July 28, 2011 - more...

So here we are a little more then 4 weeks since her surgery. For the most part she is doing great. We have been having troubles with her sleeping and pooping. They put her on more probiotics and little improvement. She went back to the dr yesterday and she sent us to havenher stool tested and they put her on antibiotics. I will he glad when wenget her stomach straightened out. She is very uncomfortable, however she is smiling a lot more then she ever has before. We are still fighting the sleeping battle and have been trying to keep herup during the day so she will sleep at night but that hasn't worked so well. I hope that by tomorrow night we see improvement in her sleep patterns. Kenny and I have started taking turns getting up with her so we both can get some sleep...but mostly we are walking around like we got hit by a bus...thank you Jesus I have not been working.

We went to the cardiologist today and he thinks she looks great. Because of all of the stomach issues he decided to keep her on the heart meds. He said her numbers look great though. The only thing is she has a mitrovalve that has opened. I guess when you are born everyone's is open and shortly after birth it closes, Ellies closed and then reopened after surgery. They are unsure if it will close again on it's own so they are going to keep an eye on it and if it hasn't closed in a year they will close it when they take pictures of her hart using a cathider in a surgery like procedure. She will have to be anesthetized and a cathider will be inserted in her leg and will go up to her heart to take pictures then if that mitrovalve is still open they can close it using the cathider. My heart sank when he told me this but he says they take these pictures one year after every surgery and the mitrovalve opening is common...however...she will go home that day. I will still pray it closes on it's own and we don't have that issue. God is good all the time.

July 22, 2011 - Sleepless in Shelbyville

Dear sleep...I miss you...I haven't seen you in several days. Every time I begin to visit you Ellie calls on me and I have to stay. I pray I see you soon, my little Ellie is having some tummy troubles that is keeping her from visiting you for long as well. As soon as we get her back on track we will both come for a visit. Sincerely, Sleepless in Shelbyville

The probiotics have made her stools more like baby poop but she is still pooping numerous times throughout the day.  She is up all night and never sleeps more then 2 hours at a time.  The Dr says she should be sleeping about 14 hours a day; 2 naps and 1 longer time during the night.  This is far from what she is doing.  She sleeps for about an hour and is awake for 2 hours.  During the night she may sleep for 2 hours and then is up for 2 hours.  Each time she wakes she fills her diaper.  I think I am going to buy some of those baby gas drops and try giving them to her and see how it goes.  Thank you JESUS this is happening while I am not working.  I could not imagine having to deal with no sleep for 3 days and teach my class.  However, she coughs now and no pain, and she can tolerate being on her stomach for a few seconds before she complains.  God is soo good.

July 19, 2011 - probiotics

So I took Ellie to the doctor today and she thinks that Ellie's digestive track is aggravated by the antibiotics she was on and that is why she is having all of this diarrhea. So she put her on probiotics. If Ellie is not doing better by Thursday we are going to take her to Kosairs outpatient to have some tests done in her number 2....lol. Hopefully the probiotics work I want Ellie to feel better. She has been through enough. She is being VERY cranky, and needy...I am not sure if that is Ellie Mae diva or if that is Ellie isn't feeling well.

July 18, 2011. - Still having diarrhea

Ellie is doing great...I Am amazed that we are already 3 weeks out from surgery and I have my smiley baby back. I know adults who wouldn't have been as strongthroughputt such a massive surgery. We went to the cardiologist last week and he said that Ellie is doing so well that if she continues to do so well she could be off of all her medications before the end of the month. WOW!!!!! God is good. They weighed her while we were there and she was only 10 pounds and 12 ounces...she is still a little bitty...lol

However, little Ellie has been off of her antibiotics since Friday and she is still having diarrhea on a regular basis and she ran a really low grade fever yesterday. I am taking her to the dr tomorrow...I am sure it is nothing but it is better to be safe then sorry.

Oh BTW Ellie is laughing now. It is the cutest thing ever...I LOVE smiley babies!!!

July 11, 2011 - What a great day!!

It has been soo nice to have Ellie home and the stress of surgery behind us.  Even though she is recoperating from major surgery you really can't tell by looking at her.  She looks just as happy as she did before surgery.  The only way I can notice is when we move her certain ways or when she coughs.  It really hurts her to cough.  I wish there was some magic pill I could give her that would take the immediate pain away from movement and coughing.  Tylenol seems to keep the bulk of her pain away but she gets a dose of loratab at night before she goes to bed so she doesn't move the wrong way and jolt her self awake in pain like she did the first few nights.

Life is getting back to normal.  Yesterady we went to chirch and then out to dinner.  Then we went for a walk in the evening.  FYI - for those who do not know...ELLIE loves to go for walks.  At the hospital she wanted to be in the wagon because it was kind of like talking a walk in her stroller at home.

Today she went to the pool and got her feet wet and then went for a walk in her stroller this evening.  Our neighbors are amazed at how well she is doing and can not believe she had open heart surgery just 2 short weeks ago.  Praise the Lord everything went smoothly and she is healthy and we are able to continue on with our lives.  I pray the families who are still at Kosairs or who just got there continue to do well.  I pray a blessing on them and encourage them to draw near to you for strength.  Through you all things are possible, Ellie is my proof.  Thank you lord for all you have done for the Ashton family...

Twp days before surgery we have family portraits taken...here are some...

July 9, 2011 - First full day home

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers throughout this entire process.  This was one of the hardest things we have ever had to go through.  I never wish anyone to have to watch their child go through something this horrendous.  Knowing that you were all here praying and thinking about us made it just a little bit easier.  I am having trouble with posting comments on your comments and sending e-mail to you.  I appreciate everything.  You can not imagine how much you mean to us!!

Ellie is doing great and is loving being home.  Last night she got a bath and we scrubbed the sticky tape and glue off of her.  She got lotioned up (except for where the incision is) and rocked to sleep just like she used to before the hospital.  You can tell she is glad to be home.  She is still a little sore and complains a little when she is moved no matter how careful we are, however, you can tell she is doing a whole lot better and glad to be home.

My posts on here will begin to get fewer as we begin to relax and enjoy life a little more now that this surgery we have been anticipating for the last year is over.  We have been so consumed by the surgery we missed the little things.  I will still post updates from time to time and would love to keep in contact with you all.  If you would like to stay updated and do not have facebook (because I am on there all the time) please send me your e-mail address and I will be glad to talk with you.  Here is my e-mail: address
faith.ashton@jefferson.kyschools.us

Nurse Kristina I would love to stay in touch with you and have no way to message you.  Thank you for showing such compassion for my little angel.  I know you see a million children every day and yet you still treated Ellie like she was special.

July 8,, 2011. Finally home

The dr came in this morning and we finally got to go home. I am actually blogging from my couch. Ni will blog more later...I am tired right now. Thank you everyone for your prayers and thoughts for our family through one of the hardest things I ever had to go through...the rest of my life is all down hill.