Feb 26: Isabella back in ICU

It's hard to get a break. Just days after Corenne's mother died, as we prepared to embark for the USA for the funeral, Isabella got another cold.

She went downhill rapidly, and within hours was being rushed to the hostpital, where the doctor's immediately admitted her to the ICU.

We trust that her condition will improve over the coming days, as it has in the previous incidents.

When "Bellaboo" is between incidents, she is as strong and healthy and alert as a baby could possibly be.

Feb 20: Corenne's Mother Passes Away

Last night, at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, Corenne’s mother Jeanine Garrison went to be with the Lord.

She had been doing pretty well since returning to the USA after 2 years living with us in Brazil, but succumbed to a blood infection and died peacefully.

Despite her immense grief, Corenne is praising God. She feels the timing was right in many ways: she got her mother back to the USA in time; her mother saw her sisters one last time; she did not have to suffer; Corenne did not have to feel guilty about being so far away; and the Smtih family got a wonderful 2-week respite together (our first in many, many months) before this happened.

Funeral services are scheduled for Feb 14.

Jan 21: Isabella to ICU again

On Jan 17 Corenne flew to the USA with her Mom, who was returning to the USA to live at Atherton Baptist homes (partly because of her worsening medical condition and no medical insurance coverage in Brazil).

She left Isabella in the care of two adult friends, who came to live in our apartment and take care of the baby until Corenne could get back. Other friends were around to help. Unfortunately, on Jan 21 got another cold and was rushed back to the ICU. Philip and Marc flew back to Brazil on the next plane.

Isabella was released home on Jan 25, had to go back for a day Jan 27, but is now doing just great at home, seemingly in perfect health! This picture was taken Feb 1, 2009. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Dec 19; Isabella Comes Home! (Again)

After 7 days Bella was released for home! (still using oxygen). As of today, Dec 22, Isabella no longer needs oxygen and is fully restored to health. I do believe in the power of prayer and beleve that yours made a difference. Thank you.

We celebrated her homecoming a couple days later by giving Isabella her first bite of food! (See picture, Dec 21. Click on images to enlarge)

Dec 12, 2008: Very Close Call

On Friday morning we came very close to losing Isabella...

The previous Wednesday (Dec 10) we were on our way to the Sao Paulo airport to spend Christmas in the USA. We saw that Isabella had a runny nose, turned the car around and came home.

By Thursday evening, her breathing was increasingly labored. On Friday morning, her oxygen saturation suddenly dropped alarmingly (we keep her hooked up to a vital signs monitor) and her heart rate nearly doubled, and she became placid with her eyes rolling back. . We called the paramedic pediatric team-- an excellent free service of the State with trained medical doctors, Within minutes, the paramedic team zoomed up a one way street and screeched to a halt in front of our building.

In the ambulance, the doctor told the driver to "make it a code 3" which is evidently for the most pressing emergencies, whereupon we blazed through intersections with lights, sirens, and horns. I was in the passenger seat thinking we were all going to die.

Upon arrival at the hospital, they immediately moved Isabella to the ICU. At this point she cannot live without supplimental oxygen, and I am back to sleeping in the ICU waiting room at night while Corenne spends the day with Isabella.

Despite being terribly sick Isabella can't help giving her nurse friends a smile within her little oxygen tent - I reached in and snapped this picture on Sunday.

November 2008: Life with Isabella

Isabella has been home two months now, and charms everyone that she sees!

Unfortunately, however, she is a little bit fragile when it comes to cold and flu viruses affecting her lungs, and our otherwise thriving little baby occasionally demonstrates her vulnerability.

In early November, Isabella was hospilized for a week with respritory problems, and remained on oxygen and monitors and home for another week. She is now back to perfect health, smiling, wiggling, and happy. She sleeps through the night, rarely complains, and is a very easy baby.

Aug 31, Monday: Isabella Doing Well

Isabella remains at home doing well. She is still hooked to monitors and uses supplemental oxygen as needed (when the alarms go off during the night, less and less frequent, we turn up the oxygen a little).

We are trying to slowly wean her off the oxygen. Aside from this, she is eating well – has gained a pound this week to 8.25lbs – and she smiles often, mainly at her little brother.

Thank you so much for your concern in checking in. I have pasted in some pictures, below.

(NOTE: CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE)

Aug 29, Friday: Pictures - Isabella at home

Aug 24, Sunday: ISABELLA HOME!!

Isabella has finally come home!

After 31 days in the hospital - 23 in intensive care - Isabella was finally deemed well enough to continue her convalescence at home. There is no describing our emotions as we carried her through our front door for the - well, second time.

