This page is for Emma. Since February 12, we have been at CHOP NICU with our precious newborn. She was 4 days old when we arrived at CHOP for what was supposed to be a non emergent visit. While Emma was on the table being evaluated, her condition quickly escalated and at once she was rushed to the trauma room. That room is accurately named. This journey has been nothing short of traumatic. As the rushed my baby down the hall and several doctors showed up to the scene yelling, I froze and panicked. How helpless I felt. Utterly confused and terrified.
She is noted as having respiratory failure.
the trauma room was blindingly bright and filled with doctors yelling information to each other. I felt as though I was in an alternate universe.
Everything was spinning but I was standing still. My tiny newborn crying in that giant bed.
After what felt like an eternity, we were told she will be transferred to NICU. She was intubated, and had an IV.
For almost a week, we would not hear our baby’s cry, although she did continue to cry. That in and of itself is heart sickening.
the next several days, which turned into weeks, was absolutely FILLED with doctors, nurses, medical personnel of all kinds coming in and out of our room at all hours of the day and night.
having intense conversations that no parent is ever prepared to have.
for a few days they did not know what was wrong with Emma and these were days I worked to keep breathing myself.
Afyer more tests than any person, let alone a tiny perfect newborn, should have to endure, the diagnoses was made.
Emma had Meningitis and it was much more severe than the doctors first realized or typically see. What's even more terrifying is how "normal" she was right up until we got to CHOP "just to get checked out." Emma even passed her first full exam at the pediatricians office with flying colors just an hour before we got here. The infection was so severe, however, that it has left her with permanent brain damage and further risk of clotting, stroke, seizure, and respiratory failure -- all of which she has already experienced. The burden is enormous and our hearts are heavy.
I will say that We have seen Gods hand along the way and there have been so many answered prayers already. That being said, Emma will need to be in the NICU another 4 weeks. This brings us to March 19. With a total stay of 6 weeks. James has had to take several weeks off work without pay and has not left the hospital since we arrived here on the 12th.
we couldn’t be more grateful for the love that has been poured out on us continuously through prayer, meals, conversations, care for Josiah, and more.
A few of you have asked if we have a Gofundme, so that’s why we’ve created this page.
Please know we don’t expect a thing, but simply wanted to provide what was asked of us by a few people.
We love all of you.
most of all PLEASE do not cease in praying for miracles. God is still performing miracles.