Missy's Moments

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/30/2016 On Thursday Brielle was moved off the Cardiac ICU and moved back to the NICU. She was 100 days old yesterday and She's 5lbs 1oz now! She's still on the ventilator and that will just take time as it allows her lungs to heal. Today she was sporting a sweet bow and was having a good day. Not a whole lot to report as she continues to grow stronger. We all look forward to some snuggles when she is off the ventilator! (taken from cb) heart

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/23/2016 Miss Brielle celebrated her due date this week and she's already 3 months old! Wednesday was the day they were able to close her chest and now we are working on shedding some of the tubes and medications. Everyday meds are getting weaned and tubes will be removed as tolerated. Brielle is more awake and it's so good to see her eyes looking bright and open. Healing is moving forward and probably the biggest prayer request is for her lungs to adjust to a properly working heart and to recover from surgery. Will update again when the ventilator is gone.  As always thank you for your love and prayers- this girl is our superstar 🌟

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/19/2016 Grandpa Shawn shared this on Facebook today. This morning Brielle was winking at me and I didn't understand. She was scheduled for surgery for her pacemaker this morning. We have all come to accept that she has a permanent and complete heart block requiring a permanent pacemaker. She was also struggling with breathing this morning which is even scarier going in to surgery. I was sitting in the chair praying for her to find the strength to overcome yet another challenge as she struggled on her ventilator. At that moment the cardiology team came in for her final pre-surgery prep. They turned off her temporary pacemaker for one last test. To everyone's amazement, she suddenly developed her own rhythm and her heart worked normally. As of this moment she is off the temporary pacemaker and her heart is working on its own. Her breathing and oxygen levels have also stabilized. I guess she had a reason to be winking... POWER OF PR...

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/13/2016 This last week has felt so long. I long for Brielle to be past this part of her journey. I know any of us would take this from her if we could. When Brielle first entered the world the NICU terrified me, I messaged friends that had preemies and said "what does all this mean, is this normal, how did you get through this?" Can I just tell you that we long for the comfort of the NICU again- really puts this into perspective as suddenly it doesn't seem scary but a place of safety. She is a tiny baby who needs to be cuddled and grow. Sweet Brielle is a fighter- she is amazing and I can't wait for days of cuddles. Tonight when I peeked in on her she opened her eyes a bit and looked around as if she was saying "what is going on in here?!" I prayed over her and rubbed the parts of her body that don't have monitors or tubes or lines. I am grateful she will never remember these days. Tomorrow they will do another...

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/16/2016 Miss Brielle had another "wash out" on Thursday as planned, that went well but for whatever reason Dr. Said held off in the full closure on Friday. The plan right now is Tuesday, along with the pacemaker being placed. She has had some uneventful days, she continues to rest and heal. No news is good news.... Or stable news... Praying Tuesday is the day. (taken from cb)

Journal entry by  Jordan Heyer  —  4/12/2016 Hello, Yesterday Brielle was back in the operating room to replace a couple lines and clean things out. Doc said everything looks good and they are pleased with her progress. There biggest focus right now is getting some of the fluid off of her because she is retaining so much and it leaves them no choice but to leave her open to relieve the pressure on her heart and lungs. This morning that continues to be the goal, giving her meds to help to pee those extra fluids out. Last night her left lung collapsed while they were turning and suctioning her. It's always hard to here that as those tiny lungs had to work so hard to get where they where at and now it feels like she has gone backwards a bit. In a sense she has but it's a balancing act- the heart repair became necessary to go forward. I think we all feel a bit helpless - and rightfully so. Brielle continues to give this her all and inspire us to push forward on this ...

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/8/2016 Yesterday there was a lot to think about, emotions were all over and quite honestly we were all so exhausted I'm not sure if we could have provided you all with an update. We continue to be so grateful for your prayers, kind words and encouragement. Here is the "short" version of yesterday and today.   Thursday morning : During the night going into day 1 post op Brielle's right lung collapsed- they had to re-open her chest to relieve pressure allowing it to re inflate. As scary as this sounds they watch for this and many times patients come out of the OR with the chest open and it stays like that until the swelling and pressure ease. Again one of those "normal" scenarios but nothing feels normal or right about it for us. We continue to trust in the wonderful doctors and nurses that we know are caring so well for her.  Another complication that was watched for and caught ...

Journal entry by  Jordan Heyer  —  4/6/2016 Drainage tubes, 15+ medications being administered, intubation, temporary pacemaker, all the things the doctor described to us as normal. Now maybe they see that all the time, but as her father, seeing Brielle this way was heart wrenching and something I could have never prepared myself for. Trying to remember that this is all ultimately for her greater good is so hard when just this morning I cuddled her with only an oxygen mask, and tonight she lays there looking almost as rough as her first day of life! Learning to trust these physicians and nurses has been something Beca and I have had to do, tonight brings that to a completely different level. It's scary, terrifying, yet she is "fixed". It's been a very long 15 hours and we are very blessed by the multitude of prayers and positive thoughts. Not to mention the most supportive family and friends we could ever ask for. I think this leg of our journey has a few more da...

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/6/2016 Around 8:16 Brielle was taken to the OR and at 10:22 surgery began. The next update from medical staff will come when she's on bypass. 11:38- Brielle is on bypass and so far all is going well. 6:30- Uneventful is the word that surgeons like to use and that is what we heard. Brielle is off of bypass and moving into the cardiac ICU. The surgeon said all went as expected with no complications during the repairs. They were able to successfully repair both holes and her little lungs did great!  We are so thankful for a loving family and friends. We will be able to see her soon and then hopefully some much needed sleep for all! Missy 

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/5/2016 Wednesday April 6th Brielle will undergo open heart surgery to repair 2 VSD's (holes in her heart). To read more about a VSD you can go  HERE . Please keep our girl in your prayers. We will update here tomorrow as we know more. Missy 

Journal entry by  Missy Eagen  —  4/1/2016 Friends/Family- A few days ago Brielle was put back on CPAP- her CO2 gases were just to high and her lungs were working entirely to hard. As a result the Cardiologist ordered another echo on her heart. Her VSD is making it challenging to say the least for her lungs to do what they are supposed to do, the hole in her heart is large and the original hope was that a repair could be put off until 4-6 months past her due date but that is not going to happen. We don't have an exact day but she is facing open heart surgery in the next week or two. Jordan and Beca will meet with the cardiologist hopefully over the weekend and get some more specific answers as to when they decide it's time. Yesterday her oxygen stats kept dipping down and I think in true Brielle fashion she is letting them know she is ready. Our little miracle girl is about 4lbs 10oz now and is 10 weeks 3 days.  Big brother has had a nasty bug with a temp for a co...