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Another Dr bites the dust!
Posted Mar 9, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam! Hope you're all well. Ronnie graduated from ophthalmology!!! Grandma went on the ride with us over and back to hear the great news! Regular pediatrician ophthalmology follow up in three months and follow up cardiology next week. If she graduates from cardiology then she is done with her major preemie checkups!!
ShareRonnie Lou Update
Posted Mar 7, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam! How are you? Ronnie graduated from neurology today and is 12lbs!!! Gained one pound since her gastro appointment a couple weeks ago!! Second follow up with ophthalmology Thursday since her eye procedure. Praying she graduates then too!!
ShareFrom Heather
Posted Feb 27, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Words cannot express how thankful I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people each day. Coming back to work wasn’t easy but all of you made me feel so loved and happy to be back. Thank you so much for all of the prayers and well wishes for Ronnie-Lou along this journey. Thank you for the donations, gifts, and support. I cannot say thank you enough. When Ronnie is old enough to hear her story I’ll make sure she knows every single one of you…. Her extended Intermediate family. It’s good to see you all! Love, Heather
Share7 months!
Posted Feb 22, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam! Hope you're well. Ronnie's gastro appointment went well. They increased her calorie intake and reflux medicine due to her weight. She is 10lbs 13oz. Medicine will be used until she is at least 1 years old. Follow up visit in May.
ShareQuick Update
Posted Feb 14, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam! Hope you're well. Saw eye doc today saying Ronnie's eyes looking good. Follow up in early March. Six month checkup with pediatrics today. Ronnie 10lbs 9oz
ShareEye Surgery
Posted Jan 27, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Keep Praying for Ronnie Lou! Message from Heather: Took ronnie to the eye dr Nothing is worse in the eyes but no improvement. Surgery still set for Feb 7
God Day Philadelphia
Posted Jan 25, 2023 by Courtney Anne
If you didn’t get the chance to see this morning here is the segment Rob and Heather did on Good Day Philadelphia this morning. Miss Ronnie Lou makes her television debut as well! ❤️❤️ Heather Bittle got the surprise of a life time just before heading into surgery - she learned she was 26 weeks pregnant after thinking she would never be able to give birth. https://www.fox29.com/video/1171168
ShareTomorrow!!
Posted Jan 24, 2023 by Courtney Anne
See The Upshaw Family on Fox 29 to share their story tomorrow at 8am! https://www.fox29.com/local-news
ShareRonnie’s Story
Posted Jan 18, 2023 by Courtney Anne
Hey! Will be on the fox 29 news on 1/25 8am to share Ronnie’s story. Could u pass this along. 🥰
ShareRonnie took matters into her own hands
Posted Dec 26, 2022 by Courtney Anne
In true Ronnie-Lou fashion, she made the decision for us and the feeding tube has officially been removed by her own hands!! We will keep you posted as her story continues. Thank you all again for the love and support.
Update
Posted Dec 26, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good morning and Merry Christmas everyone!! We got a comment that there were no recent updates on Meal Train so here we go. Ronnie is doing well since coming home. Early Christmas Eve she began taking her max volume of formula completely from her bottle without needing to use the automated pump feed/feeding tube. She continues to do so and has even taken her medicine mixed in with the formula for the first time this morning. If she continues to do well with her feeds like this, we are considering removing her feeding tube completely. Initial pediatrician visit at the beginning of the month reported doctor was happy with her current numbers. She was three ounces off from 9lbs then and has not been weighed since. Her appointment last Friday reported her eyes are still not where doctors would like them to be, but she does not need treatment at this time. We are awaiting response from Camden County Early Intervention for her continued physical therapy, but does well with Mommy/Daddy tummy time. She can roll over once a session and push up at least four times. She had a great visit with Santa Claus through the township, Johnson’s Farm hayride/light show and visit to meet her Uncle Eric Bittle in Little Egg Harbor on Christmas Day. There are many more doctor appointments to come. So, when we get more information from them, we will be sure to share with you all. Thank you for your continued support and blessings to you all!!
