Wednesday, November 12, 2008

success=)

hi sweet baby!

so you did great yesterday getting your trach. i had worked the night before and uva let me stay in one of their "room-in rooms" yesterday and last night, so i could sleep while you were in surgery and be close to you while you recovered. well after i dropped you off in the OR, i went back to the room and didn't even have time to fall asleep before they came and got me! you were already back up in the nicu and the surgery took no time at all! i'm very proud of you for behaving=) yesterday you had a nurse who loves you so much. she told me how she walked into the OR and saw your smiling face up on this big screen because the camera was on you. and they were trying to give you gas to make you fall asleep before they started but you just kept looking around the OR at everybody=) you have quite the tolerance to medication! still-you're super cute and i wish i could've seen it. anyway, i went into the nicu to see you, and had a little mini-panic before i rounded the corner to your bed. i had definitely gotten on board with the trach, but all of a sudden it hit me that this is what i had been dreading for so long and even though i knew it was the best thing for you, i was just a little big afraid of what i was going to see. so for about 5 minutes it was a little hard to see you with this thing sticking out of your neck. i laugh at myself for writing that because it couldn't be worse than seeing two big red cannulas coming out of your neck pumping your in and out of your body while you were on ecmo=) still, it was just hard seeing you breastfeeding two weeks ago and now you have a trach. anyway, i got over it in 5 minutes=) you slept all day yesterday and last night, and a lot of today. at first you would wake up a little tiny bit and seem a little grumpy about it. daddy and i figured you were thinking something like "oh great-i fall asleep for 30 minutes and look what they do to me!"...you're a trooper sweet . but today you really woke up. you were so alert and looking around and flapping those arms and kicking your legs and you were very happy. i can't begin to tell you how much that made my heart rest. i was so afraid you were going to be furious angry when you woke up with something stuck in your throat. you actually seem much more relaxed than when you were intubated. you're not coughing as much as you were before. and you really seem to like having your mouth free. i got you your own chapstick today and it's cherry flavored. now i have to go buy myself some of the same kind because it will remind me of you=) you seem to like that too-you start licking your lips as soon as i start putting it on you. you are the cutest baby i can't even stand it. we love seeing your whole face-your friends in the nicu all come by and say how pretty it is and how glad they are to see it. you are quite popular=)

so the plan is to let your throat and neck get used to the trach for 7 days, and then dr rogers, your surgeon (and one of my favorite people) will change the trach out for the first time. that gives you time to "epithelialize" it which basically means your skin will grow to it a little and stop the leak that you currently have there. then they will start teaching mommy and daddy how to do that ourselves, because we'll do it once a week once you're home. they'll teach us how to clean it and how to suction you through it. lots of things to learn. but then they are planning to transfer you to chippenham at the end of next week or the beginning of thanksgiving week. then you'll just scoot yourself along until you can come home with us. i've been told lots of different things about when you might come home-one person said by christmas, one person said 2-4 weeks, and one person said maybe january if you do everything right. who knows. but that's the plan=)

i love you sweet baby-i'll go back in and play with you a little now before i go and do your laundry-one of my new favorite things=)

mommy

34 comments:

Unknown said...

Yay! I am so glad that the surgery was a success!! I love you and can't wait to see new pictures of Sweet Catherine!!

Teri from CMC NICU said...

Hi Katie! I am so glad to hear surgery went well! Now you can really give those kisses you love to give her more easily! I CAN'T wait to meet your precious girl when she gets transfered to chip. I really hope I will have the honor to care for her. Have a great week with her and I'll see you soon at chip!!
Love, Teri

E said...

Thank you for posting Katie. I am so glad that the surgery went well. I have been praying for you, sweet one! :) I love you, friend.

mommy to Kaden, Brody and angel Ava said...

I am glad that everything went well. Kaden did the same thing after he got his trach...smiled. It really is reassurance. I know your fears, let me just say that believe it or not you will be a pro at everything. I feel like I can do a trach change with my hands tied behind my back...ok, so that is not realistic, but you know what I mean. The first time I had to do it, I cried. I was so scared of hurting him or doing something wrong. After that, it was a "breeze." Do you know if they are going to let you go home with an in-line suction??? I would suggest it as it really cuts back on bacteria and infections because it stays sterile. If you have any questions about anything, please contact me. We have been doing the trach/vent thing for almost 4 years now. I would love to answer any questions as a mommy to other parents that might be lingering in your minds.

Thinking and praying for you all.

Sis. Gail from Camp Creek said...

Hey, Katie, it's so great that Catherine went thorough the surgery well. She's definitely a little trooper. I hope and pray that she will get better quicker now and will soon be home where she belongs. I'm praising God because He has really had His hands on your precious baby. May God continue to bless you all. Love, your cousin, Gail

Abby said...

Oh I am so happy that everything went well. I can't wait to see new pictures of this beauty either! love you all, praying praying praying.

johnson said...

I am so glad everything went well. I have been prayin for sweet Catherine, you and your husband for a while now. My 5 year old little boy will pray with me and he always prays for "Baby Catherine". Hang in there Catherine!!

Tammie said...

Thank you for posting! This is fantastic news! I can't wait for you to get your sweet girl home with you and for her to sleep in her own crib. I know you look forward to that as well. My family will continue to pray for yours. - Tammie

Anonymous said...

cherry chapstick, doing little Casserine's laundry, kicking and flailing arms, prospects of home =)...WOW! love ya'll

Kathy Davis said...

God bless you brave, strong, little miraculous Catherine. We are so very happy that the surgery was quick and successful. Your Mommy and Daddy are very strong too and will help you through your time with this life-promoting, medical miracle that should benefit you and get you home soon. Yay for this good news!

Cherry flavored chapstick, now that was a sweet purchase Katie girl. You and Donnie are the best parents in the world for your special girl.

