Future Evelyn Updates

To consolidate updates, all updates will now be going through Grace's blog. This will allow Grace and Brandon to view all their well-wishes (which has really meant a lot to them!) in one place, and their information will be the most accurate since they're right there with her and can speak firsthand with the doctors. Anyone who wants to is still welcome to e-mail me about the family.

Evelyn Update (Friday 7 p.m.)

Today seems to have been an overall good day for Evelyn. Everyone who has been able to see her today says that she looks good.

As Brandon posted, the ultrasound for her kidneys looked fine. They think that perhaps, with the difficulty they had with the catheter, that she may have been scratched during the process. She also had an echo done today and all looked good there. So far the results of the spinal tap look clear. Hopefully they'll have the final results soon. They are doing genetic testing to see if they can find a metabolic problem, but they won't have any results in this weekend.

They were told today to expect Evelyn to be in the ICU until at least the end of next week. We're not sure where they'll be moved to from there. I'm sure it will depend on what they determine is causing the problems.

Here in Tulsa...

D.J. and I arrived in Tulsa at about 9:30 this morning. The flights were good, and D.J. was an angel, a trend that I hope continues.

I see that Brandon and Grace have both put the most up to date information on their blogs and I believe that Brandon wants to continue doing updates as they get news.

To any who would like personal updates feel free to e-mail me and I'll give you a number where I can be reached should you want to call and see what the most recent updates are from time to time.

CRuhlig@gmail.com

Grace and Brandon have had an overload of phone calls, and it is difficult for them to be able to talk with doctors coming in and out as well as the emotion that can be overwhelming at times. I'd be more than happy to take calls for them!

Evelyn Update (Thurs. 6 p.m.)

Not a whole lot of news as we're still waiting for test results. They were able to do the spinal tap and were able to get the amount of fluid they needed with no complications. They have done an ultrasound on her kidneys but are still awaiting the results. We don't expect to hear much new until the morning.

I should get into town around 9:30 in the morning, and Baby Doug will be coming with me. My main area of help right now will be staying with Elisa. We've had colds (although getting much better every day) and, although I am aching to be up at the hospital with them, I'll need to stay away until the doctor thinks it's okay for me to visit.

I have been reminded constantly the past few days of our Lords love for us and His perfect plan. For instance, I'm not sure if Evelyn hadn't been jaundice, a very visible symptom, that her more subtle signs of something more severe would have been noticed and treated as seriously and quickly as they were.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and love for Brandon and Grace's family.

Evelyn Update (Thursday 2:15 p.m.)

Just a brief update. They still have not done the spinal tap, but are planning on doing so soon. They were giving her plasma first as she seems to be having problems clotting properly. Also, they took a urine test via catheter and noticed blood in her urine, so they will be testing for an infection related with that.

Brandon was able to get a flight back and should be arriving around 5.

I will be flying out in the morning as well.

Evelyn Update (Thurs. 9 a.m.)

I just got off the phone with Grace. They still haven't received test results, but the doctors will start making their rounds soon. Evelyn is still on a ventilator, so for now she is at least stabilized. Grace says the nurses said that she was doing better this morning, but she's not sure what that means. They are going to do a spinal tap on Evelyn this morning, when the doctors come, to test her for spinal meningitis. I'm assuming that after the spinal they will start treatment immediately since it will take a while to get the results back.

I haven't heard yet when Brandon will get back into town. I know that they are grateful for your prayers.

Baby Evelyn Update (Thurs. 1 a.m.)

They are admitting Evelyn into St. Francis children's hospital for at the very least a few days. Her system is in shock and shutting down and the doctors aren't sure why. They don't believe it's related to the jaundice, but there are no definites yet. They were able to get an I.V. in her hand, but it's not very stable, so they're going to have to do a central line. At last check her white blood cell count wasn't elevated, nor has she had a fever, so they're not thinking that it's anything bacterial. Grace is having a really hard time just being in the room with her seeing her with a breathing tube and and I.V.'s and lines coming out of her chest. She's so glad that Brandon will be flying back home tomorrow, but at the same time it's scary to have a doctor tell you that you should have your husband come home early.

Please keep them all in your prayers. I know Brandon has started posting some updates on his blog, but I'll continue to update mine, too.

Prayer for Baby Evelyn...

