I just had a chance to visit with Ave for a few minutes. She is looking much better today. Over the past couple days, she had not been peeing very good and she was VERY swollen. Probably the worst I have ever seen. She is now peeing much better and has lost a lot of the fluid. She is up to 5ml/hour on her feeds and almost off of all sedation meds. She is still on morphine and versed for pain. Her vent weens are up and down, but she is slowly breathing more on her own. Overall, she seems to be doing pretty good. I have not talked to any doctors since last week so I am hoping to catch one today.
We spent Thursday through Saturday in Fayetteville. Shane's last day of work was on Thursday and that was emotional for him. We spent Friday and Saturday catching up on stuff around the house. Starting to think about getting it ready to sell/rent. That should be interesting. Kaitlyn is in VBS this week in the mornings so I have some time by myself. Shane started work with his mother this morning...at 5am. He is such an awesome guy...I am so proud of him...but I miss him. We have been together for almost two months straight.
I am hanging in there for the most part. I have to be honest, I am tired of being here. We have been here almost seven weeks and I want to go back to normal...but we now have a new normal. I know this is just a moment in time, but it is really hard. I am coping as best I can, but there are days when I am totally out of energy. I am taking each day at a time and hoping that things continue to go as smooth as possible. I really don't want to complain...I am grateful for all that we have and the unimaginable support.
Thank you for continuing to watch little Avery grow and gain strength!
Carissa
Our Angel Baby, ^Avery^
Yours Truly
Shane, My Devoted Husband
Big Sister Kaitlyn
Morgan Rae
Can't Forget the Dog...Sadie
About Me
- Carissa
- My hope is that this experience will be an opportunity to share with all of you the adventures of my family. On a daily basis, I share my life with my beloved husband Shane, our daughter Kaitlyn (7),our angel baby Avery, and our third daughter, Morgan Rae.
I hope you will keep your blog going so we can continue to watch Avery grow and adjust into her precious family. May each of you be blessed daily in every phase of your lives. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers that God will shower all the blessings upon you which you need to sustain you through everything. Goldie McGarrah
ReplyDeleteIt sure must be stressful, but please continue to share your little Avery with us. I continue to pray and check on any updates. She is such a soilder and and I'm so glad things are going a little better. I can't wait till you post on Avery going home to her nursery. Hope it is soon!
ReplyDeleteI am reading your blog for the first time and I have thought of you and your family often. I was the sonographer who was blessed to do your first ultrasound at Freeway when they thought something might be wrong with little Avery. I was there when Dr. Bornemier gave you the news of her heart condition and tried my hardest to keep it together until you and your friend left. I am amazed at these precious children and their strength and will to fight so hard. I know God gives these children to some of the stongest parents I have ever seen and your family is no exception. As a mother, I look at these pictures and can only imagine what some of your days are like. My heart and prayers go out to all of you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you and for sharing these memories with us. If you ever need us you know where to find us. Sincerely Amanda Shoemaker
ReplyDeleteEach time I sit down to the computer, my hands automatically start typing your blog's address. Can't help myself!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Avery is doing better. I like her little nickname of "Ave", so cute.
Hope Kaitlyn has fun this week!
Praying for all of you. You are one amazing family! For the record, I'd think you were a bit odd if you weren't tired of being there.
Love you, friend.
Carissa--I know you have been through a difficult walk thus far, but the journey continues. God chose you for this child and her road continues one baby step at a time. Your energy is gone and you wish your old routine would apppear. That is perfectly normal. We pray for your daily strength. Avery needs her parent's strength, and no one else can be her Mom. Not that you don't want the job, but a day off from all the stress and worry would help! It is easier said than done, but try and take one day at a time. I know your life is unsettled, big breath and focus on the "new normal"! Wish I had awesome words of wisdom for you, but there is no quick answer; just lots of Hugs and Prayers Kathy Rae
ReplyDeleteCarissa--hang in there. I agree that God choses the strongest people to be parents for these amazing babies. He knows your needs before you even ask, so even when you're exhausted He will supply you with everything you need to make it one more day. I admire both you and Shane so much and continue to pray God's peace for both of you. May you both continue to rest in His arms. Avery is SO sweet and we cannot wait to see the posts of her heading home. Continue to take one day at a time. I am thrilled to hear that she is making progress. May God continue to bless the Keirsey family!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family. Praying for Ave and for your strength in this difficult times. You are a wonderful mother! May God Bless the 4 of you always.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
You guys are amazing! Shannon R.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family! I know it can be really hard to watch your child go up and down the rollercoaster of the NICU (I had preemie twins that were in there for almost 6 weeks)! I remember thinking they were doing good and then coming into the NICU in the morning to find out one of them had taken a backwards turn:( I also had 3 other children at home 80 miles away. It's hard!! There's no sugarcoating that one!! The only advice I have is to just take one day at a time and don't focus too much on the longterm. God will give you the strength to just get through each day as it comes!! Just turn all your fears and frustrations over to God and he'll be there for you!! I'll be praying for you and your family and little Avery to come home soon:)
ReplyDeleteShane and Carissa,
ReplyDeleteI wanted you both to know that you, Avery and Kaitlyn are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We have been following along on your blog every step of the way and we have been amazed by Avery’s strength and continued progress, but even more so in the character, courage and strength which you both have exhibited in the face of this adversity. While Sarah nor I have ever been through a life changing event of this magnitude, we could only hope to navigate it as well as you both have.
Please know that we are here for you to help in anyway possible.
Grant Stewart
Just thought I'd remind you guys that I love you! Hope your having a good day today.
ReplyDeleteRachael
Carissa,
ReplyDeleteI continue to think about and pray for your family often. Your honesty during this time is refreshing and appreciated. Take care of yourself!
Courtney Connelly (Meredith Fields sister)
Shane and Carissa,
ReplyDeleteYou do not know us, but we have heard of you through various friends (Mooney and Davidson family). We have heard specifically that you may be moving to Conway in order to be closer to Children's. We happen to live in Conway and would love to help you out in any way that we can. Also, I happen to be a pastor in town and may be able to round up a few men to help out with the move (if what I have heard through the grapevine is true). Finally, we happen to have a six year old daughter. If Kaitlyn needs a play date, Denver would love a break from her brothers. You can email me, Kevin, at kevin @ christchurchconway . org or my wife, Annie, at halehole3 @ yahoo . com.
In Christ,
Kevin
Continued prayers for your little Avery and your family!! God is good!! May God Bless you all in this day!!
ReplyDeleteSissy
Nashville, TN
Thinking of you guys as always. Hoping that Avery has done well the last couple of days and that Kaitlin is getting settled. God Bless you all!!
ReplyDeleteSpanky and Delynn
...would love and update :) Hope things are going well
ReplyDeletei'm still praying for yall.....sorry i never comment.....
ReplyDeletelove candice brooke
Hope all is well... still praying for your family... would love to hear how everyone is=)
ReplyDelete