5 Years later...

Hello Friends,
This Saturday we will be celebrating Tessa's fifth birthday. It is hard to believe that time passes so quickly but still never a day passes that we do not cherish her memory and the blessing we received five years ago. The experience was extremely difficult but we still feel that the tremendous joy she brought into our life certainly outweighs the sorrow. Many of you supported us in ways you will never know and we can never thank you enough. Following Tessa's death we partnered with our friends at the Family Support Network of Central Carolina to start a program called Adopt-a-Frog. A frog is a positioning aid that provides comfort and security to the very small babies in the NICU. Tessa received one before heart surgery because she was so sick but not all of the little ones received frogs because of the cost of the frogs. Tessa loved her frog. Since we helped start the Adopt-a-Frog program, every baby at the hospital that would benefit from a frog gets one. In honor of Tessa's fifth birthday, we are asking all our friends to Adopt-a-Frog. The cost is $15 and the frog is given directly to the baby in the NICU. There is a picture of Tessa and her frog on the website. The website is http://www.adoptafrog.com and MC, Visa, or PayPal payments are accepted. Checks for $15 in honor of Tessa can also be mailed to FSNCC, Adopt-a-Frog, 801 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408. Tessa was here with us for 117 days and our goal is 117 frogs. Thanks so much. All our love, -Anthony & Nancy

 

Annual Baby Tessa Memorial Blood Drive

Hello everyone,
We are hosting our annual Baby Tessa Memorial blood drive in honor of our daughter Tessa next Wed, May 11, 2011 from 2:00 pm until 6:30 at the address below. As many of you know may know, Tessa received over 16 blood transfusions and over 2 gallons of blood products while she was in the hospital & we try to hold an annual blood drive to help pay it forward in her honor.
Please let us know if you can help us out by being able to donate. You can also schedule an appointment on line by going to: www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code 16706 in the "MAKE A DONATION SECTION" at the top of the website.

Baby Tessa Memorial Blood Drive
3 Centerview Drive, Hickory Building Suite 300
Greensboro, NC 27407

Centerview Drive is off of Meadowview which is between Holden Road and High Point Road.
We look forward to seeing you at the blood drive.

Thank you so very much.
Anthony & Nancy Woodyard

Remembering Shirley

Shirley Ann Snow Reynolds (Dec 18, 1953 - Nov 24, 2009)
Shirley Reynolds often cared for our daughter Tessa during her stay in the NICU at Womens Hospital. Her devotion, diligence & love for the babies endeared us to Shirley almost immediately. Her presence by Tessa's bedside was always a great comfort to us. There was no one better called to do this special work and memories of Shirley occupy a very special place in our heart. Following Tessa's death, Shirley's heartfelt words of encouragement and warm hugs helped us get through the darkest of days. We feel so blessed to have loved and been loved by this very special person with a unique God given gift of care and concern for God's smallest children.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
John 17:4

2 years ago...

Two years ago...on this very special day...our lives were forever changed through the arrival of a beautiful little girl. Although she was 16 weeks early, she was perfect in every way....from head to toe. From the start, she was a fighter, overcoming insurmountable odds to grow and flourish and making an indelible mark on so many lives, too many to count. Although with us here for such a short time, we will never forget her angelic face, contagious spirit and that soft whisper of a cry heard so rarely.
To our precious daughter Tessa, we feel so blessed that God chose us as your mom and dad here on earth. Although letting you go was the most difficult challenge we have ever faced, the memories made and moments cherished were well worth the journey. Not a day passes that we don't think of you and smile when dreaming of having you here as a two year old, daddy chasing you around the house and mommy showering you with her immeasurable love and endless hugs and kisses. We know that on this very special day, you are in the glorious presence of our heavenly father, having just been joined by your GrandPa Linkous but we still miss you both very much. Our hearts are heavy but today we will celebrate his homecoming and your birthday with as much joy and happiness as possible in remembering all the wonderful moments together. Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Girl. All our Love, forever and ever. -Mom & Dad

1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Our Tiny Angel

Dearest Tessa,
Our hearts rejoice knowing that you are in the glorious presence of our Lord and Saviour but we grieve every day not having you here with us. A year has passed but our love for you grows stronger every day. Love certainly endures forever.
We have saved this picture to our cell phones and look at it multiple times each day. It is one of our favorites because it shows your energy and vigorous nature everyone loved so much. We cherish every moment and every memory together with our beautiful little girl.

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Merry Christmas to All!

Obviously, celebrating Christmas this year without our little girl is difficult but Nancy and I are relying on each other for strength and support. We are certainly thankful for all the love and support we have received from family and friends over the past year. Christmas Day has been spent at home in Greensboro reflecting on the joy Tessa brought into our lives and the many blessings God has given to us. Last Christmas is definitely the best I can remember and Tessa's picture above was taken on Christmas Day 2007. We never want to forget this joyous time together and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the true reason for the season. We miss Tessa so much but take comfort in knowing that she is celebrating with the angels along with baby Jacob, baby Gracie and others we have gotten to know briefly at best. A few weeks ago we attended Memorial Services at both Women's Hospital and Brenner Childrens Hospital that honored the lives of all the children whose time here on earth was much too short. We took great pride in seeing the star on the Christmas tree inscribed with Tessa's name and hearing her name and the names of others read aloud. we recognize that are not alone in celebrating Christ's birth without a loved one near. Regardless, our blessings are too numerous to count and we are so very thankful. Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends, those we know and those we don't. We love you all so very much.

John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Happy Birthday, Little Girl.

