Sassy Britches

Monday, September 26, 2011 10:00 pm

Morgan has been on a plateau for a few days now. It is our understanding that she is neither getting worse, nor is she getting better...which is the worry for all of us close to her. However, among our network of friends and family, we were able to enter a place of solitude today as we navigate this strange and tough time with our daughter.

As some of you may know, my sweet sister-in-law, Nicole, is an emergency medicine doctor in Nashville, TN. She has put us in touch with a dear friend from her medical school class, Erin, who is, now, a neonatologist. Further, Elizabeth's cousin's wife, Anna, is a former neonatal nurse, who has also placed us in contact another neonatologist. These two relationships have allowed Elizabeth and me to bounce questions around and more fully understand Morgan's status and the terminology involved. As we have never once doubted Morgan's care at St. Vincent's Hospital, nor those taking care of her, understand that is impossible for parents, in our situation, to collect enough information. That said, today, more than any other, Elizabeth and I feel so comfortable with Morgan's care. Our confidence level in Dr. Bruce, Dr. Bierd, the nurse practioners and the "hands on nurses," has never been higher. We would ask that all of you continue your prayers for these selfless indviduals that are giving our daughter an opportunity to achieve a healthy life and anything she desires from her daddy. We are so thankful for them and for their commitment to Morgan. The peace and solitude we feel as parents, due to these individuals, is a calming factor that gives us strength as we watch our baby girl fight for her life.

As of today, our sweet Morgan is 1 pound, 15 ounces. THAT'S ALMOST TWO POUNDS!!!!!! We are so pleased and we can visually see her growth. She has been able to start her feedings again at the pace of 1/2 ml every hour. We are hopeful that she will continue to accept them as gracefully as her mother in an evening gown. Morgan's dependence on weight and growth is essential to all of her little body's development, especially her lungs.

Morgan's lungs continue to be our greatest concern. She needs to grow new, healthy lung tissue to compensate for the current tissue that is making her breathing such an uphill battle. We pray that the nutrients from her feedings will allow her to grow strong and resilient, as Houston taught us that this is her most important struggle at this time.

On a positive note, it seems that the medicine treating Morgan's heart is working. The doctor has seen improvement in the Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA) from the echocardiogram we received today. It is our hope and prayer that the medicine will continue to improve this issue and that no surgery will be required. It is terribly important for Morgan's heart to be as strong as possible so that she is able to fully give it to her father before she gives it away to some undeserving boy...eighty years from now as she sits in wait in the turret of her parents' house.

With light-hearted comments aside, our prayer requests continue to be; 1) the health and development of Morgan's lungs, 2) that the medicine continues to improve Morgan's heart, 3) that Morgan's brain development continues positively (ultrasound tomorrow), and 4) that there continues to be no sign of infection. As stated earlier, please always pray for her wonderful caretakers.

We have been so overwhelmed with friends and family during this time. We have received so many letters, flowers, dinners and other wonderful gestures. We cannot thank our Lord enough for placing all of you in our lives, nor for your prayers on behalf of our child. We found so much grace in tonight as we shared a table with a couple that has been through a similar situation. They shared their story with us and allowed us to understand that while a parent will weep for a child, such as Houston, there is another day on the horizon with sunshine and thankfulness.

Morgan's personality continues to beam. No matter how sassy she may be, we all love her. Today as we commented on how she has been uneventful for the few previous days, her nurse sarcastically mentioned, "yeah, but she's gonna kick my a** today." We all smiled and laughed heartily while Morgan did just what we were told. She kept her sweet nurse on her toes, just as expected. We find so much pleasure in her unspoken words and her inexplicable charm. It reminds me of a raised eyebrow filtering an inappropriately funny comment at a cordial dinner. We are so in love with this tempered little girl and we cannot wait to have her home.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and thoughts. I cannot help but think that Morgan will, one day, grow up to be an inspiration and stronghold for many.

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin