Hello everyone! Ava caught a nasty cough/cold on Sunday. She ran a low grade fever for a few days. She complained of a sore throat. I was nervous as ever. She is in good spirits but I can tell it is affecting her....she stays on the couch a good portion of the day. I right away started the Albuterol and Pulmicort treatments. She's also on Dimetap cold and cough every four hours.
I took her to a Otolaryngology or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor on Monday. He thought it looked viral and not bacterial. He gave us nose spray (Patanase) and told us if she wasn't better in about 5 days to call him again.
See this silly Girl?
Her cough worried me so I got out her Pulsox machine. (This tells me her heart rate and her oxygenating number.) Her heart rate was about 100. (Which is normal.) Her O2 number was 98 so all was good. So right now I feel we are on the right track. I start worrying again when it becomes closer to the weekend. It seems all doctors disappear :) I'm glad the fever is gone. I know some may think I'm over exaggerating about a cold. However I never feel totally safe with Ava and a sickness. Here is a video of Ava this morning.
Ava and I vistited a few of my sisters and a brother in St. Louis last week. We had tickets to see Joel Osteen. If you are not familiar....he is an awesome Preacher. He is all about being positive and giving hope. I started watching him on TV when I was pregnant with Ava. He helped encourage me to think of her as a blessing just as my other girls were. When he quoted the verse "All things work together for the glory of God." I knew he was 100% right. I HAD to have faith! SO when we found out he was doing a book signing, right near my sister's house we got very excited. I couldn't believe this was about to happen. "I was going to meet Joel Osteen!" We waited in line for about 30 minutes. Joel and his wife Victoria walked right by us. He stopped and shook my hand. It was a true gift. When we made it up to the table I told of how he inspired me and I told him about Ava and her birth defect. I explained how awesome it was for us to be able to witness a Miracle. He agreed and hoped all was well with Ava now. I was proud to be able to stand beside my family and my little Ava. How great is God? SO GREAT!
This is us and our signed books. We were a bit happy if you can't tell!
The concert was such an uplifting experience. I did keep Ava at my Sister's house as I knew it wasn't for her. I got such a blessing that night. God pulled at my heart strings. I started writing a book about Ava, 4 years ago. I stopped because I got discouraged. I told myself I wasn't a writer and who would publish 'my' book? Hearing his message made me realize it was 'my' time and that God wants me to fulfil ALL the dreams in my life. GOD will give me what I need to accomplish the book. So I've vowed to God, my family and friends I'll continue to write Ava's story. I have this wonderful blog to help piece it all together!
I'm occasionally asked if Ava will have to have other surgeries. As of today she is doing well. We keep an eye (by CT scan) on her gortex patch that serves as her diaphragm. She takes medicines to control her reflux. She has had no signs of bowel obstruction for about a year and a half now. She does have a severe pectus (large indent) above her lungs on her chest. So far it has not affected her breathing. We know her body is healing but can never be certain her patch won't break with her growth or be digested AGAIN by her bowel. We can only pray. None of us know our future. That is a worry I must give to God daily.
I can't protect Ava against all illnesses I know. I do realize she needs to be exposed eventually. It just hard to see her not feel well. Please everyone say a prayer that she gets over this soon. Her little eyes look so sad and sick. Thanks so much for stopping by! Stay healthy, well AND warm! It is 0 degress here in Iowa today...Buuurrrr!
~ Terri
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