A Sincere Thank You and an Update

Hi Guys,

 I just wanted to express my heart-felt thanks for the donations that came through. We were able to raise enough to cover the next two payments.

 It was just the timing that threw the budget out of sync. We had some unexpected expenses that came at the wrong time.

 Again Thank You

 Back to Mandy……

We started training on Wednesday, and so far everything is going well. The facility that she is in is awesome, and the staff are incredibly patient and hospitable. I practiced suctioning some more, and began to learn how to setup and change her feeds. Friday I am supposed to learn now to change out trach.

According to Mandy’s doctor, she will be at the hospital for about a month. They have to wean her off of one of the medications before they can release her to our care. And of course we have to know how to take care of her.

 Mandy is not a fussy baby  at all. She cries when she needs something, diaper changed, trach suctioned, etc. But once the need is filled she settles down right away. She has a very soft cry that you really have to learn to listen for. In fact it is uusally the monitors that let us know something is wrong.

 One of the funny but annoying things is she is starting to wiggle more, moving her arms and legs. But everytime she moves too much it sets off the monitors. The technology is just not geared for children. 

To be honest, its refreshing, seeing her move around, and not have to be sedated all the time. At one point she was on 3 different pain medications all at the same time. So she was always groggy and not very responsive. Now Im starting to see her personality emerge, and it is really cool.

Thanks for all the prayers,

Love in Christ
Michael and Teresa Blaes

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matt 19:14 (NLT)

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PSS. Let me know what you think of the new banner.

Good News and a Huge Favor

Hey Guys,

I have some good news and a huge favor to ask.

Mandy is doing great. They have transferred her to the transitional facility I mentioned in my last post. By the way the intensive was exhausting. 48 hours of non-stop beeping squealing and various other noises combined with suctioning and diapering left us drained of all energy. We came home and basically passed out for a while. We feel a little refreshed now. It’s amazing how much you miss the sanctity of silence. There is truly no place like home especially lying in your own bed. Our cat Blaze acted like we had been gone 3 weeks instead just 2days.

We start training tomorrow for 3 days a week 4 hours a day to learn all the skills that we need to bring her home. The case manager said it could be as early as 2 weeks. I got a little scared when she said that. I want Mandy to come home, but I now realize how much responsibility is involved, and we have a lot to do to prepare.

Now for the Favor….

Normally I would not ask for help. God has been really good to us and I believe that he will come through for us one way or the other.

I don’t want to make a big sob story out of this, but just to state the facts and express the need. With Teresa and I having to go back and forth to the hospital, we needed to have a laptop, so that we could be mobile and do things such as update the blog, and continue to work on our business endeavors etc. I used to have a very nice laptop with all the bells and whistles. But unfortunately it died and the company who made it went out of business. So we acquired one from a rent to own company and have been paying for it a week at a time. Well our funds fell short this week and I don’t have the money. I have to make a payment on it by tomorrow Wednesday March 26 at 4:00 PST or they will come collect it.

Our payments are 41 dollars a week.  We would like to pay it off on the 90 days same as cash plan so that we can save a significant amount of money on the purchase. We would have to have it paid off by April 13 in order to do this. We have already invested in a little over $400.00 in it so it doesn’t make sense to return it and look for another option. We need about $600.00 to pay it off completely. I don’t want to borrow money from anyone, and go further into debt.

I understand that we may not be able to raise the full amount, and that’s ok. As long we can come up with enough to make the next 2 payments (about 82 dollars); that will get us through till next month.

I feel like I’m stepping out on a limb asking this, but I don’t see any alternative. Like I said before, God has been faithful, and we know that he will somehow provide. I’m starting to learn to hit my knees first and cry out to him for help and I’ve done that. But I want to give God’s people every opportunity to bless and be blessed.

Please use the donation button on the right side of the page if the Lord lays it on your heart to help. Anything collected over the amount needed will go towards Mandy’s care

You may disagree with this approach, and I understand that. Please feel free to voice your thoughts by clicking the comment link below, and I will be happy to address your concerns.

Thank you for all the prayers and support. We could not have gotten this far without them.

Love in Christ,
Michael and Teresa Blaes

Mike and Teresa go to School; Mandy 101

  Hey Guys

This is going to rather a long post, as I have a lot to say. So go get a coke or water, or the beverage of your choice, sit back and enjoy. J Mandy is doing really well, and is getting even closer to discharge. They are definitely going to transfer her to a transitional center for kids. The main purpose of this center is to train us how to take care of her.

