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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ella is coming home!!!

Yes, it is true, Ella is coming home this weekend! We are SO excited and can't wait for little Ella to be home and FINALLY meet her big sister Eva. We will spend the night at the hospital Friday night and "room-in" with Ella. She gets to sleep in the room with us and we will take care of her just like we would at home. If all goes well then sometime on Saturday we will be discharged and ready to go home. It is hard to believe that this day is finally here. It's been over 2 months that Ella has been in the hospital so it is definitely time and we are very ready. We are thankful to be at this point.

She is doing very well and has recovered well from her surgery this past Monday. We are learning to use her G-Button for feedings and are continuing to work on feeding with a bottle. She has not been taking a full feeding with the bottle but we are hoping that once she gets home that with time this will improve. Even though she has the G-button there is not that pressure to take a whole bottle but we are really praying that her feedings will improve soon so please keep that in your prayers.

We also got her MRI results back this week. The preliminary results showed that she has an abnormal scapula (shoulder blade) and there appears to be no clavicle (collar bone). Basically this means she will definitely need major reconstructive surgery on her left shoulder. We are beginning the process of talking with doctors and trying to get in to Scottish Rite in Dallas. This news was hard to hear but we are thankful and hopeful for a positive outcome. There are still many unknowns at this point and it is still going to be a long road with more surgeries to come so please continue to keep this in your prayers for Ella as well.

Overall, Ella has come so far and we are very thankful for the amazing progress she has made. She has had the best care and the best nurses and doctors. We love them so much and will miss seeing them but we are overjoyed that we are finally going to get to bring our sweet girl home. We still have a lot to overcome and work on with feedings and her shoulder so please keep praying for Ella and our family. We'll keep you updated on the big homecoming this weekend and hopefully have some fun pictures to post so stayed tuned. Love, The Carders

25 comments:

Ashley said...

I am so glad Ella is coming home! I pray that this weekend is perfect for you guys and for Ava.

Sam, Erin, Ava, Madeline and Asher said...

YEA!!!! Praise God! He is good and so very faithful! I think Ella is going to thrive at home and will be taking that full bottle before you know it!

Anonymous said...

I am so very thankful to finally hear the wonderful news that sweet Ella is coming home! God Bless her. I am very happy for all of you. Little Eva is going to be a great big sister and will take very good care of Ella, she will have her eating pizza before we know it !! I can't wait to see the "finally home" pictures. You are all in my heart and I love you all very much. Big hugs and kisses to all of you.

Anonymous said...

Yeah! So happy to hear that Ella is on her way home. We will keep you guys in our prayers tonight especially.
Love,
Christiana

Summer said...

WOOHOO!!! So excited and happy for you guys! Can't wait to see pictures of her big homecoming. :-)

Calista said...

I just had to scream yes when I read that Ella is going home. God is so good!! I'm so happy for you guys but know that you still have a long road ahead and will continue to pray for Ella. We are just so happy that she is going home!!!

Julie said...

Amy,
I am so, so thankful for this news. I know you are weary and am praying that God is sustaining you and that He will protect the joy you deserve in bringing her home and that unknowns of the future will not steal that joy from you!
Love you friend!

Jennifer said...

GOD BE PRAISED!!

Jamie Ridgell said...

PRAISE THE LORD ELLA IS COMING HOME!!! We could not be more excited for your family and will keep up the prayers for Ella's adjustment at home. Can't wait to see pictures of Eva finally meeting her baby sister! We love you. Jamie and Joe Don

Carolyn said...

Praise God that Ella is coming home! We will continue to cover all of you, and especially precious Ella, in our prayers.

Jodi said...

YAY YAY YAY YAY!!! Just knowing that you guys are up there rooming in tonight makes my entire self smile inside and out! Can't wait to see those homecoming pics, and the sweet sisters together. We will continue praying for bottles and surgeries and sanity... but also continue PRAISING for where God has brought you today! Yay!

Summer said...

So excited to hear the news. I can't wait to see homecoming pictures. Wish we could be there to celebrate with you, but looking forward to hearing all about it from Ann! Love ya'll.

Unknown said...

We are SO incredibly happy for you guys and hope that your rooming in night goes MUCH better than ours did.....Bennett screamed the entire night until 5 am when they finally "took" him back so that we could go home and sleep.....that baby girl is SO BLESSED to come home to such an amazing family and super fun big sister~ they are going to have so much fun together! All our love, the Specks

Natalie said...

Praises, praises! We'll continue to pray for Ella and the rest of the Carders as you transition to having all the family under one roof! Love you guys!

Blanca said...

I'm so happy for you that Ella was able to go home! I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to you all and wish you well. I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way! Whenever you guys are ready for that play date let me know. :)

jaymie said...

CONGRATS to your family!! You can ALL be home!! NICU life is behind you! My son is a patient at Scottish Rite. The process of getting in was very slow until we got sponsored by a Mason lodge. So if you know any Masons or know people who do, maybe their lodge will sponsor you and speed things up. Enjoy your HOME!

amber dayton said...

Praise God! I'm so excited for you guys. We'll be praying for a smooth transition home - I bet big sister is beside herself!

leslie said...

She is PRECIOUS! I am so glad she is home where she should be! We are continuing to lift your family up in prayer as you start life at home with 2 little ones! Also, I did my internship in the Child Life program at Scottish Rite. That hospital is A-MAZING. I hate that Ella will need another surgery, but I pray that you can do it there. I can not say enough good things about it. Love you guys!

Lindsey said...

oh how exciting! I really want to see pictures! WE are praying! Linz

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that I was able to see and talk to you before you left the hospital. You were wonderful NICU parents. Good luck with everything, especially Ella's feedings. I look forward to keeping up with ya'll on your blog. :)

jocelyn said...

So glad that Ella is home! What an answer to prayers! BTW, Scottish Rite is right down the street from where we live. So if she ends up having surgery there, please let us know what we can do to help you guys out.

Anonymous said...

R&A, Just wanted to congratulate you and let you know we're praising God for Ella's progress. I'm pleading with Him for continued strength for her, and for you as you care for her. It pains the rest of us to know what you must be going through, but know the Lord is in control and has plans to bless you and use you through this! I love you two.
James J.

Shanta said...

Happy Homecoming Carders! I know you must feel such relief. We are so thankful she is well enough to come home and we will continue to keep you in our prayers for her shoulder reconstruction.

Emiley said...

Praise God!!! I can't wait to see pictures of her homecoming and meeting her sweet sister. We are still praying!

Tussany said...

A little late but welcome home, Ella! All the more reasons to be thankful this thanksgiving! I LOVE her sweet smiles and cannot wait to meet her. I love you guys! - Bpun