Yesterday was a tough day......for all involved! Ella was airlifted to The Children's Hospital in Aurora, CO. Which is basically Denver. The team from the hospital arrived in Bismarck around 10:30AM, got report from her nurse and Dr.O, Ella and her family said their teary goodbyes, and off she went at about 12:00PM. She arrived at The Children's Hospital around 2:30PM I believe. During her travels I called down there to get the downlow on the rules/times the PICU has. They have report from 6:45-7:45 AM and PM. They don't let anyone in the unit during the report times, but if you are in the patients room during that time you can stay in there. Visiting hours for parents are 24 hrs a day, grandparents 8AM to 8PM, and everyone else is 8AM to ? I just had a mind block. Oh well it's not that important anyways!
Apparently her flight was sort of rough. Ella's been having seizures quite frequently the past couple of weeks and this past weekend she developed a fever. She had a couple seizures on her flight, and the nurse told me it didn't sound like she enjoyed her first plane ride very much :( I don't blame her I hate flying too! They are giving her Motrin to control her fevers, but they are still try to figure out why she's having fevers. Fever usually means your body is fighting an INFECTION.........and infection is a bad word at my house! They have cultured her bodily fluids, checked her ears, checked her throat, checked her mouth, and checked her nose. They come up with nothing. It's extremely frustrating.
I spoke with her nurses on the PICU yesterday afternoon and again in the evening. They said she's just really warm from the fever and tired. They think she was just wiped out from not feeling well and those dumb seizures take a lot of her strength. Especially when she destats and needs help to start breathing again.
They spent yesterday basically getting her settled in and all of her meds and feedings organized. I can't wait to get down there. I want to see what they have to say and what their plans are for her shunt tubing, etc. Right now Ella's shunt tubing is draining the CSF fluid into a bag outside of her body. A little over a month ago her stomach wasn't handling the shunt tubing and it wasn't absorping the CSF fluid like it should be. Ella has a lot of scar tissue in her abdominal cavity from all the procedures she's had and she had a colostomy bag at one time. Her incision on her tummy just wouldn't heal properly, one afternoon Dr. O was changing her dressing and checking on the incision he discovered that the shunt tubing was nearly poking out of her tummy where the incision opening was! It had to come out right away............that is when they clipped the tubing to about her chest area and surgically sutured the tubing to come out of her chest and drain into the bag outside of her body. This is just temporary until they figure out where the best place to put the shunt tubing will be, so it works effectively. It clearly isn't working in her abdominal cavity. This was sort of when the transfer to The Children's Hospital was decided.
Raymond and I are taking off tonight to be with her, Joe is going to stay here in Rapid. When I spoke with them yesterday they stated anyone under 3 years old isn't allowed in the PICU. I understand they have to look out for all the children on their floor. Instead of Raymond and I taking turns going to visit in Ella's room our awesome friends Penny and Trista are going to let Joe sleep over tonight, and then he is spending the next 2 days and 2 nights snuggling with his Grandma Jody and Uncle Darren. I'm sure Grandma Coe and Grandma Sharon will sneak some cuddles in too! Thanks..... you guys are lifesavers!!!! It will nice for Raymond and I to speak to the medical staff together too!
Well that was yesterday in a nutshell! We will see how the rest of the week goes.
I don't know who works in Bismarck's NICU this weekend but I plan on calling Saturday to update everyone :)
Picture taken by the lovely Janel Johnson at Janel Johnson Photography
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
It's Not Goodbye, It's Just The Beginning!
This weekend was one of my final trips to Bismarck from Rapid City to visit Ella. I was dreading it because I was going to have to say my goodbye to everyone as Ella is going to Denver tomorrow! I knew it was going to be so hard and lots of leaving me speechless tears would be involved. Over the past 13 months our family has grown extremely attached and loves all the self proclaimed nurse "aunties", one "uncle", and of course Ella's Dr.O. It nearly sets me into a complete panic attack to think she will no longer be in his care! Dr. O's tireless devotion to my children and caring heart is a whole another blog entry!
