We have been meaning to write this post for a couple of days now. To say that we are excited just doesn't quite describe it. As you know, or maybe you have forgotten, our precious Ariella has difficulty swallowing as a direct result of the muscle weakness that she is fighting to overcome. In fact Ariella had a great deal of difficulty nursing or drinking from a bottle becuase she could not swallow effectively. This is how the baby ended up with a temporary feeding tube being inserted through her nose (NG Tube), which was eventually removed and a more permanent feeding tube was surgical inserted into its current location in her stomach (G tube/Mic-Key button). The feeding tube has allowed Ella to get adequate nutrition so she can grow and gain much needed strength. Although we are grateful that our baby gets fed, we have never been satisfied with the feeding tube, however this is what we have had to do to keep her alive and healthy.
Ever since Ella's hospitalization in January we were not allowed to try and feed her through her mouth. However, because of your prays and support over the last month we have been taking the baby to see the same speech pathologist that was treating her while she was in the hospital. Marnie, the speech pathologist, has been doing an amazing job working with our baby, she has also given us a number of techniques that we can use at home. We have been using these techniques and working with our baby to develop a stronger swallow and praise Jesus it's working! In fact the techniques are working so well that Ariella Christina, the living miracle, the little conqueror that continues to seek out and take on new challenges was DRINKING this weekend. Yes drinking from a spoon, and EATING from a spoon. That's right the little girl who continues to prove she is more than just some diagnosis, the little girl who was not supposed to see her first birthday, the little girl who was too weak to swallow is now EATING AND DRINKING. She is not eating and drinking enough to get her complete nutrition so she still has to continue to get formula through the feeding tube, but she is getting stronger. Everyday a little stronger, everyday a little smarter, everyday God does something else to draw us closer to himself and to build our faith through Ella's testimony. Please continue to pray for our family as we pray that through this blog and the sharing of our warrior's progress you will grow closer to the God that has given our Ella new life and makes new life available to us all.
A face that a nana loves. As troy stated, "one protein at a time!" Thank you Jesus for the miracle you peformed and will continue to perform for this loving family.
ReplyDeleteWell I just wrote a long note to you. I see it just got lost. But i love the progress that she is making. I love the face. I face of a miracle baby. I am praying for your family. I know that Jesus is a Healer and He heals all the time. He may not come when you want him but he is always there. Keep believing in your miracle. It shall come to pass and she shall have that feeding tube out and eating on her own and then you can say, "My goodness, when is she going to ever top eating so much. Keeping you all in prayer, Auntie!
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