Thankfully and lovingly ~ Aunt Kathy, Jincey & Mitchell

Anonymous said...

We are so happy to hear that the surgery went so well. We love big steps for baby Catherine! She is such a little miracle and an awesome testimony to God's unfailing love, power and provision!!

Unknown said...

What a precious thing to be able to see her little face!! I know this is all so difficult but you are doing such a great job of doing what's best for Catherine.

Do you ever just pinch yourself? Just thinking that she's really here? When I think about her in the morning getting ready (cause it still says remember Catherine on my mirror) I just am in awe of her!!!

The Madaus Family said...

So glad to hear that everything worked out for baby Catherine. She definitely is a trooper! I think about your family often and pray for continued improvement of your little girl!

A Southern Wedding Belle said...

Ohhhh - baby laundry! The sweetest things that God ever made - baby smiles, baby laughter, baby smells, baby skin, and then baby laundry. What a blessing Catherine is. Good job you guys - love you all, mama debbie

Emilie Smith said...

This is awesome! I'm so glad to hear everything is going well! I'm so proud of Catherine and so proud of what a loving mama you are! You are teaching me to never take anything for granted - not even laundry - now and once our boy gets here. Love you friend!

Elaine Davis said...

Yay! I'm so glad everything went well. Catherine, you are the most amazing baby I know!! I can't wait to see your sweet smiling face!! Love you family!

Brooke Hammel said...

Praise God, he is SO good. Thank you Jesus for helping little Catherine get better! You are always in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy, I have tears in my eyes. Way to go awesome baby. It all gets better from here. I bet mommy and daddy can't get enough of your sweet lips! Yay, being transferred, coming home, HE is amazing. You sound so SPUNKIE my love. All the best to you my love and continued prayers.

Baby Girl you give cherry chapstick and doing laundry a WHOLE NEW meaning :)

Fer said...

I'm glad the surgery went well. I hope this is one step closer to home. Many prayers for you.
Fer
CHERUBS Mexicna Rep.

Kathy Davis said...

Still praying for the three of you, your beautiful, special family. Hope Catherine's progression with each day is gentle and with smiles. Enjoy being with her this weekend. She's getting closer and closer to coming home. That's such wonderful news. May God Bless YOU ALL, and give Catherine much strength and extraordinary healing powers (I believe He's already given those). With the support and faithfulness of such loving parents though, she's got so many positives working for her. What a blessed child! One day, I'm going to get to hug that little blessing and nephew Donnie and niece Katie. I'm so proud of you. We love you! ~~ Aunt Kathy, Jincey & Mitchell

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Oh, the joys of each beautiful moment! I think my favorite part of this post is how excited Mommy is about doing Catherine's laundry! It is the smallest tasks of the smallest moments that truly become the most meaningful when joy is present...

I am thanking God right now and praying for each moment to be so wonderful, so simple, so joyous...

Kelly Davis said...

Hey Donnie and Katie! I miss y'all and your baby! It hits me sometimes how much of a miracle this whole thing is, and makes me full of thankfulness to Him. Misty and I love you guys, and keep praying for your strength and your spirit. PEACE

Liz Rich said...

Katie,
I am so happy that Catherine has a happy attitude...I know that comforts you.
While Par was in the hospital...we were in the middle of the holidays...a few nurses gave me false hope of being home by Christmas...and some were more conservative saying in January...I was so hung up on be home for Christmas that I lost a little perspective about my precious baby...anyway, we went home on December 28th...God's perfect timing...because I know that being home on Christmas I would have wanted to do all the "traditional" Christmas things--going to church, being with my huge family, etc....all which would not be in Par's best interest because of the germ factors...God told me to be still...it was hard...but we made it home...and you will too...we are praying for your precious baby catherine and you and your family.
Liz
Mom to Par (LCDH 11/1/07)

jennifer said...

Katie...so glad to hear all the good news. Catherine is such a trooper and she is SO beautiful!! How amazing she might be home for christmas, i will pray that. Your family and their strength is such an inspiration.

Elizabeth said...

Dr. Rogers is one of my favorite people too!

Every parent who has had to have their babe treched says the same thing - they seem so much more relaxed after. And it isn't forever.

Keeping you all in my thoughts, prayers and LUNG FUNCTION chants,
Elizabeth

Sara said...

I'm so happy that Catherine seems to be doing so well on the trach!

I'm still praying for her that she'll be able to come home soon. I want to see pictures of her pretty face :)

-Sara Gentry (went to high school with Tara Dorsey in case you forgot from the other comment I left!)

Kristi said...

Katie, We pray for you and your family daily and stand amazed at the strong and faithful woman you are during this most difficult time. You and your husband are truly wonderful witness's for our Lord. What a testimony Catherine will have one day as I am trusting God to raise her to be a woman of faith. Your life and your miricles are breathtaking and we only wish you Gods Greatest Blessings and Healings, Kristi

Chavonne said...

I'm so glad the surgery went well!

Nikki said...

woohoo for baby catherine! I am so proud of you sweet little princess!

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at what a little trooper the amazing catherine is. she is an absolute rock star. once you get this little angel home and she turns in to a little girl, i can see you are are going to have a little firework on your hands. you are so lucky, and we are all thinking of you, your hubby, and baby catherine every day.

hugs....
karen in springfield, va

AtlantaMama said...

happy month birthday... is 3 months now?!! WOW! We love yall!

ilse sears said...

I hope all is well and little Catherine is adjusting well to her trach. I miss hearing and reading news. I guess "No news is good news" is our hope, Love you all, Aunt Spanish from Atlanta

Unknown said...

Just stopped to see if there was any new news... still praying for you all!

Deb said...

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm glad the surgery went well. I hope her progress continues.