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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year...


To all we wish a Happy New Year. Prayers are for your health, happiness and peace. Our New Year was very quiet. Mel and I went to eat around 5 p.m. and right back home. Our nurse Debbie was leaving at 7. I am not sure I have seen New Years in the last 5 years, probably since Annabel. But maybe early on when she was ill or having a feeding. I haven't stayed up intentionally in a long time. Hoping all of yours was peaceful.
Annabel did finish the IV antibiotics but was only off a day or so then had to begin another one for a UTI. After about 5 days of that again she wasn't feeling well and was crying out much of the night so then she began another one. She has had a low-grade fever for weeks now. Fever for Annabel was rare prior to this central line but now she seems to always have a low grade fever. I will now be grateful that it is low and she doesn't spike another and develop a line infection.
This December seemed stressful and hard for me. (I realize it isn't about me, though). I am so thankful that we were able to stay home from the hospital and maintain Annabel's care here. I owe so much to my three nurses, Rebekah, Debbie and Ashaunti who made this possible.
Today was a better day for Annabel. This photo about was taken today when we decided to take her out for some sunshine and to try to ride her new bike. We were only able to stay for a little bit as the wind was cool for her. She seems to have much less mucous, less coughing and gagging. Her night last night was almost perfect in my book, only waking to be cathed. Since Annabel has been placed back on her Robinul she urinates very little. This is one of the not good side effects of the Robinul. We had to get back on it due to her basically drowning in her mucous. She now, though has become very distended. Have psuedo-obstruction it is so hard to know when you have a real problem or something to just work through. She has had a suppository and 2 enemas to try to relieve her with no results. She just returns the water back but no substance. The other crazy thing is that her feeding tube is returning something red when we vent her. She has only had blood come out of the tube after placement or after her 3 Endoscopes. But she hasn't had any of these things. She does become uncomfortable at times but is so playful at other times. We have enjoyed seeing her smile back and will cherish her feeling well.
She hadn't been out of her jammies or out in a while so today the nurse and I took her to eat some lunch. Yes, I did mash some black-eyed peas and give her a taste. I guess I don't really believe in Luck just prayers but I am willing to chance it and hope for some luck with many prayers this year.
I can't begin to tell you how many new friends and old friends continue to carry us through our hard times this years. I feel your prayers lifting us up and will continue to be ever so grateful to those that continue to follow Annabel's journey.

7 comments:

Kathy said...

I am praying for a wonderful healthy New Year for Annabel and some miracles thrown in. Praying for her sweet Mama to be given peace and strength.

So happy to see Annabel "out and about" again. She is beyond precious.

Love you girls!!!

Penny said...

I absolutely loved seeing Annabel on her bike smiling when the page opened. She looks like she is having a blast!!

We continue to sending prayers for Annabel to be well and enjoy herself so she shines that unforgettable smile!!

I love that you have 3 great nurses to allow you some respite.

Stacy@hiswaynotmine said...

Her smile brings a smile to me!

So glad that you were able to get out for a bit. I'm sorry that the month has held so many obstacles and pain for Annabel. Praying for health and strength this year.

Much love,
Stacy

Laurie in Ca. said...

I love this picture of Annabel!! Cathy I will continue to pray for her and your family on this journey. You can count on it. I love you guys and pray Gods richest blessings on all of you this new year. Kiss her for me:)

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Mummy Pauline said...

Hi Annabel,

Wishing your days fill with fun & laughter with lots of progress. Happy New Year 2011 ...

An Apel a Day said...

Annabel is so cute! This is the first time I've stumbled onto this site.

My sister was just told that she is pregnant with a Trisomy 18 baby boy yesterday. Her fish test came back saying that she was 95% not caring a baby with Trisomy 18. The final amnio results showed that he is in fact a trisomy 18 baby.

She's a rare carrier. My Mom is as well. My Mom had a Trisomy 18 baby that lived for a few weeks before we were born. My sister had another son that had a Trisomy 18 back in 1997. He only lived for 6 hours.

She was able to have a non carrier and a carrier as well. This new baby boy that's due in June will have brothers, a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I am worried about how this will effect the family once again. Now we have more children in the picture.

I'm happy to see your blog. It uplifts my spirit. Annabel looks happy.

Anonymous said...

Love the tricycle!

Sending prayers for the New Year!

Barbara