The past 13 months this staff has given their skills, love, shoulders to cry on, friendships, and devotion to Raymond/Me and our children. They are an amazing skilled group of people and I feel so blessed and privileged they were the ones who cared for Robert, Joe, and Ella! Not only were they the childrens nurses, but they became my close friends! When you spend all your spare time there you start to talk of food, shopping, hair, plastic surgeries we'd like done, annoying things our significant others do, movies, in-laws, pregnancy, baby names, building houses, kids, pets, and did I mention food? Those are just a few of the many topics that have been covered! I've called there a least twice a day if not more for the past 13 months and had many nonchild related phone conversations with my friends.
Not only have they been fun friends, but they have been extremely supportive friends. I have had to make so many hard decisions during this journey and they have NEVER judged me or made me feel bad for anything. I've always had so much support and love from them. Not to mention a shoulder to cry on or vent too!
I appreciate all the "extras". Joe and mostly Ella have been involved in many activities! These nurses are photographers, beauticians, fashion consultants, they do arts and crafts, interior decorators, and enjoy going on walks to promote exercise!
When I was driving home last night I realized this wasn't goodbye it's just the beginning! Friends and family don't say "goodbyes" they say, "can't wait to see you next time!". We refuse to say "goodbye" there isn't a goodbye to be said. Besides........ what would Ella and Joe think of something so silly like that!!!!
We love you guys! Each one of you is an amazing talented person that carries a very special place in my heart, tucked in there right next to my kids. Thank you for all you've done and always making all the happy moments such special ones!
The past 13 months this staff has given their skills, love, shoulders to cry on, friendships, and devotion to Raymond/Me and our children. They are an amazing skilled group of people and I feel so blessed and privileged they were the ones who cared for Robert, Joe, and Ella! Not only were they the childrens nurses, but they became my close friends! When you spend all your spare time there you start to talk of food, shopping, hair, plastic surgeries we'd like done, annoying things our significant others do, movies, in-laws, pregnancy, baby names, building houses, kids, pets, and did I mention food? Those are just a few of the many topics that have been covered! I've called there a least twice a day if not more for the past 13 months and had many nonchild related phone conversations with my friends.
Not only have they been fun friends, but they have been extremely supportive friends. I have had to make so many hard decisions during this journey and they have NEVER judged me or made me feel bad for anything. I've always had so much support and love from them. Not to mention a shoulder to cry on or vent too!
I appreciate all the "extras". Joe and mostly Ella have been involved in many activities! These nurses are photographers, beauticians, fashion consultants, they do arts and crafts, interior decorators, and enjoy going on walks to promote exercise!
When I was driving home last night I realized this wasn't goodbye it's just the beginning! Friends and family don't say "goodbyes" they say, "can't wait to see you next time!". We refuse to say "goodbye" there isn't a goodbye to be said. Besides........ what would Ella and Joe think of something so silly like that!!!!
We love you guys! Each one of you is an amazing talented person that carries a very special place in my heart, tucked in there right next to my kids. Thank you for all you've done and always making all the happy moments such special ones!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
History
Well....since I'm about 13 months late starting the blog I best give everyone who doesn't know us a brief history. This is the start of a very brief summary of this life changing journey I've embarked on the past 13 months.
It was May 12th, 2009 and I looked down at the stick staring back at me were 2 pink lines. It just didn't quite sink in I just stared and thought to myself, "this couldn't be right there has been a mistake the test is wrong!" I frantically drove to Walmart in the middle of the night, bought 2 more boxes consisting of 4 more tests, drank an insane amount of water, and then waited what felt like a lifetime to have to pee again. Finally, I stood there looking at all of them perfectly lined up on the bathroom counter..... pregnant, pregnant, pregnant, pregnant. I just stood there like a zombie that drank too much water and still had to pee, "a baby I'm going to be a mother." I couldn't believe it I felt like I could explode on the inside with disbelief. I was so scared...............a mother, what do mothers do? Will I be a good mother? How are good mothers good mothers? I confirmed my findings with Raymond........."we are going to be parents" I told him. I was sobbing and crying tell him the news and he kept reassuring me everything will be fine we will fine. I just kept thinking how foolish he was that this isn't fine how could everything be fine?
