2022
Tuesday, 22 Feb 2005:
Gabriella’s condition has improved slightly over the past 24 hours.
Her temperature appears to have stabilized and she seems more comfortable. Although it is likely that it will be a few more days until Ella is back to normal, this improvement is a huge relief to both Mum and Dad.
Pictured left are Lucy and Mum at the playground on Kaneohe Marine Corps Base from last week when her parents were here visiting.
Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, 21 Feb 2005:
Last night was another difficult one for Ella. She was awake from 2 am on with a fever.
The monitors we use to ensure Gabriella’s safety seem at times to be a mixed blessing. While they enable us to know her precise heart rate, oxygen saturation level, and respiration rate, which is helpful to us – it is unsettling to watch her heart race and oxygen levels fall as she fights against the fever.
Since her fever has not “spiked” above 102F we are fairly confident her fever is not due to a bacterial infection (which would mean a trip to the hospital). We continue to watch her very closely and try to keep her as comfortable as possible.
Pictured left are the two monitors we use to track Ella’s vital signs.
Thank you for your prayers.
Sunday, 20 Feb 2005:
Gabriella’s fever continues to present problems for us. Luckily, she is responding well to the alternating doses of Tylenol and Motrin, which is how we are trying to keep the fever in check.
However, she still has periods where the fever breaks through and she becomes distressed – those times are no fun for any of us. Last night was another night of little sleep for Ella, Mum, and Dad. Details to follow.
Pictured left is a photo that was taken a few weeks ago of Lucy and her wee Sis.
Thank you for your prayers.
Saturday, 19 Feb 2005:
Gabriella had a difficult time last night. It appears that despite our best efforts to protect her – she may have contracted a cold virus.
While such illnesses are merely an inconvenience to most folks, the fever and additional secretions pose real problems for Ella because of her trach tube.
Details to follow.
Pictured left is a photo from last week of Ella with her “Gran”.
Thank you for your prayers.
Friday, 18 Feb 2005:
Yesterday, Lisa’s Parents (Russ and Sylvia) resumed their journey back to their home in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
While here, they helped out with every aspect of caring for Ella and Lucy. They both worked hard from sun up to sun down, and always with a smile.
In addition to all of their hard work, they provided the love and moral support we needed so very much during this difficult time. We miss them greatly and look forward to their next visit.
All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, 17 Feb 2005:
One of Gabriella’s new best friends, Barbi McAllaster, stopped by this week to meet Ella in person. “Auntie Barbi” is the coordinator for Castle Medical Center’s Home Care Division. She is one of the people who are helping us arrange home nursing care for Ella.
Even though wee Ella is not a patient at Castle Medical, Barbi has – out of the goodness of her heart – devoted many hours to our case. We are especially grateful for her expertise and her willingness to lend a hand.
All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Wednesday, 16 Feb 2005:
Yesterday, Gabriella made her weekly visit to the ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat) clinic at Tripler. In order to minimize Ella’s exposure to the infectious environment of the hospital, each of these visits are very brief. The ENT staff is exceptionally helpful in this regard. They whisk us into a treatment room, well away from the other patients, as soon as we arrive.
The doctor then uses a thin fiber optic scope, which is inserted into Ella’s trach tube, to view her tracheal airway. Everything checked good, so we were on our way again in less than 15 minutes.
The doctors continue to emphasize the importance of keeping Ella healthy prior to her next surgery – currently scheduled for the second week in March.
Pictured left is Lucy doing one of her favorite things – using the instant hand sanitizing gel “Purell” so her hands are not “mucky”. All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2005:
Valentine’s Day is a special holiday in the Gentry household. The addition lady Ella makes it even more special this year. Cards, gifts, hugs and kisses were exchanged all around first thing in the morning. Ella was in high spirits – as she most mornings – and enjoyed being off all of the monitors and machines in her nursery.
Lucy made lovely cards for the occasion and enjoyed opening (and eating) her presents. Mum dressed in Valentine pink for the occasion and showed the girls how to enjoy Godiva chocolates for breakfast!
Dad reflected on how lucky he is to have so many beautiful ladies in his life. All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, 14 Feb 2005:
Each day we are reminded of our good fortune, good friends, and God’s love and blessings. Some days it may just be something small, like the twinkle in little Ella’s eyes when she smiles at us as we care for her. Other days it may be a card in the post, an email, or note in our guestbook, which warms our heart and reminds us of the many prayers that are said each day for our family.
Sometimes it is just the firm handshake of a friend with a – look you square in the eye “howyadoing?” A full meal – prepared and delivered to us by Sandy (a friend of our neighbor, Carol, who we had never met, but who has been praying for Ella) provided one of this weekend’s reminders.