I know Grace and Brandon have been busy taking care of new baby and big sister and haven't been able to get around to posting. I just wanted to let everyone know that Baby Evelyn is jaundice and, as of yet, they have been unable to bring her bilirubin count down. They suspicion that the high levels are due a lot to the severe bruising she got at birth (Grace says she shot out so fast, it was like she sustained a full body blow! For those of you who endured long labors, you may slap her around later). Monday really should have been her peak day (she tested at 16.9 on Monday), but then again, yesterday, her counts tested at 17. 1, I believe, so it's still rising some. They started her on light treatment with a bili blanket Monday evening, but her levels still raised. A bilirubin count of 19 or higher is considered critical, so if it continues to rise she will have to be hospitalized.

Please pray for little Evelyn, that her body would respond to the treatment she's receiving at home, and that her bili levels would finally drop. Also pray for Grace and Brandon. They've had to take Evelyn to the lab every single day, and that's tough with two kids! It's also hard keeping a baby on those bili blankets, especially when they're crying.

I'll update later today when we hear back the results of Evelyn's blood tests.

UPDATE:
Evelyn's blood tests today showed that her bili count had dropped into the 15's. This is a relief. It would be very unlikely for her count to go back up after it has started coming down. However, the doctor is still concerned because she doesn't seem to be gaining her weight back. In fact, today she was down an ounce from yesterday. Grace says that, although she's been eating normally, today she's had a hard time getting her to eat at all. The concern is that with the constant exposure to the light from the bili blanket she'll get dehydrated more quickly. Grace has been instructed to call the doctor back this evening if she still has been unable to get Evelyn to eat. We're assuming this is to evaluate if she should be admitted for an I.V.

Please keep them all in your prayers. Brandon had to fly out this morning for business, so Mom is helping Grace out. I know this adds another element of stress for both Brandon and Grace, though (him being out of town, not Mom helping Grace out!).

UPDATE #2:
I just got a call from my Mom letting me know that Grace and Dad were on their way to the E.R. with Evelyn. She still will not eat, and she needs to be taken in to be hydrated.

Grace had tested positive for Group Strep B in her pregnancy, and was treated for it during labor. But the doctor feels there is a chance that Evelyn has contracted it, which could explain her sudden loss of appetite and failure to gain weight. They took blood tests today, but it will be several days before the culture results get back.

I'll keep updating as I get more news.

And She's Off...

...to her first day of school. When did my baby get old enough to actually go to school? Although, come to think of it, I'm not so sure kindergarten was a requirement "back in my day".

She was so excited this morning, although I could sense a little nervousness. She kept saying, "You're really going to miss me today, Bubby, but I'll be back by dinnertime!" I'm not sure if she was more reassuring herself or him.

They are required to wear uniforms at school, so this is what she picked uniform-wise for the first day. She is super excited especially because dance shoes are a REQUIREMENT for this particular school. How could it possibly be bad if they REQUIRE you to dance?

I'm not exactly sure how she remained upright with all her stuff in her backpack. Luckily most of the bulk was her supplies that will remain at her desk at school, so she should come back much lighter. Hopefully no permanent damage will be done before then.

So, it has begun, the first day of 18 years of all day at school. For today I am thankful that Kait was excited to go. I feel so blessed that she's such an easy-going child who doesn't mind going out on her own! It makes it easier to say goodbye on both sides!

I love you, baby girl. I can't wait to hear all about your first day!

She's Here!

My new baby niece has arrived! Visit Brandon's blog for a picture of little Evelyn. Congratulations Brandon, Grace and Elisa. I just can't wait to see all FOUR of you in a couple of weeks!

Baby Evelyn...

...arrives tomorrow! Please be praying for Brandon, Grace and Elisa as they welcome the newest member of their family. Grace is set to be induced at 7:30 a.m. (assuming the hospital isn't full and doesn't turn her away!).

A Quick Prayer Request...

Tomorrow morning Kaitlin is once again off to surgery. This time they are removing her tonsils, as well as scraping more adenoid tissue that has started to grow back. Apparently regrowth of the adenoids is not terribly common. Leave it to my child to be "special"!

Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, a speedy recovery for Kaitlin, and LOTS of patience for Dad and Mom!


Update: Kaitlin is now home from the hospital and recovering in the comfort of home. The poor thing is surrounded with endless options of ice cream, pop-cicles, jello and pudding, but has no appetite to eat any of them! She's a little nauseous from the anesthesia, but hopefully that will wear off soon.

Thank you all for your prayers during the surgery. We've been told the recovery time is about two weeks. She should be feeling like her old self just in time for school to start!