Emma's Archive of Updates
Latest update 4/25/05:  Emma visited the NICU developmental clinic today for a 2 hour appointment with a team of doctors to determine how she is doing.  We are pleased to announce that Emma has NO developmental delays, no motor skill deficits, and is no longer showing signs of being lactose intolerant; the team of doctors repeatedly talked about how impressed they were with Emma's development.  Isn't God good?!  Their only concern is her lack of weight gain; she is still only 16 pounds and 10 ounces, far below the weight she should be at.  They have put her on a "fattening" diet, and she will be weighed every 2 weeks to monitor her weight.  While there Emma brought tears to the  doctor's eyes as she showed them she knew where her heart is.  Andrea told them she knew that because of Sunday School and asked Emma, "where does Jesus live?"  Emma pointed to heaven, then all around, and finally to her heart.  You're never too young to be a witness!
Latest update 2/22/05:

                  Happy 1st Birthday Emma Jarvis!!
Emma is another example of God's wonderful love and faithfulness.  She is proof that He is still in the miracle and healing business!!.  We can not thank Him enough for the joy that she has brought to our lives'.  For all of you who prayed and believed with us, let Emma be that grain of mustard seed that will allow you to practice Divine algebra:  P + B = R (Matt 21:22)

Latest update 7/8/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma is now a whopping 12 and 1/2 pounds! She has had a slight bout with bronchitis but is recovering very well.  We appreciate your continued prayers!

Update for 6/1/04:  (4:30 p.m.)  Emma is feeling much better; thank you for your prayers.  Emma was dedicated to the Lord at her home church, Full Gospel Tabernacle, on Sunday morning in a beautiful service officiated by her Grampy Stewart.  She had a day of many firsts---it was her first day to be in public for an extended period of time; her first day at Sunday School, and her first of many occasions where she was all dressed up and ooed and aawed over.  Pictures of her dedication will soon be posted, so check back real soon.
Update for 5/27/04:  (9:15 p.m.)  As you pray, please pray for Emma; she is experiencing a digestive and bowel illness and is quite uncomfortable.
Update for 5/19/04:  (6:30 p.m.)  Emma went to the eye specialist in Waterville today, and her eyesight is excellent!  We thank the Lord that she does not have ROP (an eye problem common to preemies) or any other eye sight difficulties!
Visiting Emma:  Emma will be confined to her house for the next 4-6 weeks (with excused absences for doctor's appointments only).  Because she is still very fragile, visitors may need to be limited and will be asked to adhere to some guidelines given by the NICU (these "rules" are intended for Emma's safety):   1.  If you have the sniffles, the flu, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick, please visit at another time.  Emma is particularly vulnerable to infections at this stage.   2.  You will be asked to thoroughly wash your hands using antibacterial soap.   3.  Please use a quiet voice, as Emma is still easily stimulated by noise, bright lights, and touch.  4.  Basically, Emma is to be seen and adored, but  not touched.  5.  Anyone who has smoked in the last 24 hours may not hold Emma, as her lungs and heart are especially sensitive to smoke. 

Update for 5/8/04:  (11:45 p.m.)  Emma went to the doctor's on Friday to have her final RSV shot (flu shot) for the season; we're hoping that the flu season will soon be over and Emma will actually be able to experience the world outside of her house and the doctor's office.  We have said all along that Emma has been "eating like a pig," and her awesome weight gain proves that statement to be true!  In the 10 days between her doctor's visits, she gained one whole pound, with the end result being that she now weighs 7 pounds and 14 ounces!  This means that in less than 3 months, she has tripled her weight!  God is so good!
Update for 5/2/04:  (11:00 p.m.)  Adorable new pictures of Emma at home have now been added; we hope you enjoy seeing how much she's grown.  God has certainly been good to Emma, and we give Him the praise for the miraculous gift He has given us!

