Blog Candy for a Cause II Update

I am finally through all of the cards I have received so far for baby Francesca! I am recording everyone's name that sends a card and a name for posting something on their blogs...let me tell you, my husband is tired of seeing me on the computer! You all have kept me wonderfully busy! I am officially up to 83 cards, but I had a note in the mailbox that the mailbox was too full...so there should have been even more today! Oh my goodness...I am excited to see how many I get tomorrow! In addition to all of the fabulous cards I have gotten, I also have gotten more blog candy! So be sure to check out the latest additions HERE. I am up to UPDATE 18!!

Now on to my Francesca update for all of you. As you can see, Francie's Dad, Ronny, got to hold her today! It appears she had a rough few days in there as they were trying to wean the ventilator. She is looking pretty good, but her blood gases and stats are still cause for concern. So keep the prayers going for her...she still has a long way to go! Below is what they posted today on their online journal:



Posted 12/29/08:

"Hello Family & Friends,

Francesca has appeared to weather the storm she was in for the past 3-4 days. It appears that Francesca was not able to tolerate the rate that the ventilator was being weaned at last week. After a few extremely rocky days, Francesca’s stats and blood gases have appeared to level out a bit. During those rocky days, the ventilator had to be turned back up to the original settings (in fact, even slightly higher settings than she started out at after ECMO). We started today back at “ground zero” with trying to wean the vent, this time, at a much slower pace. We are hoping she can tolerate this slower wean rate a bit better…She continues to have fluid in her lungs, as well as almost 2 pounds of excess fluid around her body (even though she already looks so much smaller!). The doctors do think she will do better and better as she gets rid of the excess fluid in her lungs and body.

Maureen and Ronny have both now officially been able to hold Francesca, and she has appeared to tolerate being held fairly well. The doctors and nurses have explained that, for Francesca, learning to be held can be tiring and a bit stressful. Luckily, she does seem pretty comfortable while being held by Mommy and Daddy, and has tolerated it for an hour at a time, once --sometimes twice-- per day.

Thanks so much to everyone who checks this website, and who thinks of Francesca, Maureen & Ronny every day. We appreciate each and every prayer said for Francesca, as she still definitely needs them."