Thank you all for joining the blog.
I don't have much new information. Ella is still struggling to get off of the ventilator. She just needs to recuperate a little more before the doctors feel comfortable removing it. Her oxygen is turned way down though so that is encouraging.
The last few days have been tough because the doctors needed a new IV and it is never fun to see your baby poked and prodded. Emily and Chris are by her side constantly though and she is drawing tons of strength from that. They tell her stories about all of us and how they met and apparently she is lulled to sleep (or bored out of her mind) by all of it. :)
I mentioned setting up a calendar to sign up to watch Aiden and do some of the other tasks that have to be done at the Hawkes house, but we are okay for now. I will be sure to get it up Monday or Tuesday. Thank you everyone who is already itching to pitch in.
I am sending a package to Chris and Emily tomorrow. If you would like to send them anything, the address is:
Ronald McDonald House
c/oChristopher & Emily Hawkes
520 Sand Hill Road # M213
Palo Alto, CA 94304-2001
The best thing to send is something edible or readable. If you can write your favorite story about how you met Chris or Emily or Aiden and send them that, it will give them something to read to Ella while they are sitting with her. It may even have the effect of helping them crack a smile. Edible is always good because they are constantly snacking and never eating a proper meal. I am sending some jerky, nothing as good as what Chris has been making, but at least it will last.
Christopher and Emily are exhausted. They need lots of strength now. Keep them in your prayers, along with a strong recovery for Ella.
Thank you all,
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ella Update 9/7
Ella is progressing with her recovery just as the doctors expected. She is moving around and healing up from the surgery. She is a tough cookie and determined to be a good patient. The recovery period is very long and there are weeks between now and her journey home so keep up the well wishes.
My brother visited her today. I guess she liked having a visitor because he said she was wonderful. And so well behaved. :)
Emily and Christopher are tired and hopeful, just as they should be. They are tough as well. Keep them in your thoughts too. They get to spend lots of time with her. They sit in the room with her until the doctors and nurses change shifts. They are the pillars that Ella is drawing strength from and all of you are the ones giving them strength. It is good to be a part of a team. They want to thank all of you for your support and prayers. They are felt and needed.
I will keep you posted,
-maria
on behalf of Emily, Christopher, Aiden and Ella
My brother visited her today. I guess she liked having a visitor because he said she was wonderful. And so well behaved. :)
Emily and Christopher are tired and hopeful, just as they should be. They are tough as well. Keep them in your thoughts too. They get to spend lots of time with her. They sit in the room with her until the doctors and nurses change shifts. They are the pillars that Ella is drawing strength from and all of you are the ones giving them strength. It is good to be a part of a team. They want to thank all of you for your support and prayers. They are felt and needed.
I will keep you posted,
-maria
on behalf of Emily, Christopher, Aiden and Ella
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Ella Update 9/6
I apologize to all of you out there waiting for updates. I know that everyone is very invested in this beautiful baby and her family and more is better.
I have spoken to Emily and Christopher a couple of times. Here is the break down of most of their trip so far. Ella was transported and her heart rate was a little high. They pretty much have this under control, but it is something to look out for. It looks like she is having some trouble with her airway, and doctors think this may have something to do with her jaw being set back a little too far. The plan as of now, is to wait and see, but she may need a surgery to correct this. As for the surgery, the surgeons went in with a game plan and completed their check list in about 5-6 hours, which is what they expected. Ella did fine under the anesthesia. She was still a little sluggish yesterday, but hanging in there. Her blood pressure was a little high and she is a little puffy which suggests she is retaining fluids, but the doctors have assured Emily that she is urinating fine and I expect that today, that all worked itself out.
These are the facts. There are some saving graces though. Emily and Christopher were lucky to make it into the Ronald McDonald house out there which is about a mile from the hospital and not a huge expense to stay at. They have chores to do each day which remind them that life exists outside of the hospital. They eat regular meals and are being a good support system for each other. They have at least 3.5 more weeks out there, but the place is already becoming a doable second home.
Emily seems to be moving around great. We all forget that she had a baby less than a week ago. She is getting back and forth to the hospital and pumping regularly for Ella. She's pushing through the baby blues just fine and is one of the strongest people I have ever seen. I commend her parents for raising such a strong and determined young woman. Christopher is doing all right as well. He is a good support system for Emily and is figuring out the lay of the land so they can occasionally eat something that is not cafeteria food. All in all, they are a stronger together.
Aiden is doing well too. Right now, his grandma and grandpa are spoiling him rotten. He has adapted well and seems to understand his role: Hang in there until the rest of the family gets home. He is an intelligent kid and he knows Mama and Papa took Ella to the hospital.
