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Saturday, August 22, 2009

We're Home!


Hanging out with Daddy

Peace, I'm out. Ella waving bye as we walked out the door of her hospital room. So cute.


Can you believe it? We are already home and Ella is doing great! We got discharged yesterday late afternoon. Yesterday at the hospital Ella was much more alert and awake, she seemed comfortable and was tolerating her feeds ok. No smiles but she seemed to be doing well enough to go home. We just felt like things were fine and her doctors felt good about everything so we made the decision to come home. They changed her dressing once and her sling so we got to see part of her incision and it looks really good. It's a big scar but they did a very good job with it and we can't wait to see what her shoulder is going to look like. Today her swelling is already much better but it is going to take some time to heal obviously. They did'nt use any artificial materials in the reconstruction of her shoulder so it's just bone to bone growing back together and reattaching of muscles so it's going to take some time for everything to grow together and smooth out. We'll go back on September 2nd for a follow-up so we'll see then what the time-line is for how long she'll be in the sling and what the next steps are in her recovery process.

Went for a little wagon ride while still in the hospital. As you can see Ella just loved it! :) She slept through the whole thing but we had fun getting out of our room.


So far things have just been so much better than we thought they would be. Huge answer to prayer! I thought our hospital stay would be much longer and I had no idea what to expect for Ella as far as recovery, pain etc. She has just done so well so far, I just can't believe it. God is so faithful is all I can say. She took a little formula by mouth today and has only been on plain Tylenol to manage her pain so that is great news. She slept well last night, is smiling alot and wanting to play with her toys so we feel like she is getting back to her old self. Eva got the first smile from her of course. They just love each other. She is such a trooper! Thank you all for your continued prayers. We know that all of this is just a direct answer to prayer so thank you for lifting our family up.

We still have a long road ahead so please keep praying for a continued smooth recovery for Ella, for things to heal as they're supposed to and for no infection. There is still much to be done and overcome so we covet your prayers. Now that we don't have any scheduled surgeries in the near future we can really start hitting feeding hard and be more proactive as far as therapy, playing around with formula and feeding schedules so please keep that in your prayers as well. We have just been in a holding pattern for the past year getting ready for this surgery and have had no choice but to feed her every 3 hours around the clock. This has been the hardest year of our life and difficult for our whole family and now that this surgery is behind us we have some freedom and time to explore some different options with feedings. So, needless to say we still have a lot of hard things to overcome so please continue to pray for us.

We are amazed at the faithfulness of our Lord and how He cares so much for us. Thank you for encouraging us and carrying this burden with us. You all are a blessing. Keep praying!

Just hanging out with Aunt Amy. Aren't Eva's teeth pretty? I promise she doesn't have tooth decay, she just will do anything for M&M's so this is the result of a mouth full of chocolate. Nice.

Sweet Eva reading to Ella when she got home yesterday. She is the best big sister!

18 comments:

Kacy said...

Yea!!!!!!! I am so happy for you guys to be able to be home in your own space, and of course to have Ella doing so well. The pictures are so sweet - I love her sleeping in the wagon! We will continue to pray for you all as you go forward from here and praise God for this milestone!

Randi Freeby said...

I tear up with tears of joy every time I read your blog lately. You are such a treasure to me and I am more than thankful in the way God has taken such care of all of you. Still praying all the time.

Summer said...

GREAT NEWS!!! She looks awesome and I know you all are glad to be home. God has been so good to Ella.

The Speck family said...

We love you, Carders! We are sooo happy that you are all home together and will be praying for a complete and quick recovery with no complications or infection. Hugs to you all.

Summer said...

We are so thankful for all of the good news. I love looking at the pictures too. Makes me feel like we're there. . . almost. We have not stopped praying, and will continue to lift all of you up as you have recovery and feeding challenges ahead. But for now, we are rejoicing in so many answered prayers! Ella is looking like such a big girl! We love ya'll.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy your are all home !! I love the pictures and I can tell by all of your smiles how happy you are and are feeling a huge sense of relief. Ella is so very sweet and what a trooper she is god bless her. Big sister Eva is going to take very good care of her I can tell :) We will continue praying for Ella's feedings and for her to get stronger by the day. I love you all very much and I am so happy you are how home.

Nancy Giurlanda said...

not sure why I do that, I always forget to write my name...that last post was from me the computer whiz !! love you

Ashley said...

I am so glad she is doing well and of course we will all pray for a continued prefect recovery.


Love you!

brianchante said...

I am so happy for you guys. There is nothing like being at home. We will continue to pray for you guys.

Shelly said...

Yeah! So glad things are going well for Ella and that you are home.

Alli said...

Amy, I just wanted you to know that I am now following your blog & keeping up with your sweet Ella. I was touched to get to meet you at the hospital last week. Your story is such a testimony to me of Christian love for your child. Your strength is amazing! We'll continue to pray for you, Rick, Eva & Ella.

Alli Chamblee

Jamie Ridgell said...

It is just amazing how awesome Ella is doing! God is so good! We will keep praying for her and for all of you. We are so thankful that the surgery is over and behind you. Now we'll be praying for Ella to develop a love of eating!

Anonymous said...

Yeah for home! And yeah for a successful surgery! Yeah for Amy surviving (we knew she would) without drugs! Yeah for wonderful Rick and Eva (M&Ms and all)!
Love you guys. So glad you're home.
Christiana

Jodi said...

I got home late last night from a wedding in Virginia, and the FIRST thing I had to do this morning was check in on sweet Ella! Been praying like crazy, and I am just so THRILLED everything is going so well with that gorgeous girl! Such sweet pictures! Yay for having this all behind you, yay for news that is better than doctors anticipate, and YAY for an amazing God who is bring her healing to completion. SO HAPPY!

Shelly said...

So thrilled to see God doing more than you could ask or imagine! Praying He continues working that way---especially with the feedings. Love y'all and will keep the prayers going!

Unknown said...

Amy, Rick, Eva and Ella - we have been praying from across the country! We love you guys and are so happy to hear the great news and see the pictures of Ella looking so adorable and well. God is good. Many blessings, Brian and Jenn Golden

Randi Freeby said...

Amy-we got Braden evaluated today for his eating and we are going to start feeding therapy on Monday. They said this may take about 6 months to fix, which is nothing compared to what you guys are going through, but I thought I would let you know that we might see you at OCH. Kendra told me that is where you all take Ella for hers. Anyway, that would be fun to see you guys there sometime. Hope all is well. I read the blog all the time and pray for you guys daily. Give hugs and kisses to those sweet girls for me.

Michelle Hammock said...

We are rejoicing - God is so good and faithful! I am so glad that sweet Ella is at home and doing well.

As I looked at the precious pics and read your words, I was reminded of Shayla being in that same hospital awaiting surgeries. That moment when you must leave your baby in the arms of the dr and walk away is so difficult. Yet it was in those moments that I experienced God's peace like never before! During our darkest hours, God shines the brightest.

We pray that she will have a complete and speedy recovery. You and Rick are such a wonderful example of strength and love.

Love, Michelle Hammock