Thursday Update

Ellie is now trying out an HME (artificial nose) on her trach. She is doing awesome! They have her using it for 6 hours during the day.

The HME fits onto the end of the trach tube and collects exhaled moisture to humidify the next breath. She will still use the bulky humidity collar at night. More information on humidity and trachs can be found here.

Here is Ellie with the HME on:


So much easier to hold and cuddle her:

Feedings: The doctors have been steadily decreasing the amount of time they have her feeds spaced over. She is now getting her entire feeding over the course of 30 minutes. Next step: bowlous feedings! She is doing a fabulous job of digesting the milk, and has little to no residual (leftovers) after she is done digesting the feeding.

Home: God is continuing to answer prayers! They have found a nursing company that is willing to work for Ellie, and the discharge nurse is now saying we should be home in two weeks! We hardly dare say it out loud, but it continues to look like we will be home sooner than we thought.

Ellie has been in the hospital for 6 weeks. It has been an amazing journey. We have truly experienced the valley, the depths of sadness and desperation, but, by the grace of God, we have come out on the other side and can proclaim: "How great is our God!" We could not make it without the support of your prayers and encouragement, from both friends and those we do not know, though you are all friends in Christ. We know this is really just the beginning of a lifelong journey, but now we can rest assured that anything is possible with God, and we are not afraid.

Our love and peace to all--

Emily