Abby news???

I haven't seen any post the past few days. Does anyone know how everyone is doing?

Cheryl

Abby and the rest of us are hanging in there. The past week and a half have consisted of going to work, heading straight to the hospital, getting home about 10 and going right to bed just to get up and do it all over again the next day. We have not had more than morning coffee at home since all of this started February 24.

Bill and I have taken a break from the hospital today to allow Brian and Angela's friends to take turns going back with them to visit. Only 3 people at a time are allowed in her room and we don't want anyone to feel like they are taking time away from us by having us sit in the family waiting room.

Plus, yesterday was Angela's birthday so I have made cupcakes to take in for the unit nurses this evening.

Abby is back up to her birth weight...Yeah Abby!! AND she had 3 poopy diapers yesterday. The poo actually made it to the diaper...Yeah Abby!!

She needs to gain another 2 lbs and they will re-evaluate her for surgery. That means she needs to double her current weight. Hopefully mommy's milk, along with the TPN she is getting, will do it.

They did have to put her back on the ventilator and she has had several "episodes" where her heart rate drops into the 60s and even 40s. They have been able to get it back up where it belongs in the 140s - 150s but it sure makes mommy, daddy, grandmommy and granddaddy nervous. She is on a "limited code" which means if she codes, they will do breathing but no chest compressions. We hate looking at that sign on her monitor!

They are giving her a break from tests today, will do another scan of her kidneys and intestines tomorrow and if all is still okay start her on breast milk tomorrow.

Angela and Brian each got to kangaroo her for an hour yesterday and they both fell asleep with her on their chest. I think that was probably the best sleep either of them have gotten in more than a week. And, Abby loves it! She snuggles right in and goes to sleep with her feet drawn up to her little butt and her hands splayed on their chest. She did grab a handful of daddy's chest hair which made him yelp but he didn't mind.

One more thing and I will close...Abby got her name on her ID bracelet Thursday when she reached 7 days old. So she is no longer BU (baby unknown) Diehl.

Please continue to pray for our Abbigail and her parents. We still believe God is going to work a miracle in this little girl. We appreciate everyone's prayers. Keep them coming!

Thanks for the update. I knew that you would post as soon as you had time. You need to remember to be sure and take care of yourself too during this time. Keep us posted as you can and know that the prayer's are still going up for everyone.

Cheryl

Susan - you know how to make the heart sing with joy and thanksgiving!  THe orayers will continut to flow for all of you.  Not a day goes by that someone at work asks about Abby. 

Lunch Bunch is supposed to be next weekend.  Do you feel  up to planning it and coming?  I think it would be good idea for both of you to come at least for a little while.  YOU need hugs and support too!!

I am in Atlanta, but will keep in touch.

Beth

Right now we are rejoicing with every day we have with Abby even as we continue to pray for her healing.

I can't promise I will make it to lunch next week. That will depend entirely on our little princess.

If I do make it, I have enough pictures to make you all sick of baby pictures. Our girl is very photogenic. LOL

Susan,
I just saw the post - sorry for asking in the other post.  Thanks for the update.  Sounds like your little Abby is definitely a fighter and full of *****  We continue to keep her bathed in prayer as well as Angela and Brian (and grandmommy and granddaddy too).  I'm sure everyone is stressed and exhausted, but remember God is in control and carrying each one of you right now.  Take care of yourself and each other and just know you all have a lot of folks praying for you.

Susan,

Thanks for taking the time to update all of us.  We are lifting all of you up in prayer.  I will put her on our church prayer list tomorrow.  Do you go to First Church?  I'm guessing some of our members at HCN will know you.

I'm so glad Abby now has her name on her wristband.  Of course we know she was never a BU, but baby Abby who is much loved.

B

I do go to First Church. I also worked at Trevecca for 3 1/2 years. Please do add us to the prayer list. Her name is Abbigail Zara Diehl.

We are praying that God will heal her heart or keep her healthy until she can gain enough weight for the surgeons to reconsider doing her surgery.

All of the NICU babies at Vandy are BU until they reach 7 days old. There is a funny story tied to that that I will have to share some time.

Susan,

I'm sure someone will ask me your last name.  Do you mind telling me?

B

Jones