Update for 4/27/04:  (5:15 p.m.)  Emma had another doctor's appointment today, and she is very healthy.  She is now weighing 6 pounds and 14 ounces and the doctor is very happy with her weight gain!  She had 4 vaccinations today, so the doctor is not her current favorite person.  Andrea has had a high fever the last couple of days and was diagnosed with strep throat; so, needless to say, Emma has had to make do with babysitters other than her mommy.  Please continue to pray for Emma.
Update for 4/24/04:  (12:15 p.m.)  Today is Andrea's due date for Emma, and Emma is already celebrating being 9 weeks old.  Several of Emma's family and friends from church took an infant cpr class this morning from Heidi, (thank you Heidi!); so, Emma now has a cadre of knowledgeable potential babysitters to join the ranks of her Grammy and Grampy Stewart.  Her next doctor's appointment is early this coming week, so we'll have a new weight update for everyone at that time.  New pictures of Emma at home will be added very soon.
Update for 4/17/04:  (11:00 p.m.)  Emma celebrated being at home for one week today.  The question of the week has been To be or not to be--- lactose intolerant that is.  Because it is so rare for babies to be lactose intolerant, doctors wanted to try Emma on milk again to see if she was now able to tolerate it or not.  Emma gave us her final word on the subject---"Give me soy milk already!"   And because it is all about Emma, that's what she shall have from this point forward.

Update for 4/13/04:  (9:45 p.m.)  Emma had her first experience with a babysitter today; while her mommy was at a doctor's appointment and her daddy was working, she spent time with Grammy and Grampy Stewart.  Grampy Stewart even held Emma---for those of you who know him, you'll realize that this is by far the smallest and youngest baby he has ever held!  What will be next?  Changing diapers?
Update for 4/12/04:  (8:15 p.m.)  Emma has adjusted well to being at home and is keeping her mommy and daddy busy.  She had her first doctor's appointment today since she's been home (after all, it had been a whole 48 hours since she had somebody poking and prodding at her).  The doctor says she is doing well.  She now weighs 5 pounds and 12 ounces (what a big girl she is)!
Update for 4/10/04:  (8:00 p.m.)  Mike and Andrea "roomed in" at the NICU on Fri. night and got their first dose of what 10 minutes of total sleep for the night feels like.  Emma has now arrived in Lincoln and is enjoying a quiet few days getting used to her new surroundings.  She is up to 5 pounds and 6 ounces!  This morning before she was released from EMMC, they did another lactose test and determined that she is indeed lactose intolerant; so, she went home with soy formula mixed with rice (sounds like a yummy diet).  As her parting testimony, she gave away a Stewarts cd I'm Gonna Praise Him to one of her favorite nurses.  We appreciate all your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for Emma.  New pictures will be added very soon; so, keep checking for updates.
Update for 4/9/04:  (7:30 p.m.)  Emma is going to make her Lincoln debut tomorrow!  Please continue to pray for Emma (and her mommy and daddy, since 'round the clock care will be needed).  Emma will be confined to her house for the next 6-8 weeks (with excused absences for doctor's appointments only).  Because she is still very fragile, visitors may need to be limited and will be asked to adhere to some guidelines given by the NICU (these "rules" are intended for Emma's safety):   1.  If you have the sniffles, the flu, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick, please visit at another time.  Emma is particularly vulnerable to infections at this stage.   2.  You will be asked to thoroughly wash your hands using antibacterial soap.   3.  Please use a quiet voice, as Emma is still easily stimulated by noise, bright lights, and touch.  4.  Basically, Emma is to be seen and adored, but  not touched.  5.  Anyone who has smoked in the last 24 hours may not hold Emma, as her lungs and heart are especially sensitive to smoke. 

Update for 4/8/04:  (10:20 p.m. )  Emma has had another great day, where she has been bright-eyed, alert, and one hungry, little girl!  The results from her acid reflux "milk test" came back negative.  She will remain on the lowest dose of reflux medicine for the time being, but it looks as if she has grown out of the reflux problem.  She has not had a bradycardia level 2 since last Friday night/early Saturday morning, and as a result, it looks like she will be coming home on Easter Sunday (how fitting)!  She took her hearing test today and passed; she also took the car seat test for 90 minutes and passed with flying colors.  Andrea and Mike will be "rooming in" at Eastern Maine on Saturday night and Lord willing, will bring Emma home on Sunday.
Update for 4/7/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma has been "episode" free for the past 24 hours!  Results from the ph probe came back inconclusive with regard to reflux and the results from her "milk test" have not come back yet; however, they resumed giving her reflux medicine again this evening with her 6:00 feeding.  They also took her off the soy milk and put her back on the regular milk mixed with rice; we are hoping and praying that Emma will be able to tolerate these changes and remain "episode" free.  Emma has also had a few location changes in the past few days, moving from the CCN, back to the NICU, and then back to the CCN this evening.  