Sometimes it is hard to believe that one year has passed since God gave us our little girl Tessa. Obviously, it has been a year of highs and lows, of joy and sorrow, of laughs and tears... but hopefully this day will always be one of joy and celebration. Waking up on this day, one year ago, we had no idea that we would welcome our little girl into our lives. Although 16 weeks early, she brought joy from the moment she arrived. The nurses in the NICU profess to have never met a father with a bigger smile or desire to take pictures on the first day. Most parents of very early preemies are initially very worried and scared but we had already placed Tessa in God's loving care. She would soon prove God's great purpose for her life. She would become a daily part of so many lives and truly loved by all.
We miss Tessa's presence every day but cherish every moment spent with her. Today, more than ever, we would love to have her here with us for what would certainly be a remarkable birthday celebration. Our hearts are heavy but our promise was that her parents would always make her proud as she watches over us. Join us in celebrating her birthday by adopting a frog for NICU babies at http://www.adoptafrog.com/, giving blood or platelets, or by helping a family in need. Words cannot express our sincere thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support extended to us over the last year. It is hard to imagine not having each of you to lean on for support and please continue to keep us in your prayers. Without doubt, we know that Tessa's life purpose continues in the presence of God above and we look forward to our heavenly reunion at God's appointed time. Happy Birthday, little girl. We love you always and forever.

I Samuel 1: 28
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Thanks to All

Thanks to all of you who have been keeping up with us this summer and an extra thank you to all who donated blood at the Baby Tessa Memorial Blood Drive. The American Red Cross collected 39 units, well above their goal of 25 units. They were thrilled. Nancy and I did not get to donate unitl almost 9pm! We had an amazing response. Unfortunately the blood mobile had engine trouble on Interstate 40 on the way to the drive which put us way behind schedule all day. Some had to wait an extremely long time and we sincerely appreciate your patience. We are certain that we could have collected over 50 units if the day had gone more smoothly but feel blessed to have sponsored an amazing event.
God has placed so many wonderful people in our life. We have enjoyed every visit from friends, meetings for dinner, talks on the phone and volunteer opportunities with Brenner's and the Family Support Network at Women's Hospital. We still talk every day about the amazing impact Tessa had on so many lives and the multitude of people who loved her so much. Her legacy continues through all of you who are keeping her memory alive every day. We are so grateful that her purpose in life continues and that she is not forgotten in your daily lives.
We are working with the Family Support Network to sponsor another great mission. The campaign is called Adopt-a-Frog and more information can be found at http://www.adoptafrog.com/. Small babies like Tessa benefit greatly from having a positioning aid to comfort them and make them feel snug. For only $15, you can sponsor another small baby just like Tessa so that she can also have a Frederick T. Frog to snuggle with while in the NICU. Check it out. More details to come.
Thanks so much again to all of you for everything you do for us every day. Each day is a little brighter as Tessa looks down on us but we still miss having her with us. Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Baby Tessa Memorial Blood Drive

Above is one of our favorite pictures of Tessa. We call it "playing without my oxygen." It is one of the few pictures we have of her without her nasal canula. It was taken just before Christmas while Nurse Chris was cleaning Tessa's face and Dr. Wimmer was doing an examination. We love it and I can't believe that we have not posted it to the blog before now.
While in the hospital and especially when on ECMO, Tessa required numerous blood transfusions and blood products. She received over 19 transfusions before being placed on ECMO and multiple transfusions per day while on ECMO life support. Nancy and I are both blood donors and our journey with Tessa demonstrated to us what it is like to be on the receiving end of voluntary blood donations. It is very humbling. We are so grateful to the many anonymous blood donors out there whose "gift of life" made Tessa's treatment possible. We are forever indebted and now more than ever it is so important for us to give back by donating blood on a regular basis.

We are excited to be sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive on June 17th from 1:30-6pm. It is being held at Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Rd Greensboro, NC 27455. Interested donors can call 790-2421 to schedule an appointment. We invite all of our Greensboro area friends to join us in supporting a great cause as a donor or volunteer on this very special day.

Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

8 Month Birthday

Today marks Tessa's 8 month birthday. We miss her every day but today is especially difficult knowing that she has now been gone for a longer period of time than we had her physically with us. We still live every day with a bit of disbelief that she could really be gone but know that she is safely sheltered in the arms of our loving God above. We have recently begun counseling and a support group which certainly helps in coming to terms with Tessa's passing but it doesn't begin to fill the void left behind. One method of healing discussed in our support group is "telling Tessa's story" and we continue to do this every day in our words and actions. We are comforted knowing that Tessa's life has made a difference in the lives of others.
On May 17th we walked again with the Baby Tessa team in Winchester, VA for the March of Dimes March for Babies. It was a beautiful day and 19 others joined us in this walk including Nancy's Mom, Aunt Gogo and Cousin Danielle. We are overwhelmed by everyone's continued support. Nancy and the Baby Tessa team were recognized for their exceptional fundraising efforts. The team as a whole raised over $7500. Kudos to everyone. What a great homage to Tessa and God's great purpose for her life.

Luke 1:75
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Greensboro March

On April 26th, Nancy and I along with 14 of our Greensboro friends honored Tessa by walking in the Greensboro March for Babies. Tessa was recognized with a sign placed in their memory garden. It was a day of joy but also of sadness. Nancy has done an awesome job of rallying support for the March of Dimes. Simultaneously, my mom and family walked in the March for Babies in Christiansburg, VA. We sincerely appreciate everyone's love and support. The March for Babies in Winchester, VA is coming up on May 17th. We will be there too with many of Nancy's friends and family.
It has now been 4 months since Tessa's death and time does mend the broken heart but the pain is still present every day. It is so hard to believe that she would be approaching 8 months old. What a big girl we imagine she would be. We constantly talk about her happy spirit, beautiful smiles and the many joys we shared with her while watching her grow. It gets us through every day along with continuing prayers from all of you. God is surely with us and we work to honor Tessa in some small way on a daily basis. Love and blessings to all of you.

