posted by Tom...Michele is trying to teach me how to do blog postings, but she still has to get it ready for me to type- anyways- around 10:00 PM tonight they made the determination to put a new ECMO machine (heart & lung machine) in place of the old one. The low pressure and extra platelets they're using to try and minimize brain hemorrhaging and excess bleeding, caused the blood to clot a little faster than normal. They can change out the bladder on the machine, but instead decided to bring in a whole new machine. They prime the new ECMO with blood, when they put her on the other ECMO the first time, they didn't have this luxury. During the change-over, she goes without a heart beat for about a minute and a half. Michele left the room during all this, there was a lot of tension, and there were 6 nurses, an ECMO Tech, and the Pediatric Dr. all involved. I stayed to video tape it. Anyways, this seems pretty boring, but our night nurse Jackie gave me the big thumbs up and I started tearing up. I had asked her to watch the monitor and see if her heart was able to work on her own. This was something we weren't expecting to happen, but just in case, we wanted to monitor it. Her blood pressure didn't dip below 33 during the change over. That means that her heart, that we weren't sure would ever work again after flat lining, did in fact work, and she maintained some blood pressure during the change over. This was very very very exciting news! There's not been much hope of positive signs since she had to go on ECMO, and it seemed there was either no news, or bad news. So this was a really wonderful sign, and we're all thrilled. We're hoping once her body continues to heal and progress, and the swelling subsides, that she will be able to come off the ECMO and her heart will pick up where the machine left off.I also wanted to take this moment (since I never really get on here and write anything) to express our sincere love and gratitude for all the prayers and faith, and hope that have sent our way, and especially for Gracie and Michele. We've been sustained by you during this time. Reading the comments and the emails has been a wonderful lift when times get really hard and discouraging. We know our Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and would ask for your continued prayers and faith for my girls!
23 comments:
That's great news! Hopefully this will be the start to her successful recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are still with you. Love, Shana and family
Tremendous! That does indeed seem like a good sign. The best thing all of us on the sidelines can do is lift you guys in prayer, and we will certainly continue to do that. Stay strong my friend!!
Harry
This is great news. I think about little Gracie and your family very often and we pray for your family everyday. Peace, Michelle Kilgore
I'm glad to hear the good news. I know this must be an incredibly hard time for your family. Keep the faith and know that many people are praying for your baby Grace. I am from South Crolina and have kept up with many of the heart babies. My sister is friends with baby Alex's family.
I found your blog through another Heart Babies blog. My son had a heart transplant last summer before he was even 1 month old.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious Gracie.
yea!! See, faith and prayers can help us to see a miracle. Hopefully it will only get better from here. I'm so glad I got to see you guys last night. Hang in there!
I am so excited about the news. The Lord has a way of touching many lifes. Thank you for sharing each moment with us. We are all truly blessed becuase of Grace in out lives. Our prayers are still with you.
Love,
The Manning's
We are praying for you guys several times throughout the day. We know Gracie is in the Lords hands. Stick in their. All our love, The McMillans
Tom and Michelle,
We love and care for you all. We are constantly watching and praying for you, hoping for continued progress. This indeed sounds like good news. Stay strong.
SL Branch
It's so wonderful to wake up to good news! I hope and pray you have many more good news moments during this critical week. It seems when you go through a lot of sorrow, there is always a payback of joy. Hope to see Gracie later today! I hear she looks so good. We are here for you.
Stef and Family
We check the blog periodically throughout the day and we were so excited to get the good news this morning! She is a fighter for sure! Hang in there!
Love,
The Mortensens
I always find it so amazing that when it comes down to the life of a child of God that all the other things that fill our time and life have little to no significance and we see once again more clearly the eternal significance of this life and the motivation of a Savior to save us all. I say a day of hope is a great day. So happy to hear your good news!!!
We hope that this is just the first of many miracles for Baby Gracie! love, Amy
It is so wonderful to have a glimmer of hope. Keep fighting Gracie Jean and Happy one week old today. We love you so much.
Grandma and Grandpa P.S. Nice blogging Tom!
Tom and Michele,
Great news!! When my son was in the hospital 5 years ago I remember any good news was a big boost!!! Sounds like your girl is a fighter!! I'm going to the temple today and I will put her name on the prayer roll-sounds like prayers are being offered all over!!Hang in there and I hope you feel the love being sent your way!! Much love to your family-Shari (Tiff's mom)
I'm so glad to hear the good news! Way to go Gracie!!
I came here through kate's blog and wanted to let you know I am praying for you, Gracie and your family.
I am doing a little happy dance for you!!!! (silly I know) I know that this doesn't mean she is out of the woods yet... So, here are many more prayers coming your way...Brynn
Happy one week old Gracie!
Tom & Michelle
You are touching lives of people you don't even know with your strong family & the faith we all share. Thank You for sharing these difficult times with all of us... it really makes us/me appreciate all that Heavenly has given us, the life of a child & the time we spend with them. He truly does LoVe us & watches over us, just like we do with our children that he has given us.
Sounds like Gracie is a strong daughter of our Heavenly Father's, just like you Michelle!
(I know Tiffany Snow... so, I'm a stranger to you)
My thoughts & prayers are with you & your dear Family.
Thank You again for sharing.
~ Tom & Nickelle
Dear Gledhill family, I found your link on Kaidences blog. Kaidence is my great niece. We feel for you and what you are going through. I know that Heavenly Father knows of Gracie's needs. And through fasting and prayer you will get through this. We wish you well and send prayers your way. Debbie Mitchell
Wonderful news - that made my morning! I can't believe she is already one week old. Ya'll are doing so well...keep it up. Love, The Texas Mayers!!
That is great news. I just wanted to let you know that we are thinking and praying for all of you.
Ashley
I know you do not know me. I am a member of intermountain healing hearts and my son Ryker was born w/ HLHS and was next door to Kaidence while he was at PCMC. I read about your little Gracie on Kaidence's blog, and I just wanted to let you know my prayers are with your family. My husband's twin and his wife are expecting a little Gracie in July with HLHS too, so we are all to familiar with this condition. I pray thing begin to improve. Jackie was a regular nurse with my Ryker, and she is wonderful and amazing as are so many of the other staff there. If you ever need to talk, my e-mail is emilygourley@gmail.com.
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