Sleeping Like an Angel

Mila drank 4 ounces of pedialyte and 2 ounces of formula right after surgery! She was having some belly discomfort so she was a little fussy but once that was relieved she fell asleep and has been sleeping soundly for a couple of hours. She has to be exhausted. She slept 3 hours last night and maybe an hour today between naps. We are really really hoping we start seeing the happy girl we know is inside there very soon! The cardiology team just came in and gave the run down of the "plan" as long as Mila doesn't have her own plan! They're going to check the drain in the morning and decide if they want to pull it or not based on the amount of fluid draining. They will do another echo and keep a very close eye to make sure no more fluid is building up. They want to keep her at least a couple more days if all goes well. They sent fluid samples away for testing to make sure there is no infection present. Whenever she is discharged they will keep a very close eye on her and we're already making arrangements with our local pediatric cardiologist to be seen there to save the many trips back here. (Our local guy is really good for follow up and he is Zoya's cardiologist).

I've been thinking a lot about Mila's life through all this, but especially these last two days. I've been reflecting on how we lost Laina and how the path seemed so crooked and how hurt we were. We trusted through the hurt and were led to Mila. I know God did not make a mistake here. I have absolutely no doubt that if God did not lead us to Mila at that exact moment she would have died without ever knowing love, family, and belonging. He knew all along she would be ours. He knew all along each and every struggle she would go through. He made her a fighter and he gave her a family. Knowing her now, I can hardly look her in the eye when I think about almost not continuing our journey past Laina. The sad truth is SO MANY orphans are dying. So many are sick like Mila and wasting away in an orphanage without family and without medical care. Maybe one of those orphans is YOUR CHILD!? Mila's life is a miracle. God has big plans for her, of that I'm sure. But holding her through all this pain, I know in my heart her future is bright and hopeful but I can't help but be so sad for all those other orphans who are recovering from surgery alone, or who are DYING waiting.

Through these struggles our thread to Mila is being woven into a rope. We have a fierce love for her and would fight to the ends of the earth for her life. Her big blue trusting eyes stare deeply into ours and she knows she belongs. She knows she can trust us to comfort her through the pain. She is not alone. She is a beloved daughter, sister, grandaughter, niece, and cousin. She has a place in this world. She is making her mark. She is wanted and she is worthy of everything wonderful in this life.

Let your light shine, Mila....I know you're ready and we're all here anxiously waiting to watch you blossom!

Comments

  1. Thanks for the update! Continuing to pray.

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  2. So glad to here Mila is hopefully (prayfully) making a turn around.

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  3. So happy to hear, and I believe every word you typed. God does not make mistakes, and leading you to Mila was definitely on purpose. We are praying for her total healing and hope that you are all able to get some rest tonight. God's blessings on your family.

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  4. Hard to read thru the tears. I'm so glad she's feeling better, and even happier that she's in safe, loving arms! You are so very right! Bless you Sarah!

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  5. I'm relieved to read that Mila is feeling better and that she'll be followed closely once she's discharged.

    The ESBL e-coli is something one of my adopted-from-Ukraine daughters brought home with her, too. Like you, the infectious disease doctor at the Children's Hospital was surprised to see Bethany septic from that particular bacteria & said it isn't typically seen around here (Oregon). I'm beginning to think it must be pretty common in Ukraine, though, since I've read of several children who have it.

    (((hugs))) and lots of prayers for Mila's continued recovery and that you'll be able to stay home once you guys get there again!

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  6. That is great news Sarah! You are right... God does have a mighty plan and you are getting to see if unveil itself slowly but ever so joyfully because Mila has a family who LOVES her!

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  7. Continuing to pray. Thank you for this post...very touching and you are absolutely right!

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  8. God is so good. He had His hand on Mila from the very beginning. He watched you with Zoya and knew you had to be the family for Mila. I am so glad things are looking up for her. Get your rest while you can. Soon she will be home and needing your attention. Thinking of and praying for your family.

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  9. I am so happy that we know what the problem is and that now it can be taken care of. It is incredibly annoying that sometimes medical staff doesn't acknowledge what parents KNOW about their kids. But, as I think about it maybe Mila was sent to give Doogie a lesson he will never forget. I'll pray for Doogie as I pray for our Mila and you.

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  10. Wonderful news! Prayers that she continues to thrive.

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  11. More prayers being said for you guys and for children all over the world as well. I hope you all sleep as well as anyone can who is in the hospitial.

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  12. Bless your hearts - we are praying for you all.

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  13. Such a beautiful post, Sarah :) I agree.... Milah is a miracle and God is going to do something huge in her life! He didn't bring her this far for nothing. She is so precious and you are very blessed that God chose you and your husband to be her mommy and daddy and she is very blessed to have you both as well! Just know that she is in HIS hands! I am praying for her always :)

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  14. I am so happy that Mila is out of surgery and is doing well! As soon as I read she was breathing rapidly I wanted to yell "pericardial effusion" somehow through the air and get it to you but thankfully by the time I read it your angel had already been diagnosed. We adopted two angel boys from Ukraine two years ago through Reece's Rainbow and our youngest (3-12-08) had open heart surgery in Sept of 2010. He had fluid around his heart for six months after surgery and that is what they always told us to watch for, the rapid breathing. He was on high doses of aspirin for a long time to try to reduce the fluid along with lasix and another more experimental drug. His effusion finally disappeared. I love reading how much you love your little girls. They are absolutely adorable. We also feel so blessed to have found our precious boys. I completely agree, it is unbelievable to me that there are so many more waiting children, just in Ukraine alone, who are sick and malnourished who desperately need families. I cannot imagine MY boys living that life yet they were only two years ago. I pray that every child could know the love of a family and never have to suffer alone. God Bless your family and prayers for sweet Mila.

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  15. So thankful this morning, reading this!! And very thankful to be part of the rope of Mila's connection to the world where she is shining like a bright little star! Praying for peace today and healing, of course!! (((HUGS)))!!!!

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  16. You are such a beautifully strong person! Absolutely amazing:)

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  17. Praying for healing for sweet Mila and peace and comfort for you all during this time. Also, praying for wisdom for the drs. It sounds like they are now taking this as seriously as it needs to be taken and will be very watchful from now on.

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  18. Praying for healing for sweet Mila and peace and comfort for your whole family during this time. Also, praying for wisdom for the drs!

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