Caring Bridge Journal Entry Six

Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:13 PM, PST

Thank you!

We cannot say it enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support and prayers. We know without a doubt they were instrumental in her fighting this thing and winning. Although there is still a lot of recovery that needs to happen first, every one is determined to get her home.

Greg and I have seen some heart wrenching and beautiful things take place in the PICU and have become very reflective. We have also found strength we didn't know we had- restraining our daughter so she doesn't hurt herself when she fights to catch her breath, seeing those little eyes open for a few seconds in panic and find us when she is in pain and forcing calm smiles and voices to soothe her, and learning to read the machines and decipher what is going on when they make those ominous beeps.

We are finding joy in the small tasks of parenting: assisting the nurses in changing her diaper, helping her cough, and pulling her hair back in a ponytail, etc. It all feels so special now and takes on such a new meaning and importance.

The plan is to look one more time at the wound tomorrow to make sure she responded well to the surgery and then try to ween her off the breathing tube tomorrow and then gently bring her out of sedation. It will be a tricky balance keeping her awake but giving her enough drugs to help her pain.

Once she is stabilized in the PICU they plan to move her to a regular room in the hospital, and depending on how fast she heals we could be out of here as soon as the end of the week. We are so happy and thankful for all of you and very, very proud of our little girl.

Caring Bridge Journal Entry Five

Sunday, January 1, 2012 2:04 PM, PST

She's Ok!!!!

So, the verdict is in: Prayers move faster than flesh eating bacteria! Thank you all! Our baby is going to be OK, and we are on the road to recovery now!! That bacteria should've known better than to mess with Gracie FAST. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! We will keep you posted on her recovery . . . it may be a long road, but we will get there!

Caring Bridge Journal Entry Four

Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:50 AM, PST

Surgery later in morning

Hello all- I just wanted to let everyone know that Gracie's surgery was bumped to later in the morning. There was a bad car accident and they are operating on a baby right now, so put that baby in your prayers too.

Greg and I have been overwhelmed with the amount of family and friends who have been supporting us through this time. Thank you so much. This experience has profoundly changed us, and we stayed up late last night talking about how much we cherish each and every one of you and how we need to say it and show it more often.

I woke up a few times to a team of nurses restraining Gracie so that she didn't pull her tubes out, but other than that she looks great to me. The swelling and fever is down, and the doctors say they would be really surprised if the infection was systemic given how well she is doing. I will keep everyone posted when I know what time the surgery is.

Again, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. We literally have THOUSANDS of people around the world (from McMinnville, to DC, to even China) praying for her, and I have no doubt it is making all the difference. You have all given us hope, but more importantly you are giving Gracie strength, and for that we cannot thank you enough. Here's to 2012!

Caring Bridge Journal Entry Three

Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:40 PM, PST

Happy New Year from the PICU

It sounds like her surgery will be tomorrow morning possibly around eight or nine. Keep the prayers coming that the bacteria hasn't spread. We are also waiting on her blood test results to see if the infection is systemic.We're hoping to ring in the new year with a double negative.

The good news is her red blood cell count has come up-- It's still not where they'd like it to be, but she is fighting and appears to be winning. So, no transfusion at this point. Her white cell count is still low but hasn't dropped from the first test. She does have a scratch on her face from somehow fighting off the sedation and trying to pull the tubes out of her nose and mouth when the nurse turned her back . . . this is AFTER they added another drug to the cocktail of sedatives she's on. They say her piss and vinegar is just what they like to see, though.

