GiGi had a great weekend! Because she has been tolerating full feedings of breastmilk through her oral feeding tube, the doctor ordered her PICC line to be removed. So now all of her nutrition goes right into her tummy! She has handled last week's blood transfusion very well, and was very "perky" on Saturday. It's wonderful to see her now with no IV's. She only has her feeding tube and her nasal oxygen tube... her little arms and legs are finally free! She still weighs about 2 pounds 3ounces and hopefully will begin to gain weight soon.
Surprises:
Kelly was able to hold her baby sister for the first time on Saturday! GiGi was wide-eyed & awake the whole time, and Kelly was thrilled!
Drew fed GiGi her first bottle on Saturday! The doctor and nurses had counselled us that it would be just a trial, and that it may take weeks for her to coordinate her sucking/swallowing/breathing simultaneously. Well, GiGi got right down to business and figured it all out for herself. She finished her whole bottle in 15 minutes, and even burped! She'll continue this once daily, since it requires so much more energy than the tube feedings (she needs that energy to breathe and to grow!)
Jen was able to initiate breast feeding. Although GiGi's energy was dwindling and it lasted only a few short minutes, she did a great job and Mommy was so proud of her! It will take several weeks for GiGi to master it, so we'll try it when she's up to it.
Conor had a fever Friday night, so he wasn't able to visit her. Fortunately, he's feeling better. The good news is that he learned to ride a 2-wheel bike with Drew last week!
Prayer Requests:
GiGi will undergo a head ultrasound on Tuesday, to follow-up the one from last week that showed a small bleed in her brain. Please pray for the results to confirm a reduction in the bleed. Please also pray that she continues to show no signs of neurological effects from the bleed.
Kelly and Conor have adjusted to our new "routine" fairly well. Please pray for the Lord (and us) to ensure their tanks are filled with lots of love amidst all the changes.
The Lord has revealed Himself to us over and over again in miracles on this journey! When we sought Him... He answered. He has blessed us abundantly!
"I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14: 13 - 14
Monday, September 11, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
PINK!!! and Specific Prayer Request
THis is a post from Jen to all of you. Please note a SPECIFIC PRAYER request at the end for Gigi.........
GiGi is as PINK as pink gets!!! She had a blood transfusion on Tuesday, partly due to her anemia, as well as the simple fact that she's had so much blood tapped from her for testing, that her little body can't reproduce it fast enough. Her "depletion" was putting a strain on her, and the transfusion became neccessary. Fortunately, she tolerated it fairly well, and seems more comfortable, and much more "PINK"!!!
Praise God!! ALL of her lines have been removed. The only "tube" remaining is her oralgastric feeding tube through which she is fed 18cc's of breastmilk every 3 hours. She also gets a calorie booster and vitamins mixed with the breastmilk. Praise God! This was a huge achievement, because she needed to reach the intake level of 18cc's set by the Nutritionist in order to have her PICC line nutritional support removed!!!
She continues to breathe independently with oxygen via nasal canula (40 - 50%). The increased fluid volume she received from her blood transfusion unfortunately resulted in some "overflow" of fluid into her lungs, causing more labored breathing. She received a diuretic(thus, lots of very heavy,wet diapers!) and her breathing has improved considerably since her body is free of all that excess fluid!
A HUGE prayer request is for the healing of a small bleed that was detected in GiGi's brain via head ultrasound this week. It is an IVH.... Intra Ventricular Hemmorhage... Grade 1-2. This a fairly common in preeemies, and will be monitored weekly with head ultrasounds to ensure it is resorbed and not worseneing. We feel confident God is managing it and that Gigi will not have any complications, but ask you to lift this matter in prayer.
My mom was here until Weds, and Drew's mom arrived Weds to help us until the weekend. It's been great having them here, and Kelly and Conor have really enjoyed the time with them. Next week, it's back to just the four of us!!!
It's been a scary week in the NICU for us, but every time we felt fear, we called on God. He faithfully answered us, providing peace and the knowledge that He is in control! He has placed prayerful friends in our path each day, feeding us encouragement and love. Thankfully, we feel him ever present (to quote Michele). He also blesses GiGi and us continually with wonderful nurses and physicians caring for her around the clock!
Thank you for all the love and prayers!!!
Jen
GiGi is as PINK as pink gets!!! She had a blood transfusion on Tuesday, partly due to her anemia, as well as the simple fact that she's had so much blood tapped from her for testing, that her little body can't reproduce it fast enough. Her "depletion" was putting a strain on her, and the transfusion became neccessary. Fortunately, she tolerated it fairly well, and seems more comfortable, and much more "PINK"!!!
