Maggie made it out of ICU on Wednesday morning. We are currently on the hemoc floor in Cincinnati. We decided not to transfer back to Dayton due to the added resources we have down here (GI specialists, pulmonologists, etc.),. and we didn't want to send Maggie back up on an ambulance by herself as I think it would be quite traumatic for her.
We are happy to be out of ICU, though it was a bit bittersweet. We had grown very attached to many of the nurses and we were really happy with the care. But, we won't complain to being in a "regular" room. Maggie has been doing very well. She has lingered between a half liter of oxygen when she is sleeping or exhausting a lot of energy, to no oxygen at all. We don't have any idea how long we will be here. I would love to get home to see some of April, but we will definitely not rush anything.
Maggie is finally going to be allowed to have some solid food today as well. She has been on a diet of clear liquids since coming off the ventilator. She has done very well so far with no aversions. She is also getting OT & PT and the goals I had of having support of her trunk and head have been met. She is able to sit up on her own, though she tires easily. It will take a lot of time before we are back to where we were.
So, that is what has been up the last few days. Maggie continues to not sleep well at night and requires one of us to lay with her. She is slowly beginning to talk a little, very quietly and to only a designated few (mainly Mommy). The doctor is happy with her progress, but it sounds like we have a long road ahead of us. Please continue to pray for Maggie to have a complete and speedy recovery.
36 comments:
So happy for you all! Prayers still coming but a lot of praise too!!!
Yay! God continues to show his faithfulness!
Out if ICU!!!Great news!!!!!
I'm so very glad for this next step in Maggie's recovery and that she's gotten enough strength back to sit up on her own. We'll keep on praying for increased strength and a more active and verbal Maggie - and for increased energy for Mom and Dad, too. Keep up the good work, Maggie! Love & prayers from Cousin Carol
I am sure, even through the extreme tiredness you feel, it is pure joy to lay with her, talk with her and entertain her. I am praying for your energy and strength to continue. What a blessing to be moved to a new room and the progress she is making. You are all so wonderful! Many prayers - way to go!!!!!
Prais the Lord for his faithfulness. I think sitting up is great.Will keep praying for her complete recovery. Cousin Ruth Ann
Praise the Lord for answered prayers. I know you must be thrilled to be able to hold her and love on her once again. We will continue to pray for little Maggie as well as you too Mom and dad. God has a plan for this little Angel and I can't wait to see what it is! God bless you and yours,
Jill Moses and family
Stuart Heights Baptist Church
Praising God for the little things. I know this is in no way a small step for Maggie, and that you probably celebrate each step with some fear and trepedition, but celebrate just the same! Thanks for your transparency as you share this journey. You are all very close in heart and mind.
So much to celebrate! Maggie is such a miracle! Whitney, I am sure you are ecstatic to have her talking to you! I am still praying for all three of you! God is so good!
Love,
Bethany
Praising God for your miracle. He is good all the time and all the time, He is good. Will continue to pray for your family.
Becky
Throughout following Maggie's Journey to Healing, I have been reminded of my faith. On this occassion I can only thing of the lyrics to a song. "It's only a test that you're going through, it's gonna be over real soon, keep the faith, don't lose sight, for it's only a test!" Praise God for answered prayers. The prayers will continue for Maggie's Journey as well as for a strong support of family and friends along the way.
Wahoooooooooooo!!!! I am so happy for you all!!! I was Indy last weekend and borrowed a lap top to check in on you guys. I gasped excitedly when I read the news of Maggie being off the vent. Praising God for how well she is doing and while I know you have a long recovery ahead, I am just so, so happy for you! Will continue to pray that Maggie will get stronger and stronger with each new day and that our Heavenly Father would also allow some sweet, peaceful sleep. Love you guys and rejoicing with you!
We are so glad to hear that Maggie is making progress. We will continue to pray for healing for Maggie and rest for you and Andy. It is nice to see pics of Maggie sitting up. She is so sweet! I can't believe how long her hair has gotten. Thinking of you always! Love you,
Nat and Andy
This is wonderful news! I have to echo other posts - God is always good!
I'll try to get by to say a quick "hi" at some point this week (I'll call first of course!)
Keep on going, Maggie! You're a miracle from God!
Debbie M.
I am amazed.....God Bless.
T
So amazed by your sweet girl! God is so goood!
We are thinking of you guys and praying!
JoEllen (and Burke too!)
Such good news--worth the wait, here! :) We're continuing to pray for Maggie's healing and recovery and Praising God for how far He's brought her! Praying that you'll be able to get some rest soon, too.
Hugs!
Just wonderful to read that you are no longer in ICU Ms. Maggie! Keep up the great work. Tell Mommy & Daddy that there is usually a free breakfast Monday through Friday in the Hem/Oc lounge for the parents and massage services are also available early in the morning (Tuesdays?). When Maggie is feeling all better, you can get amazing deals and free tickets to area attractions (Cincinnati Zoo, Entertrainment Junction, etc.) from Guest Services located on the first floor. We hope that you will be able to rest soon, but sounds like all your support has helped her out of the ICU, you're amazing and wonderful parents! Take care and Love, Jason, Sara & Nan
Praise the LORD! We look for your posts continually and forward them to our family and church prayer chain. We are all rejoicing with you and continuing to hold the three of you in the light of God's healing, strengthening love.
