I came into Ruby's room tonight after working from our apartment during the day today and Holly quickly shoved Ruby into my arms and said, "Here! You should hold your daughter!" Immediately, I noticed something was different, but I couldn't tell what. Holly and Ruby both stared at me, awaiting a reaction. I couldn't figure out what was going on. They were all acting a little funny, even the nurse. It was the same way Holly acts when she gets a haircut and I don't notice. So I immediately said, "Oh, Ruby! You've grown twice as much hair since I've been gone today!"
That comment elicited giggles and our nurse said, "Long day at the office, eh?" and grinned suspiciously, while everyone stared expectantly.
Now I was REALLY getting nervous. I was really beginning to feel like the joke was on me. Then I saw it:
The nasal cannula was gone!
That's right, Ruby is breathing 100% unassisted! Here is Ruby spreading her wings and flying on her own for the first time:
In my own defense, after 12 weeks I don't even see the tubes and wires and tape and whatnot anymore. I just see beautiful little Ruby smiling back at me. Even while she was on ECMO and swollen up "like a Ballpark frank", as the surgeon so aptly put it, I could still only see Ruby underneath the cloud of edema and sedation. It was appropriate that today's nurse be the one to remove the final crutch supporting Ruby's lungs because she was in the stabilization room in the Special Delivery Unit the day Ruby was born and was one of the people who helped intubate her started her down this long road. We were talking to her recently and she remembered that day and acknowledged that they were very concerned and uncertain of about Ruby's outcome. But in those 12 weeks she's managed to defy the odds, both good and bad, and surprise us at every turn.
We knew she'd be able to do it, we just had wanted her to have the extra support while we worked on sedation weaning and oral feeding. She was happy and content a day today, so it was a good day to kick off those training wheels and ride like a big girl. She looks like she's just kickin' back and chillin', but having her arms up and shoulders back like that helps her breathe more comfortably. Try it. It's interesting how babies naturally do things like that to help themselves.
Ruby seems quite pleased with herself and is also very excited to be rid of the IV in her arm:
Speaking of which, today her white cell count was 17 and her CRP (C-Reactive Protein) was 0.5 -- both well within the normal range. In other words, NO INFECTION. We just need to keep it that way until we pick her up and carry her out of there. No word yet, but we're getting closer by the minute. Her morphine was weaned to every 8 hours today. We expect they'll go to 10 or 12 hour intervals and then take it away entirely and monitor her for a couple more days for withdrawal. We expect some crankiness tomorrow, since today was a morphine wean day. But so far, it hasn't hit her and she was happy and playful today. When she's excited, she'll wave both arms in the air like she's riding a roller coaster:
I think Mom and Dad are the ones who have been on the roller coaster for the past 12 weeks. Now that the end of the ride is beginning to come into view, I want to say "Thank You" to everyone for all the support and encouragement you've given in the past months. We couldn't have made it this far on the roller coaster alone. The ride's not over yet, but we're hoping we're over the biggest bumps and loops now and are just coasting back into the station.
Yes, it sure has been a wild
Yes, it sure has been a wild roller coaster ride! Thank you for sharing so much of your journey with the rest of us. I don't get the opportunity to comment very often, but I read every post and am rooting for little Ruby to come home and try out Momma & Baby yoga with me and Reid.
Take good care and enjoy your precious little one.
Best,
Jenny (and Baby Reid)
PS - re: the post from weeks ago when you mentioned the pony...YES! This little girl has earned herself a pony! :)
Happy Dance!!!!
Happy Dance!!!!
Awesome!!! Great news and
Awesome!!! Great news and PRECIOUS photo. Chris you crack me up on the hairdo comments;-)
Fantastic News! Ruby has
Fantastic News! Ruby has such great parents and is so fortunate to have so many people who already love her so dearly. We are so happy for all of you! Keep taking those baby steps forward. Life is a rollercoaster and it looks like Ruby already knows how to endure every loop and twist in the ride! All the best to the three of you -- Lauri and Travis
Wonderful news!!! Go Ruby
Wonderful news!!! Go Ruby Go!!! You are one amazing little girl and look forward to the day your wonderful parents get to take their warrior your home!
