ECMO...

We got another call...

This morning at 7:36 we got woken up by a call saying, "Ella has coded and she is now about to be put on ECMO. Will you guys be able to get here soon?" We quickly got up and went to the hospital. We entered and Dr. Hill and Stacey (the director of Pediatrics) pulled us aside and explained that Ella's blood pressure started to tank and they did compressions for a half hour as well as giving epinephrine and then decided to put her on the ECMO machine. ECMO is essentially a life support bypass machine. When we learned about ECMO before Ella's first surgery, we were told just hope she doesn't have to go on it. Statistics show that only 50% of children that have to go on ECMO live. This is why we prayed that she wouldn't have to go on it... But here we are.

We have talked to a LOT of people today, doctors, nurses, surgeons, respiratory therapists, assistants, anesthesiologists, custodians, and child life personnel, all of whom have expressed that they are so upset about Ella's condition. Everyone loves Ella so much that it brings me to tears. She has made such an impact on the lives around her just by being herself. She is truly a gift.

The floor seemed a little more somber today because of Ella's condition. I do not know how these people do what they do. They are seriously amazing. I could not do their job. They see some really scary things and have to be in stressful situations that many people never understand. I am so thankful that they sacrifice themselves to help save our baby and others like her.

We keep wondering if God wants to demonstrate to people around Ella that He is the ultimate healer and show people that we can plan on certain things, but He is the only One in control. We don't know why this is part of Ella's story, but we know that He will be, and already has been, glorified through her little life. We continue to pray that we can be a light to the people around us and that God will use us in some way to further His kingdom. I keep praying that if God wants to take her that He takes her soon so that she doesn't have to suffer any more.

This has been by far the hardest thing that we have ever had to endure. Tomorrow marks 100 days in the hospital (we had 18 at home). It has been a long 100 days. It is starting to really wear on all of us, so we are praying for refreshment and continued endurance.

Please pray that Ella will continue to be stable on ECMO and that we will be given the wisdom as to what we do from here.

Love,
Jillian