Thursday, September 25, 2008

=)

catherine-

hi little one=) you are better. one of your favorite nurses is back today (she was there monday for your little "episode") and she said she was pretty confident you basically just had a big wad of yuck in the back of your throat and obviously that doesn't help you breathe! you poor little thing-i am so sorry you have to deal with things like that. but you've had a great few days since monday. you've been peaceful and happy, and you've even smiled at us a few times! we are loving that. not that we know exactly what is making you smile (a good dream, gas, etc...???) but it makes us feel like you are content and that makes us so happy=) you even came off fentanyl and nitric oxide today! guess what else? the BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) test this morning came back GREAT! this is the marker that indicates heart failure (from the pulmonary hypertension)... and yours was initially 2300!!! yikes! (that is when they put you back on nitric oxide) then it came down to 800, then 200, and this morning it was 75!!! they said a few days ago they'd be very happy with it below 100, and if it was below 50 they could be pretty confident that the pulmonary hypertension had resolved for the most part. they did an echo yesterday as well to check out the pulmonary hypertension-it showed that you do still have some but it's not "raging" anymore. you're still getting oral medication to help with it, so hopefully it won't give you too much trouble from here on out. they also said your lungs are looking a little more expanded, little by little, so that was great as well. keep up the good work sweet baby=)

yesterday you and i got to spend some great time together. i was pretty stingy with my "holding you" time-daddy gave me a look last night when i sat down to hold you for the third time and he hadn't yet had a turn...no worries-i did eventually share;) but you were awake for much of that time and looking pretty intently at me and i was telling you about all sorts of wonderful things. what we've been doing, what your nursery looks like, different family and friends who love you. it felt like you were listening to me and taking it all in=) thank you for that=)

so now our next big goal is to get you off of cpap and onto nasal cannula. i'm not sure how long this will take, but hopefully it can be soon. you get to try to breastfeed as soon as you are on nasal cannula-that is just an extra added bonus on top of the fact that nasal cannula means your lungs are doing better! i am so proud of you my sweet one. we love you so much and cannot get enough of you=)

mommy

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOSH! I am so happy and excited to hear how well Catherine is doing. Wow, way to go baby girl! So glad your tests are awesome and that you are making so much positive progress! YAY! So glad to hear about your nursery! Can't wait to see pics, I hope! Sending love and prayers your way, for mommmy and daddy as well.

Unknown said...

That smiley face gave me the BIGGEST smiley face!!! I'm so happy for good news! And lots of mommy (AND Daddy) holding time!!! Keep going little Catherine!!!!

E said...

This is awesome news. We've been praying, and won't stop! Love you, Katie.

Abby said...

oh yay!! hip hip hooray! thank you God for your miracles. eden is in her bed right now yelling "mommy say prayer! dear God, heal baby caf-er-y" (which means catherine. we love you guys!

McClure ELA 8 said...

I AM SO EXCITED!!! I have loved journeying with you guys through all of this! I canNOT wait to meet Catherine!!

Yay for Catherine!! You are the coolest chick ever!! Every time I check on you, you're getting BIGGER and STRONGER!!

And you're parents are SUPER- I'm glad that you get them as your mom and dad!!

The true struggle of a lesbian christian said...

I am soo glad that catherine is doing well!!I will be praying that she comes off the cpap! It's great to hear of all your improvements!!

Emilie Smith said...

Yahoo! What a great news post!!!

*super dude and super dog* said...

YAY!!! We needed some good news, but not as much as you guys do :) Thank you for sharing your journey.

Catherine, Keep up the great work and stop scaring your mom & dad!

Debbie said...

Catherine, Tears welled in my eyes when I read your mommy's post today. She seemed so sad in her post the other day - you are sure making your mommy and daddy smile now. Not a day passes by that I do not think of you little one. Bless you, your mommy & daddy.
Love, Debbie in Decatur

Beth Goff said...

What blessings!!!!! Catherine is such an amazing little girl! I am so happy for yall! We pray for you all the time!

Linda Bomar said...

I have been following Catherine's remarkable story through your blog and of course through Sara. I am so thrilled to read about Catherine's amazing progress and to share in your joy at the miracles that are occuring daily. Please know that our whole family holds all of you close in our hearts and in our prayers. What incredible parents you and Donnie are and how lucky Catherine is to have you in her life!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy for the great news! Love you!

Deb said...

Oh I love happy news! So happy for you all. If you get a chance, call me when you're back home, I'm working this weekend. I think I have news you want to hear:)

Deb, CMC-NBN

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Dear Catherine... Your Mommy and Daddy are in love with your smiles! Can you just imagine how powerful and lovely and magnificent a smile is? That is what you bring to this world, little sweetheart... power and love and magnificence!
Love, Sharon
ps: today is my little grandson's 4th birthday... his name is William... and I am so very happy that this day has brought such wonderful news

Cori said...

I love hearing about Catherine, but I love even more hearing about the good days! We pray specifically for Catherine's needs and also for the comfort you and Donnie may need during this challenging time. We love your precious family and know the Lord has His arms wrapped around all of you! miss you!

Bekah said...

Holy moly! I am SO SO SO happy for y'all. I've noticed that each time there is a 'set back' or a 'bad day' that it is followed by amazing days! I praise Jesus for such a beautiful life and the beautiful way you and Donnie share it!

Anonymous said...

Little Chestough,
that was truly an AWESOME bday gift reading what your mommy wrote-I bet your smile is the cutest thing eva! Remember our deal, ok...and yes little one, I still remember the song you sang to me.."I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it..." and you're absolutely doing fantastic ;) More wonderful dance/praise parties with the Lord! Love you and your mommy and daddy very much! By the way, your pic of you holding the crib is on my desktop at work, and I show people all the time! love you x infinity!

Lisa said...

What a sweet strong little baby girl! Sounds like she knows how amazing her mommy and daddy are that she wants to stick around to get to know you! Continuing to pray.

Katie said...

I'm so happy to hear that Catherine is doing so well. All praises be unto Him. We're still praying for you all!

Hannah D said...

oh such wonderful news to hear! katie, i am praying so hard that you get to breastfeed your sweet one soon dear friend. keep expanding those lungs darling catherine and know we all love you deeply :)

Hannah Elisabeth said...

You are such a cute and sweet little Mommy....I found your letters to Catherine through a series of other people and have been reading it ever since....I am praying for your sweet baby, she is precious!!

Anonymous said...

Yea, Catherine! It's so amazing what a spectacular testimony someone who is barely a month old can have!!!!

stephanieandjoey said...

This post is so sweet, the picture of her holding her little crib is so sweet! Praying for you all!
Stephanie Durham Polk

flo&crystal@ric.va.usa said...

Dear Katie,

When I know little Catherine smile to you few times, I remember I read a novel before, which said that when little baby seems to smile for no reason, it probably because she sees the angels who are protecting her. The scene is so beautiful. Angels are around little Catherine and you and Donnie. Keep praying for three of you.

With love in Christ

Brooke Hammel said...

Katie & Donnie -

I have had little Catherine on my heart the last week or so and now I know why. I continue to pray for her complete healing and restoration. God is able! He has given me such a burden for you guys.

Bless the Lord... he is GOOD! Thank you Lord for bringing little Catherine this far! Strengthen Mommy and Daddy with your tender love and protect little Catherine Lord, restore her and heal her in JESUS NAME.

Brooke Hammel, Atlanta GA

Missives From Suburbia said...

Amazing news!! Keep it up, Catherine!