Sunday, May 27, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Todays Endoscopy
Ella did wonderful. She laughed and smiled and talked before and after the endoscopy. She charmed all of the nurses...as always. They loved her and thought she was so wonderful and beautiful...what can I say, she's both!!
They saw NO ulcers or problem with the button on the inside. Dr. Brown said everything looked beautiful. That would be great, except that everything looking good means that she just has reflux and it's causing her to choke and possibly aspirate. So, now we are needing to make some decisions. The recommendation is to perform the Nissen Fundo surgery (that I've linked to before...see posts below). It's a big deal and a pretty good size scar...and it's permanent. It's just a lot on our plates and minds right now. If we do the surgery it won't be till after our trip to San Diego for Joe's marathon.
We'll keep you in the loop!
They saw NO ulcers or problem with the button on the inside. Dr. Brown said everything looked beautiful. That would be great, except that everything looking good means that she just has reflux and it's causing her to choke and possibly aspirate. So, now we are needing to make some decisions. The recommendation is to perform the Nissen Fundo surgery (that I've linked to before...see posts below). It's a big deal and a pretty good size scar...and it's permanent. It's just a lot on our plates and minds right now. If we do the surgery it won't be till after our trip to San Diego for Joe's marathon.
We'll keep you in the loop!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wanna Help Someone?
I have been reading this amazing blog for a while now: http://andjonbabyluke.blogspot.com/, on their blog there is a link to a video that tells their story...and so much of it sounds like our story: http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=28dcf523ba01be56bfce2c&skin_id=1009&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image
After reading Andrea's (yeah, same name) latest blog post I realized something. People are always wanting to help us, but right now we really don't need anything (not that we won't, we just don't at the moment). If you would like to help, or know a way to help, the Hughes family as they try to make their trip to the Mayo Clinic then let me know: mitchells1016@sbcglobal.net
After reading Andrea's (yeah, same name) latest blog post I realized something. People are always wanting to help us, but right now we really don't need anything (not that we won't, we just don't at the moment). If you would like to help, or know a way to help, the Hughes family as they try to make their trip to the Mayo Clinic then let me know: mitchells1016@sbcglobal.net
GI update
We saw the GI doctor this morning. He is concerned that the feeding button has caused Ella to now have reflux. There is an endoscopy scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:15am...in FAR north Plano. This is set up to check and see if she has any ulcers in her stomach or intestines. They are also going to see if the "button" is functioning correctly on the inside. If there is a problem with the button then they will just replace it with a different type of device. The ulcers can possibly be treated. If it's not either of those, or anything else that they can identify, then we will be scheduled for the dreaded Nissen Fundoplication. The biggest part that concerns us is that this surgery is pretty intense and not reversible. If we are recommended the Nissen then we will have the surgery after we get back from San Diego.
Please pray for the test on Thursday, that it shows the doctor exactly what needs to be done. Pray for the decisions that we have to make. They are not easy, even with doctors telling us what "needs" to be done.
Please pray for the test on Thursday, that it shows the doctor exactly what needs to be done. Pray for the decisions that we have to make. They are not easy, even with doctors telling us what "needs" to be done.
Monday, May 21, 2007
today...
Well, in addition to the schedule I "posted" earlier today...we added in an Upper GI test as well. Of course Ella didn't gag or have a single problem during the entire test...how is it that it happens that way? We followed up with the pediatrician after the GI scan and he found something new. Ella has ulcers on the back of her throat. He's not sure how long she's had them, but says that they could be causing her to choose not to swallow. They are not caused by the spitting up, so it's likely that they aren't helping our current issues. We still aren't real sure what's causing the gagging so we are off to the GI doctor tomorrow. We fed her twice tonight (we are back to PediaSure) and she struggles a little, but not too terribly bad.
Of course we'll update everyone tomorrow.
Oh, she did REALLY good on her hearing test...she can hear really well, which isn't a shock to anyone who is around her...she loves sounds!
Of course we'll update everyone tomorrow.
Oh, she did REALLY good on her hearing test...she can hear really well, which isn't a shock to anyone who is around her...she loves sounds!
Our Week...and then some
I know at least some people like to know what we have on the "books" (also known as the calendar I ALWAYS have on my person!)