There is a lot for us to learn, and learn it we must. To steal the military expression “Failure is not an option.” We will be spending a lot of time there essentially going to school for Mandy 101. It should be interesting. Obviously it is a very specialized course. J

The hospital has started the process by putting us through a 3 day intensive. We are staying at the hospital, and once again we are in fish-bowl central. But it is even a little crazier this time, because Mandy has been diagnosed as a staff carrier and so contact precautions are in effect. What this means is that any time the staff walks into the room to do anything, they gown up and put on gloves. No Bigggie Right? Here’s the fun part, and mind you I don’t blame them a bit. We are not allowed to go get sheets, cokes or anything from the “communal areas. We can still go anywhere else in the hospital that we want, so it is sort like being quarantined yet still being able to move around. Very Weird Right? We think so too.

Anyway, Teresa is taking Diapering and temperature Taking 101. I am in the more advanced class Suctioning and Secretions 201. So needless to say it is interesting. Because of Mandy not being able to breathe effectively by mouth, thus the reason for the Trach, She cannot for the most part effectively cough out the mucus, like most people can. So we have to use suction clean her mouth, nose and Trach. If enough mucus gets clogged in her Trach hole, it can block off her airway. So it is critical that we know what to look for and how to use the suction.

I did not realize how much care that Mandy is going to need. It is going to be a real test of our faith, and our ability to adapt. Mandy is going to need nearly constant care. There is a very real danger of her airway getting clogged, or mucus getting sucked into her lungs, which could cause her to develop all sort of infections. So we have to learn even such minute things as what color her secretions are. It is a little overwhelming to be honest, and we are not sure how we are gong to be able to do everything. It is going to really limit our movement. We were planning to go out of town in May for a few days for a workshop. Now we will have to figure out what to do.

As I said at the beginning there is a lot to think about. I know that we will prevail

Because “My God will supply ALL my needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” Phil 4:19. and ” I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13 and All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose Rom 8:28. This is just the first step in rising up Mandy in the admonition of the Lord.

Please keep us in your prayers, especially for wisdom, and we can learn our lessons. After all the Holy Spirit has come to teach us all things Right? And maybe he will bring a few things to our remembrance as well. J

Feel free to share your thoughts by clicking the comment link below. We truly treasure each one.

Love in Christ
Michael & Teresa Blaes

Mandy is 3 months old and one day closer to coming home!

Hey Guys,

I have some incredible news! Mandy is doing great! She is breathing on her own with just a little bit of oxygen for support. The social worker talked to us today about transferring her to a long term care facility. They have put her on the waiting list, and she could be moved as soon as a week. There the staff will train us to take care of her, which is one step closer to bringing her home  I thank you for your prayers. They are being answered so thoroughly, it is hard to believe at times. God is so awesome.

 All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

Another really cool thing that happened is that Teresa and I were able to hold her today. (Check out the photos) We had tears running down our face, tears of joy. You see We have not been able to hold her for a long time. I think the last time that we held her was about 7 days after she was born.

She is officially 3 months old today, and it is hard to imagine everything that has happened within such a short period of time.  Her Birth, her first heart failure, which was the last time we held her,  2 open-heart surgeries, the three times her heart stopped and they had to do CPR and life support to bring her back. And numerous procedures, including installing her Broviac, her Trach, and her feeding tube. Man it has been quite a ride! And I know her life is just beginning with all of these happenings it really makes you wonder what God has for her to do. I knew that she was special long before she was born. (Of course I thought she was a boy at the time. It took a little bit to get used to the idea of having a little girl )

God Bless You All

Keep checking back for more updates, or subscribe to the blog using the form on the right.

Love In Christ
Michael and Teresa Blaes

PS. Please feel free to leave your thoughts by clicking the comment link below. They have been so encouraging.

PPS. If you need prayer about something, please don’t hesitate to ask.Our faith has been built up trememdously through this experience. We would love to pray for you. Just leave them in the comment section.

PSS. We have some cool expansion ideas for this blog. Just wait and see!

Photo Contest taken down

Hello Everyone,

I want to appologize for the Photo contest thing. It was not what I expected it to be. I know that if I was bombarded with ads, I wouldnt want to participate either. Im taking down the link.

Michael Blaes

Third Surgery Complete

Hey Guys,

 They took Mandy back for surgery about 7:30 am this morning. The surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours. she was back at the ward by 9:45 am or so. The surgery went great!  The nurse was telling me how great she looked without all the tubes and tape and stuff all over her face. She is resting comfortably and I cannot wait to see her. They are going to leave her on the respirator for a few more days, and then wean her off. They will probably start using the feeding tube tomorrow.