Praise God!! ALL of her lines have been removed. The only "tube" remaining is her oralgastric feeding tube through which she is fed 18cc's of breastmilk every 3 hours. She also gets a calorie booster and vitamins mixed with the breastmilk. Praise God! This was a huge achievement, because she needed to reach the intake level of 18cc's set by the Nutritionist in order to have her PICC line nutritional support removed!!!
She continues to breathe independently with oxygen via nasal canula (40 - 50%). The increased fluid volume she received from her blood transfusion unfortunately resulted in some "overflow" of fluid into her lungs, causing more labored breathing. She received a diuretic(thus, lots of very heavy,wet diapers!) and her breathing has improved considerably since her body is free of all that excess fluid!
A HUGE prayer request is for the healing of a small bleed that was detected in GiGi's brain via head ultrasound this week. It is an IVH.... Intra Ventricular Hemmorhage... Grade 1-2. This a fairly common in preeemies, and will be monitored weekly with head ultrasounds to ensure it is resorbed and not worseneing. We feel confident God is managing it and that Gigi will not have any complications, but ask you to lift this matter in prayer.
My mom was here until Weds, and Drew's mom arrived Weds to help us until the weekend. It's been great having them here, and Kelly and Conor have really enjoyed the time with them. Next week, it's back to just the four of us!!!
It's been a scary week in the NICU for us, but every time we felt fear, we called on God. He faithfully answered us, providing peace and the knowledge that He is in control! He has placed prayerful friends in our path each day, feeding us encouragement and love. Thankfully, we feel him ever present (to quote Michele). He also blesses GiGi and us continually with wonderful nurses and physicians caring for her around the clock!
Thank you for all the love and prayers!!!
Jen
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Please use the Comment Section
Hello All
I have left the comment section, after each post, open to anyone to leave messages for Jen and Drew and Gigi. I am going to print the Updates and the Comments for her and put them in a scrapbook or on a CD so she knows someday how many people were praying for her and her family. Feel free to post, when Jen can look at the Comments and prayers left there for them, lifting them in prayer, I know it will help her. It will also free up the answering machine :)
Keep Praying and Thanks to all, Michele
I have left the comment section, after each post, open to anyone to leave messages for Jen and Drew and Gigi. I am going to print the Updates and the Comments for her and put them in a scrapbook or on a CD so she knows someday how many people were praying for her and her family. Feel free to post, when Jen can look at the Comments and prayers left there for them, lifting them in prayer, I know it will help her. It will also free up the answering machine :)
Keep Praying and Thanks to all, Michele
One Week on Saturday
Jen's Update to All of YOU:
Praising God for milestones, Gigi had her one week birthday on Saturday, September 2nd which is also the day that she made it to two pounds! She had all of her family, including grandparetns there to celebrate this major achievement with her!
As for her health, we prayed for success with the central line and our Awesome God heard. Mercifully, little Gigi went through this procedure uneventfully and her line was placed successfully. It is called a PICC line and she recieves her TPN (total parental nourishment) through this line. She also has a (nose to stomach ) Gastric tube through which she is recieving 5cc of Jen's breast milk every 3 hours. The plan is to increase the feeding by 1cc each day. The goal and hope is for her to have 18cc's of breast milk and at that point they can stop the TPN feedings, and might also be able to remove the PICC line.
Drew, tear eyed and feeling blessed, was able to hold her on her 1 week birthday and she settled in and napped with him, quite happy and content.
Recently, "kangaroo care" was started... which is just as beneficial for mommy as it is for baby!! Jen holds Gigi on her bare chest.....chest to chest...skin to skin... with her head turned so she can listen through her chest to hear her heart beat. She has been tolerating this beautifully for about an hour each time they visit, and she receives her breastmilk at this time, to associate a full belly with being held by mommy. She'll hopefully start developing more of a sucking ability in about 3 weeks, then work will begin to coordinate her sucking/swallowing/breathing simultaneously before she can take a bottle.
The following are Jen's words exactly:
It's so wonderful to hold her, and smell her, and kiss her!!! She is beautiful and doing lots of "baby" things.... yawning, opening her eyes, hiccupping, streching, trying to suck her thumb. We love to see something new each day! Her nurses are wonderful, as God has provided her with a loving team of people each day. This is a huge comfort each time we have to leave her behind as we head home. Kelly & Conor have been in to see her and have responded very lovingly... both can't wait to hold her.