Monday, May 21st:
8:30am Cognitive Therapy
11am Occupational Therapy
1pm Hearing Test
3:30pm Pediatrician (to follow up from the weekend)
Tuesday, May 22nd:
9am Physical Therapy
10:45 GI doctor (to follow up from this weekend)
2:45 Vision Therapy
Wednesday, May 23rd (Drew Roughton and Drew Mitchell Birthday!):
10am Dr. Nale (one year checkup)
12:30pm "make up" Occupational Therapy
Thursday, May 24th:
9:30am Occupational Therapy
2:15 (ANDREA) Allergy Doctor
Friday, May 25th:
8:30am Cognative Therapy
Other Dates to Know:
Thursday, May 31 @ 9am Swallow Study for Feeding Therapy
Thursday, May 31 @ 10:30am Follow-Up with different Eye Doctor for lazy eye consult
Monday, May 21st:
8:30am Cognitive Therapy
11am Occupational Therapy
1pm Hearing Test
3:30pm Pediatrician (to follow up from the weekend)
Tuesday, May 22nd:
9am Physical Therapy
10:45 GI doctor (to follow up from this weekend)
2:45 Vision Therapy
Wednesday, May 23rd (Drew Roughton and Drew Mitchell Birthday!):
10am Dr. Nale (one year checkup)
12:30pm "make up" Occupational Therapy
Thursday, May 24th:
9:30am Occupational Therapy
2:15 (ANDREA) Allergy Doctor
Friday, May 25th:
8:30am Cognative Therapy
Other Dates to Know:
Thursday, May 31 @ 9am Swallow Study for Feeding Therapy
Thursday, May 31 @ 10:30am Follow-Up with different Eye Doctor for lazy eye consult
Verse for Today
"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3
Joe sent this verse to me this morning and with the rainy weather here in Dallas I thought it applied very much to our lives at the moment.
Joe sent this verse to me this morning and with the rainy weather here in Dallas I thought it applied very much to our lives at the moment.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
ER Visit
Sorry it's taken me a while to update. We've been catching up on sleep.
Last night we attended a good dinner with some friends (pictures in another post). When we went to pick up Ella from my mother and sister they told us that she had continued to struggle with gagging over the course of the evening. Back story...since Ella's button surgery she has had problems not gagging and throwing up with feeds. We have tried laying her down, sitting her up, just reclining her, going fast, going slow, going somewhere in between...she isn't consistent with what makes her gag/vomit and what doesn't. We decided to call the after-hours nurse and she said to head to the ER. We thought she said to head to Children's Medical Center (seems she said Medical City Children's Hospital...grrr) so we sat in an ER waiting room from 10:30pm till around 5am to even get into an ER room. Joe and Ella caught some sleep, but I found a book and decided to read the whole evening. It was amazing how many families were in the ER. Some had children with broken something...and some just had kids that didn't feel well. Once they sorted the trauma from the "not going to see a doctor for 12 hours" people it was pretty much wait for a room to open up. So we waited, and waited, and waited. We thought about leaving a few times, but when it started out being a 4 hour wait it didn't make sense...now looking back we should have just headed to Medical City. The biggest concerns were that Ella could have an obstruction or pneumonia...so we weren't exactly critical.
When we finally saw a doctor, about 7:30am, they decided to run some blood work, urine sample, and chest/ab x-ray. Everything having to do with the feeding came back perfectly normal...but she did have a Urinary Tract Infection. So, we are on antibiotics. We decided to discharge after they couldn't do anything to figure out her gagging...we have decided to just do clear liquids till tomorrow and then catch up with her GI doctor for a follow-up and follow-through. I will give you updates as we know them.
Thank you for your prayers and support. The phone calls, blog comments and emails were wonderful to come home to...it's amazing how much of our "support team" read the blog while we were in the hospital! We love you guys and will keep you as informed as we are!
Last night we attended a good dinner with some friends (pictures in another post). When we went to pick up Ella from my mother and sister they told us that she had continued to struggle with gagging over the course of the evening. Back story...since Ella's button surgery she has had problems not gagging and throwing up with feeds. We have tried laying her down, sitting her up, just reclining her, going fast, going slow, going somewhere in between...she isn't consistent with what makes her gag/vomit and what doesn't. We decided to call the after-hours nurse and she said to head to the ER. We thought she said to head to Children's Medical Center (seems she said Medical City Children's Hospital...grrr) so we sat in an ER waiting room from 10:30pm till around 5am to even get into an ER room. Joe and Ella caught some sleep, but I found a book and decided to read the whole evening. It was amazing how many families were in the ER. Some had children with broken something...and some just had kids that didn't feel well. Once they sorted the trauma from the "not going to see a doctor for 12 hours" people it was pretty much wait for a room to open up. So we waited, and waited, and waited. We thought about leaving a few times, but when it started out being a 4 hour wait it didn't make sense...now looking back we should have just headed to Medical City. The biggest concerns were that Ella could have an obstruction or pneumonia...so we weren't exactly critical.