Another was when Lucy’s friend Elsa stopped by for a visit.
Pictured left is Lucy and Elsa playing in the sprinkler. All for now…
Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday, 13 Feb 2005:
The duties of a Grandfather are numerous and unending.
Pictured left is Russ helping Lucy put together her new doll-house – which Grandpa brought to Lucy from New Zealand. Gabriella continues to do well. She is adjusting to life at home and all that entails. All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Saturday, 12 Feb 2005:
As you can probably imagine, we try to follow a regular routine each and every day. When Gabriella (and Lucy) cooperates, Mum and Dad are usually able to meet the minimum requirements. However, there are times when nothing seems to go right and we struggle to complete the simplest of chores.
Those difficult moments have occurred much less frequently since Russ and Sylvia have been here to help us. We are very grateful for all of their hard word and their positive attitude. “Mum and Dad: We Love You! Thank you for all of your wonderful help.”
Pictured left is Russ helping with one of the more enjoyable items on the daily routine. All for now…
Thank you for your prayers.
Friday, 11 Feb 2005:
Gabriella had a quiet and restful night after her busy day at the hospital. Yesterday, we were visited for the first time by one of the nurses who will be stopping by once a week to check on Ella’s progress. As this was the initial visit, there was much paperwork and some time spent getting to know one another. These short weekly visits are the first of three types of nursing support we hope to receive.
The purpose of these weekly visits is to help the parent’s of “medically fragile patients,” like Ella, identify potential problems between regularly scheduled visits to the doctor. The second type of nursing support allows the parent care-givers some time off (16 hours per month) to decompress and relax, hence the name “respite nursing care.”
Although Ella’s condition and our situation merit this type of nursing support, it is currently unavailable due to the shortage of nurses here on the islands. It is likely that Ella will also qualify for the third option – “full-time nursing support” (56 hours per week or more) – however, the nurse shortage is once again a factor.
Your continuing efforts to help us find nursing support is greatly appreciated. And, as always…
Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, 10 Feb 2005:
Yesterday marked the completion of Gabriella’s first week at home. To celebrate, Mum, Dad, and Ella went to…the hospital (where else?) for her scheduled check-up. Dr. Cable was very pleased with how she looked – both inside and out.
After hearing about how Ella and, Mum and Dad fared over the previous seven days; Dr. Cable inserted a tiny flexible scope into Ella’s trach tube to examine her airway. Everything inside checked good! On the outside, he prescribed some medications for the rash around her neck.
All in all, he was very pleased with her progress. Ella also received a special vaccine (Synagis) to ward off one of the really nasty respiratory illnesses (respiratory syncytial virus – RSV). Ella was weighed prior to her vaccination – she is up to 5.66 Kg or 12 lbs 8 ozs.
Pictured left is Gabriella napping after the first dose of her rash medication – it works amazingly well. All for now.
Thank you for your prayers.
Wednesday, 09 Feb 2005:
Lisa’s parents stopped on their way from New Zealand to Halifax for a short visit. Lucy truly benefits from the additional attention Russ and Sylvia provide. On Tuesday morning, Ella’s three “Aunties” came to check in on their little friend. Auntie Carrie, Auntie Lilli and Auntie Sharon are all part of the Early Intervention Program which is run by Easter Seals on this side of the island (In Hawaii, “Auntie” is used as a term of respect and endearment).
We are all hopeful that Auntie Lilli may soon be able to resume some aspects of Ella’s physical therapy program – she is still incredibly alert and seems to crave stimulation. Auntie Lilli taught Mum and Dad their first few words of Early Intervention Program, which will help in communicating with Ella. We learnt “are you thirsty?”, “are you hungry”, “drink”, “eat”, “please” and “thank you”.
Pictured left are Russ, Sylvia, and Ella. All for now.
Thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, 08 Feb 2005:
Gabriella was restless throughout much of yesterday and all of last night due to a nasty rash around her neck. Unfortunately, it is fairly common problem for infants with trach tubes. It occurs when moisture from the warm-air humidifier – which conditions the air that Ella breathes – saturates the strap that holds her trach tube in place.
(Trach Tips: Use of “Chapstick, original” – no flavors – on the affected areas. This works amazingly well, Ella had a horrible rash under her chin. The rash literally went away in about 36 hours.)
This presents a bit of a conundrum since she needs the moisture from the warm-air humidifier to keep her airway and lungs in good working order. This seems like a good place to put in a plug for the nose – one of God’s great creations. Ella visits her doctors tomorrow, so we are hopeful they will provide some relief. All for now.
Thank you for your prayers.