We've been tremendoulsly blessed by the outpouring of love... prayers, meals delivered to our home, offers for rides to the hospital for Jen when Drew is working, offers for help with day-to-day household needs, playdates for Kelly & Conor...and our friend even mowed our lawn today!! Gigi's grandparents have been here providing love and support, and helping Kelly and Conor maintain some normalcy through this all. We are so very grateful!!
Every day God reveals himself to us more and more, and provides us with more than we could have ever hoped for. The praise we give Him just never seems like enough to us, as we are in awe of His amazing works in Gigi and in us!!!
I apologize, I am speechless, I have no words but THANK YOU, GOD! I have cried over and over when I have read these words from Jen. To feel the happiness that she is feeling when she holds her and has thos "baby moments" and is providing "kangaroo time" it leaves me just feeling full of love for the baby for Jen and for the whole family. Their family has grown in numbers with the early arrival of this sweet tiny one. She may be tiny but she has made everyone's heart overflow with hope, wonder and love!
Thou has enlarged me when I was in distress. Psalm 4:1
Praising God for milestones, Gigi had her one week birthday on Saturday, September 2nd which is also the day that she made it to two pounds! She had all of her family, including grandparetns there to celebrate this major achievement with her!
As for her health, we prayed for success with the central line and our Awesome God heard. Mercifully, little Gigi went through this procedure uneventfully and her line was placed successfully. It is called a PICC line and she recieves her TPN (total parental nourishment) through this line. She also has a (nose to stomach ) Gastric tube through which she is recieving 5cc of Jen's breast milk every 3 hours. The plan is to increase the feeding by 1cc each day. The goal and hope is for her to have 18cc's of breast milk and at that point they can stop the TPN feedings, and might also be able to remove the PICC line.
Drew, tear eyed and feeling blessed, was able to hold her on her 1 week birthday and she settled in and napped with him, quite happy and content.
Recently, "kangaroo care" was started... which is just as beneficial for mommy as it is for baby!! Jen holds Gigi on her bare chest.....chest to chest...skin to skin... with her head turned so she can listen through her chest to hear her heart beat. She has been tolerating this beautifully for about an hour each time they visit, and she receives her breastmilk at this time, to associate a full belly with being held by mommy. She'll hopefully start developing more of a sucking ability in about 3 weeks, then work will begin to coordinate her sucking/swallowing/breathing simultaneously before she can take a bottle.
The following are Jen's words exactly:
It's so wonderful to hold her, and smell her, and kiss her!!! She is beautiful and doing lots of "baby" things.... yawning, opening her eyes, hiccupping, streching, trying to suck her thumb. We love to see something new each day! Her nurses are wonderful, as God has provided her with a loving team of people each day. This is a huge comfort each time we have to leave her behind as we head home. Kelly & Conor have been in to see her and have responded very lovingly... both can't wait to hold her.
We've been tremendoulsly blessed by the outpouring of love... prayers, meals delivered to our home, offers for rides to the hospital for Jen when Drew is working, offers for help with day-to-day household needs, playdates for Kelly & Conor...and our friend even mowed our lawn today!! Gigi's grandparents have been here providing love and support, and helping Kelly and Conor maintain some normalcy through this all. We are so very grateful!!
Every day God reveals himself to us more and more, and provides us with more than we could have ever hoped for. The praise we give Him just never seems like enough to us, as we are in awe of His amazing works in Gigi and in us!!!
I apologize, I am speechless, I have no words but THANK YOU, GOD! I have cried over and over when I have read these words from Jen. To feel the happiness that she is feeling when she holds her and has thos "baby moments" and is providing "kangaroo time" it leaves me just feeling full of love for the baby for Jen and for the whole family. Their family has grown in numbers with the early arrival of this sweet tiny one. She may be tiny but she has made everyone's heart overflow with hope, wonder and love!
Thou has enlarged me when I was in distress. Psalm 4:1
Ever Present Help
My posting is late, I have not been an ever present help to Jen and Drew; my own family needed me this weekend as we prepared for the beginning of school. Life pulls us in all differnet directions, yet we remain rooted in our Lord. Our God is an ever present help to Jen and Drew, providing fortitude, odedience and strength. Our God is ever present to Gigi, hearing our prayers, sensing our sorrow and apprehension and our joy. In this life, I do not know where I would be without His ever present help because even when I did not know that I needed Him, He was there. When life pulls so that we cannot be there for Jen and Drew, He is there with/for them. When Jen and Drew have to leave Gigi, HE is there with her.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)
Kristy has provided a specific prayer list for conditions associated with premature birth:
"Please continue to pray for Gigi as she still is battling all of the "normal" complications of prematurity.
