Friday, November 12, 2010

Our Miracle Baby

For those of you who aren't aware of what's been going on, we will provide more details of how this entire situation transpired in the near future.  But for now, we just want to update everyone on how Ella has been doing.

Ella was delivered by emergency c-section on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Christa had been having discomfort that was unusual for her and not like her other pregnancies. She went to see the doctor on Wednesday morning and was convinced to have an ultra-sound to try to determine what the problem might be. While doing the ultra-sound they discovered an extremely enlarged heart and determined that they should get the baby out right away. The medical term for what is going on is Fetal Cardiomyopathy. Her left ventricle had ballooned and her heart was filling her whole chest. 

Ella has been stable for the last two days and they are doing everything they can to get the heart to shrink in size and hope that the muscle will begin to function properly. On Wednesday her CO2 levels in the blood were extremely high and they needed to get those levels down. By Thursday morning the CO2 levels had come down to a reasonable level. 

The first miracle is that Ella made it through the first night. The doctor said that she did a lot better than he thought was possible.  In fact, during our first conversation yesterday morning, he admitted he was very concerned that she would not even live to see 24 hours. The heart has begun to shrink a little and they have seen more of her lungs, which was originally a major concern (because of how large the heart was the lungs may not have had the chance to develop.)  Those fears have been greatly subsided at this point, but they continue to run tests and echo-grams.  

The second miracle is that Ella is still with us today, Friday. Every day is a gift from God. We are so overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of prayer and assistance through this difficult time. We can't thank you all enough.  Please continue to pray for a miracle for little Ella.  She is a beautiful little girl at 5 pounds and 17 inches. And she is a fighter - at times beginning to take breaths on her own between the puffs of air from the ventilator.  She will need to continue to fight - hour by hour, day by day - to see if her heart can steadily gain strength & become sustainable for life.  

Thanks and stay tuned for further updates and even some pictures when we get that together.

Erik and Christa

26 comments:

Amy... said...

Thanks so much for the update! Love you guys!

Chic Mama said...

We love you guys so much and are battling in prayer for your sweet baby girl!

The Boggs Family said...

Praying constantly... we are welled up in prayer and praises and more prayer with each update, praying with you that her heart will continue to heal and reach a point of sustaining her for life. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this update on your beautiful baby girl. We love you guys...

jonesfamily said...

She is beautiful! We will continue to pray for a full miraculous healing!

Julie Jones

~Sue said...

Praying without ceasing for all the Dordal family. Ella you are a beautiful, remarkable, little girl! Thank you for sharing viz the blog to update progress.
~Sue Asbjornsen

Andi Mae said...

Praying and praying and praying for your beautiful sweet girl! We love you guys so much!

P.S. Check your email- I am emailing pictures now!

Sarah said...

Lifting up so many prayers for sweet Ella! "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." Dt. 33:12

Love you guys!

Ivory said...

Sent over from MacKenzie, and praying for your sweet girl. I have an Ella as well, and they tend to be so much stronger than we can imagine.

rhonda cyr said...

thank you so much for setting up this blog, ... any news seems to refresh my prayers with new passion. i have had you all constantly in my thoughts and prayers, .. and will continue.

this morning, as i was praying, the song "jesus loves me" came to mind. i sang-prayed it, and was struck again by the words of simplicity.

Jesus loves ella, this i know.
for the bible tells me so.
little ones to him belong,
"they are weak, .. BUT HE IS STRONG" :)

praying ... without ceasing.

Unknown said...

We have not stopped praying for you. Ella is beautiful! You are cradled in the Everlasting Arms.
Much love,
Bob and Janice

Wes Stanton said...

Blessings on Ella. Blessings on you and the whole family. The church here is holding her in love and prayer.

Britni said...

My Family is Praying for your Beautiful Little girl! We don't know you personally, but my husband Abe is a good friend of Matts and I am friends with Kenz! We will be praying without ceasing! The LORD can do anything, all things are possible through him! God Bless Sweet Ella and your entire family!
Love,
The Wood Family

Chelle said...

Praying so much for continued miracles. For overwhemling peace and comfort and grace from Jesus, for each dear one of you.

She is just so beautiful!

Cottage Mommy said...

She is a beauty like her Mama! Continuing to pray as well for your sweet family and baby Ella.

Unknown said...

"The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much." Unto to His glory will Ella be healed, and unto His glory will she go to be with her Maker. I hope and pray that God will bless you both with the life of your precious daughter.

Josh H

Kathleen Cavender and Mark Ritter said...

Thank you for making this blog, Eric, so we can watch her progress. We love you guys and are praying.

The Cavenders

Crystal said...

Praying my friend Christa! Continue to stay strong, our Lord is faithful.

Rachelle said...

She is a beautiful baby girl! We are praying constantly for Ella's healing and for your whole family.

K Squared said...

Ella looks so precious. She is truly a bright light just like her name means. Even in her first days, she shines as a miracle. Ryan and I are praying for you.

Unknown said...

Christa and Erik,
Baby Ella is truly a miracle. We continue to ask that God will give her the strength to fight and survive.

Love,
Tommy and Cheryl Dobson (Cindy Bogue's sister)

McMurrays said...

praying for your sweet family and baby ella!

Unknown said...

We are with you. And praying like crazy for the beautiful Ella.

NW Gal said...

The Janzens are all praying for Ella, her health care team and your entire family. Many, many blessings and praying for daily miracles.

Anonymous said...

From Maui and Calif to WA we have tons of people praying in accordance to His will. Ella Louise is that precious jewel that God gave to you. Let Him be glorified through this. We love you all! Will continue in prayer! {{{{HUGS}}}}

Ren said...

Our family of 10 is praying for you and yours. Our last baby(who is 6 now)spent 2 months in PICU at Sacred Heart with a major heart defect. I am pretty sure that if you mentioned his name (Silas) to some of the nurses, several would remember him. It was a wild, scary, faith building, miraculous ride. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Wilsons

Unknown said...

The technology is amazing today. My daughter pulled through at 4-lbs,5-1/2...that was 23 yrs ago. We're praying for baby Ella and your family, hang in there. God Bless!