Saturday, May 30, 2009

Our first update


Thank you for visiting.

The good:

No return of seizure activity.

No blisters from being taken out of isolette and "held' by mommy for 2 hours yesterday. YAY!



Mommy holding Anabella for the first time.


Dr. Metz (pediatric dermatologist -UCI Medical Center) has seen photos of Bella and is now in the consultation loop.


We trying again this afternoon for Bella to be held by mommy.


The Bad:


Bella was still too agitated at 22:00 from afternoon activity to be held again last night.

Bella has to be medicated/sedated with morphine to prevent her from moving around too much and exacerbating her existing wounds and blisters. This leaves her too sedated to try to feed orally.


Tx team is considering feeding tube, but her condition may affect her esophagus and a tube going down it may trigger blisters in her esophagus.


Other news:


Angelique is recovering like a CHAMP!!! Doing really well. She is truly rallying so she can spend as much time at CHOC with Bella as her body will allow being less than 3 days post-op. She reads bed time stories and poems to Bella so that Bella can hear mommy's voice.



Bella listening to Mommy's voice


Ang will be discharged from St. Joseph's tomorrow.


Tim is practicing NICU music therapy on his daughter. He completed his NICU MT Certification training in Florida in February having no idea he would need to use it on his then in-utero daughter 3 months later. The staff in the NICU, from the residents, fellows, nurses, and even head of neonatologists are responding extremely positively to overall effect on NICU environment, morale of staff, and other families present. Silver lining?



Daddy's first music therapy patient


Ali stayed dry for her fifth night in a row last night, locking in a celebration party for her in the near future. She paints and colors pictures for her baby sister and visits her daily. Grandma is staying with her at her home (thank you Grandma!)


Request:


Thank you for visiting this site. This is going to be the clearing house for updates and information on Bella. Words cannot describe the intensity of this experience, and while the intention is appreciated, phone calls are not welcomed at this time. Please send emails or post to the site. If we need something, TRUST US, we will call you. Otherwise, please send positive thoughts, affirmations, and most of all, PRAYERS that Bella somehow can come through this beginning unscathed and perhaps even live a normal life.


We love you, we know you love us, and appreciate your care very much. We are blessed beyond belief to have so much love and support in our life that we even need to set this website up. It is a "problem" we are grateful to have!


Blessings, Tim & Ang


3 comments:

  1. Comments from Care Pages Site:


    Posted Jun 4, 2009 9:53am
    by Ann Dieringer

    Ang -
    You and your lovely family are in our thoughts and prayers. God is good - all the time. Bella is beautiful! Blessings to all. Ann
    Posted Jun 3, 2009 2:26pm
    by Joan-Marie Bresnahan

    Tim, Just heard about your travails and challenges last night. Have already included the whole Ringgold family in my petitions asking for the strength you will need to meet the needs of Bella and your family this morning at Mass. Loved seeing the pictures of Bella, Ali, Angelique and you, Tim. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.
    Joan-Marie Bresnahan
    Posted Jun 2, 2009 11:49pm
    by Barbara Dailey

    just logged in for the 1st time. Viewed the photos and the updates - what a miracle is a new life to be held, loved, and brought into this beautiful little family - God never takes us any place he will protect us, nor gives us any challenge we cannot handle - congratulations Tim and Ang - Good Job!!! Barb and Walt Smith
    Posted Jun 2, 2009 8:06pm
    by Judith Pinkerton

    Bella's photos are priceless and allow us to reach out in prayer, visualizing healing, protection, resilience, peace and joy for Bella. Knowing that God is in and through all with Bella's dad, mom and sister in the perfect place with the best tools to help her journey through these immediate challenges.
    Many blessings, Tim, Angelique, Ali.
    Judith
    Posted Jun 2, 2009 5:51pm
    by Marcus Medina

    Ang/Tim/Ali,

    Thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful baby girl. Thinking of you often and pray that we continue to hear the positive news!
    Posted Jun 2, 2009 2:48pm
    by Tunde Ogidan

    Congratulations again....she looks sooooooooo beautiful. Thoughts and prayers go to the family.
    Posted Jun 2, 2009 11:59am
    by Shaun Gustafson

    Yesterday is over
    Tomorrow may never be
    The most beautiful things in life are now
    but some will never see
    Today holds the light to brighten tomorrow's path
    So hang on to your dreams and learn from each mistake
    But to lose sight of today
    Is more than anyone can take
    The glow of a sunset
    The calming of a sea breeze
    The gracefulness of a soaring bird
    These are the things that please
    They are the beginning of every dream
    The end of every sorrow
    Being conscious of today
    Will better your tomorrow

    I know it's hard but enjoy your today. Be thankful of the time you have with one another

    Shaun

    ReplyDelete
  2. More from Care Pages:


    Posted Jun 2, 2009 1:55am
    by Kathleen Sucku

    Congratulations on another beautiful baby girl. We're keeping her, and all of you, in our prayers.

