Maggie's lungs are hanging in okay--she didn't get worse today, maybe a tiny bit better than yesterday. Hopefully that is a trend that continues. Her fever is coming about once a day here lately, and we don't yet know what the source of that is.
Last night, she was awake (too awake) from 10 PM to after 3 o'clock in the morning. She was wide-eyed, moving, wiggling--and her numbers were acting a little funny on the monitor. They increased the dose of her Versed, one of her sedatives, and she seemed to get even more alert as a result. By 1 o'clock, we were starting to worry that she might be beginning to bleed. They checked her hemoglobin at 2, 3, and 4 and they were stable--so we were able then to get a little bit of sleep. But it was way too nerve-wracking and frightening for us. We pray for a quieter night tonight and continued calm, uneventful days.
I (Andy) got away from the hospital this morning for the first time, and actually logged half a day of work. That was nice. Then tonight, grandma and grandma stayed with Maggie while Whitney and I drove downtown for a concert (choral music, nice and relaxing). It was a bit of a challenge being there. I was tempted to leave at intermission because I couldn't get my mind off of being near Maggie. But we stayed and finished it out and had a nice talk with some old friends that I happened to see at the concert.
We keep on taking things a day at a time, and Maggie just keeps on fighting. We're so proud of her. Please continue to send your thoughts and prayers Maggie's way. We have a long way to go before we can take her home.
21 comments:
We are so excited that you had a date tonight! Time together away from the hospital must have been wonderful. We are praying for Maggie and you both and are excited to read that things seem to be getting better. God is always in control!
Love,
Luke and Bethany
Dear Andy and Whitney,
Today is a victory! No bleeds, lungs no worse, and time out with each other. I am glad that you spent some time away from the hospital. I am sure it took great courage to leave, but you did it!
I will continueto pray for Maggie's recovery. Get some rest!
Susan D.
I'm glad to hear that you had a chance to get away. It must have been so difficult, with your body in one place and your mind in another, but it's a good thing. It must also be scary to be too optimistic about how things are going. Small victories, days without bleeds and lungs not getting worse. Once when I was younger we did a breathing exercise during Sunday school. With each in breath we said "Jesus please be with me" and on the out breath "Jesus be with others." I thought of this exercise when reading about Maggie and I've been breathing Jesus in and breathing God's healing out for Maggie. Peace to you all through the evening, one minute at a time.
John, Bethany and Ian Simpson from snow covered Colorado
Thank you, Lord, for today - no bleeds, lungs no worse & maybe a little better, food in Maggie's tummy, and a bit of time off for Mommy and Daddy.
I'm so glad you were able to get away from the hospital for some much needed relaxation, even if it was kind of hard to go. You have been so entirely dedicated and focused on Maggie for such a long continuous stretch. This break must surely have done you good, even though I'm sure your thoughts were on Maggie as much as the music.
Your little one is such a fighter. I thank God for her unquenchable spirit, and I continue to pray for His strength to pour into her, for her lungs and stomach to keep improving, and for each day to see Maggie doing better than the day before. Prayers for you and the grandmas and the medical staff watching over Maggie. And prayers for a quiet, restful, and healing night for you all. Love from Cousin Carol
What a great report - Maggie brighter and mom and dad brave enough to step out for a little bit! Peace, Deb
You are all such fighters. You are amazing parents- the strength you two have had and I pray continue to have has left me feeling so humbled as a parent. I look at my days now and say- wow I need to really just stop making my little problems into such a struggle and appreciate what I have and enjoy what I have to do. Thank you for sharing your experience with me and everyone- your story has humbled me so much. It has helped me to hug my little ones tighter and to enjoy the mundane things that i have to do to keep life going.I just always pray that one day you will be able to be on this side of the computer story and have the simple everyday fights to get through.
You all have been heavy on my heart and are never far from my prayer thoughts. I hope that today continues to bring more healing. And that you can continue to find strength.
Christi (Ullinger) Michaels
THANK YOU JESUS:) So glad to get this report. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God... Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. Glad to hear that Miss Maggie is doing better. We will take baby steps. Glad to hear too that you were able to get away for an evening. Blessings to your mothers for standing in the gap while you two got some alone time. We pray for you all day long.
Love,
Larry and Sue Archer
This is such good news! I'm so glad you felt able to get out for a while. Cincy is my hometown and I especially love the downtown!
Most happy that Maggie is still fighting and doing as well as possible. Going against the sedative is evidence of her strong and (thankfully) stubborn spirit!
I have something to drop off to you and will call later this afternoon to arrange a time.
Debbie M.
As I woke and read your post I was moved. I thought how you are so living the words of Paul by thinking about
"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
You know I am praying; as are many others.
Thank you for being a light to all of us.
I echo the joy of others here at some good news regarding Maggie.
As well as the good news that you super vigilant parents have been out a bit. No matter how difficult that might be, it's important for your own health. Which is important for your long-term support of Maggie.
I'm sure that Maggie's grandparents, who have been so faithful in their support, will continue to be ready to give you these sorts of breaks. And I hope you will take them.
Love and prayers always.
Great Aunt Phyllis
I'm so glad to hear that her stomach seems to be healing! That must be such a relief. Continued prayers that things keep on improving.
Thought about you all alot yesterday. Glad to hear that it was uneventful, and hoping that trend continues. Continued prayers for you all.
Love,
Monica Miyashita, Mom to ^Liddy^
I can remember you saying that this could take four weeks, so maybe Maggie will turn the corner this week. Always thinking of you and reaching to you with my love and concern. I only hope you know how much love,concern and prayer is heading toward Maggie and the Bixler,Lehman families. Love to you Illinois Auntie.
What a wonderful post! I am so happy that the two of you were able to have some time from the hospital. I am sure it was refreshing for your soul and much needed.
Maggie is starting to make those baby steps!
an above comment posted about the words from Paul - "whatever is true, whatever is noble...." God must mean those words for you today, because during my prayer time this morning i happened upon these verses too and thought of you! Some times God is neat in the little things HE does!
Happy day to celebrate, no bleeds, a little bit of food, lungs a little better, and those are the simple little miracles that stack up to great healing!!
sleep well tonight, and maybe sneak in a nap :)
prayers and love
Continued prayers for maggie! ~mz
I rejoice in reading the wonderful words that there is some improvement. It just shows how wonderful and majestic our Savior is . Will continue to pray and thank our Savior for this change. carol.
I am keeping all three of you in my prayers....becky smolak-kettlehake
I am glad that Maggie continues not to bleed. i hope that means that her stomach is healing. That would be a huge step in the right direction. I am glad that her lungs are no worse and that hopefully without having to add a lot of fluids, her lungs will be able to heal. I know it is scary when they can't keep these little girls down, but at the same time, it is their will to fight that has gotten them this far and sometimes it helps to know your little fighter is syill in there. I am so glad that you got a break from the hospital. i know it was a hard thing to do, but your sanity needs some rest and some space from the constant watch of the monitors. You will need your strength when Maggie is ready to come off of the ventilator. There will be no rest for the weary then. I am praying that her time for recovery is near. I thought our raod was tough, but yours has no doubt been tougher. I pray that God give you the stregth to continue waiting. I pray that he shine his light on Maggie and heal every inch of her.
Karen Cooley
Thinking of you all so often.
xoxo, Jim & Diana
Continuing to pray and thinking of you all. Maggie, we are with you.
~Janette
I am so glad to see this update. You all are in my prayers.-Delanie Isaacs
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