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

God's Great Purpose

Although today marks three months since losing our sweet little Tessa to RSV, never have we doubted God's great purpose for her life. From the very beginning, we knew that she was a special gift from God with a divine purpose. She taught us how to love unconditionally and to give more of ourselves. Her light continues to shine daily through the works of others and strengthens our faith in God. We certainly don't understand God's greater plan and wish that Tessa could have stayed with us for much longer. Our hearts ache in grief at this moment but our heavenly reunion will be so sweet.
We are thankful that so many people have honored Tessa by giving blood and donating time and money. We received a thank you letter from the Ronald McDonald House for the $2700+ dollars that were given in her honor and the Family Support Network has already begun using money donated to help other NICU families in need of gas cards and baby supplies. Thanks also to everyone who has sponsored Nancy in her upcoming walk in the March of Dimes March for Babies. We are overwhelmed by your generosity.
We look through our many beautiful pictures of Tessa on a daily basis and are truly thankful for every moment we were able to spend with her. We were with her every day, often early in the morning until late at night but the memories are now priceless. We miss Tessa very much and her loss has left a void in our hearts that will never be filled. We have good days and bad but God has a way of reminding us every day of her great purpose which continues in each of us. We love you, little girl.... more than words can say.

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was obviously bittersweet for us. With great joy, we celebrate Christ's resurrection but Sunday also marked two months since saying goodbye to sweet little Tessa. We live daily with the pain of losing her but also want to honor her by sharing happy times, too. Nancy had a surprise waiting for her when she woke up Sunday morning. Waiting downstairs were five little ducklings. They are so fun to watch and make us laugh. We plan for them to live in the pond beside our house when they grow bigger. We are certain that Tessa would have loved the ducks.
Several of our friends and family will be walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies this year. A team has been created called "Baby Tessa." Nancy will be walking in Greensboro, NC on April 26th and in Winchester, VA on May 17th. Please join us by signing up to walk or by becoming a sponsor.
Last Friday, Nancy took her final batch of breast milk to the Human Milk Bank in Raleigh. Tessa's milk has helped so many other sick babies and we are humbled that God could use her in this way. Nancy also recently donated platelets while I donated red blood cells to the American Red Cross. One donation can be divided up to help multiple sick babies in the NICU. We plan to organize a blood drive in Greensboro soon. We continue to hear of many people who have donated blood products in honor of Tessa and words cannot tell you how much this means to us. Please continue to give on a regular basis with us if it is possible. My personal goal is to donate the amount required for Tessa's treatment. I estimate this to take 2 ½ years. Thanks again to all of you for your cards, letters, emails, gifts, blood donations, contributions, love and support. God's purpose for Tessa is still being fulfilled. There is no doubt that God has placed all of you in our lives.

Mark 9:31
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

More Favorites

Tonight we stopped by the NICU at Women's Hospital and saw some of our friends there. We love going there and always leave feeling better than when we arrived. We met with Nancy from the Family Support Network and they are doing great things with the money donated in Tessa's honor. We discussed some volunteer opportunities and some new outreach programs for the NICU. We'll keep everyone posted on the developments.
It has been so hard resuming our regular routines of work and home. Life is just not as we had planned for this time period. We planned on having Tessa home and loving every moment of our time together. Just when we think that we might be having a good day, we are suddenly overwhelmed by grief and despair. We don't anticipate this every going away entirely but we pray that daily routines will become easier in time. God is still in control and will give us the strength we need to continue forward. Thanks again to everyone for their love and support. We still receive cards and letters almost every day and find encouragement in each one.

1 Chronicles 28:20
Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Favorites

We feel blessed to have so many wonderful pictures of Tessa. Some are cute and others are funny but there are so many that have not been posted to the blog so I am sharing some more of our favorites. We look through them daily and it gives us much comfort. The nurses always commented on the number of pictures we were taking but now we wish we had taken more. Nancy went out and bought frames this weekend for some of the pictures and they are beautiful.
It has been a month since we had to say goodbye to our little girl here on earth but her spirit is with us daily. Our reunion in heaven will be absolutely glorious. Saturday was obviously a tough day for the two of us. We kept ourselves busy with projects around the house but Tessa was always on our minds. We laugh and we cry and God gets us through each day.
Words cannot express how proud we are to be called "Tessa's parents." The cards, emails, and letters we have received telling us how Tessa has touched the lives of so many people have been inspiring. Several people have wrote us with stories of giving blood or platelets and we are honored that each one took the time to give back. "Tessa's Dad" went on Thursday to donate red blood cells. The nurses at the donation center were touched by Tessa's story. They were so nice to us. God continues to place people in our lives to encourage us and increase our faith in him.

John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Little Creek

We miss Tessa so much. Yesterday, we drove to our cabin on Little Creek so that we could visit the cemetery. It was nice being there because we feel so close to Tessa. The cabin is a place of calm and solitude and we enjoyed building a fire and sitting by the fireplace. As the weather gets warmer, we plan to spend more weekends there. We have returned to work but every day is still very difficult. It is hard returning home, knowing that she is not there. Continue to keep us in prayer.
On Valentine's Day we delivered cupcakes and photos of Tessa to the NICU at Women's Hospital. The staff was more excited over the photos than the cupcakes. We took enough for each one to pick one or more photos to keep. They were a real hit. We loved being back there with our many friends and hearing the many stories of how Tessa left her mark on the NICU and the hearts of everyone there. We are truly blessed to have their continuing support and have made many lifelong friends. We returned to the NICU last night to visit with the weekend staff because we missed seeing them on Thursday.
We have so many fond memories of our time with Tessa and talking about her brings us joy. When we are feeling down, we always try to focus on these wonderful times and are so thankful that we were able to spend so much time with her while she was here with us. It doesn't prevent us from missing her but it helps us through each day. God gave us these moments and we will cherish them for our lifetime. Our faith is still strong and we still believe in God's mighty purpose for Tessa. Her work continues in our life and the lives of others every day. Thanks to everyone for giving of themselves in Tessa's honor. We hope you continue to do so every day.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Milk Bank

The WakeMed Milk Bank sends breast milk to recipients all over the east coast. On Thursday we took 7 coolers of milk to Raleigh to donate to the milk bank. We are happy that other babies can benefit from Nancy's milk and that we can honor Tessa by donating it to others. We also gave some milk to a local family here in Kernersville on Saturday. Their baby boy will benefit from the growth hormones found only in breast milk.
It is still difficult spending time at home without Tessa. We always imagined that our days and nights would be spent "taking care of baby." We miss her every moment. Often, it still seems very unreal and we are overwhelmed with emotion. Keep us in prayer as we both return to work tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your never ending love and support. We continue to receive numerous cards, emails, and visits from our friends and family near and far. Thanks to Kay and Heather for visiting today. God is working through all of you to meet our every need.

