It's a new day, another day with Hope and another miracle to add to our list. Hope's bleeding appears to have stopped around 6pm last night. She is decently stable this morning and the doctors are more positive about her outcome. The medication she is on for the bleeding (it helps shrink the veins to stop bleeding) is only effective in some patients. We praise God that it, combined with many prayers, has been effective for Hope.
I asked the cardiologist this morning if she had expected Hope to survive the night. She said that she was surprised to see her this morning. Wow, what a mighty God we serve. We are not out of the woods, Hope remains in critical condition. There is hope for her future and we will cling to that hope.
The plan is to allow Hope's body to rest today. She is scheduled for an emergency slot in the OR tomorrow. They would take her today, but feel they will be more properly staffed tomorrow and feel that this is a safer bet when dealing with Hope. Today they are contacting the doctors in Edmonton to get to know Hope's history in the OR and be as prepared as possible.
Shawn and I spent the night in Hope's room last night. It was by no means a restful or pleasant sleep. I was sleeping in a recliner and Shawn on a mini couch that turns into a bed. We are both tired this morning and running on caffeine and the prayers of many. Hope is clearly in pain and is on a few pain medications to keep her more comfortable. I was able to hold her for a bit today and she was less opposed to this than she was yesterday.
I am not making many friends in the medical community. I have learned that being quiet is not in Hope's best interest and that you can be respectful and still firm. This morning they began discussing Hope's infected PICC line and the possibility of pulling it in the OR tomorrow. I told them that our preference was to keep the line if possible and treat the infection at the source. The Intensivist doctor said that our preference was not their concern. I boldly responded that our preference has saved her life on more than one occasion. If it was not for our presence, her line would have already been pulled and Hope wouldn't be with us today. This silenced the entire room and changed the tone for the rest of the meeting. I may not have medical experience, but I have more experience with Hope than any of them and that makes my opinion extremely important.
Sadie was thrilled to wake up and find her "Auntie 'Y'indsay" all the way from Squamish, and Grandpa all the way from Michigan, in her house. We are comforted by the fact that our little girl is feeling spoiled and not forgotten. We are so thankful for the support of friends and family.... A complete stranger left a gift card at the hospital last night for our breakfast this morning. A friend texted me this morning to see if we needed breakfast brought up to the hospital. There are two corporate times of prayer planned for Hope this evening. One at Bonavista Baptist Church in Calgary at 7:30pm and one at Compass Point in Burlington, also at 7:30pm. We are so blessed by the commitment of so many to pray for our sweet girl as she fights for her life. Thank you to all who are praying.
Your daughter, and entire family, have been in my constant thoughts and prayers. We don't know eachother, but have a mutual friend in Michelle Saari who first told me about Hope. I've been following your blog since Hope's birth. I am astounded at your strength and that of your beautiful baby girl. We are praying for more miracles for Hope and for peaceful, healing, days ahead.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Erin
I'd like to echo the sentiments and prayers of the commenter before me, the only difference being that our mutual friend is Megan Enns, who regularly posts prayer requests for Hope and links to your blog on her facebook page. That said, I've become so invested in Hope's journey that I now check your blog daily with or without the reminder from Megan.
ReplyDeleteMay your family continue to feel the presence of God and His love for you all in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
With every blessing,
Deanne
Keep advocating for Hope. You DO know her better than anyone else. We are praying hard for Hope. So glad to hear the good news that she fought through the night and won! Keep fighting baby girl! We will continue to pray for wisdom for the Dr's as they make decisions about Hope's care. BIG hugs to you all <3
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to echo the sentiments and prayers of the comments above. Our mutual friend is Sarah Curbelo. She regularly posts prayer requests and links to your blog on facebook. I added your blog to my daily blog list and check it every single day. Your strengh is awe inspiring. And Hope is the most incredible message, I cannot imagine how many lives her sweet life has already touched.
ReplyDeleteI will not cease to pray. Praying for peace, for guidance, for strength and for reassurance. The Lord is beside you, cradling your heart with His.
You know what is best for Hope, us Mamas are like Mama lions. Sometimes we have to step firm to get what we need for our babes. I pray the doctors take your requests seriously. And that you can all work alongside one another to get Hope healthy and thriving.
Love to you all.
Amy I want you to know that having cared for Hope directly and seen you first hand be an advocate for little Hope in an incredibly beautiful thing. I know as medical staff we sometimes get stuck on the norms and statistics, but those text books where not made for each individual special child, and as we know beautiful and courageous Hope does not always follow the norm. One thing I have learnt in my short time nursing is that mommies gut feeling are almost always right.
ReplyDeleteI am incredibly proud of you and I know god is too of your voice for Hope.
