorrow is another day! I pray for great things for Elle! I pray she has a peaceful night with her wonderful night nurse. Mostly, I pray that the Lord fill her room with his grace and peace and strength. That every person that steps into Elle's room is overcome by a sense of well being. That the doctors and nurses are filled with the knowledge they need to give Elle every thing that she needs. That Lee and I are filled with strength and peace while we sit with our baby girl. I pray that Elle recovers fully and with each passing day gets stronger and stronger. I pray for God's perfect timing for her to come off of the vent. I pray that I put all my trust in the Lord's timing and know that it is just my nerves that are making me so upset. I know tomorrow is a new day! "This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm118:24