ShareAll Around Pennsauken
Posted Dec 2, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Our very own Upshaw Family are featured in All Around Pennsauken! Check out the article.
Homecoming!!!!
Posted Nov 29, 2022 by Courtney Anne
As of today it looks like Miss Ronnie Lou will be home on Thursday!! Best Christmas present ever for Heather and Rob!
No more oxygen!!
Posted Nov 15, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good morning fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie doing good. Cannula coming off for good completely in a couple of minutes. Once she shows she can bottle feed majority of her feeds then feeding tube can come out next. Staph infection around nostrils is tested monthly so she will continue to receive ointment in the meantime. Weight 7.07lbs so slight decrease. No issues with diapers.
Uodate
Posted Nov 13, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Courtney- I apologize for the lack of updates shared through here. Family and I are back to 💯. Sharing updates from Rob as they come. Things are on the upswing for Miss Ronnie Lou and Heather continues to do Dialysis each night. As things progress and when it looks like Ronnie will be making her way home I will extend the meal train so that we can hopefully help them out with food while they adjust to life at home. I hope this happens soon! I will keep you all posted. Rob- Good afternoon fam. Ronnie doing good. One spit up this morning at 6am but nothing since. She's taking fewer milliliters from the bottle today. Nurse thinks it's because Ronnie can tell the difference between them feeding her and us feeding her. Renal function check being done tomorrow. Check is always done when babies have been given high volumes of steroids at a young age. She's over 7lbs now. Still going to the bathroom good
Updates 10/26
Posted Oct 26, 2022 by Courtney Anne
The biopsy is what caused the bleeds on Monday. New Update today: Good morning fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie was a little agitated and had a little vomit last night, given morphine to relax and on meds to calm stomach, X-ray on stomach after vomiting shows she’s okay, oxygen was increased during event but she is on regular settings and is comfortable now, feedings stopped until stomach settles, no blood in stool
ShareUpdates
Posted Oct 24, 2022 by Courtney Anne
The following messages were sent by Rob today. Please send all prayers up again for Ronnie Lou! The final message just now was that Ronnie is going to the operating table for further examination as she just had an other bowel movement with blood.
Great news!
Posted Oct 22, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Happy 3 Months Ronnie Lou! Biopsy came back and results were negative! Miss Ronnie Lou started feeds again today. Vent should be out early next week and if she tolerates feeds pic line will be removed as well!
Procedure
Posted Oct 20, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Morning- Good morning fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie doing good. Continues taking oxygen well. Had a few urine diapers last night and a big urine/stool diaper this morning around 6am. First stool she has had in a couple of days. No appointment for biopsy yet but still being planned even though she stooled. She is measured on Sundays and was last recorded to be 43.4cm long 2:30pm Just spoke with surgeon doing biopsy. Most likely not being done until tomorrow since samples have to be in by 4pm each day and he's backed up 3:00pm Nurse practitioner just called saying they want to do the procedure today. Waiting for surgeon to call back 🤦🏽♂️ Please pray that this procedure shows positive results and Ronnie can feed and eliminate as expected!
