Tuesday, October 6, 2009



Baby Emma Update 10.6.09


Extra prayers & notes of encouragement are needed for the Crew Family as they go into what will surely be a tough week ahead. Thanks to Emma's Mom, Sophie for keeping us all updated on her lil angel's recovery. Below is an update from her that she sent over this afternoon:
Day 18. Still here in the PICU. Yesterday was a tough day as we were reminded by the (sweetest and kindest) resident doc who has been with us since day one, that Emma's brain damage is 'extensive'. We're not accepting that. The only thing getting us through every single long hour and day of this nightmare is hope. Yes, sometimes my hope seems to get thrown on the floor but I pick it right up again. We are trying so hard. The docs had to reinsert a new drain and ICP monitor. her 'bolt' has been removed from her skull and a new hole was drilled into the right side of her skull to remove CSF from the ventricles of the brain. Currently the drain is turned off but they would open it if her ICP levels get too high. Ty and I were not happy with this decision but we need to trust that the docs know what they are doing. We just don't want her body to become dependent on dumping CSF rather than reabsorbing it. If this becomes the case, she would need a permanent 'shunt' installed to drain the CSF into her belly - for the rest of her life, every time she falls or gets a fever: Xray. I guess that is just the least of her worries at this point though... 'Emmy' has been moving her left side a lot - we already know that her right side has been affected as it is significantly weaker (left side of brain controls right side of body from neck down). Emmy opened her right eye today for a few minutes - just barely cracked open but enough to put a huge smile on our faces. She did this yesterday for a few minutes and I swear she moved her eye to look at Elmo that I held up for her. Today she didn't move her eye to try to follow us though... praying her vision is not totally gone (Em has Retinal Hemorrhaging). The docs want her to begin 'waking' so they are decreasing her meds little by little and if all goes well, she will be off of the ventilator in a couple of days - if all goes well. It's really 'Two steps forward, one step back' for us. As she wakes, fear and nervousness are setting in.... we pray to God that she has not lost what it is that makes Emma our 'Emmy', our sweet, sneaky, snuggly, funny, intelligent, witty little girl. We miss her eyes - her big sparkly eyes. Those things light up a room... so much that each time I look into her eyes, I want to grab my camera and capture such sparkle. We miss her little dance - all you have to do is start singing Lalalalala... and she starts dancing to Elmo's Song. She loves music - she points to the stereo and gets excited. We miss her new walk... she would take a few steps, look down and smile, and take a few more steps, look down, and keep going... We miss her cuddles - she knew how to cuddle like nobody else. We miss that she greets Pumba (Ty's Wild Boar Head that hangs in our garage) each time we enter the garage door by pointing and saying 'M-ba'. We miss her so much... Please God don't take this away from us. Please continue to pray for our sweet little girl. The next few days are supposed to be 'very uncomfortable' for her as she wakes. Please pray that she awakens completely, painlessly, and with minimal permanent brain damage.


-Sophie & Tyler


13 comments:

  1. From someone who knows about life support and shunts all too well, praying for your little girl, her fighting spirit and your family.

    Jamie
    ilp.

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  2. Prayers for strength during this time.

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  3. OMGoodness, this is just heartbreaking. I can't even imagine. I will definetly continue praying for Emma and the family.

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  4. A Child's Healing

    Jesus prayed for children, knowing that they hold a special place in the heart of God. He prayed for them with unshakable faith in God's power to bless and heal them. Jesus knew that God is always present in each child as pure life, health, strength and perfection. He proved again and again that a loving heart and a mind filled with faith can call forth this indwelling spirit of life.
    (Copied from www.Unity.org)

    From the time that Jesus healed little children to the present time, the healing power of God has not changed. As you pray for a child, keep your thoughts calm and your faith strong. See life—a steady stream of life—flowing unhindered through every cell. Resolutely look away from appearances and see the child or the children you would bless upheld, enfolded and surrounded by the love of God and strengthened by the life of God. See all the functions of mind and body working in health-creating harmony.

    Let this be your thought and your prayer: You are made in the image and likeness of God. You are established in health and perfection.

    Children, with their simple faith and innate eagerness to express life, respond readily to positive thoughts and words of life and health. They respond to love and faith-filled prayer just as surely as a plant responds to the warmth of sunshine.

    Releasing your concerns to God in prayer will bless and uplift you. The child you are praying for will innately sense your faith and peace of mind, which will strengthen his or her faith and peace of mind and quicken the healing process. Once you have turned your concerns over to God in prayer, you are completely free to open your heart to the child seeking your love and reassurance.

    Remember that nothing is too much to ask of God and nothing is too slight for the power of God to harmonize, heal or adjust. As you pray, you are a channel for God's healing power. You are calling God's spirit of perfect life into activity.

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  5. We have been praying for baby Emma constantly and think of her often. Here is some information that may serve as an additional source of hope-this baby Lauren had a similar experience and has progressed very well.

    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurenwentz

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  6. your beautiful daughter and your family are in my daily prayers. it's unimaginable that a precious little baby and her family have to experience this. i can only pray that God brings strength to your family and healing to your little girl.

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  7. Our daily prayers are with you, Ty, Emma, Ava, the doctors and nurses. Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26

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  8. Praying with all that I have, everyday. Beautiful, sweet Emma is in my thoughts and prayers.
    And sending you much love and strength.

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  9. Thinking of you and praying for your sweet little Emma's recovery all day long. I wish I could do more...
    ((hugs)) & love

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  10. Praying all throughout every day for Emma to make a full recovery!

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  11. Sending Emma lots of good well prayers!

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  12. Thinking of you and emma, what a little sweetheart, I hope things improve for you, we may have been on the newlywed message board/bridalinsider at the same time.

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  13. Still thinking of you and wishing for the very best! Please tell Emma how many hearts are with her.

    I am praying that angels will whisper in her ear & let her know to have no fear. I am praying she will know no pain, only joy and comfort and strength.

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