Much love, Tracy Meats, Ian's mom
Great news and great
Great news and great pictures! Very happy for you guys and for Ruby. "I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy."
Such wonderful news!!! That
Such wonderful news!!! That photo of Ruby with her arms up in the air showing her excitement is so awesome! I LOVE it!!
AMAZING NEWS!
AMAZING NEWS!
Karla
Braden's Mom
Thank you, Holly and Chris.
Thank you, Holly and Chris. It has been an honor and a privilege to experience this beautiful little girl's struggle and successes through your writings. I have enjoyed and empathized with this "journey" of your child by your words, written and not. As a parent, I can only add "Bravo" to all your efforts and ordeals. She is adorable. You have both been so brave and open with your comments. Thank you for your candor and honesty. As a parent, I know you were scared. What a gift Ruby is! I hope to meet her personally one day and see those gigantic, beautiful eyes close up. By the by, you both write beautifully.
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!! I'm
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!! I'm thrilled for the three of you. Way to go Ruby!!!
So, so, so, so beautiful
So, so, so, so beautiful news. I'm so happy...
So, so, so, so beautiful
So, so, so, so beautiful news.... I'm so happy.
OMG!!!! TEARS OF JOY!!!! I
OMG!!!! TEARS OF JOY!!!!
I can't even tell you how excited I am to see her flying solo!! Way to go Holly, Chris, and RUBY!!
I know the journey isn't over yet, it will be once you are in the car and headed back home, but damn, its amazing to see this critical step and know she's healing and beating this horrible situation.
Happy Dancing from the 'Lou! ((hugs))
Tami, Chuck, Aisling, and William
What fantastic news. The
What fantastic news. The pictures are adorable. You can see Ruby's personality shinning through. Hoping that things continue to progress well. The road to home is becoming so much closer. :)
What amazing news... we are
What amazing news... we are so happy for all of you!
What amazing news... we are
What amazing news... we are so happy for all of you!
How fantastic!I had tears in
How fantastic!I had tears in my eyes when I read your post. Ruby, you are one incredible little girl. Well done! I bet you can already smell that Texan air :0).
Holly and Chris, you are such an inspirationh. We can sympathise and truly understand how difficult it must've been seeing Ruby going through everything. And yet you kept your spirits up and we are sure that Ruby picked up on it and continued fighting against this terrible monster. You should be proud of yourselves, your daughter is blessed to have such amazing parents. We are thinking about you and are looking forward to seeing your first home pictures.
Big hugs from the UK.
Miner and I were hoping
Miner and I were hoping there was a new post when we got back from our walk. Well, I was...Miner is more concerned with birds. Look at that little cheek with no tape on it!! I am so happy for you all. What an awesome roller coaster ride, she looks like she's loving it today. Hope the weaning continues to go smoothly. Love and Hugs from IA.
Hooray Ruby!! Wonderful
Hooray Ruby!! Wonderful news. She looks so strong, so proud and so playful. You have made my morning. What a great surprise. I can't believe Holly was able to keep it a secret from you until you arrived. And what a sweet, sweet post. I can hear your joy and pride. Natalie
Enjoy the rest of the
Enjoy the rest of the ride!
Marie
I did exactly the same thing
I did exactly the same thing - stood by my son's incubator for several minutes before the nurse delightedly pointed out to me that he was actually off CPAP now!
So very glad Ruby is doing well.
I am so glad that ruby is
I am so glad that ruby is doing so well y'all keep up all the great work that y'all are doing
shannon carter
I've followed since 'before'
I've followed since 'before' Ruby was born. I'm a Rogue runner and I have (along with many) kept this site bookmarked to follow Ruby's journey. Today's post made me tear up for each of you. That baby girl is gorgeous and she really does ROCK. Rock on Ruby.
Cathy
Hi Chris & Holly, I'm so
Hi Chris & Holly, I'm so happy to see Ruby's amazing progress. I can't tell you how Ruby's story has touched me. I read the updates and it makes my whole day. It routinely makes me cry and/or cheer. I'm thrilled for you both, you will never "sweat the small stuff" because when you have a sick baby, everything else is small stuff. I continue to include you and Ruby in my prayers and I can't wait till you can bring her to the office to meet all of us. Take Care!