SharePray for Ronnie, Heather and Rob
Posted Oct 18, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Not so great update from rob Hey fam. Hope you're well. We got a call last night before bed from Ronnie's docs that they were considering a rectal biopsy after the barium made it there showing inflammation. We asked once they made a decision to give us a call which I just found out they did not honor so I'm waiting for call from the doctor now. They decided last night that they want the procedure done some time today because Ronnie was throwing up brown fluid & had stomach pumped last night. Test results say they suspect something called ileus. I should have more info once doc calls
ShareMorning update
Posted Oct 5, 2022 by Courtney Anne
The last two updates were from yesterday. Here is today’s update: Ronnie back on ventilator. Saying she was having trouble breathing sometime between when we saw her last night and this morning. Did X-rays this morning around 5am and are doing more now
ShareYesterday’s Updates from Rob
Posted Oct 5, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good afternoon fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie doing okay. No change to respiratory settings, getting a barium enema exam at 1:45pm to checking her feeding intolerance (nurse says should be no possible reactions but having team member call with more info), small stool today, continues to be sedated for overall comfort and in case she's experienced stomach discomfort Team member called back. Said there could be possible laxative side effects, multiple X-ray scans and could be followed with contrast scan if barium doesn't give enough info
ShareMonday Update Heather and Ronnie
Posted Sep 26, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie is having a better day. Belly is looking better, possibly restart feeds within the next day or two, she's no longer in isolate and in warming bed now, scan done of legs and shows no clots, leg swelling has gone down, steadily gaining weight and was 2.43kg last night which is 5.3lbs Today is Heather’s first day of self administering her Dialysis. Please keep her in your prayers that this all goes well and keeps her moving as she aspires to continue working until Ronnie Lou comes home! Prayer warriors say those prayers for this beautiful family! Rob needs them too! The attached photo is Heather’s dialysis. 💗💗💗
Sunday from Rob
Posted Sep 25, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam. Hope you’re well. Ronnie had a rough time again, Feeds stopped due to belly overextending again, four or five vomits today, X-ray showed possible extra gas in her belly, once belly settles then feeds can start again, back on nutrients in the meantime, seems to be retaining urine but hopefully beginning to pee again soon, scan only showed small amount of urine in her bladder, not showing signs of sickness, PICC line out last night, peripheral iv in arm but unsure how long it needs to be in
ShareSaturday Update
Posted Sep 24, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie had rough start to the night but is fine now. Feeds were cut in half this morning to 20ml every three hours this morning and put back on nutrients. She must reach 32ml to be back off nutrient fluids but unsure of what new goal volume would be. Volume was cut in half due to Ronnie's belly overextending due to the 42ml volume being too much at the time causing her to vomit three times but she is better now (scan was done and everything looks okay internally). PICC still in because of all this but will hopefully be out tonight. Ronnie was receiving automatic doses of sedation for continued recovery from staph infection but it was stopped last night. Sedation done manually now medaz every four hours and morphine every two hours to begin weening her off. She was resting well on her belly and all stats were okay otherwise
ShareRonnie Lou
Posted Sep 21, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey. Hope you're well. Ronnie having a good day. Back on caffeine for the next few days, had a few stools, looking to restart feeds again soon, has custom nutrient solution in the meantime, sedation back on, 22% oxygen using nasal prongs for a bit then face mask to give her fave a break, antibiotics stopped so no concern for any infections at this time, legs back to normal so no concern for clots at this time.
ShareUpdate from Rob
Posted Sep 20, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie had a heart rate drop event again last night and their initial thought was from another possible infection. Spoke to CHOP a bit ago and no sign of infection at the moment but there are two blood clots in her leg where PICC line is. Line has to be removed and placed elsewhere again. For now they are going to let the clots clear on their own since blood thinners could be negative to blood in her brain
ShareSunday from Rob
Posted Sep 18, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie is taking 25ml formula, goal is 38ml, no more nutrients since getting from formula, no other changes, resting comfortably and swelling continues to decrease
Share9/15 Update from Rob
Posted Sep 15, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good afternoon fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie is doing good. Docs looking to remove breathing tube possibly tomorrow around noon if she continues doing well today. Currently taking 11ml of donor milk. Switching to 13ml of formula tonight around 6pm. Oxygen on 23% and began taking vitamin D More good news! Ronnie continues this way she may get to come home…. ❤️❤️
Share9/14/22
Posted Sep 14, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good morning fam. Hope you're well. Called CHOP. Ronnie is doing good. Still working to ween her off of oxygen which is still at 22%. Currently taking 7ml of donor milk every three hours and increasing to 9ml at 6pm. BP good, last day for antibiotics, brain stable but still has blood in the ventricles. Labs came back good and currently weighs approximately 4.2lbs which continues to decrease from water weight coming off.