    Love,
    Kathleen, Nathaniel, Marina, and Erin
    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:26pm
    by Asa Blood

    Thinking of you.

    With Love,
    The Bloods
    Posted Jun 1, 2009 7:18pm
    by John Stoddart

    Ang, Tim, & Ali,

    We hope you can bring Bella home very soon! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

    Love,
    John, Deanna, & Logan Stoddart
    Posted Jun 1, 2009 1:55pm
    by Brianna Peckham

    Ringgold Family,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this trying time. Bella is beautiful.

    Much love,
    Brianna
    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:50am
    by Robin Setto

    Dear Tim, Angelique, Ali & Bella,
    We are thinking of you so much during this trying time. We know you are strong. Take time to comfort each other and know there is a plan so much larger than any of us. We are praying every day for your family and sending good thoughts your way.
    “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.”
    Love,
    Michael & Robin Setto
    Posted Jun 1, 2009 2:02am
    by Helen Dolas

    You all hang in there! I think about you and pray for your family everyday.
    hugs,
    Helen
    Posted May 31, 2009 10:16pm
    by Russ Baldwin

    Tim, Angelique, Ali, and Bella,
    We will pray for healing for Bella, continued recovery for Angelique, and Strength for Tim. May all four of you be home together very soon.
    Love and Prayers.
    Russ & Jen
    Posted May 31, 2009 9:40pm
    by Chelsea Davis

    Tim & Angelique,
    May the presence of Christ fill the NICU, bring peace to your minds that passes understanding, and being healing to your daughter's skin.
    We will be praying.

    Love,
    Chelsea & Tim Davis
    Posted May 31, 2009 7:58pm
    by Doug Gleason

    Tim and Ang,

    We are sending LOTS of prayers and positive thoughts for you and that precious little Bella, she is adorable! We cannot image what you are going through, but what we do know is that He is giving you strength and will see you through this.

    All our love and support!
    The Gleason's
    Posted May 31, 2009 4:52pm
    by Sheila Marchetta

    I forgot to add to last message:
    Ali and her baby doll next to Bella is too precious.
    Tim, I remember how often over the years, you expressed wanting to "make a difference" with your music. I believe that it is providential that you are able to comfort beautiful Bella at this time. What a gift for all!
    Love,
    Mom
    PS. Ang,I just discovered the picture of Bella listening to your voice. What a great idea, and how comforting for her.
    You two are a great parents!
    Love,
    sheila

    ReplyDelete
  3. More from Care Pages:


    Posted May 31, 2009 2:42pm
    by Megan McGuire

    Dear Tim, Ang, Ali & Bella-
    What a beautiful baby! Marissa & I love the picture of the first time you saw
    Bella's eyes. Marissa keeps saying, "Peek - Bella!" She wants to peek at pictures of baby Bella. We love you and are sending strength to all of you.
    Love,
    The McGuires
    Posted May 31, 2009 9:58am
    by Dayna Koehn

    Thinking of you and your family today. Anabella is really beautiful

    Dayna
    Posted May 31, 2009 9:56am
    by terri wiener

    I'm thinking of you all and sending healing prayers to sweet Bella.
    Love,
    Terri W
    Posted May 31, 2009 9:56am
    by Denise Dew

    Hello Tim & Angelique,
    It's been a long time since I've heard from you and then I recieved an email last week about a new Ringgold and I thought to myself, how wonderful! For many various reasons.
    Your new little arrival from Heaven is TOTALLY going to be just fine after this!! I believe that with all my heart. God and Bella have all your attention now, let this be YOUR time to lean into HIM!! Your little ANGEL-BELLA will be well very soon.
    God be with you both and keep you strong
    Denise
    Posted May 31, 2009 9:51am
    by Steve Williams

    Tim & Ang,
    All my love.
    Steve W.
    Posted May 31, 2009 3:26am
    by Jacqi Schubert

    We are thinking of all of you and want you to know that you are in our prayers.

    Much love,
    The Schuberts
    Posted May 31, 2009 3:04am
    by Barbara Reuer

    Tim & Ang-

    My thoughts and prayers are with you guys and little Bella. God's speed to you all.

    Love,
    Barbara
    Posted May 31, 2009 2:36am
    by Pete McGovern

    Tim and Ang

    Just wanted to send a quick message to let you know that we are sending tons of positive thoughts and healing prayers from down here in Oceanside up to you guys in OC. We know Bella is in great hands with the Doctor's of CHOC, and with the great loving network of family and friends, that she is going to pull through this.

    Blessings to you all!

    The McGoverns
    Pete, Maria, A.J. & Steven

    ReplyDelete