Update for 4/5/04:  (10:30 p.m.)  Emma has now reached 5 pounds!  Emma had a ph tube placed down her esophagus today for a 24 hour period to measure the amount of acid reflux she is experiencing.  The heart and oxygen saturation monitors will be compared with this acid reading to see if the bradycardia occurs when the acid is the highest (we are quite sure they are going to find a strong correlation based on our observations of her behavior today).  She is very uncomfortable, as she is experiencing quite severe heartburn without the aid of any medicine.   

Update for 4/4/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  In an attempt to figure out how best to treat Emma's condition, they have taken her off her reflux medicines for 48 hours to be able to test on Monday to see how severe her acid reflux is (this will help determine what dose she needs).   On Tuesday, they will give her a nuclear radiation test followed by a whole series of x-rays to see how her feedings are moving through her body.  This morning's test also found out that "at this time," she is lactose intolerant; so, she has been switched to soy-based formula for the next few days to see if this helps.  Emma is now weighing in at 4 pounds and 15 ounces---she's almost doubled her weight in the past 6 weeks.  Please continue to pray; we know it works!
Update for 4/3/04:  (6:00 p.m.)  We request your continued sincere prayers for Emma.  On Friday night/early this morning, Emma had a severe apnea and bradycardia (where her heart actually stopped).   Today, they begin giving her additional medicine drops to try to control the amount of gas bubbles Emma is experiencing.  After her "episode," Emma has had a fairly good day, eating and sleeping and no additional apnea or brady attacks.  We are praying that either God heals Emma completely or that He gives wisdom to the doctors/nurses of how to effectively diagnose and treat Emma. 
Update for 4/1/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma has been moved into the CCN (Continued Care Nursery).  She had a good day today and continues to be closely monitored with regard to the reflux, bradycardia, and apnea.  She remains at 4 pounds and 11 ounces.
Update for 4/1/04:  (6:00 a.m.)  Emma decided she's not quite ready to go home by having a pretty severe apnea and brady attack last night.  As a result, she has an automatic 7 more days in the NICU to be closely monitored.  Please continue to pray for Emma that God heals her of this problem.
Update for 3/31/04:  (6:30 p.m.)  Emma may soon be coming home (as soon possibly as tomorrow)!  She is now weighing 4 pounds and 11 ounces and is doing very well.  She has been moved today from her isolette to an open crib.  The medicines for the reflux and the thickened feedings have stopped the bradycardia from taking place.  We are very thankful for the way God has kept His hand on Baby Emma and have great confidence that He will continue to do so.  
Update for 3/29/04: (9:00 a.m.) Emma's weight has fluctuated greatly this week; she has been up to 4 pounds 4 ounces, then down to 4 pounds and 1 ounce, and up to 4 pounds and 5 ounces last night.  They were going to try a new scale today to see if it's a faulty scale or not.  Emma has been experiencing discomfort around her feedings and is now being treated for Gastroesophageal Reflux; she now is taking 2 different medicines for this problem.  Saturday night, they began adding rice to her bottle feedings to make it a bit thicker and hopefully easier for her to digest.  In spite of this reflux problem, she is eating like a little piggy; she only needs to eat 35 cc's a feeding, but this weekend she has eaten 50-60 cc's at almost every feeding.
Update for 3/26/04: (4:00 p.m.)  Emma has made it over the 4 pound mark and weighs 4 pounds and 1 ounce.  See Emma's latest mug shots (if you're interested).   
Update for 3/24/04:  (9:00 p.m.)  To view new pictures of Emma (at 4 weeks of age), click on the images (3/24) above.
Update for 3/23/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma is weighing in at 3 pounds and 14 ounces and continues the mixture of bottle and tube feedings.
Update for 3/21/04:  (10:00 p.m.)  Emma is now 4 weeks old (35 weeks gestational age or -5 weeks in corrected age) and weighs 3 pounds and 12 ounces.  She is now back to doing a mixture of bottle feeding and tube feeding (eating and breathing at the same time is hard work for someone of her size and age).  Emma continues to experience some bradycardia's (where her heart rate drops below 80) with most of them occurring at a b1 level, meaning she is able to bring herself out of the low heart rate; however, she has been experiencing a few b2's, which require interventions to bring her heart rate back up to the range of 140-180.  We appreciate your prayers and support.