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God's Love

1 John 4:8 says, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Everyone out there supporting us is a living testimony of God's love. We have received over 125 cards in the mail, countless emails and posts to the blog and even a couple of floral bouquets. Very special to us are the donations to the Family Support Network and the Ronald McDonald House. Although we don't know specifically who has donated, we do know that they have received more than $4,000.00 in Tessa's name. This will help so many other families and we are thankful. If you haven't given yet, please give whatever God puts on your heart. It is impossible to thank everyone personally but we are sincerely grateful to have all of you as a part our lives.
Nancy has established contact with another local mom nearby in Kernersville who needs breast milk. Her son is approximately 5 months old and needs breast milk to help him with growth. We are happy to be able to help. It is so important for us to be able to honor Tessa along with everyone else by giving what we can to help others that have an unfulfilled need. In all honesty, each day is still a challenge for us. We miss Tessa every moment and it is hard to think about anything else. We pray for strength and courage to face each new day.

Romans 8:39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Helping Others

Please continue to keep us in prayer. Waking up each day to the reality of what has happened is so hard for us. We had so many plans for watching Tessa grow up and celebrating life's milestones along the way. Our hearts are still heavy with grief.
We do find comfort in helping others and have promised Tessa that we will make her proud of our efforts. On Friday, we drove to the Red Cross in Winston-Salem so I could donate platelets. It took about 2 hours and the amount donated was enough to help two adult patients. Platelets can be donated every two weeks and we plan to donate regularly in Tessa's honor. Nancy is donating breast milk to the Human Milk Bank in Raleigh, NC. The milk is pasteurized and distributed to sick babies and children who will benefit from receiving human milk rather than formula. This is an awesome gift to these children.
We also plan to donate any money that was sent to Tessa to the Family Support Network. Their support for us over the past 4 months has been amazing. Thanks also to everyone for their gifts to the Family Support Network and the Ronald McDonald House in honor of Tessa. We certainly pray that Tessa's legacy will be one of hope and faith in God and helping others in need. Thanks to all of you for helping us during this most difficult of times. Thanks for the many prayers and the hundreds of emails, cards and letters. Each one is very special to us.

Psalm 94:19
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Greatly Blessed

We have just returned home from the last memorial service for Tessa here in Greensboro. God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends, a loving family and so many brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks to all of you for your time, kind words, cards, letters and donations to worthy causes. Your love for us is amazing.
We know that Tessa is with her heavenly father and this gives us great comfort. We believe that her purpose is still being fulfilled through your love and kindness. May her memory prompt us all to focus on what is important, giving of ourselves, being a better Christian and showing kindness and love to everyone we meet. We appreciate all the donations to the Family Support Network and the Ronald McDonald House and pray that there are many more to come in honor of Tessa. Several people have committed to donate blood and platelets as well. We are donating platelets and breast milk this week to help other sick babies. Please donate if you can to help others in need.
Continue in prayer for Tessa's parents as each day is a struggle to keep the faith and understand God's greater plan. We miss her so very much and think of her constantly. There are so many reminders throughout the day that she is not with us to love and hold in our arms. We are trying hard to be there for each other to lean on and asking God for strength each and every moment of the day.

Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Memorials

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Memorial services for Tessa are tentatively scheduled as follows. All are invited to attend. Thanks to everyone for their many blog comments, telephone calls, emails and encouragement. We are comforted by your love and words from God above.

Little Creek, VA
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Visitation: 12:00-2:00pm
Service: 2:00pm
Alum Springs Holiness Church
2912 Little Creek Road
Dublin, VA 24084
Click for Directions (I-81 Northbound, I-81 Southbound)

Loudoun County, VA
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Visitation: 6:00-7:00pm (updated times)
Service: 7:00pm
Quaker Meetinghouse
18204 Lincoln Road
Lincoln, VA 20160
Click for Directions (Route 7 Eastbound, Route 7 Westbound)

Greensboro, NC
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2008
Visitation: 5:00-7:00pm
Service: 7:00pm
Christ Community Church
369 Air Harbor Road
Greensboro, NC 27455
Click for Directions (I-40 Eastbound, Route 29 Southbound)

Forever in Our Hearts

Tessa is forever in our hearts and the hearts of so many people. We pray that her life has brought us all closer to Christ. We continue to lean on his everlasting arms during this difficult time. We are planning memorial services for Tessa in Dublin, VA, Loudoun County, VA & Greensboro, NC in the coming week and will post the place, dates, and times as they are available. Tessa will be laid to rest during a private ceremony at Hunters Cemetery on Little Creek in Pulaski County, VA. It is a very beautiful place surrounded by God's magnificent creation. We go there frequently to visit family and stay at our cabin on the creek.

In lieu of any flowers, food, or gifts, we would appreciate any donations to the Family Support Network of Central Carolina or the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem. The Family Support Network was there for us every step of the way during our extended stay at Women's Hospital. The Ronald McDonald House allowed us to be with Tessa while at Brenners Childrens Hospital.
If at all possible, we would also like to encourage everyone possible to donate blood or platelets. Without blood donors, Tessa's medical treatment would have never been possible. she was receiving multiple blood transfusions every day while on ECMO. To find out where you can donate, visit http://www.givelife.org/ or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

You may mail your donations in honor of Tessa to:
Family Support Network of Central Carolina
801 Green Valley Road
Greensboro, NC 27408

-or the-
Ronald McDonald House
419 S. Hawthorne Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103


Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Cradled in His Arms

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

God gave us all a great gift in Tessa but today she went to be with her heavenly father. We are humbled by the encouragement and support we have received from so many of God's people everywhere. We pray for strength and we are so proud God chose us to be Tessa's parents here on earth. God be with us and God be with you all. We continue to stand firmly on God's promises and glorify his name.