Continuing blessings and love,
Orville & Nancy Shoemaker
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Hop Bottom, PA
Praising and praying; praising and praying! May God bring little Maggie home in His wise timing and may He wrap you with strength. Peace, comfort, and rest is hoped for all of you. May you feel His presence. Hugs to you little Maggie. You don't know me but because of your mommy and daddy's faith I know and love you. Shelly
Whitney and Andy, This is wonderful progress, remember she has been almost 7 weeks of complete restful state, and things will go better after she has a few days of some activity behind her. Maybe her grandpa's flex bands could help. Just a little humor. I am so grateful to all who have made it possible for this little darling girl to come this far. Love to you, Illinois Auntie
It is so wonderful to hear such good news! We will continue to pray for healing for Maggie and renewed strength and energy for you two! I am sure that a toddler confined to a bed must be extremely difficult. Keep your eyes on Jesus - He'll see you through!
The Wiecharts
You say you have "a long road ahead of us."
Yes, but it's wonderful to be heading in the right direction!
Lets hope and pray there are no more jogs in the road.
Love and prayers always.
Great Aunt Phyllis
Hey guys, an idea for you...my sister's girl lost her ability to stand and walk when she was in her cancer treatment and even though she was about Maggie's age, they still used her old baby mega saucer to stand her up in and get her strength back in her legs. Not sure if the hospital would have one really, but if you have one at your house, that's an idea to help with her strength. When she gets tired, she can just relax and let the seat hold her up for a break. Still praying so much for you all and for the progress to continue! Blessings, Angie
What great news! I am sure you must be exhausted, though. Continued prayers for Maggie.
-Delanie Isaacs
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!!! What an awesome post. We continue to pray for Maggie and all of you. I gave our church an update on Maggie's progress over the past couple of weeks and how the miracles of God are unfolding. We will continue to keep her on our prayer list/chain. Hugs to all of you.
Love,
Sue and Larry Archer
Continued prayers of praise and of healing.
as i read the first part of your post (about entertaining/keeping Maggie busy for hours) i had a thought!
when my kids have check-ups, in order to amuse them during the wait, i have a small dry erase board (like you would hang on a dorm room door)with markers and they draw on that for amusement! obviously i have no idea if Maggie even has the energy for that, but i was thinking about it.
regardless--you are all in our thoughts and prayers continually.
as i read the first part of your post (about entertaining/keeping Maggie busy for hours) i had a thought!
when my kids have check-ups, in order to amuse them during the wait, i have a small dry erase board (like you would hang on a dorm room door)with markers and they draw on that for amusement! obviously i have no idea if Maggie even has the energy for that, but i was thinking about it.
regardless--you are all in our thoughts and prayers continually.
as i read the first part of your post (about entertaining/keeping Maggie busy for hours) i had a thought!
when my kids have check-ups, in order to amuse them during the wait, i have a small dry erase board (like you would hang on a dorm room door)with markers and they draw on that for amusement! obviously i have no idea if Maggie even has the energy for that, but i was thinking about it.
regardless--you are all in our thoughts and prayers continually.
We are so happy to hear more great news! (Maggie being out of ICU!) I get teary eyed when I thank God for the ways that He has seen Maggie through and given her so many miracles. We will continue to pray for her to regain her strength and for you both as you care for her. May He give you the energy you need! We love you all!
Mike and Lara
Please continue to keep us updated on Maggie's progress. I am so very happy for you both and can't wait to see Maggie here at the clinic soon!!!! Sharon
I am happy that Maggie is well enough to be out of ICU, but I know it is a big transition and a lot of work. I hope that she is tolerating solid food. That will be a huge step towards going home if she is able to eat on her own. It is slow progress at first, but once Maggie gains a little strength and gets some of those drugs out of her sytem, she will progress quickly I am sure. Hopefully you will look back in a few weeks amazed at how far she has come.
Karen Cooley
What GREAT news Maggie is out of ICU!!!! I am so happy for you. We continue to pray for strength and that she will be able to tolerate solid food! All my love to you. I'm hoping you get to enjoy April also...thanks for all the updates.
Lydia
We are rejoicing with you! We will continue to pray daily for each step of recovery. It may be a long road, but you won't be walking it alone!
Andy and Whitney,
On Sunday I was up visiting my mom's church, a small United Methodist church in Vanlue, Ohio. During their prayer time, several people asked for continued prayers for Maggie, and wanted to know if I had any updates. How amazing is that? There were huge smiles and tears of rejoicing when they heard she was on a tremendous upward swing. I've rarely seen people care that much about children in their OWN church, and here were these people, who know Maggie only because I know you from college, crying tears of joy for you and for her. It was very moving. On the way home, we drove by Cincinnati Children's, and I waved.
I'm so happy you all are out of ICU but I sure will miss you guys! Your such a wonderful family and I hope you come back and visit! (outpatient only!) I will miss doing Maggies's piggy tails but I am sure mommy can pick up where I left off!! I wish you all nothing but the best and I will be praying for you to all. I hope I get to see you before you head home, but if not it was a pleasure taking care of your baby girl she holds a special place in my heart and I will always remember you all...
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