I've taken to calling my sweet Brenna "Kitten". From the day she was born, she has reminded me of a tiny baby kitty, especially with the way she moves her mouth, sticks out her tongue and the little noises she makes. It even felt like she was purring with the vibrations her throat was making the day I got to hold her head up while she was being fed!
There is nothing more that I look forward to than the day I am able to hold her in my arms and give those puffy lips of hers a big ol' kiss :)
This is another photo I took on Christmas Eve, before Brenna got really sick, and when I went to post it, I couldn't believe at the transformation in her skin from then to last night when I last saw her. Her skin looks SO much better in just a few short days. The big thick layer is completely gone in a strip across her stomach, it's peeling almost off on her bottom, and her chest and shoulders are really starting to peel too. Underneath is pink baby skin that is almost normal-looking! Eventually it will most likely be pretty flaky and dry, but since she is in a humid environment and getting slathered with ointment every four hours, it looks like very normal skin underneath those dry scales.
Yesterday Brenna's heart rate went up again and she had to be given more oxygen, so we were all a little worried and went to the hospital. When her heart rate increases like that, it is likely one of two things: she is in pain, or there is possibly an infection. Thankfully her stats improved and continued to be really good for the rest of the day and last night.
They have discovered that the infection she has is E. Coli (I asked her if she'd been swimming in Lake Springfield), and she is still getting the antibiotics to treat that. She is sure a little trooper! We have been so impressed with the medical care she is receiving at St. John's - the doctors and nurses are just amazing and have blown us away with their compassion, care and medical knowledge. We've had several nurses tell us that they've been reading about her condition while off work to get a better understanding of her needs.
I'm hoping for another good day with my Kitten, and especially looking forward to her warding off this infection so I can get back to helping to feed and handle her!
So glad to read this about your sweet Kitten :)Keep up the good work, Brenna!
ReplyDeleteI have been asking each day for Blessed Marianne Cope to intercede in prayers for your little baby Brenna. She is beautiful.God bless your family. Kathleen
ReplyDeleteGod chooses only "special parents" for his "very special children". You are blessed. We are keeping Brenna and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Davis - 21 Foresters
You mentioned earlier Brenna is receiving blood and platelets. I can't donate blood right now, but I know a few strong, healthy, strapping kids. Will this be something she'll be needing regularly? Blood type? ANYTHING to help!
ReplyDeleteCourtney, thank you for sharing about Brenna this way. Our family has been praying for her since getting a link to your blog via FB a few days ago. We delivered a tiny (550 grams, or 1lb, 4oz) at 27 weeks on Dec 9 2 years ago. We lived in the NICU at St John's for 119 days. It was one if the most humbling and challenging times if our lives, as our baby Lucy fought for her life. The "roller coaster" experience is almost indescribable. The care we recieved there was amazing, though... We felt that nurses, physicians and RTs were absolutely committed to our baby's recovery, and it made a huge difference. We have a happy, healthy toddler against all odds today, and we pray for the same outcome for your kitten! May God's peace be with you as parents through all of this. He obviously has big plans for Brenna!
ReplyDeleteHave not been able to stop thinking about baby Brenna since Adam posted the link on fb. I ask the good Lord everyday for her strength and comfort and am anxious to read her daily progress. Thank You for sharing your amazing story. Baby Brenna definately has our hearts! I was wondering after reading about her loving u singing to her if it was an option for her to be given a baby visual/musical machine. If so, please advise as I would gladly make sure we get one to you for her! Also if you need breastmilk, I would be honored to help. Seeing how much better it is for her to digest as well as save her strenght for fighting off this infection, and knowing that with stress, and lack of stimulation, its extremely difficult to keep up a good supply..if donations are needed I would gladly assist. 494-1334 hugs, tracy
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the caring thoughts and prayers...We definitely have more than enough milk, so thankfully that hasn't been a problem...though I very much appreciate your offer to help in that regard! And today, we were actually just given a musical machine, so we are going to see about taking it in for her...
It definitely means so much that you are wanting to help...keep the prayers coming, that is definitely the most important thing! :)
I read how you wrote about Brenna's puffy lips. A friend told me that she envies my pouty lips too - and I found out that puffy/pouty lips is a symptom of ichthyosis. Sometimes I think that we are blessed in funny ways with this condition! I dont have any body hair and can eat as much as I want due to a fast metabolism - other things friends envy!!
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I am glad Brenna's skin has shed a little and improved. I sometimes think that new skin has no memory, so each time it renews itself, it gets a little better.
Again, best of luck with your beautiful girl.