Update for 3/19/04:Emma is doing well; she is recovering nicely from her bout with the NEC scare. Her temperature is back to normal, and they have resumed small feedings (8 ccs at a time), hoping she will tolearte the feedings so that they may be increased. She continues to weigh 3 pounds and 10 ounces. Thanks for all your prayers; prayer works!

Update for 3/18/04:  (6:30 a.m.)  Emma is back on track, having had a successful day yesterday.  They began feeding her in small doses again, this time with a bottle, and will increase her feedings from the 8 cc's as she is able to tolerate it.  She remains at 3 pounds and 10 ounces (a whole pound more than when she was born on 2/22). 

Update for 3/16/04:  (9:45 p.m.)  We are thankful to be able to report that Emma had a much better day today, and it looks as if she is successfully fighting off her infection.  Her blood culture came back negative for NEC; thank you, Lord!  Her stomach has been pumped and a tube has been inserted to drain out any fluids that may collect there.  Her belly is much softer (not nearly as swollen) and x-rays show that air is not leaking out of her bowels and there have been no ruptures.  Her temperature has stabilized as well.  In the past 48 hours she has been experiencing additional bradys (heart rate dropping below 80) and apnea (where she forgets to breathe); however, during the past 12 hours or so, she has not experienced either.  She has been receiving nutrients through an iv, and amazingly has actually gained weights during this ordeal and is up to 3 pounds and 10 ounces.  Emma will begin small amounts of regular feedings tomorrow, which hopefully she will be able to tolerate.  We appreciate all of the special prayers that have been offered on Emma's behalf over the past 48 hours; prayer works!
Update for 3/15/04:  (10:30 a.m.)  Keep praying.  Emma is having X-rays every 6 hours as they are monitoring and treating her infection with antibiotics for the next 10 days.  So far it has been determined that she does not have an urinary track infection, so they are currently treating for a NEC scare.  A culture was taken and results will take about 48 hours.   They have stopped all feedings.  Emma is having some fluctuations with her temperature, which in turn is causing some increases in her heart rate.  Also, as a result of the temperature fluctuations and her stomach bloating, her breathing is heavier as she is working harder.  Keep praying.
Update for 3/14/04:  (10:45 p.m.)  Please pray for Emma; during this evening her temperature has dropped and her belly has bloated.  They have done blood work and X-rays and results point to her having an infection in her bowels.  They have put an IV back in her belly and will most likely start antibiotics within the next little while.
Update for 3/14/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma had a busy day today; she was moved from Room 1 in the NICU (the highest level) to Room 4 (there are only 5 rooms n the NICU, and she is now much closer to the exit)!   She had her first eye exam today as well; the eye doctor warned Andrea that she was still small for her gestational age and would most definitely have loose retina still at this stage, so that he would have to come back and check her eyesight in a week or two.  However, Emma shocked him by having no loose retina!  Emma also started bottle feeding today and drank a whooping 9 cc's!  Emma is now weighing in at 3 pounds and 8 ounces! 

