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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Update on Ella

We are on the countdown to Ella's arrival! The c-section is officially set for Monday, Sept. 8th at noon. We had our weekly appt. with Dr. Tabor this past friday and it went very well. Ella's heart continues to look and sound strong and there is no sign of stress. Every week we go he listens to her heart, watches for movement and checks my fluid levels so it is always an answer to prayer each week when he says we are good for another week. We go back this Friday so we'll see how Miss Ella is doing this week.

So far there have not been any major changes with Ella's health or details regarding her surgery. We do not know when her surgery will take place until she is here and Dr. Black, her surgeon, can look at the omphalocele and determine what the course of action will be. We have been told to be prepared for surgery to take place within the first two days after delivery. However, this is not really new news but last week Dr. Tabor told us that we need to also be prepared that they may not be able to do surgery right away. The omphalocele(sack holding her liver, small intestines and part of her stomach) is measuring larger than average and because of this it might be too large to attempt surgery within those first days. If this is the case surgery would be postponed until Ella's abdomen grows more. How long that wait would be, I have no idea. I don't know much about all of what is involved but other procedures would take place until they feel she is ready for surgery to close everything up. They have given us a lot of hope but have also said that this is going to be a complicated process because of the size of the omphalocele and because her liver is out. This is scary to hear but we are focusing on the positives and we are so thankful that her heart is strong and that the omphalocele is the only complication.

We are excited to meet little Ella and can't wait to see her sweet face and get to know her but we also have a lot of mixed emotions about the road ahead. As the time for her to arrive gets closer it is getting harder emotionally. I am feeling very fragile and at times I'm not sure if I can handle this. Every day is different and has it's ups and downs and I know that is okay, but it hurts to know that something is wrong with Ella. I have to surrender it many times a day to the Lord and every day He continues to give me strength and joy. He is so faithful and it amazes me that the God who created the universe also cares about me and what I am going through and continues to show himself in little and big ways to me everyday. He is so good.

We feel so overwhelmed by all the love, support and prayers that everyone continues to give us daily. We are so blessed by all of you. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers as we anticipate Ella's arrival and all that is to come.

26 comments:

Kristen said...

I have been thinking about you a lot lately. Please call if you need somebody to go up and down with you. Can't wait to see what this cardboard testimony will say!! We love you!

Kacy said...

Thanks for the update, Ames. I can't believe it's already time for sweet Ella's arrival. Continuing to pray for all four of you...

Ashley said...

Praying for you DAILY! Asking for peace and endurance for the journey. Anxious to hear that the delivery was safe and healthy!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I'm so happy to have found your blog! We also had a little girl born on Sept. 8. We have a litte site in her honor.. www.ourlittlegemma.com

I just wanted to also offer the prayers and support of a beautiful group I work with, Prenatal Partners for Life, www.prenatalpartnersforlife.com. I would love to get a little package in the mail for Miss Ellla from PPFL. You can either send me your address or do it through the site.

Praying for you and baby Ella!

love,
Courtney

Jodi said...

Hang in there, Mommy. You guys are continually covered in prayers, and it blesses us so much to do so! We can't wait to meet little Ella either... she is already really special to me! Love y'all!

Anonymous said...

I pray for you every day my dear Amy.
Love
Christiana

Calista said...

I can't wait for all this to be over for you. I can't imagine how hard this has been and will be. I just know in my heart that God has great plans for you, Rick and Ella. We will be lifting you and Ella up everyday. I love you and so grateful that I can call you my friend. See you tomorrow night.

Summer said...

Wow, less than 2 weeks...we anxiously await the news of her birth. Please call if you need help with Eva since we live so close the hospital. I know that God will work this out according to His perfect plan...your faith through all of this is so encouraging. We love you guys!

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you all day, every day. We love you all so much!

Jess

madeinUSA said...

We love you all so much! Thanks for the update. XOXO

Unknown said...

Standing in the gap with you...and praying!
Love you...

christine pinson said...

we love you guys so much and have you in our thoughts and prayers daily...your family has such a testimony of the Lord's healing power...and i continue to be inspired by the faith that you have shown and continue to show through everything...i hope that you know how very loved you are!

Emiley said...

I am so glad I found your blog tonight! I am praying for you and your sweet family. May God give you strength and peace as you wait for that precious Ella to arrive.

GPaty said...

Continuing to pray for you, sweet friend. We love you, the Paty's

Smang said...

I'm so glad I found your blog. I have been thinking of you a lot lately and am praying for little Ella. May God give courage and peace for you and your family as the day approaches. Being the mommy is so hard. Love, Angie

Susan @ Blessed Assurances said...

we are praying for you guys! Thank you for sharing your heart so I can now have specific ways to pray for you all. Love you to pieces! Susan

Anonymous said...

We love you, and lifting you up each day to our Heavenly Father. Can't wait to be with you all, and can't wait to welcome #4 Grandchild! Love you bunches,
Dianne

Leslie said...

Amy, I am so glad I found your blog!!! I wanted you to know that I just sat in silence and prayer for baby Ella as well as your family. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival as well and are in prayer about your upcoming journey.

Blessings,
Leslie Thomas

Anonymous said...

We love yall and are praying for sweet Baby Ella and for her sweet family. Thank you for your honesty. You are loved and covered in prayer by so many---may you have peace over this next week and a growing joy at meeting your little daughter.

Kendra said...

I'm marking the calendar and praying RIGHT NOW. You are beautiful, and I am expecting God's handprints to be all over this story as it continues to unfold in your life! Blessings -

Unknown said...

Hey Amy! I read your blog but haven't commented. I just wanted you to know that I have been praying for you, Rick, Eva and Ella and will continue to do so! Thanks for keeping us posted!

Love, Kate (Barclay)

Amanda said...

We're praying! Love your whole family!

Alison said...

Amy, you are so precious! I cannot wait to hear the amazing story Ella is going to share with so many others! She will be such an example of how amazing God is! We are praying for your sweet family and can't wait to meet Ella! Love you!

Macy said...

What a story of God's faithfulness Baby Ella will have to tell! Thanks for opening your heart. It is a blessing to join so many in praying for this precious life.

Amy said...

Hey Rick and Amy,

This is Andy using Amy's blog. I Just wanted to say we are following along and praying along with y'all out here in Virginia. You are already being a wonderful mother, and I'm certain you will continue to do so during the road ahead.

Andy Bowman

Giggi said...

Praying for you all tonight dear Carders! Thank you for being a testimony of faith & courage. We love you guys! Kathy & Ray