Being with your family for the short time I was inspired me to be a better person. When all the most unthinkable is happening to you I still saw love and laughter between you and Shawn. You really showed me that even in terrible circumstances you have to be good to each other. You spirit is contagious and sometimes it's just needed to share a laugh with your nurse about our favourite reality show:)
Hope is a fighter because she knows how much her family loves her
...... and she might get a little bit of that feistiness from her Mommy:)
Amy, we haven't met but I'm related to Bianca Kirk through marriage. There are many others in my circle of friends and family who know you and your story. Your family will continue to be in my family's prayers!!! My heart was so HEAVY all last night and today after reading yesterday's blog. I'm so thankful to God that the bleeding has stopped for sweet Hope! I'm from Burlington ON but couldn't make it to Compass Point tonight at 7:30 so my husband and I lifted our voices up to God at 7:30 to be heard along with the prayer warriors from Compass Point. Your story and your faith have affected many Amy. Keep up the good fight sister... you have been a WARRIOR for our Lord!
ReplyDeleteLove Kim
so grateful to hear the bleeding stopped! we keep praying with you for more good news and miracles. what warriors you all are. may you experience His nearness in very real ways in these days. love and prayers from toronto - annie b
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Ryan and Christen's in Australia and have been praying for Hope and for all of your family. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteI do not know you. I started reading your blog last night after seeing it on a fb friends status. May the good lord give you the strength to take on the daily challenges. What an amazing example you are to the world. I will pray for hope everynight. She is a little light sent from god to you.
ReplyDeleteI too am a mutual friend through Sheena McKay, I've been following your blog for quite a few months after seeing a link on her FB. I now daily check your blog to know how best to pray for you and your family. My 2 year old daughter also asks to see Hope's picture and then prays for her too. We're trusting in the same power that raised Christ from the dead to continue working powerfully in Hope's life too. You're never far from my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteCudos to you, Amy for standing up to the doctors like that! I pray that your strong example will teach the doctors to be more considerate of the parents' opinions so that other parents who might not be as experienced as you can still be heard.
ReplyDeleteGod is definitely using you to impact those around you, and around the globe! Thank you for your faithfulness! We continue to pray.
Amy, still praying and asking everyone that we know to pray too. I am glad to hear that Hope's bleeding has subsided . Good for you for advocating for Hope to the medical staff and I am so glad to hear that they have stopped and taken you seriously. Many blessing to you all. I pray that you all have a more peaceful night.
ReplyDeleteKimberley
I have read this post 2 times today and both times your title for the post calls this song to mind:
ReplyDelete"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes"
(from "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman)
Praying that the joy of the Lord would be your strength and that He would surround your family with songs of deliverance.
I am sending this blog address to all of the people on my email list who also can send healing thoughts. Mine are already being sent. Baby Hope/big hopes.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing mama you are! Every day sending good thoughts your way....haven't met you but you and your daughter touch my heart every day...really hoping for the best!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah! What a great post! Praying for God's healing hand to touch Hope's precious body! Praying for strength & health & sound minds for you & your family. So happy to hear your family is pouring love on your Sadie;) And so so proud of you having God's wisdom & boldness in defending & being Hope's voice! You are in our prayers! Believing God for a miracle for Hope that will turn hearts towards faith in our MIGHTY GOD! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI found out about your blog through a friend who is friends with one of your relatives--I don't really know how that all connects, but your family's story has touched me for sure. I've been praying for all of you, and was just reading through some quotes about writing (random, I know). This one made me think of you, so I thought I'd leave it here. I think, perhaps, it applies to mothers as much as, if not more so, than to writers. Blessings and peace and .. hope.. be with you.
ReplyDelete“I heard a preacher say recently that hope is a revolutionary patience; let me add that so is being a writer. Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.”
― Anne Lamott
I too know a mutual friend who posts your blog updates on Facebook, and I've been an avid reader for awhile now. After reading your post the other night, my heart ached and was unable to do anything for the rest of the night. I had gone back and read many of your earlier posts and was engulfed in your story. I prayed for Hope that night and she was all I could think about yesterday as I drove into work wondering if and how she survived the night. Frankly I was afraid to look at your blog for fear of bad news. Every time I had a free moment yesterday, my mind always seemed to drift back to Hope and another prayer was sent above.
ReplyDeleteI teach junior high religion and yesterday's topic in grade 8 was about people with intense faith. "How can I learn to believe like that?" and "what is the point of prayer?" Students were asked to think of people they knew who put all the faith in the Lord and after a few responses of grandparents, other family members,... I introduced your blog/story to my class since you were one of the first people that came to MY mind of someone with such faith. Some of my grade 8 students were moved to tears after I read your post and 36 more prayers were sent up in Hope's name. The size of Hope's prayer circle continues to grows each and every day.
With you in prayer,
Amy
My heart is breaking with yours even as it is filled with HOPE. I pray that parents would never have to suffer through their child's agony. We join in your prayers for healing and conversion of souls. I wish we could do more, but I am asking our own special angel girl in heaven to intercede on Hope's behalf. We are sending all our love and prayers.
ReplyDelete