When we finally saw a doctor, about 7:30am, they decided to run some blood work, urine sample, and chest/ab x-ray. Everything having to do with the feeding came back perfectly normal...but she did have a Urinary Tract Infection. So, we are on antibiotics. We decided to discharge after they couldn't do anything to figure out her gagging...we have decided to just do clear liquids till tomorrow and then catch up with her GI doctor for a follow-up and follow-through. I will give you updates as we know them.
Thank you for your prayers and support. The phone calls, blog comments and emails were wonderful to come home to...it's amazing how much of our "support team" read the blog while we were in the hospital! We love you guys and will keep you as informed as we are!
Dinner with Friends
We had dinner at the WONDERFUL home of the Low's on Saturday night (Mimi and Sara, and Micah, watched E). I'll post more pictures on www.fellowshipconnection.blogspot.com.
Baby Shower
Here is a picture from Melissa Cobb's baby shower. I will post more pictures on www.fellowshipconnection.blogspot.com. 
Good Morning to you all, this is Andrea's sister Sara reporting for the Mitchell's. Please be in prayer for Joe, Andrea and especially Ella today. Ella has been choking and gagging on mucus and saliva for a few days now and has continued to spit up as well as vomit. Last night after Andrea and Joe got her home, Andrea called the doctor and they asked her to go ahead and take Ella to the ER at Children's Hospital Dallas. They were there from 11pm and as of 7:15 (yes over 8 hours) this morning waiting to see a doctor. She called me a few moments ago and informed me they have now seen the doctor and are going in for chest x-rays as well as some blood work. I will continue to update as I get information, in the meantime please pray for the doctors wisdom, Ella's precious and fragile little body, and Joe and Andrea's peace and patience. I think it his hard as a parent to even wrap our little brains around what this family is going through as it is every parent's natural instinct to protect their child. When God takes this out of our hands we then are reminded it is really His hands our children lie in. It takes true faith in our Father to know he is protecting us and will see us through these hard times. The waiting is one of the hardest parts, the not knowing is scary for any parent. I ask that you all please pray that God will wrap this family in His loving arms as he guides them through this exhausting experience. Thank you all and I will post again soon.
In His Grip- Sara
In His Grip- Sara
Friday, May 18, 2007
Out and About
Ella and I met Avery and Stephanie for lunch on Thursday.
(Below) Ella was so hungry she started to eat her chair.
(Below) Avery was so hungry she was trying to eat her shoe!
(Below) Ella was pooped after a lunch at Chuy's...too many chips (I'm kidding, no chips were consumed by the child with a tube)
(Below) Avery was so tired, but the sun was hitting her head so a thoughful mommy decided she needed a diaper-bonnett.
(Below) Ella was so hungry she started to eat her chair.
(Below) Avery was so hungry she was trying to eat her shoe!
(Below) Ella was pooped after a lunch at Chuy's...too many chips (I'm kidding, no chips were consumed by the child with a tube)
(Below) Avery was so tired, but the sun was hitting her head so a thoughful mommy decided she needed a diaper-bonnett.
OCH
We started Occupational Therapy at Our Children's House @ Baylor. Thursday was our first day and it went SO well. They worked Ella really hard and I think I'm going to enjoy taking her there for the OT. I also talked to them about getting on the schedule for feeding and speech therapy. They need to perform their own swallow study on Ella to make sure that they do the VitalStim on the correct spots (that's where they electronically stimulate her muscles). So, we are scheduled for yet another swallow study on May 31st. Hopefully we will be on the schedule by the middle of June. They test again after 20 VitalStim sessions to see if there is any progress being made...ah, something to measure progress is AWESOME!
Here are some pictures while we were sitting in the waiting room, waiting for Ella's new OT Katie (in both of them Ella is trying to sit up in her stroller):
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
How are we doing a year later?
