Good friends of mine are experiencing something not very many people will have to go through. Actually, many people have gone through this but it feels so sad that it is hard to consider that fact. Their daughter Julia has been in the hospital for 3 months now. She is only two and a half years old. Our friend Francesca gave an update yesterday on the Amazing Julia blog:
"Miss Julia is making use of just about every support the hospital has to offer. An oscillating ventilator is breathing for her, she has a PICC line, IVs, arterial lines, lies on a cooling blanket and is being monitored by an incredible team of nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists. She is still completely sedated. She has been relatively stable with all of this support, but must be weaned from each of them before their risks become too great. We know that her heart and lungs have been greatly taxed. Her liver, kidneys and other organs so far seem to be functioning, an impressive feat considering what she has been through. All we can do now is watch and wait and give her tons of love.
And love she is getting. Her family and friends have taken turns by her side today, kissing her feet in their little ruffled socks and stroking any patch of exposed skin that is not hooked up to tubes or wires. Amanda went to school this morning and came this afternoon to visit with Julia. She brought her good friend Oliver with her, and Julia's buddy Finn came in too. Later Julia's cousins Connor and Molly came to see her also. All of the kids did so well, even though it is hard to see their Julia in such a scary setting.
We don't know what the next few days will bring, but we do know that Julia is embraced in the incredible warmth, love and light of her family and her community. "
I feel really sad and want to cry. I feel desperate for information all the time and am constantly checking my computer and phone for anything new that might be happening. Erik is having a hard time too. He has the urge to run away and not think about it. He says he feels horrible for feeling this way but we all deal with things in different ways. He thinks I am obsessed with thinking about Julia and her family. I just don't know how else to be.
I know everything is going to be alright, no matter what happens. I know this is true. I know it is hard. Julia's family has been through so much and they are such a good example to me what we can get through if we need to.
Julia is still here and we are all happy to have her be a part of our lives.