Thanks Again for All the Prayers. Believe me God is answering them.

My Lord took the stripes on his back so that my daughter might be healed. The thing is; it is God who chooses how he heals someone. It might be instantaneously or progressively or using doctors, or the ultimate healing, which is going home to be with him. As believers in Christ we have to put our loved ones totally in God’s hands. After all he is Jehovah Rapha, the great physician, our God who heals. Put your faith in him, he will never let you down.

Love in Christ
Michael and Teresa Blaes

PS: Please feel free to hit the comment link below and share your thoughts.

PPS:  If you would like to receive updates by email please fill out the form on the right side of the page.

Another Surgery Planned

 Hello Everyone,

I have a major update. It has been a crazy week for us leaving little time to do updates. But very little has happened since I updated last, so I guess we are ok. Anyway here is the update. Mandy is continuing to gain weight. She is now at 8 Pounds 8 Ounces. All of her stats look good, and she is very stable.

As I mentioned in the last post, the doctors have decided to install a Trach in her and a feeding tube that will go directly to her stomach. It sounds a little extreme I know, but it will allow them to keep an open airway on her without having to knock her out and shove a tube down her throat. She won’t have to be sedated as much and will be able to move around more. The feeding tube will give them a direct pathway to her tummy, so they don’t have to keep using the NG tube. She cannot really suck yet, so they have had to feed her through a tube that goes into her nose and down her throat.

This has to be done surgically, and is scheduled for this coming Wednesday March 12, at 8:00 am. This is her third surgery. Please continue to keep her in prayer. We know that she is in God’s hands.

I get the impression that they are starting to gear her up to come home. I don’t know for sure of course, but it would be really awesome. Thanks for all the support

 Please click the comment link below and let us know that you are out there. Thanks

God Bless You,
Michael and Teresa Blaes

PS We have a major decision to make concerning her immunizations. Please pray that the Lord gives us the wisdom and information we need to make the right choice.

Mandy isdoing well, but lots of challanges ahead

Hey Guys, Just a quick update on Mandy. She is dong pretty well at the moment. We saw her today and she is definitely gaining weight. Her weight is 7 pounds 7 ounces. She is still on the ventilator. They plan to let her rest while she grows. They are increasing her calories every day. The plan is to eventually try to take her off the ventilator again. If she cannot function without life support, then they will probably do a tracheotomy . The good thing about this is that Mandy would not have to be as sedated she has to be now. She will be able to move around a little more which would be awesome. But it would require another surgery. So once again it’s all in God’s Hands. Thank You for All the Prayers! God will bless your vigilence. Watch and pray that you not enter into temptation. Math 26:41Love in Christ
Michael and Tresa Blaes  

Mandy is still fighting

Hey Guys

 We had a little setback. Friday they decided to take Mandy off of the breathing machine. Unfortunately, early Saturday morning,  her stats started dropping and she coded. The doctors decided to put her on the breathing machine and she is doing better now. They dont plan to try to take her off for a while, giving her lots of time to rest and recover.

 Teresa and I were praying, and we heard the Lord tell us that the enemy was attempting to squeeze the life out of her, and us by extention. We took authority and felt peace return. But it taught me something important. Whatever I do I cannot let my guard down. But I know that I cannot stand alone. In fact,  we would not have gotten this far if we hadnt had the prayer support that we have. Please dont allow your guard to drop. We are at a very critical time. Eventually they have to get Mandy off of the respirator, or she wont be able to come home with us. We are not rushing this process, and we know that God is in control. She is resting in his arms.  Here is a scripture that we are standing on.

 If anyone has faith as a grain of mustard seed, he can say to this mountain be removed and be cast into the sea. and it will be done.  Mark 11:23

 We have a mountain or two in the way and we need our Lord to move them for us. Please ask him to give us the stength and wisdom that we need as well, not only to know what to do about Mandy, but what to do in our business as well.

 Thank You For Your Prayers!

Love in Christ
Michael and Teresa Blaes

Mandy’s Second Surger Successful! Praise God!

Hey Guys

Mandy is doing great. It turned out the original patch they used came loose. So they repatched the original hole and a new one they found Both are BSDs. Fortunately the one they were worried about in the muscle area  is very small, and did not require any attention. They also did some work in the Tricuspid Valve which goes to the lungs.  All of the tests so far look great and To GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Thank You Thank You For All the Prayers

Love in Christ

Michael and Teresa Blaes

PS. Feel free to comment below. Remeber God is in control!