Good. Great.
I can't belive it's been a year. A year ago today I couldn't breathe because my life was so turned upside down. I still feel that way. I sat in my car on Monday and cried. It's hard. It's hard to know that my daughter is SO different from other children her age. It's amazing to know that we should be chasing her...and we stuggle to hold her because she's heavy and so not in control of her body. I can snuggle my child, but I wish she would start to venture out on her own. She doesn't cry, which is so great, but I wish I knew when she hurt, or was hungry, or just felt anything. She laughs, she smiles, she "talks"...but I want more. I want to chase her. I want to complain that she wears me out. Haha, I want to lose weight because I have to keep up with her. I want her to get frustrated that she can't walk or sit...and because of that frustration she tries harder. I want to be able to take her to a store and put her in a cart so I can grab groceries or just some stuff for the house. I want to be able to stand and talk to my friends with my daughter on my hip...instead of her breaking my arms and back. I want her to laugh when we tickle her...because she can feel it. I want her to make a mess in a high chair and make me spend all day cleaning it up...because she's allowed to eat the food. I want her to throw a sippy cup...because she's allowed to drink out of one.
I want a lot. It's hard to remember that I'm supposed to desire that God be glorified out of this situation we've been given. It's hard to align my heart with His when my heart breaks for Ella. I have to take myself out of the equation...and it's hard because I'm so selfish and self-centered...ask anyone. It's always about me or how things are going to effect me...this effects me and yet I'm not who is important. This is my life, but it's the life I've been given. Why have I been chosen for this? I'm not strong. I'm not patient. I'm not good at things like this. I need to be reminded that it's really not about me at all. Have you ever felt completely out of control. Like no matter what you could do as a human...it wouldn't be enough. I know that there is NOTHING humanly possible that I can do to "fix" Ella. I can't take her to a certain number of doctors...or even have any doctors do anything to her. This is how God created her and we can work with her to correct it, but there are no guarentees.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
This doesn't mean that God will give me the strength to endure these trials without any scars, but that I will do it with His strength, even on the rough days. There have been times when I have walked away from God, beside God, and times when he has carried me...I think right now I'm going to enjoy being carried through this because I don't think I can take these steps alone.
I can't belive it's been a year. A year ago today I couldn't breathe because my life was so turned upside down. I still feel that way. I sat in my car on Monday and cried. It's hard. It's hard to know that my daughter is SO different from other children her age. It's amazing to know that we should be chasing her...and we stuggle to hold her because she's heavy and so not in control of her body. I can snuggle my child, but I wish she would start to venture out on her own. She doesn't cry, which is so great, but I wish I knew when she hurt, or was hungry, or just felt anything. She laughs, she smiles, she "talks"...but I want more. I want to chase her. I want to complain that she wears me out. Haha, I want to lose weight because I have to keep up with her. I want her to get frustrated that she can't walk or sit...and because of that frustration she tries harder. I want to be able to take her to a store and put her in a cart so I can grab groceries or just some stuff for the house. I want to be able to stand and talk to my friends with my daughter on my hip...instead of her breaking my arms and back. I want her to laugh when we tickle her...because she can feel it. I want her to make a mess in a high chair and make me spend all day cleaning it up...because she's allowed to eat the food. I want her to throw a sippy cup...because she's allowed to drink out of one.
I want a lot. It's hard to remember that I'm supposed to desire that God be glorified out of this situation we've been given. It's hard to align my heart with His when my heart breaks for Ella. I have to take myself out of the equation...and it's hard because I'm so selfish and self-centered...ask anyone. It's always about me or how things are going to effect me...this effects me and yet I'm not who is important. This is my life, but it's the life I've been given. Why have I been chosen for this? I'm not strong. I'm not patient. I'm not good at things like this. I need to be reminded that it's really not about me at all. Have you ever felt completely out of control. Like no matter what you could do as a human...it wouldn't be enough. I know that there is NOTHING humanly possible that I can do to "fix" Ella. I can't take her to a certain number of doctors...or even have any doctors do anything to her. This is how God created her and we can work with her to correct it, but there are no guarentees.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
This doesn't mean that God will give me the strength to endure these trials without any scars, but that I will do it with His strength, even on the rough days. There have been times when I have walked away from God, beside God, and times when he has carried me...I think right now I'm going to enjoy being carried through this because I don't think I can take these steps alone.
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