For the most part, Greg and I take turns losing it and being strong. I finally gave into the pressure from many of you and managed to get a few bites of chili in me tonight so I finally have some food in my system. One step at a time . . . that's what we keep telling ourselves when our heads take us places we don't want to go. All will be well. We have a VERY strong girl on our hands. I still remember bringing her home from the hospital at 4 pounds, 10 ounces, kicking and screaming, full of attitude and determination. If anyone can pull through, it is our Gracie. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Caring Bridge Journay Entry Two

Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:39 PM, PST

Thank you all again for your kind words. And I love the motto "Growl at it Gracie" that seems to be catching. :) It is quite fitting. The surgeon came in a few minutes ago to look inside her wound, and while he did say it is one of the more severe cases of "flesh eating bacteria" (HATE that term) he's seen, it appears that it hasn't spread since her last surgery. This is SUCH good news for Gracie. Keep praying that when she goes back into surgery tomorrow the doctor sees the same thing.

Gracie is becoming known at the hospital as "the girl who cannot be sedated." Apparently Morphine is a little too weak for my litle fire cracker, so they are putting her on something that can make her a little more comfortable. Greg and I keep reminding ourselves that the doctors purposefully put her in this state. It is hard to look at her hooked up to all of the tubes and sedated, but we have to remember that it is just so that she can rest without pain.

Thank you all again. We love you all, and your comments here are helping tremendously.

-Greg, Amy, and Gracie

Our Christmas Scare

This whole journey started on the day of our 7th anniversary when Gracie woke up with a giant, swollen neck, and we found ourselves in urgent care. Two days later she went into surgery at Children's Hospital in Seattle to drain what they thought was an abscessed infected lymph node. After returning to McMinnville we found ourselves at Doernbecher as her condition wasn't improving. After a second surgery we we were sent home again thinking our nightmare might finally be over . . . Little did we know it was just beginning.

Caring Bridge Post Number One:

Saturday, December 31, 2011 9:49 AM, PST

This morning

Not sure how much Greg and I slept last night but it was wonderful to come to this site and read all of your comments this morning. Gracie is hanging in there. They are still trying to find her "sweet spot" with the sedation. When she hears Greg's and my voice she tries to open her eyes and reach out to us. I think, though, it's more likely she's just trying to hit the nurse. She had a little fever this morning and they may give her blood today to bring up her red blood cell count. We are waiting for the doctors to make their rounds and give us more information. All of the nurses say that Gracie is a "feisty one." I tell them they should see her when she's not sedated.

Tomorrow cannot come fast enough for us. I hope that we hear good news after her next surgery and she is on the fast track to recovery. I will keep journaling so people can stay informed on how she is doing. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. Gracie and Greg and I love you all.

Caring Bridge Post Number Two:

Halloween 2011

We did our annual baked potato bar for Halloween again this year, and the kids had a blast. Our little bee is growing up so fast! If only we could get down the potty training. It has been a daily struggle for the last six months and Greg and I are at our wits' ends! We have done everything from candy to sticker charts to wrapped presents stacked in the bathroom to making her clean up her own mess to ignoring it! And, our willful little child is STILL going potty in her pants. At this point I believe she may be dating in diapers. Sigh. I have learned the following about myself: I am not good at the "it will happen when it happens" motto. I mean, what does that even mean really? Of course it will happen when it happens. ?? It is just not happening soon enough for me.

To Hell with Potty Training.

She likes to poop her pants. That's all there is to it. After a year's worth of trying, we are throwing in the towel. We have tried everything: candy, praise, potty dances, sticker charts, and presents for God's sake. And the poop still winds up in her pants. Stubborn, Stubborn little girl. We love her. We hate her poop.

The Pumpkin Patch: Fall 2011

Gracie had so much fun at the pumpkin patch with her friends, Campbell, Pete, Maya, and Gwyn. Just a few months after her third birthday, and she is already such a big girl! Just tonight she asked for some jam in her yogurt, and said, "Jam: J-A-M, Jam!" And, even though we are so impressed every day by how smart she is, three is proving to be a very challenging age already. :) She is experimenting with talking back and has dropped her nap, so at around five o'clock every evening we can expect a major melt-down. But, her new found independence has also given dad and I a little freedom. Just the other week she went up to Grandma Vicki's and Grandpa Garry's for five days. What a big girl.

She's Three!