Update for 3/12/04:  (10:30 p.m.)  Emma now weighs 3 pounds and 6 ounces!  Her days are filled with eating, sleeping, and causing few problems for the NICU (just the way we all like it to be).
Update for 3/10/04:  (11:00 p.m.)  Emma weighs 3 pounds and 4 ounces and is doing well. 
Update for 3/9/04:  (7:00 a.m.)  Yesterday, Emma's doctor reported that Emma has no major issues (Praise God) at this time, and that they're now just waiting for her to grow (after all, she can't stay 3 pounds 1 ounces for ever)!  She may soon be moved from the highest level in the NICU (level 3) to a level 2 room within the NICU.   New pictures of Emma have also been added above (images 3/8).
Update for 3/7/04:  (6:30 p.m.)  Emma has had a good weekend, weighs 3 pounds, and her breathing continues to be stable.  Update for 3/5/04:  (10:30 p.m.)  Emma wore clothes for the first time yesterday.  To see her clad in more than just a diaper, check out the new images above.  Emma's oxygen level remains high today while continuing to breath only room air.  She also continues to be weight conscious, losing 2 1/2 ounces today, despite the fact that her feedings were increased to 27 cc's.
 
Update for 3/4/04:  (11:00 p.m.)  Emma has put on some weight and now weighs 3 pounds 3 ounces!  She has continued to do very well on room air all day today (with her oxygen level ranging in the 95+% range for most of the day).  They are continuing to carefully monitor her feeding and digestive system.  Emma had a few episodes of bradycardia or low heart rate today, but was able to bring herself out of the low heart rate without any outside interventions (massage or medicines). 
Update for 3/3/04:  (5:00 p.m.)  This morning the nasal cannula (the apparatus carrying additional oxygen flow) has been taken out of Emma, and she is now breathing all on her own!  Emma has been on room air since then, and her oxygen level is still in the low 90% range.  The doctors also removed her iv tube (known as the ubc) from her stomach today; so, now Emma is relying completely on milk.  Yesterday, an ultrasound was taken of her head (looking for any hemorrhaging of the brain, which preemies are prone to); the results came back today with everything looking normal!  We have much to thank God for and appreciate everyone's continued prayers on behalf of Emma.
Update for 3/2/04:  (9:30 p.m.)  Emma is continuing to receive only 1/4 liter of oxygen flow and her oxygen saturation still remains in the low 90% range (a healthy range for a preemie).  Her feedings were increased to 20cc today, and she handled this increase just fine.  They plan to increase her feedings at 2:00 a.m. to 25 cc's.  Although she is eating more, she has lost a few grams and now weighs in at 2 pounds 15 ounces (breathing and being prodded is hard work for someone of her size)!
Update for 3/1/04: (5:30 p.m.) Progress continues as Emma went from 1/2 liter of oxygen down to 1/4 liter and has increased her milk intake from 5 cc to 10 cc.
Update for 2/29/04:  (11 p.m.)  Emma has gained weight and now weighs 3 pounds!
Update for 2/29/04:  (5 p.m.)  Emma continues to prove that prayer truly works!  Today, she went from 1 liter of oxygen flow down to 1/2 liter.  The NICU staff told Andrea that usually once preemies get down to 1 liter of oxygen, they stay there for a long time, but not our little Emma!  She also started sucking on her finger today, which is a precursor to being able to suck on a bottle (perhaps within a week they say).  She had no ill effects from the 2cc of milk, so they increased her to 5 cc of milk for today's feedings.
Update for 2/28/04:  (4 p.m.) Positive steps continue for Emma as she is now breathing via a nasal cannula (a short tube that carries oxygen in the nostrils) in place of the larger CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure provided by a machine that increases air pressure in the throat, preventing collapse of the airway when one inhales).  She has also started feeding, receiving 2 cc of milk for the first time.  Additionally, she has also started "kangaroo care" also know as  "kangaroo mothering" (keeping a baby in continuous skin-to-skin contact with the mother)
See WebMD for more info
Emma's open blood vessel has now closed and her oxygen level is in the 90+% range!
Update for 2/27/04: Due to lots of prayer and the medicine, Emma's blood vessel partially closed when checked on Thursday afternoon.  They gave her 3 more doses of the medicine over the last 24 hours to close the opening with the last one being taken at 3:00 p.m. today.  Her echocardiogram is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and results should be known by late this evening.  We'll keep you posted.

The Stewart's: Central Maine's Southern Gospel Group