That is the bulk of the info I have as of now. I will update you as often as I possibly can. I will also be sending a care package to Emily and Chris once a week. If you have any suggestions or would like to add something to the package, let me know. They are a long way from home and my hope is to send them something physical that reminds them that all of us are thinking about them and praying for them every day, all of the time.
Thank you all for your support in all of this. Emily and Chris really appreciate knowing how many people care.
love,
-maria
on behalf of Emily, Christopher, Aiden and Ella
I have spoken to Emily and Christopher a couple of times. Here is the break down of most of their trip so far. Ella was transported and her heart rate was a little high. They pretty much have this under control, but it is something to look out for. It looks like she is having some trouble with her airway, and doctors think this may have something to do with her jaw being set back a little too far. The plan as of now, is to wait and see, but she may need a surgery to correct this. As for the surgery, the surgeons went in with a game plan and completed their check list in about 5-6 hours, which is what they expected. Ella did fine under the anesthesia. She was still a little sluggish yesterday, but hanging in there. Her blood pressure was a little high and she is a little puffy which suggests she is retaining fluids, but the doctors have assured Emily that she is urinating fine and I expect that today, that all worked itself out.
These are the facts. There are some saving graces though. Emily and Christopher were lucky to make it into the Ronald McDonald house out there which is about a mile from the hospital and not a huge expense to stay at. They have chores to do each day which remind them that life exists outside of the hospital. They eat regular meals and are being a good support system for each other. They have at least 3.5 more weeks out there, but the place is already becoming a doable second home.
Emily seems to be moving around great. We all forget that she had a baby less than a week ago. She is getting back and forth to the hospital and pumping regularly for Ella. She's pushing through the baby blues just fine and is one of the strongest people I have ever seen. I commend her parents for raising such a strong and determined young woman. Christopher is doing all right as well. He is a good support system for Emily and is figuring out the lay of the land so they can occasionally eat something that is not cafeteria food. All in all, they are a stronger together.
Aiden is doing well too. Right now, his grandma and grandpa are spoiling him rotten. He has adapted well and seems to understand his role: Hang in there until the rest of the family gets home. He is an intelligent kid and he knows Mama and Papa took Ella to the hospital.
That is the bulk of the info I have as of now. I will update you as often as I possibly can. I will also be sending a care package to Emily and Chris once a week. If you have any suggestions or would like to add something to the package, let me know. They are a long way from home and my hope is to send them something physical that reminds them that all of us are thinking about them and praying for them every day, all of the time.
Thank you all for your support in all of this. Emily and Chris really appreciate knowing how many people care.
love,
-maria
on behalf of Emily, Christopher, Aiden and Ella
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Surgery 1st post
Ella is out of surgery. It sounds like she did well. I haven't spoken to Emily and Christopher yet, but I will update you as soon as I do. The surgery was expected to last about 5-6 hours and that is how long it took.
I know how frustrating it is for you to not have more information, so as soon as I do, I will relay it to you.
Thank you again for your prayers. This is a huge hurdle to be through. It is definitely a success point and Ella isn't even a week old. The recovery process is long. Please keep the Hawkes in your thoughts througout it.
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
I know how frustrating it is for you to not have more information, so as soon as I do, I will relay it to you.
Thank you again for your prayers. This is a huge hurdle to be through. It is definitely a success point and Ella isn't even a week old. The recovery process is long. Please keep the Hawkes in your thoughts througout it.
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
Ella's Surgery
I got a quick update from Christopher and Emily yesterday. Ella arrived okay and they have completed all of the tests they needed to run. She will be having surgery today at about 9:30/10am. Please say an extra prayer or keep her in your thoughts today. This is the toughest of the 3 surgeries and Ella has to be on bypass for it. Pray for her parents as well. This is a very difficult day for them.
I will keep you updated with as much info as I can.
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
I will keep you updated with as much info as I can.
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
Friday, September 2, 2011
Ella Day 3
Ella is being flown to Palo Alto tonight. Probably in a couple of hours. Unfortunately, neither of her parents are able to go with her because of the staff necessary that is taking up all of the room on the plane. Emily is on her way out there now and Chris is going to pack up their bags and meet her there first thing in the morning.
Ella is doing fantastic. She is maintaining a good heart rate and actually gained a little weight, she is 6 lbs 1 oz, which is saying a lot because she still isn't getting any milk. Don't worry, Emily is pumping and freezing the milk so Ella will have all the nutrients when they start her on a little bit more solid liquids.