Guardian Angel

Before leaving Women's Hospital, Nurse Allyson gave Tessa a guardian angel. God also sent her and Nurse Dionne to be with us during Tessa's surgery. We thank God for the many guardian angels he has surrounding us.
We just spoke with Dr. Hines and the pediatric surgeon Dr. Petty. Tessa came through surgery well. Her tissues and organs look good. Her bowel and intestine appear healthy so there was nothing that needed to be removed. We praise God for the good news. We pray that her new incision will heal without infection. She will have a drainage tube in her abdomen for the next week to drain any fluid accumulation. God has a great purpose for this little girl.
Currently, they are connecting dialysis to the ECMO circuit. This will do the work of Tessa's kidneys. We pray that this will go well and that we will be able to see her soon. Our God and her guardian angel is always with her.

Exodus 23:20
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Pray for Us

Tessa had some blood pressure problems during the night but it is now stable. Of greater concern is that her abdomen has continued to swell. It is possible that she is having some problems with blood flow to her bowel. This is a very serious condition and the only diagnostic tool is exploratory surgery. Tessa will be going into surgery as soon as possible this morning. Please lift her fragile body up in prayer. They may need to remove part of her intestine or they may find irreparable damage to her intestine or other internal organs. Our faith is being tested once again but we believe our God is mighty.

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Smooth Transition

Adding the hemofilter to the ECMO circuit today went smoothly. With the hemofilter, they were able to begin extracting excess fluid. Unfortunately, Tessa's blood pressure began dropping. They have adjusted her medications and right now her blood pressure is more stable. Now the hemofilter is only extracting the same amount of fluid as is going in with her medications. They are also giving her sodium bicarbonate to help regulate blood pressure and correct slight acidosis of her blood but this can raise her sodium levels too high. A test of the hemofilter fluid showed that it is also removing sodium which is good at this time.
Tessa is no longer eliminating fluids on her own. The addition of the hemofilter has caused her kidneys to stop producing urine. A kidney specialist evaluated Tessa earlier today and will be checking in on her frequently. They are evaluating her blood chemistry and have sent a blood sample to the lab for a BMP(basal metabolic panel). This will determine if and when dialysis is needed.
Again today, Tessa has received several blood transfusions of blood products including 45ml of red blood cells, 45ml of platelets and 45ml of cryo. She also gets albumin, a blood protein that adds volume and pulls fluid into the blood vessels from the surrounding tissue.
All in all, we have had a good day. Despite some ups and downs, God has brought us peace. We pray that she has a good night. We pray for God's guidance and continuing healing.

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Hemofilter

Dr. Hines tells us this morning that it is time to "rock the boat." Tessa had a stable night but her kidneys are not pulling off enough fluid. She is still receiving more fluid than she is eliminating. They are in the process of reinstalling the hemofilter to extract the excess fluid from her blood. This could shut down her kidneys but is the best option they have right now to decrease the edema and move forward.
If she does go into renal failure and her kidneys shut down, they can connect a dialysis machine to the circuit and restart kidney function after she is removed from ECMO. It is amazing to us that this is even possible. God is overseeing Tessa's treatment and has given these doctors great wisdom and understanding.
We pray for a successful transition to the hemofilter and another stable day. They have removed the diuretic but Tessa remains on antibiotics and blood pressure medications. She is receiving sodium bicarbonate for acidosis. Her oxygen saturation remains stable and she has not needed any sedation. They are restarting her feedings today at 1ml per hour. God is working.

1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Don't Rock the Boat

Dr. Hines told everyone today that our motto for the day is "Don't Rock the Boat." They have been monitoring her blood gas and electrolyte levels throughout the day and making changes only as needed. Today, in addition to her medications, she has received a blood transfusion of red blood cells, magnesium sulfate and potassium.
Tessa is still very swollen but her urine output is increasing. They are going to wait a while longer to see what her kidneys can do to eliminate excess fluid before considering possible dialysis or reinstalling the hemofilter in the ECMO circuit. Thankfully, today has been another stable day with steady blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
She is still on several antibiotics to combat infection and the latest x-ray showed some clearing in her lungs. The blood cultures did not show any infections but they are difficult to detect when the patient is on ECMO. All of Tessa's symptoms indicated an undiagnosed infection and we are thankful that the antibiotics are working.
We praise God for each and every bit of encouraging news. We pray continuously for forward progress and the patience to wait on the Lord and follow his guidance. It could take a while longer for the swelling(edema) to decrease and her lungs to clear but we will be here with her for as long as needed. She is a very special little girl.

John 21:6
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Staying the Course

We checked in on Tessa during the night and she had a good night. Her oxygen saturation and blood pressure remained stable. We spoke with Dr. Hoffman this morning and he is pleased with her vitals. He does not plan to make any changes to her treatment today.
Tessa had a full body x-ray this morning. This allows the doctors to look at her edema, arterial line and catheter placement. Everything looked good. Her lactic acid level is still high but is slowly decreasing along with her liver enzyme levels. She is urinating some but hopefully her urine output will increase over time. This will help her eliminate the excess lactic acid. She is no longer receiving any sedation but is still very sleepy. Continue to rest little girl.
We are staying on course in running our ECMO marathon. Thanks to everyone here involved in Tessa's care. God is guiding the way.