You may want to do what I do.....pray for specific body parts that can be heavily affected due to prematurity to include:
Her brain -no big "bleeds"
Her eyes -no long term eye damage
Her heart -no long term heart problems
Her lungs -no heavy need for oxygen or long term ventilator needs
Good IV access so that Gigi can get all of the extra needed meds,transfusions, etc. and that they all do their job WELL the first time around
Steady and healing hands for her caregivers to include the nurses and Doctors."
Keep the prayers flowing to heaven.....
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)
Kristy has provided a specific prayer list for conditions associated with premature birth:
"Please continue to pray for Gigi as she still is battling all of the "normal" complications of prematurity.
You may want to do what I do.....pray for specific body parts that can be heavily affected due to prematurity to include:
Her brain -no big "bleeds"
Her eyes -no long term eye damage
Her heart -no long term heart problems
Her lungs -no heavy need for oxygen or long term ventilator needs
Good IV access so that Gigi can get all of the extra needed meds,transfusions, etc. and that they all do their job WELL the first time around
Steady and healing hands for her caregivers to include the nurses and Doctors."
Keep the prayers flowing to heaven.....
Friday, September 01, 2006
Pearls
Yes, Jen did not get to go home yesterday. However, there is a pearl in that change of plans! When she walked down to the nursery to visit her precious daughter, she found the nurse changing the sheets on Gigi's little princess bed. The nurses said PERFECT TIMIMG and they laid Gigi in Jen's arms and there they stayed together for a good thirty minutes. Jen had not had anytime with Gigi like this, to just sit, rock, hold and spend precious time together. She said Gigi was so relaxed and calm, I am sure Jen was, too. How wonderful. How perfect the Lord's timing! If Jen had gone home, that Precious Moment would not have happened! Praise God for His Timing!
Specific Prayer requests: Gigi will have the central line placed today, please pray for "all is well" with that procedure. There was no further discussion of Blood Transfusion, but there is some anemia so please pray for the anemia. Please continue to pray for Jen and her doctors and the after effects of the HELLP syndrome to go away, especially the High Blood Pressure and easy healing from the surgery. Jen will be so busy and we pray God Please, that she be in good health soon.
The burden of suffering weighs heavy around our neck, yet it in reality it is simply the weight necessary to hold the diver down while he is searching for pearls. Julius Richter
Specific Prayer requests: Gigi will have the central line placed today, please pray for "all is well" with that procedure. There was no further discussion of Blood Transfusion, but there is some anemia so please pray for the anemia. Please continue to pray for Jen and her doctors and the after effects of the HELLP syndrome to go away, especially the High Blood Pressure and easy healing from the surgery. Jen will be so busy and we pray God Please, that she be in good health soon.
The burden of suffering weighs heavy around our neck, yet it in reality it is simply the weight necessary to hold the diver down while he is searching for pearls. Julius Richter
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Jen's Hanging Out
Well, Jen has enjoyed that hospital food so much that she decided to extend her stay. That, my friends, is sarcasm :) Jen did NOT go home yesterday, there are still some trials with her own health; most especially her blood pressure. So we trust that will be worked out. I do not have an update on little Gigi, only Jen. Suffice it to say that the whole family just really needs your prayers. Drew's parents are returning today and will stay for an unspecified period of time at this point.
As most of you are aware, Jen is not doing these initial posts. I am a friend who used to live near her and I offered to update everyone because I was at a loss for what I could do so far away from her and Drew and the kids. And, this way I would not have to keep Courtney on the phone for hours asking lots of questions (I still do that though!!) I will continue to update as long as Jen and Drew would like me to. Any quotes or scripture references will be taken from Cowman's Streams in the Desert. I highly recommend it to everyone!
I was not surprised when Courtney told me that the meal plan for the month of Sept. was filled in less than a day and that they have meal support through November. I was not surprised, because I knew God would work in everyone's heart BUT I also knew that everyone has been showered with Jen's kindness, she is always ready to say yes, and ready to step in whenever someone needs her ready to serve. This a chance for all of us to give back to someone who has given so much to us. Thank you for doing so much for her and her family, being this far away, it helps to know that she is being prayed for, cared for, cooked for, etc, as that will make her healing and caring for Gigi much easier.
As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness (colosians 3:12)
As most of you are aware, Jen is not doing these initial posts. I am a friend who used to live near her and I offered to update everyone because I was at a loss for what I could do so far away from her and Drew and the kids. And, this way I would not have to keep Courtney on the phone for hours asking lots of questions (I still do that though!!) I will continue to update as long as Jen and Drew would like me to. Any quotes or scripture references will be taken from Cowman's Streams in the Desert. I highly recommend it to everyone!
