Baby Steps...
At the end of the day as we look back over todays events we see that He has allowed our sweet Ashley to take some baby steps. David spent some time visiting with the Respiratory Therapist who took care of Ash today and she explained to him each little step of progress Ash was able to take today. Although Ashley is still on the oscillating vent, they have been able to decrease some of the settings 3 different times today. It may seem small to some, but to us it is encouraging. Yesterday we made no changes at all, so today we are optimistic that she may be able to come off of this one onto the conventional vent in the next day or two.
Unofficially we have been told some of the results of the ultra sound. Tomorrow we will have more details, but it looks as though there is some fluid around the heart, and in the pelvic region. There is also a suspicious pocket of fluid that may be an abscess in her abdominal area. This one will probably have to be drained, but we have no idea how this will be done. We are expecting to find out how during the morning rounds. Ashley's temperature has stabilized this evening, but her extremities are still very cold. Her blood pressure and heart rate are more consistent as well so we are feeling a little better about where she stands at this point. We realize we have a long road back to where she was last week, but some how I feel renewed tonight and ready to go.
One of the hardest things for us right now is seeing the way that she just lays there on her bed. No movement, no sounds, no signs of our daughter. She doesn't even look like our Ashley. I found myself talking to her today and then realized she has know idea that I am even here. She will have no memory of these events once she wakes up. As I was talking to her so many things began to spill out of my heart. There are so many things I wanted her to know. I want her to know how very much she is loved. I want her to know how great she is. I want her to know that she makes me a better person. I want her to know how she makes my heart smile. I want her to know how her life has strengthened my walk with the Lord. I want her to know she makes my faith stronger. I want her to know she completes our family and without her we would not be the same. I want her to know her Daddy and how very much he adores her. I want her to know how good it feels to be loved by the best big brother a girl could ever have. I want her to know the friendship He has in store for her and Allison to share. I want her to know Jesus! I want her to feel the joy of the Lord deep inside her soul. I want her to know that there is nothing we would not do for her. I want her to know that we are here, fighting along side of her, and that she will never be alone. I want her to know how it feels to walk hand in hand with me as she grows up to be a young lady. I want her to know how the ocean sounds, and how the warm sand feels on your feet. I want her to know that He created her to do big things! I want her to know the love of her family. I want her to read this journal one day and see how many people all over the world cared enough to pray for her. Eventually as I was talking to Ash I feel asleep, and when I woke I thought I must have surely bored her to sleep too.
I am praying for a better tomorrow than today, and that eventually our tomorrows will lead us home. Thank you so very much for listening to me ramble. I can only imagine how many of you I have been able to help fall asleep too! Thats o.k. I love you guys anyway. We are going to go call the kids and tell them goodnight now. I hope you all rest well.
Unofficially we have been told some of the results of the ultra sound. Tomorrow we will have more details, but it looks as though there is some fluid around the heart, and in the pelvic region. There is also a suspicious pocket of fluid that may be an abscess in her abdominal area. This one will probably have to be drained, but we have no idea how this will be done. We are expecting to find out how during the morning rounds. Ashley's temperature has stabilized this evening, but her extremities are still very cold. Her blood pressure and heart rate are more consistent as well so we are feeling a little better about where she stands at this point. We realize we have a long road back to where she was last week, but some how I feel renewed tonight and ready to go.
One of the hardest things for us right now is seeing the way that she just lays there on her bed. No movement, no sounds, no signs of our daughter. She doesn't even look like our Ashley. I found myself talking to her today and then realized she has know idea that I am even here. She will have no memory of these events once she wakes up. As I was talking to her so many things began to spill out of my heart. There are so many things I wanted her to know. I want her to know how very much she is loved. I want her to know how great she is. I want her to know that she makes me a better person. I want her to know how she makes my heart smile. I want her to know how her life has strengthened my walk with the Lord. I want her to know she makes my faith stronger. I want her to know she completes our family and without her we would not be the same. I want her to know her Daddy and how very much he adores her. I want her to know how good it feels to be loved by the best big brother a girl could ever have. I want her to know the friendship He has in store for her and Allison to share. I want her to know Jesus! I want her to feel the joy of the Lord deep inside her soul. I want her to know that there is nothing we would not do for her. I want her to know that we are here, fighting along side of her, and that she will never be alone. I want her to know how it feels to walk hand in hand with me as she grows up to be a young lady. I want her to know how the ocean sounds, and how the warm sand feels on your feet. I want her to know that He created her to do big things! I want her to know the love of her family. I want her to read this journal one day and see how many people all over the world cared enough to pray for her. Eventually as I was talking to Ash I feel asleep, and when I woke I thought I must have surely bored her to sleep too.
I am praying for a better tomorrow than today, and that eventually our tomorrows will lead us home. Thank you so very much for listening to me ramble. I can only imagine how many of you I have been able to help fall asleep too! Thats o.k. I love you guys anyway. We are going to go call the kids and tell them goodnight now. I hope you all rest well.
posted by Ashley @ 8:40 PM
3 Comments:
Thank You, Lord, for the baby steps today. With all that has been going on with Ashley these last couple of days, baby steps are good and we thank You for them. Any sign of progress is encouraging. May she have an uneventful night tonight. Guide the medical staff in all the decisions to be made concerning her treatment. Give Trish and Dave Your comfort and may they rest in Your arms tonight. Renew their spirit. Give Blake and Allie the grace and courage they need in these coming days. Keep them strong for Your glory. Bless Bobbie as she fills the gap while Dave and Trish are away. Give her added strength.
Thank You, Father, for hearing our prayers~~~~in Jesus presicous name, Amen
Father, we are so grateful for the steps Ashley has made today....even if they are small ones. Thank You for another day with Ashley. We pray that You would continue guiding each step of the way to Ashley's recovery. Give Trish and David the rest they need, and thank You for making a way for them to be together again during this stressful time. We pray that You would continue blessing this family, and all the lives who are touched by Ashley's story. We pray that You would continue leading people to this website so that they can read the story You are writing with this family. I know so many lives are forever changed because of their story of love, hope, and faith in You. Just be with them, and give them comfort as only You can. In Your Precious Name I Pray, Amen.
you know...i imagine ashley...having not been adopted...what would have happened to her...would she have even made it this far without such love as she has been surrounded with...would she have been this strong...would she have fought this hard? God knew she would need this medical attention....oh how blessed she is to have been adopted ...i should say appointed...to a family such as yours!! i know it has strengthened her...i know she hears you talk...and i know she is smiling..even though you can't see it....i know that you had this divine appointment to meet this need for unconditional love that ashley so desperately needed...or she may have never gotten through this far with the determination she has shown. what a blessing you all are for one another!! it is such a joy to stand back and see God's divine power and your place in it! ashley is definitely blessed beyond measure to have this support system ...and to think sadly enough ...that she quite possibly could have gone without it. Thank YOU GOD...for bringing this family together...so we all could be touched by...ASHLEY'S STORY!! You are truly divine...God...and i praise you for your ever growing knowledge of us...yet amazing ability to love us anyway!! thank you for continuing to bless this family!! YOUR LOVE IS AMAZING!!
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