A Relay and A Rally

Monday, February 13, 2012  9:45 PM

As some of you may know, Morgan was represented by three wonderful relay teams in the Mercedes Marathon yesterday in Birmingham.  The runners ran staggered legs and all fifteen runners did great, as they covered a staggering cumulative 78.6 miles, with each step taken with love and care.  We were so honored by them and proud of our daughter for reaching the hearts of others.  It is very obvious to Elizabeth and me how special this child is and it is absolutely overwhelming when we are able to see how many of you see her the same way.  The messages my heart sent to my brain during the race were indescribable.  One of my favorite moments was watching Team GO MO GO run toward the finish line to cross and finish together:

Thanks to all the runners for their physical effort and for helping us in our initial fundraising efforts for the soon to come, Houston's Hope Foundation. 

We are also happy to report that Morgan rallied this weekend and her oxygen dependency improved dramatically!  She took some substantial steps and we are so proud to report her improvement.  Further, as of a few minutes ago, Morgan has reached the Eight Pound Mark!  She is exactly 8 lbs, 0 oz.  Her progress with her breathing and getting bigger, stronger and cuter are all major pieces needed to solve her medical puzzle.  We are so excited for her and we look forward to great improvement in the near future. 

The main focus of Morgan's current medical care is a terrible case of diaper rash.  The poor thing must be in so much pain.  Please pray that this does not lead to an extremely unwelcome infection.  As of this afternoon, we found that there has been an increase in her white blood cells, which may be an indication of an infection, but it has not been determined that an infection is present.  We have been waiting on a urinalysis all day and mischievous Morgan keeps finding a way to play a joke on her nurses and "miss the target," one way or another.  Her tricky personality is super cute, but I'm sure my tune will change when the joke is on Daddy!

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Morgan and her medical team.  And, if any of you cross paths with any of this past weekend's runners, please thank them for all they did for our precious Morgan!

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin

Future Field Trips

Thursday, February 9, 2012  10:00pm

Morgan has had a wonderful day!  She has improved and her oxygen dependency has decreased today.
Praise God!  To say we are thrilled is an understatement!   We have had an extra pep in our step today! 

Also, we learned that Morgan is going to get to go field trips... around the NICU.  The doctor thinks it would be good for Morgan's overall health to take trips around the NICU in her stroller.  When it gets warm enough, he is going to let her go outside to the fountain out front!  Yes, yes..... that is right... Morgan is going on field trips!  We are so excited!

Morgan had a "massage" today. Physical therapy came to work with Morgan.  She stretches her muscles with her fingers, but to Morgan it is like a massage.  Morgan was totally relaxed, calm, and, eventually, fell asleep.  She was loving it!

We thank each of you for celebrating all the joys with us!  We are thankful for this good day and we pray for more to come in the future.  Please continue to keep Morgan's overall health and development in your prayers.  Pray for continued lung stength and against infections. Please also keep her caregivers in your prayers. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Love,
Elizabeth and Seth McCoin

Steady, With an Inspired Daddy

Wednesday, February 8, 2012  10:00 PM

Morgan hasn't budged much today.  She's still holding her course and going at her pace.  Not to get too medical, but we are very used to checking in on Morgan and seeing, or hearing, "4.0 liters and 100%."  This is the steady setting of her nasal cannula.  It really hasn't fluctuated too terribly much for more than two weeks.  She's made significant improvements but seems to come right back to this point.  She will have small setbacks but, quickly, comes right back to this point.  Just as Rome was built, it is, "brick by brick my citizens, brick by brick." 

As a "results-driven" man, it is more than frustrating to not see a tangible or visible progression.  However, I'd like to share something with you all that has gotten me through the current day.

I'm a "quote guy."  I like quotes and I love the inspiration I can feel from the split second of realizing the true meaning of perspective.  Last night, as I was longing for distraction, I ran across a quote from Theodore Roosevelt.  I have worries and amazing decisions to make on a daily basis, as many of us do, but I couldn't imagine the situations facing the 26th President of our wonderful nation.  Most of us are inspired by the strength he portrayed when he said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick."  This is a pretty strong statement in our current world.  However, it was a massive statement in the world he lived in.  While pondering his role, I read another quote from him that read, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on."  I can't tell you how pertinent this is and how it resonated with me.  So there was someone that portrayed great strength that got to the end of their rope, too?  It's encouraging to learn from our history.  While President Roosevelt was stamping his mark on our nation, he had no idea that he was inspiring meager ol' me. 

As many fathers do, I want to brag on my kids.  If you're reading this and you're in a tight spot, learn from the words of President Roosevelt, the four forceful days of Houston and the strength in every minute of Morgan's fight.  I'm so proud to place my kids in that sentence.  Maybe they're not in the same league, but you won't be able to convince me.  I share this because maybe, just maybe, one of you will be inspired by those three individuals, as I've been, by for that past twenty-four hours. 

All three of these McCoin's are going to keep fighting.  We don't like our battle, but we are proud.  We are proud of our helpers at UAB and we are graciously thankful for all of our prayer warriors.  We so wish we could reach out and touch each of you. 

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin

Houdini

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 8:45am

Our sweet Morgan is so fun and interactive. Last night we walked into her room as she was joyfully playing on her mat. She was looking at the lights, listening to the music, and batting at the monkey. She was kicking and talking out of excitement! Her big brown eyes were so alert and engaged. We literally sat beside her and watched her play for an hour. She is so stinkin' cute.