The hospital arranged to have oxygen installed in our home, as well as heart & blood monitors which remain attached to her toe. Whenever blood O2 levels drop, alarms go off and we crank up the oxygen until things settle down. The objective is to keep her off oxygen as much as possible. When she is awake she is alert and smiling, and can somtimes saturate 100% on her own. But when asleep, O2 levels can drop dangerously and she needs the supplemental air.

Every expectation is that she will continue to improve and gain weight, suffering no lasting ill effects whatsoever. The toughest residual consequence she may face (which may put stress on her lungs) is having to put up with smothering hugs from her parents through her 40's.

Thank you all so much for your kindness and prayers. We will post a couple pictures tomorrow, and provide a final update in a week or so unless something changes.

Aug 22, Friday: Coming Home Tomorrow?

It looks like Isabella may be coming home tomorrow, Saturday the 23rd. However, she will still require oxygen and monitors, so medical technicians will come by tomorrow to install the equipment.

We are a little nervous about bringing her home, and being so far away from the doctors and nurses . . .

On Wednesday Hope President David Nowell arrived for two weeks, and had the chance to visit Isabella. I came down with a bad cold 3-days ago so have had to stay away from Isabella, meaning Corenne has had to take over the night shift in addition to her ususal day shift at the hospital. Marc is beginning to miss Mommy, who has not been home for 3 days. Me too.

August 20, Wednesday: A Little Setback

Yesterday doctors thought Isabella might be coming home today. Sadly, however, she lost weight since yesterday. When her oxygen levels were checked, her saturation was down to 84% -- three points below the level which sets off the alarm when she was in ICU.

Tonight she was returned to supplimental oxygen, via short nose tubes. That is a huge disappointment.

Today's blog entry was supposed to be my last, but it seems all of this is not over yet.

Aug 15, Friday: SUDDEN MIRACLE - CAN IT BE OVER??!

Today has been a truly miraculous day!!

Just last Thursday, following 4 dramatic resuscitations, doctors thought Isabella might remain on artificial life support for weeks. By yesterday, she was so well they tried removing breathing tubes again...and she remained strong as on ox! Last night, we were allowed to hold her for the first time. She immediatly stopped crying, and her un-drugged, quizzical, awed expression seemed to ask, "Are you God?" No, sweetheart....but He is not far away.

This morning, the doctors did away with the incubator altogether. A little later they tentatively removed her feeding tube, to begin re-training her sucking mechanism. No need! Isabella eagerly gulped down a bottle of mik in Corenne's arms. All the while, her eyes alertly tracked every little movement in the room.

Long and short of it: ISABELLA HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM ICU!! She is in a regular hospital room for observation, where we remain around the clock, but will likely come home Monday. I am still reeling from it all.

How our lives can change, moment to moment, and what a spectacular, miraculous ending to this surreal odyssey! All I can say is, your prayers worked. And I say that with convition. Thank you all, and thank you Lord.

Tune in Tuesday or so for a FINAL, beautiful picture of our lovely princess coming back home.

(NOTE: CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE)

Aug 13, Wednesday: BREATHING TUBE REMOVED!

Today was a wonderful, emotional day. All praise to our Heavenly Father!

The doctor removed Isabella's breating tube...and she continued to breath by herself!

After many hours had passed, her oxygen levels were still very high, and she was kicking and crying like a normal baby.

They tried to place her in Corenne's arms, but Isabella was not ready for that as her throat was too swollen. But we were able to touch her throuth the incubator windows as much as we wanted.

She cries VERY softly, poor thing, because her lungs cannot produce enough air to really belt out, and when you touch her you can feel the vibration and raspy breath from her clogged lungs. She is still being fed through a tube. But it really feels like we are on the home stretch now!

Aug 11, Monday: Tube Removal Attempted

Today the Doctor decided Isabella looked so good that he would attempt to remove the breathing tube!! Unfortunately, she was still too weak and her little lungs could not take it. Within 5 minutes she had tired out and the tube was re-connected. Nevertheless, this was real reason for hope! They will try again in a few days.

August 10, Saturday: Looking Better

Today Isabella looks much better! Still critical, but her heart rate is stable and oxygen levels are good. The machines are providing much less life support, so she is doing more breathing on her own.

I broke down after talking to the doctor yesterday. I had been ready for some good news. He told me milk consumption (tube-fed) had increased from 25 to 30 ml every two hours, and there was no residue meaning she was digesting it. The doctors said that Isabella was doing so well, there was even a chance of disconnecting her tubes by the end of the week, to see if she was able to breath on her own.

Today Pastor Derli and Denise came by the hospital to stay and pray with us. In the ICU, Derli discretely anointed Isabella with oil as we prayed for healing.