It seems that Marika is always asking me that question and occasionally gives me the look above whenever I feed her. Some things in life are just not meant to be separated, like peanut butter and jelly, fish and water, and mothers and babies.
We praise the Lord that today we get to post a picture showing how it should be!
I keep getting stuck saying each day: "Wow, it is amazing the progress Julia is making." I'm knocked off my socks when the next day is even better!
Last night (Wednesday, June 6) when we had left the hospital they were thinking that maybe by the end of the day on Thursday (today) or maybe Friday they could remove the breathing tube. I got a call from the nurse this morning that said that Julia had done so well in the night that they were most likely do it in the morning and that I should come in (Julia's mom and sister were originally going to do the morning shift).
When I arrived she was fully awake and was more the ready to have that tube out! Since they were doing rounds, we were left kind of in a sit and wait mode until the right people showed up. Julia was getting a little fidgety, and if they hadn't come when they did, I'm sure she would have pulled it out herself ;) Finally, at around 11, the tube was removed. There was some blockage at the end of the tube, so when it came out, she actually breathed better with it out! She definitely could cough better, and it was amazing to hear her talk! What a gift; something so simple that we so often take for granted! The ability to have a normal conversation!
The ICU was receiving some new patients that needed Julia's room (this is one of those case where you are thankful you aren't priority number 1 anymore) so they actually moved Julia down to the far end of the ICU . Since we were the last room, the doctor felt that we could come in the back way, and therefore reduce any exposure to Marika and he gave approval for her to come. So I gave Leanne and Maria a call and they brought her over and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch time together.
By the end of the day, almost all of Julia's IV lines are out, and she was even eating food within 1 hour of the tube coming out. She even had some toast tonight as a bedtime snack. She is now no longer listed in critical condition.
Thank you all SOOO much for all the prayers through out the last couple of weeks. Julia is some what of a celebrity at the hospital since what she had was so rare and they don't get many young mothers in the ICU (thankfully). As she has gotten better, they tell us more and more how serious things were, and how amazed they are at her speedy recovery. I just smile and say that she had a lot of people praying for her :) They tell me that the one thing she really had going for her is that she was young and healthy. And for those that know Julia, a little determination doesn't hurt either.
Matt
14 comments:
Dear Matt, Julia, and Marika,
Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! You do not know how happy and thankful we are! I can't wait to get there and hug you all!
Thank you to all our family and friends for the prayers and love sent to them and us. We appreciate and love you all! (P.S. Its so good to see your sense of humor back, Matt!)
Mom Kay, Dad CJ and Danny
Matt & Julia - We just praise God with you on the progress you, Julia, are making! What a thrill for you to be able to hold little Marika again. Our prayers continues - stay strong. Love, Dick & Flo
She is beautiful. Our tears of sadness and fear have turned into tears of joy and awe at the goodness of God. Julia your recovery is a miracle and we continue to pray that you gain strength so that you can come home.
We can hardly wait to see you.
Heather and Jer
It brought tears to my eyes to see you holding your baby, Julia! Besides the heartache of knowing my dear friend was in ICU and critical condition, my heart ached because you could not be home with your little girl. Praise God for his goodness and Julia's determination! (You're spot on there, Matt!) Marika is beautiful. Thanks for the updates ~ my heart is not quite so heavy this morning knowing Julia is making such a great comeback. We love you all (Including Matt and Julia's families, too!) and will continue praying!
Katie, Brad, Nathanael and Hannah :)
Seeing Julia smiling and holding Marika is truly an answer to prayer. We will continue to hold you in prayer!
Denise
You look beautiful, Julia!
God is so good!
We love you,
Rachel, Bart, A.J. and Gabe
Oh my goodness! What an amazing and merciful Saviour we serve. Congratulations Matt (and Julia and Marika). It is absolutely joyfully tear-jerking to finally see Julia and Marika together. Thanks be to GOD for miracles and healing. We still continue to pray earnestly that the Lord would unite you all again in your home...sometime SOON even!
Shan
Hi Matt, Julia, and Marika,
I'm a sister of Mary Ann S. from your church. Mary Ann got me on the prayer chain, and then later forwarded the blog address. I rejoice with you about Julia's ongoing recovery, and Marika's nearly missed opportunity to grow up with her Mom there. Thanks be to God for answering prayer this way. Congratulations on the safe arrival of baby Marika. She is beautiful!
F.
Praise the Lord, Creator and Healer!
We continue to pray for you all.
Heather Derek and Kids
Hi Marika,
You are looking really great! I'm so glad that you had a chance to hang out with your Mom. We think you have a terrific Mom and we are so glad that God was gracious and left here here to be with you and your Daddy and with us too. We are so thankful that your Mommy is getting better. We rejoice with you and your Daddy and we hope you can come and play at our house soon and take both of them with you! God is Good!
Love, Mary Ann, Laurence, Tegan, Nia and Phoebe
Praise be to God for her speedy recovery. Hallelujah!
Marika is sooooooo cute. O Lord, praise be to you for making Julia all better. We have all been praying for her and God has defintily heard them.
We are thrilled that things are going so well for Julia. Praise the Lord! Marika is BEAUTIFUL!
Hi Julia and Matt (and Marika),
It's Marisa here. I couldn't believe it when our cousin Sonya and then my mom told me what was happening with you...perhaps somewhat the same feelings you had when you heard about me. I could really relate to what you said Matt about not letting the sun go down on your anger and to hug the ones you love today because you don't know what life will bring you in a week, day, hour, minute. It has been comforting for me though, that God has already set out the race we are to run and that we will not leave this earth one second earlier than He has planned. The race may not always be easy, but He promises to be with us. This is of course all easier said than done and because we are human we get scared, panic and doubt. Thank goodness for family and friends and the support they give! We look forward to meeting Marika and seeing you guys again (seems like forever ago that we saw you guys at the farm...)
Continuing to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Much peace and love,
Marisa (and Mendelt, Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah)
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