I was not surprised when Courtney told me that the meal plan for the month of Sept. was filled in less than a day and that they have meal support through November. I was not surprised, because I knew God would work in everyone's heart BUT I also knew that everyone has been showered with Jen's kindness, she is always ready to say yes, and ready to step in whenever someone needs her ready to serve. This a chance for all of us to give back to someone who has given so much to us. Thank you for doing so much for her and her family, being this far away, it helps to know that she is being prayed for, cared for, cooked for, etc, as that will make her healing and caring for Gigi much easier.
As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness (colosians 3:12)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The Valleys
Hello Everyone,
Please continue to pray that Gigi will stay healthy and for wisdom and guidance for ALL involved with her care.
Gigi was placed on a ventilator since her arrival. Her small size makes breathing hard work for her and the doctors wanted to give her little body a break from all that work. God has provided incredible strength and Gigi has done extraordinary well breathing on her own in the first few days of her life. Jen says Gigi appears calmer now that she is not working so hard to keep up with the breathing. The doctors presented the possiblity of a Blood Transfusion today. They would also like to eliminate Gigi's peripheral IV tubing lines and place one central line in the main vein to her heart. To the NICU staff, neonatologists and those used to caring for premature babies theses are common procedures. However to her loving parents, who are still reeling from the surprise of her early arrival, these are surprising and fear provoking ideas and conversations.
However, God has promised that He would walk with them in the dark valleys and He would get them (and all of us in dark valleys) through the valley. Gigi and her family will come through this valley and recognize and appreciate the beauty, peace and calm of those "nonvalley" times. The pressure of difficult times makes us appreciate life. (A.B. Simpson)
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for Gigi's medical team as these decisons and procedures are being made. Also, continue to pray that Jen's blood pressure will go down. Jen is being released from the hospital today (Weds., Aug. 30).
Thanks for all the offers for meals and other support. May God bless you as you bless others!!!
We were under great pressure...so that we despaired even of life...But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ( 2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
Please continue to pray that Gigi will stay healthy and for wisdom and guidance for ALL involved with her care.
Gigi was placed on a ventilator since her arrival. Her small size makes breathing hard work for her and the doctors wanted to give her little body a break from all that work. God has provided incredible strength and Gigi has done extraordinary well breathing on her own in the first few days of her life. Jen says Gigi appears calmer now that she is not working so hard to keep up with the breathing. The doctors presented the possiblity of a Blood Transfusion today. They would also like to eliminate Gigi's peripheral IV tubing lines and place one central line in the main vein to her heart. To the NICU staff, neonatologists and those used to caring for premature babies theses are common procedures. However to her loving parents, who are still reeling from the surprise of her early arrival, these are surprising and fear provoking ideas and conversations.
However, God has promised that He would walk with them in the dark valleys and He would get them (and all of us in dark valleys) through the valley. Gigi and her family will come through this valley and recognize and appreciate the beauty, peace and calm of those "nonvalley" times. The pressure of difficult times makes us appreciate life. (A.B. Simpson)
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for Gigi's medical team as these decisons and procedures are being made. Also, continue to pray that Jen's blood pressure will go down. Jen is being released from the hospital today (Weds., Aug. 30).
Thanks for all the offers for meals and other support. May God bless you as you bless others!!!
We were under great pressure...so that we despaired even of life...But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ( 2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Gigi's Arrived
Praise the Lord! Gabrielle Joy Gilifillan "Gigi" was born August 26th, at 11:19 AM. She weighed 1 pound, 13 ounces and is 13 3/4" long. She is breathing sporadically on her own and her Apgar scores were good.
Gabrielle means "God is my strength," and He truly has been and will continue to be their strength during this amazing ordeal. Drew said there were no complications (truly miraculous considering all that has happened this week), and that Jen and Gigi are doing well.
Please continue to pray diligently and specifically for them. Pray for healing for Jen and that her body will return to normal quickly as it deals with all the pre-eclampsia side effects. Pray for Kelly and Conor as they slowly process the situation and for understanding as Jen will be in the hospital for at least 4 days and up there many hours after that with baby GIgi. Pray for Drew that he will give all the details to the Lord and let Him who is much more able handle them. And whatever else the Lord puts on your heart.
The Lord's provisions have given them so much strength during all this --- truly amazing and miraculous. We serve an awesome God!!!
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
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