BMT Day 20 VIDEO

Ingrid’s been a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit for 18 years and was Ashtyn’s nurse for the last 3 nights. I asked, “Compare 3 nights ago to now, what do you think?” Her answer, “She is a lot stronger and doing so much better.” From our perspective, Ash is looking great. She is more alert and bright eyed. Her kidneys are improving with a normal creatinine level and got off a kidney helping drug, Lasix, tonight. She is not taking any sedating drugs and is sleeping better than I’ve seen in 3 weeks. Her lungs have improved as well. Her respiratory rate is normal, which hasn’t been the case for several weeks. She is no longer working hard to breath and her lungs sound better when nurses and doctors listen with a stethoscope. Her BMT doctor who was extremely concerned yesterday had an obvious look of happiness and relief to see her health was turning a corner for good and no longer heading towards a breathing tube and dialysis. I asked for prayers for her kidneys, lungs, viruses, sleep, and white blood cells. All those prayers are being answered. I even suspect we might see white blood cells in her labs soon because her mouth and tongue are looking so much healthier. It’s all so remarkable how quickly her health is improving. Another really amazing thing is, I don’t see any suffering. I wrote a post a couple days ago about our suffering, wondering how much more we could handle. Since then I promise Ashtyn has not been suffering. Even in the ICU, I feel we are in a calm ocean right now with more strength than we’ve felt in awhile. There is a happiness in Ashtyn that is obvious. I feel happiness too. Even when she feels uncomfortable, nauseated, or is throwing up, there is complete peace in her demeanor. Of course she’s not out of the woods and has a lot still ahead but she’s totally on the right track and I pray everything will stay that way. Please continue with your prayers and fasts for her lungs, kidneys, viruses, engraftment, sleep, alertness, strength, happiness... prayers are being answered. Thank you to our Father in Heaven and everyone’s faith for making it all happen.