In the NICU

Thank you all so much for your Congratulations and Good Wishes. I was only in labor about 5 hours and had a beautiful natural delivery (no pain meds). Ella was born looking the picture of health, beautiful, pink and crying. However, shortly after birth during her initial exam, it was noticed that Ella's liver and spleen were enlarged. Thank goodness that we were at Children's Hospital because they took Ella immediately to the Neonatal IC Unit (NICU) where she has been as they try to find the reason why her liver and spleen appeared to be working to "fight off" something in her body.

The neonatal team is wonderful and they been testing for a number of things. So far everything has came back "negative" (which is good). Other tests can take as long as 10 days for the results to be known. It's been a difficult time, especially as we came home last night without Ella, but we're sure that they will find the answers soon. Please keep Ella Michele in your prayers.