my arms ache for her

for the first time in 5 days we were able to hold emory. she is maintaining good levels though her respiration varies and at times is high. eating is going well. before each feed she is checked for residual, (left over), food in her stomach from the last feeding. only once today did she have any residual and it was a small amount. this is checked because she requires the use of oxygen to digest. residual tells the doctors that emory is using all her oxygen to breathe; or, if there is no residual, it tells them she has sufficient to breathe and digest.

until the afternoon, all feeding went through a small tube directly to the stomach. with rapid breathing, there is a chance of aspiration if she eats by mouth. the nurse was pleased with her respiration levels, so around 4:00 pm emory drank from a bottle. no problem. this is one of the three things she must be able to do on her own before she can leave the hospital.

today’s x-rays show that the lungs are better than before, but are still not functioning to capacity. for this reason she is still receiving oxygen through the nasal tube.

another thing on the “hoping for list” is for emory to be moved to an “open” bed. this will mean she is able to maintain her body temperature - a second thing she must do before leaving.

continued thanks for prayers, emails, calls, and comments. what a blessing to see the friends emory has before she has even left the labor and delivery floor.


I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16