Today's photo

I spoke with Liz on the phone and she told me that she already posted today's blog. I asked her if I could put this photo on today and she said yes. When I look at beautiful little Ashlyn and see her like this, my heart breaks. I'm thankful that she is in the Lord's hands and I pray that He keeps strengthening and healing her.

I've been getting e-mails concerning the request I made for financial contributions (See "A Good Second Night blog). As Liz told you, Ashlyn will have to go to a rehabilitation facility after leaving the hospital to relearn everything (talking, walking...). Todd wants to stay with her to help her through all that. If you want to help financially, you can make checks payable to The Ashlyn Finn Fund and mail them to The Bank of Greene County, 2 Technology Drive, Coxsackie, NY, 12051. Blessings to all. CarolAnn

Ashlyn

I can't believe that we are here again. This was something I never thought would happen to her. As I reflect on these past few days. I feel sadness and joy at the same time. Sadness that she has to endure something else. Sadness that this is something she does not deserve. But than joy to know that God has her in his hands. Joy because the Drs. told us that she had a good chance of not making it through the surgery, but she is here and made it through. Joy for all the little steps forward that she is making. I will only keep listening to the positive and focus my all on Him who will get her through this. A song keeps going through my head. Here are some of the lyrics. "Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation. He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave." He is what sustains me and the same God that conquered the grave, is the same God that will conquer this illness in her.

Medical update on her is that she will probably get the drain in her head taken out today. They will keep her well sedated through the weekend. Then on Monday start to wake her up a little. They will also put a central line in on Monday so she can get IV nutrition. Overall she is progressing forward. Time will tell what damage was done from her bleeding. Please pray that she will have minimal to no damage. Long term, she will be in the hospital at least 2 weeks and then in a rehabilitation center for at least 6 weeks. Todd is taking a leave from work so we can both focus on getting her well and back home. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. We COULD NOT get through this without you all.

A Good Second Night

Ashlyn continues to be in stable condition. All the pressures and oxygen level in her brain look good. Her fever started to rise this morning but came down on its own - Thank you Jesus! Ashlyn gets blood transfusions to keep her platelet and oxygen levels up. The doctors were unsuccessful at putting a PIC line into Ashlyn (for nutrition), so they are scheduling vascular surgery on Monday to insert a central line. Ashlyn will stay on IV fluids for the weekend. The tests that have been done on her pancreas are all normal. Ashlyn is still having residual bleeding coming from her belly but it seems to be lessening.

Because of the severity of Ashlyn's prognosis, Todd feels he cannot leave her side. When Ashlyn was at the hospital only two months ago, going to work was agony for Todd. Ashlyn and Todd have a special bond and he wants to be there for her to help her through this extremely hard recovery. Unfortunately, in order for Todd to stay with Ashlyn, their source of income will cease. I'm asking if you would commit to supporting this family financially so that Todd can stay with his daughter. They have all been through so much and need to be together to encourage each other during this time. Your financial contribution would allow that to happen. The account at The Bank of Greene County is still open. You can make contributions to "The Ashlyn Finn Fund" at any branch. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at MrsPotic@aol.com.

I don't understand why all of this is happening, how can one family endure so much? I do know that God is in control, He is the Great Physician. He never promised that this life would be easy, but He does promise us that He'll never leave us or forsake us. Lord, give Liz and Todd a special touch today, strengthen them for this long road ahead of them. Thank you that Ashlyn is in your hands, please continue Your healing in her body. Blessings to all. CarolAnn

A Good First Night

Ashlyn had a good night. Both of her pupils are reacting to light appropriately and her body withdraws from pain stimulus. This morning, she opened her eyes and the nurse told Ashlyn that her daddy was in the room. Ashlyn moved her eyes around the room to find her dad and fixed her eyes on him when she found him. She is able to move both sides of her body. She has a low grade fever (very common after surgery) and is being treated for that with cold compresses and some ice. Her medical team is very encouraged at how she's recovering - God, You are so good - Continue to give Ashlyn strength and healing. Our God is a miracle working God!Ashlyn was having more tests to check on the bleeding issues in her pancreas. I will update when the results are in. Blessings to all.

Ashlyn made it through surgery!

My heart is rejoicing because Ashlyn made it through surgery, yet it's heavy because I can't believe Ashlyn, Liz, Todd, Kiernan, Preston and Katelyn are going through this again - God I don't understand but I'm thankful that you love Ashlyn more than we do.

Ashlyn was throwing up on Monday night and complained of extreme pain in her leg on Tuesday morning. Todd took Ashlyn to her pediatrician which in turn sent Ashlyn to the ER at Albany Medical Center. After a day of tests, the doctors discovered that Ashlyn was bleeding internally into her brain and pancreas. Surgery had to be done to relieve pressure on Ashlyn's brain. The surgeon's told Liz and Todd that Ashlyn might not survive the surgery and if she did, there could be complications with Ashlyn physically because of the pressure on her brain.

Ashlyn went through about three hours of surgery this morning successfully. Part of her skull was removed and the surgeons removed a large blood clot that had developed from Ashlyn's brain bleeding. The clot was in the part of the brain that affects speech. We won't know what effect that had until Ashlyn wakes up. The skull is resting on her brain (not attached) to allow it to swell without adding more pressure. This will stay like this until the swelling is done.

We don't know what is going on with Ashlyn's pancreas yet, as the priority was to relieve the pressure from her brain. She is back at the PICU at Albany Medical Center.

Once again - we need PRAYERS! God brought Ashlyn through this before, He can do it again - PLEASE LORD, LET IT BE SO.

Princess or Super Hero? You decide.

I like the hat. It adds alot to the Super Hero look.
I feel safer knowing she is protecting us.

She resembles Aurora.

So who is cuter? Super hero Ashlyn or Princess Ashlyn? I can't decide. I think they are both cute.

The Kids

Currently it is 13 degrees outside. But that doesn't stop Kiernan, Preston and Ashlyn from going outside and sleigh ride. It is mostly ice and they are loving how fast they can go down the hill. (Well, at least the boys are) Ashlyn wants one of them to ride with her and she usually starts more toward the bottom of the hill. They are such good brothers to her. They help her up the hill and hold the sled so she can get on. Then they go down with her. They are so cute together.

Katelyn is a little sick. She had a fever yesterday. She isn't too fussy. She is mostly not eating much and wants to sleep. Hopefully it will pass.

Random pictures

Kiernan and Preston Christmas morning.
Cousins Kiernan, Preston, Olivia, Ashlyn, Taryn, Katelyn and Kerrigan. (in order from oldest to youngest.)

Mommy and Katelyn.

Preston at his concert.