I will keep you updated as much as possible, but there won't be much for the next couple of days. Ella will not have surgery until she is stabilized at the hospital there and they run their tests to be sure they know what they are in for before the surgery. We expect surgery to happen somewhere around Tuesday.
Keep up your prayers and remember to pray that Emily and Chris get good rest in there somewhere. They send their love to everyone. I will be in touch soon.
-maria
on behalf of Emily, Christopher, Aiden and Ella
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Ella: Day 2
I can't believe Ella is only 2 days old! She seems so much a part of everyone's lives so far, that it is hard to imagine what it was like before she arrived.
Today, Aiden met his sister. Oh yea, baby scrubs!!!
She was intibated last night because her oxygen was dropping low and the doctors have said they will most likely leave this tube in until after her surgery. That's right, she is eligible and ready for surgery. This is extremely exciting. Everyone was worried about her, but her heart rate is steady and she seems strong enough to travel to Palo Alto where she will be stabilized and they will run a few more tests to be sure they know what to expect before surgery, and then she will have surgery next week some time.
She will most likely leave tomorrow with one of her parents on a "life flight". The other parent will fly commercial immediately after.
This brings about another way you can help Chris and Emily. If you have unused airline points that you would like to put towards a ticket for them, let me know. Ella will be there for 4-8 weeks and Chris and Emily need to stay as long as possible, but they will have to fly back eventually and if this surgery is successful, there will be another surgery in 3-6 months. Then there will be another one in about a year or 2. There is lots of flying involved, so if you would like to donate a free ticket, please let me know and I will start coordinating this.
I have a few corrections and things to add to my last few entries. First, Ella has an awesome godmother. Me! I am so blessed. Her godfather has been proven to be a good guy too. It is Fred Landavazo III, my father. Next, Ella was born with an extra rib. I have decided that this is to help protect her from a broken heart. Finally, Emily and Chris are rock stars. They are taking great care of Aiden, Ella and each other. It is a wonderful site to see how they have grown as a family during all of this. I am blessed to have them as my compass in all of this. I would be lost without them and I am supposed to be helping!
The next phase of my help is to set up an online calendar. I will have open dates for watching Aiden, bringing food to them, mowing the lawn, taking care of the pool, checking the mail, etc. We are set for about 2 weeks, while Emily's parents will be here to do most of that, but the calendar will allow you to sign up for what ever you feel comfortable contributing.
Thank you all again for your prayers and support. I have been keeping track of all of them and relaying them to the family. I'll create a book with all of your support and comments for them to refer back to when they need the extra push, so keep them coming.
love,
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
Today, Aiden met his sister. Oh yea, baby scrubs!!!
She was intibated last night because her oxygen was dropping low and the doctors have said they will most likely leave this tube in until after her surgery. That's right, she is eligible and ready for surgery. This is extremely exciting. Everyone was worried about her, but her heart rate is steady and she seems strong enough to travel to Palo Alto where she will be stabilized and they will run a few more tests to be sure they know what to expect before surgery, and then she will have surgery next week some time.
She will most likely leave tomorrow with one of her parents on a "life flight". The other parent will fly commercial immediately after.
This brings about another way you can help Chris and Emily. If you have unused airline points that you would like to put towards a ticket for them, let me know. Ella will be there for 4-8 weeks and Chris and Emily need to stay as long as possible, but they will have to fly back eventually and if this surgery is successful, there will be another surgery in 3-6 months. Then there will be another one in about a year or 2. There is lots of flying involved, so if you would like to donate a free ticket, please let me know and I will start coordinating this.
I have a few corrections and things to add to my last few entries. First, Ella has an awesome godmother. Me! I am so blessed. Her godfather has been proven to be a good guy too. It is Fred Landavazo III, my father. Next, Ella was born with an extra rib. I have decided that this is to help protect her from a broken heart. Finally, Emily and Chris are rock stars. They are taking great care of Aiden, Ella and each other. It is a wonderful site to see how they have grown as a family during all of this. I am blessed to have them as my compass in all of this. I would be lost without them and I am supposed to be helping!
The next phase of my help is to set up an online calendar. I will have open dates for watching Aiden, bringing food to them, mowing the lawn, taking care of the pool, checking the mail, etc. We are set for about 2 weeks, while Emily's parents will be here to do most of that, but the calendar will allow you to sign up for what ever you feel comfortable contributing.
Thank you all again for your prayers and support. I have been keeping track of all of them and relaying them to the family. I'll create a book with all of your support and comments for them to refer back to when they need the extra push, so keep them coming.
love,
-maria
on behalf of Christopher, Emily, Aiden and Ella
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