Day 11

As I type these words, I'm sitting by Canaan, watching her tiny chest rise and fall, seeing her eyelids flutter open, look up, and then close again, as if awoken briefly from a dream. She squirms and her fragile (but strong!) fingers reach out, and then lay back down on her belly. There are cords and tubes around her, with machines whirring and lights flashing. Numbers appear on computer screens, so many numbers that I couldn't possibly understand what each one measures. It's both overwhelming and also reassuring to see the level of care she's receiving at the hospital. As Becca walks in the nurses all greet her, because of course she has made friends with each of them and remembers every name. They lower the isolette (Canaan's bed) down to chair level so Becca can sit right beside her while she journals and reads.

I drove in from Nashville yesterday, arriving last night in time to go with Becca to the hospital to meet Canaan. She is both fragile and fierce, and boy is she loved already by so many of you! Today Becca received several cards in the mail, and tears flowed freely with the abundance of prayers you are sending to Arkansas. 

I participated in touch time with Becca today, and Canaan squeezed my finger.
And it took my breath away.

PRAISES -

Canaan has tolerated her feedings well. And those feedings are Becca's colostrum that she had frozen last fall. It is such an amazing blessing to know Canaan is receiving that nourishment, and we pray her body can continue to absorb the feedings.

She's made it to day 11. Can we just throw a party on that fact? After she was born, Canaan's doctor said making it to day 10 was a huge hurdle to overcome. It doesn't mean she is in the clear by any means, but it is something to celebrate.

PRAYER REQUESTS -

The PDA in her heart has not closed, and the doctors determined it's time for Canaan to receive the necessary medicine to help close it up. There are risks with any medication for a baby this small. She'll receive it over the next three days, so here is the request. Pray that it works, and pray that it doesn't compromise function of any other system in her body. 

Managing her care is like walking a tightrope. They adjust the oxygen, and then it's too much, so they adjust it down, but then they adjust it back up. It is such a precarious role for Canaan's nurse, which is why she has one nurse who's assigned only to Canaan and no other preemie in the NICU. The nurse sits right outside her isolette, watching the computer screens, checking her, watching her. I loved nurses before, but I love them even more now. 

A great reminder to pray is that any time you see a 7, say a prayer. As Becca and Nathan have been doing workouts, they are doing 7 sets of reps. And when they are exhausted, breathing hard from exercise, they remind themselves that Canaan is working this hard to breathe too. So whether it be 7 sit-ups or walking 7 flights of stairs, or running for 7 minutes, think of Canaan when you do, and pray. 

If you don't have children, you may not be familiar with the recent Disney hit, Moana. If you have kids, you probably have every song memorized (like my household). The song - Innocent Warrior - is one Becca and Nathan have loved, and the translation is powerful. So here's the song, with the translation:

Innocent Warrior

Your eyes so full of wonder

Your heart an innocent warrior

There's a task for you

My dearest one

Let if flow over you
This freedom you feel

And your deep thoughts
Our young girl

Your eyes so full of wonder

So send prayers out today for our Innocent Warrior, Canaan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP -
Go Fund Me Page for Becca and Nathan

Their temporary home:
ATTN: Becca and Nathan Daniel
15 N. Locust Avenue, Apt. 3
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Blessings,

Courtney