Morgan pulled one of her houdini acts, again, yesterday. She found a way to pull out her feeding tube despite all the extra tape to ensure its security. She continues to pull stunts like this. She is letting the nurses know she is in control, and they better not doubt it!

Medically, Morgan is recovering, slowly, from Monday. Her fever broke, and they actually believe it was not a true fever. They think that her elevated temperature was a result of her, simply, working herself up so much. Her oxygen dependency has not improved much since Monday. However, she looks a lot better and is much more content. In a conversation with the doctor yesterday, he feels she is doing better, as compared to Monday. He is pleased with her response to the medicine(s). If he is pleased, then we can be, too.

It is hard for Seth and I to watch Morgan and not see much day to day improvement. While we know we cannot get lost in the day to day nuances, it still is hard. We are aware that overall she is improving, slowly. We often get frustrated that the treatment for her ups and downs are the same. There are not many other "drugs" to give to her that may help her. Time is the greatest medicine. As her parents, we want to go inside her body and fix it all now! Patience is very hard.  We know the Great Physician is the ultimate healer and He is working in her little body. Please continue to pray for life and healing to be breathed into her little lungs.

Seth and I are weary and exhausted.  Please pray for rest and energy for us both.  Seth is going into tax season, which adds to his exhaustion.  We continue to try to find the balance between work, home, hospital, and chores. 

Please continue to pray for those at UAB who are her caregivers. Each one has gift. They are wonderful friends!

As always, thanks for all your prayers and support! We are so blessed!

Love,
Elizabeth and Seth McCoin

Good Weekend, Slight Nervousness...and a Nap

Monday, February 6, 2012 8:00 PM

Our little "Simple Gift" had a good weekend.  She slowly tip-toed down on her oxygen dependency.  She seemed extremely comfortable and alert, all weekend.  One reason may have been because she is starting to get used to all of this.  How do we know?  Well, Saturday was her 150th day with us!  And do you think we could let that go by without a party?  We took cupcakes to the hospital and even shared some chocolate icing with sweet Morgan.  She seemed to really enjoy it as she licked and chomped the chocolate from her lips.  Just like most girls, this one is going to love chocolate for a long time...

Yesterday, we went to give Morgan a bath.  We like to be there when this happens because we are assured that she will be awake and alert for an extended period of time.  She is getting so big and you can certainly tell each time you "skin the cat!"  She tends to be fussy in the water until her hair gets washed with a little brush that must tickle like crazy.  At that point, she calms down and goes into a daze.  It's an absolute riot to watch.  Fussy to totally chilled out, faster than a light switch!

While the weekend went well, last night, Morgan seemed to be uncomfortable and couldn't find her "sweet spot."  Her oxygen dependency went back up and, this morning, we found out that she had a slight fever.  Of course, it's worrisome to hear, but it could be so many benign things.  As of this evening, her temperature had subsided by the slightest and we are hopeful that this trend will continue.

After work, I went to the hospital to see my precious girl.  As I walked into the room, I could tell that we were both exhausted, so the only thing I could think to do was this:

Thank you all for continuing to pray for Morgan and all those taking care of her.  Believe us when we tell you that she continues to grow bigger, stronger and, most definitely, cuter.

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin

Pistol Morgan

Friday, February 3, 2012  1:30pm

Morgan is doing well!  Not much has changed recently, medically.  Wednesday and Thursday, she was fluctuating on her oxygen dependency, but she seems to have settled down today. Sometimes, Morgan's lungs get a little "wet" (meaning a little fluid in them), and it makes it hard for her to breathe.  They believe that was the cause for fluctuations.  They can give her medicines to make her release the fluid and, ultimately, help her lungs. 

They have suspended her feedings until she gets stronger, and less dependant on oxygen, as we have described before. They can put milk on her pacifier and let her taste it.  This tasting is good for her taste bud development. The sucking on the pacifier is good because she can associate sucking with her tummy getting full.  Even though she is not being fed by bottle, there are measures taken to try to prepare her for when she can again.  She is certainly waking up to eat every three hours and smacking her lips asking for her milk. 

At lunch today, I went to visit her.  She was resting on her boppy on her play mat.  She was slowly waking up, but in a daze.  I leaned over to say hello to her.  I asked how she was doing.  Then I asked if she was being a little pistol today?  She immediately smiled at me!  I asked again, and she smiled again!  Please pray for us, she is going to be a little handful!  Pistol Morgan!

Please continue to pray for Morgan's lung health and overall development!  We also pray for the staff at UAB, for wisdom and knowledge as they make decisions about Morgan's care! 

Thank you to each of you for your love!  It sustains us!

Love,
Elizabeth and Seth McCoin

Ups and Downs

February 1, 2012  10:00pm

Morgan continues to be a very happy baby!  Today, she has been very tired.  She has a played a little, but mostly rested. 

Her oxygen dependency has ebbed and flowed today.  At times she required more, and at other times, she was back to the level she has been for weeks.  This, of course, makes her parents anxious for her.  We would like for her to be decreasing her dependency, not increasing.  We know, deep down, the decrease will come in time, yet it is hard to be patient.  Her lungs need to heal.

We are so blessed with a beautiful, happy, interactive and content baby.  We cherish our time with her and wish we spend every awake moment with her.  She is growing and progressing, and we are thankful!

Please continue to pray for her healing and her lungs.  Seth and I ask that you keep us in your prayers, too. This is an endurance race, and we are weary.  We need strength, perseverance, and peace to continue.  Also, please pray for all her caregivers!

Love,
Elizabeth and Seth McCoin