Sep
16
    
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on September-16-2007

…but her mom and dad snuck off to a Bed & Breakfast yesterday. It was a last minute deal, but Tina and I decided to escape the Gator fever.
 
We found a place right off the Atlantic coast out in Flagler. It’s a two hour drive from Gainesville and we headed out right after we saw Ella in the afternoon. Timed it just right too, because we missed all the football traffic. =)
 
It was a nice drive. Felt so good just to see some different scenery. I was beginning to feel like we had been living on an island for the last eight weeks, so it was nice to confirm that we weren’t.
 
We arrived at the B&B around 7:30pm, just when the sun was setting. We checked in, and headed down to the boardwalk and walked to a restaurant. Dinner was a bit disappointing, but the walk back to the B&B wasn’t.
 
There was a monster thunderstorm* right out over the ocean. Something you rarely see out in Southern California, but I’m sure it’s a regular event here. It was awesome. A gorgeous clear night, with the waves crashing, stars out above us, and lightening flashing in the distance. What an incredible display of God’s creation. We took our time walking back, barefoot on the beach, and just soaked in the moment.
 
The next morning, after breakfast, we headed north on highway 1 to St. Augustine. What a quaint town. A lot of history too considering it’s the oldest city in the country. We walked around looking at all the different shops and historic buildings.
 
We were then lured into Pizza Time, a NY style pizza place, where we enjoyed the best pizza we had ever had! Seriously, pizza is my favorite food, and I tend to be picky about it (not that I’ve ever turned down a slice ;-)), but this pie was absolutely tasty. If you’re ever is St. Augustine, you gotta give it a try.
 
After lunch, we walked around a bit more and took in the scenery. We then decided to head back to good ol’ Gainesville and check up on our baby girl.
 

 
Ella had a good day overall. She has been a lot more comfortable since they replaced her right chest tube yesterday. Her stats are looking better. Her blood gases at noon were: cO2=57, pO2=107. Her pO2 was down a bit this evening at 8pm (68), but Michelle thinks this was attributed to an excess of secretions in her chest at the time.
 
She’s only had 23cc of chest fluid output for the day. We like this to be more because her chest x-ray is still showing up hazy, indicating a fair amount of fluid. On the positive side, Ella’s urine output has increased significantly. We hope this is related to the additional diuretics she’s received and that it keeps up. This is the right way for her body to process excess fluids instead of relying on chest tubes.
 
Ella is in good hands tonight with nurse Michelle. We’re able to rest easier knowing that the nurse on duty truly cares for our baby girl.
 
Please continue to pray for Ella’s fluid issue. We are trusting our Lord that in His time and in His way, He will take care of it. This has been an incredible process, of learning to give over to God the things we cannot control. It can be very emotional, and there’s no reason that it shouldn’t be! But there is an incredible rainfall of peace when we put our trust in Jesus.
 
Heavenly Father, we praise your for your promises that you deliver through your Holy Word. Continue to write on our hearts, these words you have instilled in our minds. Praise you Lord for your peace, grace, mercy, and sovereignty in all things. You are Almighty God, and we surrender to you, praying that you may be glorified through all these circumstances. It is in Jesus name that we ask these things. Amen.
 
 
*Below is a slideshow and a short video of a lightening strike we saw on the beach last night. There are a total of 23 separate frames that make up the slideshow. It really shows how incredible the strike was, and how much occurs in less than a second!. Wow..wow…WOW!

 



Joel Snyder on September 16th, 2007 at 10:13 pm #

J&T glad to see you get out and enjoy yourselve for awhile. Ella looks fine and I am praying for more progress in the fluid battle. I just came home and walked the kids and on my way back for the night. Love, Grandpa!!!!

Melissa Morris on September 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pm #

Great news!! I am so glad that you guys were able to get away and just soak up some time together. You both really needed that. It sure sounded wonderful. You need to remember to do more of that when the time is right and you are able to. Take good care of yourselves.
Ella really looks good. I hope that her fluids will continue to drain.
Thinking and praying for all of you.
I will check on the progress in the morning.
Sweet dreams!! I hope you are rejuvenated and restored.
Love, Melissa

Char Snyder Jordan on September 17th, 2007 at 12:16 am #

I just had to check on Ella tonight. I have been thinking and praying and hoping that God knows how important this is to everyone. Ella’s condition will be used to bring many to the realization of Jesus Christ. How can those who know you and Josh understand the Gospel any better. Example is always the best teacher. You two are great. I am praying for more miracles to help things along. We are glad you have taken a small break. It is sooooooo necessary. The pictures are great. We love you for sending us the updates and can hardly wait for the next milestone to be had. All our love to you. LOL Aunt Char and Jim

Joan Odell on September 17th, 2007 at 7:06 am #

We are so glad you took time to be the two of you. I have been to St. Augustine and it is a remarkable place. The whole area is just beautiful and I’m so glad you got to experience it. The storm was beautiful. God’s power is unlimited, strong and beautiful. Sweet Ella looks so very good. Prayers for continued improvement and healing rest for all of you. Lord Bless – Steve and Joan P.S. Would you add a heart on your map for us – we live between Hulbert and Tahlequah, OK – it is the northeastern corner of the state. Thanks!!!

Shelly on September 17th, 2007 at 8:51 am #

Glad to hear Ella is doing a better! We are praying here in TEXAS for more fluids to come out of the left side!GO ELLA GO!!!!

Cathie Firestone on September 17th, 2007 at 10:13 am #

Wow…God’s power is awesome. I’m so glad you two got away for awhile. St. Augustine Beach is where Carl and I went after our first consult with Drs. Kays and Richards. That was when we found out Luke’s liver had herniated into his chest and just how severe his CDH really was. Carl and I stood on that beach, cried and prayed that if our Lord would save him that we would bring him back to that spot to praise His glorious name. And by His grace and Dr. Kays’ wisdom we did just that! One year later as we put Luke’s tiny toes in the sand on the same spot Carl and I had prayed we cried again…but this time they were tears of joy and gratitude…and you will cry those wonderful tears too…very soon! We continue to pray for all 3 of you!
With Love, Cathie Firestone

Dawn Franck on September 17th, 2007 at 10:31 am #

Hey guys, I’m so glad you got a chance to sneak away and enjoy each others company for a little while. I was getting worried about the two of you spending day in and day out in the hospital and what a toll it must be having on you. Just hang in there, this will all be worth it when you can finally bring baby Ella home!

Angie on September 17th, 2007 at 9:01 pm #

I’m so glad you guys got away for a night :). The B&B looks really nice and that was an awesome slide show of the lightning. I’m not so sure you guys should have been out there though! LOL We’ll have to find you guys some more places to sneak away for the day for some R&R! I’ll keep praying for Ella to continue moving forward, even if they’re baby steps! Thought & prayers always ~Angie

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