Psalm 31:3
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Edema

We are very thankful that Tessa had a quiet day today. Her oxygen saturation and blood pressure have been stable. Unfortunately she is very swollen and her skin is stretched so thin. She has a small skin tear on her lower belly. The swelling (known as edema) happens when one is very sick and the body moves fluids outside the blood vessels into the tissues of the body. She is receiving continuous fluid because it is needed with her medications. Her body is not eliminating it quickly enough through her kidneys. The diuretic will help with this over time.
Tonight we pray for the edema, that it will begin to decrease. We pray for her little fingers and toes, that they will begin to heal and we pray for her lungs as they continue to rest. We pray for everyone involved in Tessa's care and all of the other children in need of healing. We also want to praise God in all things. We praise him for strength and the love that surrounds us. We praise him for family, friends, and everyone that has helped Tessa come this far. We praise him for our beautiful baby girl, our salvation, his guidance, forgiveness, and almighty healing. Great is our Lord.

Deuteronomy 3:24
O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Train Tracks

Tessa's flow sheet yesterday and last night showed "train tracks." If oxygen saturation and blood pressure remains stable throughout the day, it resembles railroad tracks on the sheet. This is very desirable for ECMO patients.
Tessa had a stable night last night. She is very swollen so they are restarting the lasix diuretic today. Her oxygen saturation is a little low so they are adjusting the canula in her neck and have lowered the flow on the ECMO to minimize recirculation. Recirculation occurs when the blood from the canula is immediately taken back in by the machine and never makes it through Tessa's heart. Again today, they are going to stimulate her as little as possible. They do not plan to make any other changes to her medication. We pray that this will provide her with another stable day.
Thanks to all who have added Tessa to their prayer lists. We feel so loved by so many people. We just returned from the church service her at the hospital. Again today we truly feel wrapped in prayer.

Psalm 143:1
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

ECMO Marathon

Today has been a day of watching and waiting. After the initial changes to Tessa's medications this morning, they have tried to not to stimulate her and make as few changes as possible. We have all tried to be quiet, let Tessa rest and the ECMO do its work. Her blood tests throughout the day have been encouraging at times and sometimes a cause for concern. Right now she is resting, her oxygen saturation is good and her blood pressure is stable. She received blood earlier today and will be receiving platelets later this evening. She is very swollen. When she is more stable, they will give her medications again to help her eliminate the excess fluid.
Mom and dad have had a tough day. We struggle with the uncertainty of the situation knowing that she is in such a fragile condition. We have asked Dr. Hines and Dr. Hoffman to be forthcoming and honest with us even though some of the information is very hard to hear. They are extremely committed. Dr. Hines says that as long as Tessa continues to fight, he will fight with her. We can ask for nothing more. We pray that although we feel weak, God gives Tessa the strength to continue fighting towards victory.

1 Corinthians 2:3
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Wrapped in Prayer

We have received so many words of encouragement and gifts of love. There are so many churches that have us on their prayer lists and countless individuals lifting us up in prayer continually. We truly feel wrapped in prayer. The Women of West Market United Methodist Church brought us a prayer shawl and Tessa a prayer blanket yesterday. Now we are wrapped in prayer, literally and physically. It has given us great comfort.
Unfortunately, Tessa had a rocky night last night. Her blood pressure dipped very low and her lactic acid levels are very high. These are both signs of pulmonary hypertension. She is again very swollen and her x-ray shows very little air in the lungs. New blood cultures have been sent to test for infection and they are putting Tessa on a stronger antibiotic. They are also starting treatment for a possible fungal infection. An additional blood pressure medication has helped raise her blood pressure. They are holding her sedation. If she is a little more alert, she can help stimulate her blood pressure as well.
We sincerely ask that everyone continue in prayer. Never before have we had such a test of faith. Our hearts are aching. So much of this is well beyond our understanding but our trust is still in the Lord.

Psalm 141:8
But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

Sweet Baby Girl

Everyone who meets Tessa instantly falls in love. She is such a sweet baby girl and we are so proud to be her mom and dad. It is an honor and privilege to be called "Tessa's parents" when being introduced to someone new.
As usual, today has been another day of ups and downs. Dr. Hoffman has never been far away; constantly monitoring her status and making appropriate changes. While on ECMO, blood gas levels, blood sugar, lactic acid, kidney function, blood pressure and oxygen saturation can change very quickly. Part of the challenge is finding the so called "sweet spot" where the canula position is the most effective at sending oxygenated blood through the heart.
After the changes this morning, Tessa has been stable most of the day. Later this afternoon, the doctors decided to proceed with an echocardiogram because of some changes in blood pressure and kidney function. The results of the echocardiogram prompted another flurry of changes. It showed the right ventricle of her heart swollen and dilated. This indicates constricted vessels in her lungs and can also be an early sign of infection. This temporary swelling works against the ECMO in getting blood through her heart. Her belly is very full so they have suspended her feedings. They have placed her back on nitric oxide to dilate the vessels in her lungs and restarted milrinone to relax blood vessels throughout her body. She is now receiving dopamine which will help raise her blood pressure. They are continuing her antibiotics and have sent more blood cultures to the lab to test for infection.
Tessa is still very sick so please continue in prayer. Her oxygen saturations and kidney function are better following the changes made this evening. We are constantly in awe of the knowledge God provides us with in treating all manner of sickness and disease.

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Tweaking

There were so many people in Tessa's room when we walked in this morning. This always makes your heart drop, thinking something is wrong. Lord, increase our faith. Actually, they are just continually tweaking and making changes to maintain a balance in her system. They adjusted the canula in her neck, modified dosage on her medications, turned off the hemofilter, decreased her sedation and lowered her feeds. She is getting less milk because her belly looks a little full. The other adjustments are to maintain blood pressure, oxygen saturation and fluid balance. Her blood pressure and oxygen saturation were a little low earlier this morning and she stopped urinating. She did have two bowel movements and her urine has now picked back up. Her fingers and toes are still very purple but do not seem to look any worse than before.
As they say, this is a process requiring baby steps. We love this little girl and will be here with her for as long as it takes her to heal. God is here with us every step of the way.

