Friday, August 10, 2007

Above: This picture was taken a few days ago. Faith has a much happier look now. In fact today when I walked in and said, "Hi Faith" she smiled! This was the first time she has had a reactive smile! Below: Faith's room; It may not have butterflies, but it'll do for now.


Today Faith had another bronchoscopy which confirmed what we already knew; The reason Faith has not had the easiest time breathing is because of her tracheal malacia. We saw a video of the bronch which really helped- the bronchioles are supposed to be round like a straw. Faith's are oval- when she "clamps down" they become like a pinched straw and she cannot breathe. The ventilator stints open her bronchioles allowing air to flow. While her bronchioles will never become circular shaped, as she grows her airway will get bigger. So basically Faith will need a ventilator until her airway is big enough to allow air to pass through her tubes. We have been told that a few years growth is adequate. Since re-venting we have noticed a big change in Faith. She looks the best she has ever looked. She is much more relaxed. Before we thought she was just a really fussy baby. She would freak out at the smallest things- changing her diaper would set her off. Now we can change her diaper and she is content. She is finally able to breathe! I don't think anyone suspected that this would come to being supported by a ventilator 24/7 but hind sight is 20/20. So the goal this week is to get Faith out of the ICU and up to a main floor. Her vent settings need to come down, and her blood gases need to be stable then we will be out of the "critical" zone.
Well thanks again everyone! Faith sure has a big family!
Brian and Jen

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that Faith is doing better and that you have some answers. I hope that everyday you will see some improvement in her. Little baby steps are HUGE for her! I bet you will start seeing her smile more and her little personality will come out and she will bless us even more than she already has. (Which is a WHOLE lot) She is sooooooooo beautiful and sweet. A very precious child indeed. We are so blessed to be able to be apart of her life. Still will be praying for nursing and most importantly for a BIG, HUGE, AMAZING, WONDERFUL MIRACLE. I would just love it if in the future the docs look at Faith and say we don't know why but everything looks great! (It can happen)
Love you guys!
Todd and JoEllen,
Walker and Hannah

Anonymous said...

I am glad to hear Faith is doing better. FINALLY we are getting answers which makes things a little clearer. She is taking baby steps and those steps are a HUGE deal and soon her steps will start to be bigger. I wish they knew this before in the NICU but you are right hind sight is 20/20.

How awesome to hear she smiled...doesnt that smile just melt you away.

More miracles are around the corner. as the docs said as she grows she will develop more and get stronger.

Her pctures are beautiful..I love getting pictures of my beautiful baby. People I said them to love them. She is so precious in our sight and HIS! :)

I pray that her vent settings coem down and her blood gases stabilize. WE will get out of the critical zone soon.

She is such a fighter. Boy oh Boy when she gets older in High school GOOD LUCK HAHA! She is a tough one! :) Girl after my own heart ! HA!

God Bless you and I am so proud of you..ALL OF YOU! Keep stepping forward Faith!

YOU CAN DO IT!

I love you,
Aunt Susan , Uncle Mike, Steve and Michelle

Anonymous said...

Ah, sweet Faith, you are so well-named.

To hear that you're breaking into your first big smiles warms our hearts. We are thinking about you and praying for you all the time.

Why when we haven't even met? Well, you're our favorite baby, simple as that!

You bring joy to our lives, even across the country, when we hear good news, and we worry for you when we learn of your continuing struggles. You are one tough baby, Faith! (And so are your parents, and your large, extended family)

Hope you catch our hugs from here,

love, Kathleen and Hadi (your OTHER California family!)

Anonymous said...

Jen & Faith,
It was so great to see you today! You both look so great! I am so happy I got to see you finally and got to meet Faith. I pray your stay there is as short as possible & everything works out perfectly with you going back to work!
Love you,
Hang in there,
Jamie

Anonymous said...

THANK GOD FOR HIS LOVE AND WATCH OVER FAITH