After staying up all night long and thinking tons, the next morning I had this sudden burst of happiness. Raymond's right it will be fine and I will be a great mother and right now marks the beginning of the rest of my life, this is an amazing blessing I've been given. I completely embraced my pregnancy living and breathing all my energy towards this amazing "person" growing inside of me. Although I feel I was a bit over the top about things. I wanted to do everything right for a change...no caffeine, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, take my vitamins, go to all my appointments, etc. Everything was moving along great and I couldn't of been more happy or excited. Then on August 21st, 2009 I found out news that was going to completely change my life and it was the beginning of this roller-coaster of emotions journey we are still experiencing. At my ultrasound not only did the tech discover one baby..........but then another.........and then ANOTHER! Yes, on that day I was told that I am having spontaneous triplets. There they were these 3 perfect beings staring back at me on the monitor Baby A...boy, Baby B...girl, Baby C...boy. I was bawling like in this total snot shooting out of my nose cry, then went into complete and total shock, and then stopped crying and speaking all within a matter of 15 minutes. I was 18 weeks and 6 days pregnant that day.
On October 17th, 2009 I gave birth to 3 little Brunson baby's unexpectedly at 26 weeks and 1 day as a result of the H1N1 flu. Little Baby A's water had broke and he was getting the heck out of there! Robert Douglas 1 lb 11 oz, Joe Michael 1lb 14 oz, and Ella Norrita 1lb 7oz. They then began their journey along with me, starting out as a long stay in the NICU. Very small and very sick I will never forget the first time I seen them. I felt so much love in my heart a love that I have never experienced. It was the first time in my life I knew what the meaning love something so much it hurts meant. They looked so tiny and so sick, but I still thought they were the most beautiful people in the entire world! It wasn' t an easy beginning. Robert passed away on October 29th, 2009 as a result of a blood clot. It was so sudden and horrible. I lost a piece of my heart that day, but I gained a guardian angel that is watching over all of us for eternity.
The rest of the stay was a series of very ups and downs. Joe had a grade IV brain hemorrhage, which is common in micro preemies. He ended up getting a shunt to control his hydrocephalus. The rest of his stay he thrived and did really well. He still has some issued due to the brain injury, but we are working with him and I have very positive feelings about all the hard work we do! We got to bring him home on February 9th, 2010. His sister Ella hasn't quite had it like that. She has been through many many procedures approximately 14 or 15. Most of her problems have been her tummy, but she also has had the laser eye surgery for ROP, colostomy bag, the colostomy bag reversed, and a shunt....just to name a few plus surgery involving the complications that came along with all them things. Ella has fought multiple infections, pneumonia on more than one occasion, surgeries, gastrointestinal issues, and head issues. Which she is on her 2nd shunt as her first one became infected. She has spent her entire life fighting for it and won. I have shed millions of tears and said my goodbyes many times, but she is still here with us and we love her soooo much! Little Miss Ella is going to Denver on Tuesday to the Children Hospital in Aurora, CO, from the NICU in Bismarck, ND. She needs to have her shunt tubing placed as it doesn't work to be in her tummy and they may do something with a feeding tube as all her feeds are done with an NJ in her nare. We don't really know what their plans will be or what the future will hold, but all we can do is pray this is a step closer to home.
So there you have it a very brief history of the past 13 months. I could kick myself for not starting this blog business 13 months ago, but it's never too late. We are about to begin a whole new journey and this time I'm keeping everyone posted!