Leviticus 26:12
And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

ECMO Specialists

We are truly overwhelmed by the devotion of the ECMO specialists, nurses and doctors here at Brenners. They have a God given gift and a genuine calling to come do what they do every day. Today has proven this to us over and over again. Teddy has been with Tessa all afternoon and evening and has barely left the room. We are so glad to have all of them here with our little girl in such a critical state.
Tessa has had a fairly quiet day and we pray for a quiet restful night. Our prayers continue for Tessa and all of her neighbors here in the PICU and NICU. There are 12 beds here in the PICU and some other extremely sick children. Today was a very sad day for one family and our hearts are truly broken for the loss of their little child. Nurse Diane reminds us that miracles happen here also which is why she chooses to do what she does every day. We firmly believe that God is our healer and can restore health to all in need. We will keep the faith.

Jeremiah 30:17
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD

Snowed

We have watched it snow and rain outside Tessa's window today. It is her first snow and she is sleeping the day away. The sedatives she is receiving has her more comfortable and she is very relaxed. They do not want her completely "snowed" so she does move around every once in a while.
They have adjusted the canula in her neck a couple of times today to get better oxygen saturations. Her latest blood gas tests have been good and her urine output is above their goal of 10ml per hour. They also frequently adjust the flow on the ECMO pump to maintain acceptable blood gas levels.
Getting Tessa well has been a long process and we are trying our best to be patient and wait on the Lord. Several of the ECMO specialists have told us that it is a marathon...not a sprint. We will wait as long as it takes and it will be a truly joyful day when we get to take her home.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Dirty Diapers

Yeah. Tessa had two dirty diapers, one during the night and one this morning. She is handling her feedings well and is eliminating lots of fluid. We will continue to celebrate every small victory.
In the words of Dr. Hoffman, Tessa had an "interesting" night last night. He has been up with her since about 2am. The canula in her neck is very positional and are very sensitive to movement. Tessa has been moving a little too much and her blood gases during the night were not good. They made some adjustments to the canula and her blood gases this morning are back to what they were. Everything has to be monitored so very closely. They are starting continuous drips of morphine and versed to keep her slightly more sedated. She can still be awake but they don't want her trying to "help them out" with the canula position.
We are thankful to have so many supporters out there praying for Tessa. God is our rock and our fortress and he is working through all of you to give us strength.

Psalm 71:3
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

New Room

Tessa changed addresses today. They moved her from room 616 to room 625. Each piece of equipment had a battery backup with an assigned person pushing it. She is now closer to the center of the PICU and another ECMO patient next door. The move went well.
They decided not to do an echocardiogram today. Although her blood pressure does fluctuate, they have had reasonable success controlling it with medications. They will probably do an echocardiogram at a later time. They did do another RSV test today. The result was negative so she has been cleared of RSV. She received more platelets today and continues to receive antibiotics in case of infection.
The peripheral IV in her arm came out today so they have been trying to insert a new one. It is difficult because she is swollen and she has previously had so many IVs. A peripheral IV is best for giving platelets if possible. She is still handling her feedings and urinating well. Her fingers and toes look very bad but they are of secondary concern to the doctors right now. They are watching them closely. God is our healer and we know that many times healing is a gradual process.
We have received so many messages of hope and know that Tessa is on the minds of so many family members, friends, and others that we do not even know. Thousands of prayers are being said for Tessa around the world. Lord, hear our cry to you.

Psalm 61:1-2
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

High in the Air

Because ECMO uses gravity flow, Tessa's bed is raised very high. We have to stand on a step stool to visit with her. Again this morning, she had her eyes open for mommy and daddy. We blow her lots of kisses. Mommy even read her a story last night. She is sedated enough to make her comfortable but they do not want her completely out unless it is necessary. Adults on ECMO are sometimes even able to talk and watch TV.
We just finished looking at Tessa's x-ray with the doctor. Her lungs are almost completely collapsed. This is not unusual because her lungs are resting. It makes us very uncomfortable to see that she is not breathing but our trust is in God and the expertise of the doctors. She will begin using her lungs again more and more as they are able to heal.
We are thankful for another stable night last night. There were some issues with her high blood pressure but they are customizing her treatment to resolve this. They have adjusted her medications for blood pressure, continued the diuretic and added a filter to the ECMO circuit to draw excess fluid from the blood. This should help lower blood pressure and reduce some of the swelling. Her urine output continues to be very good which indicates that her kidneys are working well.
They increased Tessa's feedings overnight. She is now getting 14ml of breast milk per hour. She has good bowel sounds and is doing well with her feedings. Her condition is still critical but we can tell that God is working. So many of you have been so diligent in prayer for us. We are encouraged. Thanks to you all.

Psalm 31:1
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Tessa's Bear

Nurse David brought Tessa a cuddly brown bear to keep her company. We just cannot say enough about the staff here at Brenners and also at Women's Hospital. They have been so supportive and there are so many that love Tessa dearly. We are blessed daily by your encouraging words.
Tessa has such a strong spirit. Despite all of the medications she still loves to open her eyes to see mommy and daddy when she hears their voices. Her blood pressure has been high most of the day and she is getting even more swollen. They have been giving her various medications to control her blood pressure and also began a continuous drip of diuretic. Her urine output has dramatically increased since receiving the diuretic. Her fingers and toes are still very purple and the doctors think it could be related to an infection. As a precaution, they have changed her antibiotics and have completed additional blood cultures. The infection team will evaluate her and make any additional recommendations to the cardiologist. Tomorrow they plan to do an echocardiogram to take a look at her heart. We pray for a good report.
Today has been a day of emotional ups and downs for mom and dad. We are trying hard to remain positive and strong. We are clinging to God as our refuge. Continue in prayer for Tessa's health and recovery.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

A Stable Night

We called in during the night and Tessa's condition has remained stable. It is so difficult to see her so very sick. We worry constantly but trust in God's healing for Tessa. Never did we think we would be here at this moment and we continually ask God for strength.
We visit with Tessa frequently but do not stay for long periods of time. They are constantly monitoring and making small changes to the ECMO circuit and it is very easy to become overwhelmed. All seems to be going well with some expected bumps in the road. Tessa's fingers and toes have become very dark with a bruised appearance. This has us very concerned but we have been told that this sometimes happens. It could be caused by the viral infection and poor oxygenation of these areas prior to going on the ECMO. They are watching them closely. Her urine output was decreasing so they gave her a small dose of a diuretic. She is getting very swollen as expected and when she is more stable they will give her a larger dose of diuretic to eliminate the excess fluid. She has good bowel sounds and is doing well with her feedings so far. They will be increasing the amount of milk over the course of the day today and hope to have her up to 14ml per hour by tomorrow.
We love this little girl so much and just want her to get better soon yet we understand that it could take weeks for her lungs to recover. We try to wait patiently as God completes his healing.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Due Date

As a preemie, Tessa actually has two birthdays. First will always be September 29th but today is her due date and marks the beginning of her gestational adjusted age. Today's date is used when determining the appropriate time for developmental functions like crawling, walking and talking. We can't wait until we get to the point of celebrating these once in a lifetime milestones.
Tessa's condition has been stable today and we are thankful. She is getting morphine and midazolam(Versed) for sedation. They did have a problem today with the ECMO oxygenator and had to switch it out for a new one. This is a setback but hopefully a minor one. They primed a new oxygenator and switched it out in less than 60 seconds. Even still, this change to the circuit caused a rise in Tessa's lactic acid level. They are monitoring it and this level should decrease over the next few hours. Her oxygen saturation is now in the mid 90s which is great.
Even though they are allowing Tessa's lungs to rest, they want to keep her other systems working. Today they inserted a transpyloric feeding tube bypassing her stomach and resumed her feedings. She is getting 2ml per hour of "mommy's milk." Their goal is to increase her feedings to 16ml per hour and completely remove the hyperale liquid nutrition from the circuit.
It makes mommy and daddy very happy that Tessa is feeding again. God provides us hope and encouragement in so many ways. We continue to pray for Tessa and we appreciate the many prayers of everyone supporting us. It means so much.

Psalm 71:14
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Get Well Soon!

Looking out Tessa's window, there is a gas station nearby with a sign on the roof. It says, "Get Well Soon!" This is our most sincere prayer for Tessa. God places people and objects in our life and may he bless the creator of this sign along with all of you. Your concern and love for Tessa gives us comfort and hope.
In addition to the catheter in her neck, they have also inserted an arterial line into Tessa's groin area to easily take blood. While she is on ECMO they must draw blood for labs every hour to test blood gases and clotting time. She is on heparin to control blood clots and they must test clotting time regularly. She is at risk for internal bleeding so they completed another cranial ultrasound this morning. The preliminary report showed no signs of problems. Praise God. They are having some issues with blood pressure and oxygen saturations but it is expected that it will take some time to adapt the ECMO and medications to her needs. She has a urinary catheter to collect her urine. It is tested for lactic acid levels which were initially elevated but now have come down to an acceptable level. Lastly, she has a peripheral IV in her right arm. This is used to give her platelets which get depleted from her blood while on ECMO. We both have previously donated blood and platelets to the American Red Cross and are humbled that Tessa is now being helped through the generosity of other anonymous donors. We encourage anyone who is able to donate blood or platelets in Tessa's honor whenever there is an opportunity. It takes 4-5 cups of blood to initially prime the ECMO equipment and Tessa will be receiving blood and platelets frequently.
God is certainly in control and is cradling Tessa in his loving arms. We take comfort in his promises given to us through his holy word.

Genesis 50:21
Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Room with a View

Tessa has been transferred from the NICU to the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). She has her own room with a very nice view which is an obvious gift from God above. He gives us peace. Her condition is very serious but we know she is a fighter and God is giving her great strength. A nurse and a respiratory therapist is in the room with her at all times and we were told that ECMO is the most expensive life support system available. The nurse said that
Tessa has the highest paid babysitters in Winston-Salem. Such a special little girl deserves only the best.
At the moment, Tessa is still on the ventilator with baseline settings but she is doing very little breathing on her own. As her lungs heal, they will begin doing more and more to oxygenate her blood. It is not know how long she may need ECMO but the range can be anywhere from 3 days to 5 weeks. Tessa's progress will let them know the amount of time that she needs.
Many have expressed concern for mom and dad. We are again staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Words cannot convey the range of emotions we experienced yesterday. Our hearts were truly shattered by helplessness and concern for our little girl. We prayed and we cried. We leaned on others for support and love. Fran, Chris and the staff at Women's Hospital were there for us before transport and when we arrived at Brenners God sent our friends Briseidi, Amanda, and Brad along with many of the NICU staff to comfort us. Fortunately, we did get some rest last night and our faith is renewed today. What a mighty God we serve.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Sharing our Burdens

Thanks to all who answered our call and "picked up the cross" in prayer for us today without even knowing the specific need. Tessa is in critical need of our continuing prayers and faith in God. After nearly 5 hours of waiting, We just got to see her following surgery to insert a catheter in her neck for ECMO. This will allow her lungs to rest and recover from the trauma of the infections and high ventilator settings. The first 24 hours is very critical for Tessa as they calibrate the machine and make adjustments to meet her needs.Doctors here considered this the only viable option for decreasing the high ventilator settings that were damaging her lungs.
Unfortunately, the high settings were needed to keep her blood oxygenated as she is fighting pneumonia. We pray that God brings her through this extremely difficult challenge in the days to come. She has an unbelievable group of very talented people in charge of her care. We know your prayers will continue and this provides us with great comfort and heavenly peace.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.