It was May 12th, 2009 and I looked down at the stick staring back at me were 2 pink lines. It just didn't quite sink in I just stared and thought to myself, "this couldn't be right there has been a mistake the test is wrong!" I frantically drove to Walmart in the middle of the night, bought 2 more boxes consisting of 4 more tests, drank an insane amount of water, and then waited what felt like a lifetime to have to pee again. Finally, I stood there looking at all of them perfectly lined up on the bathroom counter..... pregnant, pregnant, pregnant, pregnant. I just stood there like a zombie that drank too much water and still had to pee, "a baby I'm going to be a mother." I couldn't believe it I felt like I could explode on the inside with disbelief. I was so scared...............a mother, what do mothers do? Will I be a good mother? How are good mothers good mothers? I confirmed my findings with Raymond........."we are going to be parents" I told him. I was sobbing and crying tell him the news and he kept reassuring me everything will be fine we will fine. I just kept thinking how foolish he was that this isn't fine how could everything be fine?
After staying up all night long and thinking tons, the next morning I had this sudden burst of happiness. Raymond's right it will be fine and I will be a great mother and right now marks the beginning of the rest of my life, this is an amazing blessing I've been given. I completely embraced my pregnancy living and breathing all my energy towards this amazing "person" growing inside of me. Although I feel I was a bit over the top about things. I wanted to do everything right for a change...no caffeine, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, take my vitamins, go to all my appointments, etc. Everything was moving along great and I couldn't of been more happy or excited. Then on August 21st, 2009 I found out news that was going to completely change my life and it was the beginning of this roller-coaster of emotions journey we are still experiencing. At my ultrasound not only did the tech discover one baby..........but then another.........and then ANOTHER! Yes, on that day I was told that I am having spontaneous triplets. There they were these 3 perfect beings staring back at me on the monitor Baby A...boy, Baby B...girl, Baby C...boy. I was bawling like in this total snot shooting out of my nose cry, then went into complete and total shock, and then stopped crying and speaking all within a matter of 15 minutes. I was 18 weeks and 6 days pregnant that day.
On October 17th, 2009 I gave birth to 3 little Brunson baby's unexpectedly at 26 weeks and 1 day as a result of the H1N1 flu. Little Baby A's water had broke and he was getting the heck out of there! Robert Douglas 1 lb 11 oz, Joe Michael 1lb 14 oz, and Ella Norrita 1lb 7oz. They then began their journey along with me, starting out as a long stay in the NICU. Very small and very sick I will never forget the first time I seen them. I felt so much love in my heart a love that I have never experienced. It was the first time in my life I knew what the meaning love something so much it hurts meant. They looked so tiny and so sick, but I still thought they were the most beautiful people in the entire world! It wasn' t an easy beginning. Robert passed away on October 29th, 2009 as a result of a blood clot. It was so sudden and horrible. I lost a piece of my heart that day, but I gained a guardian angel that is watching over all of us for eternity.
The rest of the stay was a series of very ups and downs. Joe had a grade IV brain hemorrhage, which is common in micro preemies. He ended up getting a shunt to control his hydrocephalus. The rest of his stay he thrived and did really well. He still has some issued due to the brain injury, but we are working with him and I have very positive feelings about all the hard work we do! We got to bring him home on February 9th, 2010. His sister Ella hasn't quite had it like that. She has been through many many procedures approximately 14 or 15. Most of her problems have been her tummy, but she also has had the laser eye surgery for ROP, colostomy bag, the colostomy bag reversed, and a shunt....just to name a few plus surgery involving the complications that came along with all them things. Ella has fought multiple infections, pneumonia on more than one occasion, surgeries, gastrointestinal issues, and head issues. Which she is on her 2nd shunt as her first one became infected. She has spent her entire life fighting for it and won. I have shed millions of tears and said my goodbyes many times, but she is still here with us and we love her soooo much! Little Miss Ella is going to Denver on Tuesday to the Children Hospital in Aurora, CO, from the NICU in Bismarck, ND. She needs to have her shunt tubing placed as it doesn't work to be in her tummy and they may do something with a feeding tube as all her feeds are done with an NJ in her nare. We don't really know what their plans will be or what the future will hold, but all we can do is pray this is a step closer to home.
So there you have it a very brief history of the past 13 months. I could kick myself for not starting this blog business 13 months ago, but it's never too late. We are about to begin a whole new journey and this time I'm keeping everyone posted!
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