ShareUpdate 9/12
Posted Sep 12, 2022 by Courtney Anne
From Rob- Hey fam. Hope you're well. Ronnie is doing good. On 30% oxygen, weening nitric down to two, back on 3ml donor milk began on the 10th every three hours but we’re just hearing about it tonight 🤦🏽♂️ morning labs to check electrolytes, water weight continues to decrease
ShareUpdate from Rob
Posted Sep 7, 2022 by Courtney Anne
See the picture below! Ronnie Lou is getting stronger each day!
Ronnie Lou over 3.5 pounds!
Posted Sep 3, 2022 by Courtney Anne
From- Rob Hey fam. Hope you’re well. Ronnie is having a good day. PICC line being replaced today either to her arm or leg this afternoon or evening. Antibiotics continue. Oxygen reduced by half so steroids working.
ShareUpdate- Heather
Posted Sep 3, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey- chops called twice today to let us know how sick Ronnie is. They are hoping with two negative bacteria blood cultures that she is moving in the right direction. The problem is that with the inflammation from the infection, she’s not getting the oxygen needed. So now she’s getting a high dose steroid before they try a different ventilator. Please send all the prayers possible. Hopefully I can get up there tomorrow.
ShareGood news Update 8/31/22
Posted Aug 31, 2022 by Courtney Anne
From Rob- Hey fam. Ronnie is good. Pulled breathing tube with no damage done and had to be replaced. Ventilator numbers are looking good. Antibiotics remain. Staph infection cultures being taken regularly until at least two come back negative. PICC line may be a source for her infection and is being considered for removal as soon as tomorrow.
ShareUpdate 8/30/22 Rob
Posted Aug 30, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey fam! Called CHOP Nurse Olivia just now. Ronnie is at 65% oxygen which they continue to ween, oscillator vent still the same, gas lab this afternoon showed improvement from last night and this morning, echo of heart done today but no results yet, heart rhythm was irregular last night but fixed with potassium, head ultrasound stable & size about the same, chest X-ray okay, stomach looks okay, steroids weened, bp good, platelets given this afternoon since they were low and another check in the morning, small stool earlier this morning and last night, rash on left foot/chest/armpit possibly from staph infection given vaseline & dressing, rash looks better, given fetanyl to continue keeping her calm
ShareEvening Update- From Rob
Posted Aug 29, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Just got a call from CHOP. Ronnie is okay. Bacteria staph infection is what she has. Sending another blood sample today. Antibiotics will control it. Getting less support on vent throughout day. Blood pressure med stopped. On some steroids. Infectious disease team involved. Spinal tap looks good. Started to have a rash on foot. Might be side effect of infection. Dermatology team coming to check it.
ShareUpdate from Heather Prayers needed
Posted Aug 29, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey… chop dr called. Ronnie has an infection in her blood. It’s being treated with antibiotics now. They are also doing a spinal tap to make sure it isn’t in her brain. She’s still on the vent at about 75 percent. Heart rate is stable. Just asking for more thoughts and prayers for her to get through this infection. As soon as we have some ups… they are always followed with some downs.
ShareUpdate from Rob 8/22/22
Posted Aug 22, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Click on the picture to see the update!
Good news update!
Posted Aug 16, 2022 by Courtney Anne
From Heather: Hey!! Ronnie got moved to room 78. Which is a less severe room. Getting belly film tomorrow to check stomach. Sump was removed so no tube in mouth anymore. If stomach is okay they will feed tom. One event today and self resolved!!
ShareFriday 8/12 Update!
Posted Aug 12, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Hey! We got to chop. Ronnie is a little over 2 1/2 lbs now. She had a scary event of heart dropping earlier but it was when they were doing her care. They are going to continue antibiotics for her stomach so they are holding on feeds again. Brain bleed has drained a little bit. Other than that she's still progressing.
Saturday Update
Posted Aug 6, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Baby Ronnie is still having a lot of breathing episodes but as I held her today she didn't have any. They put an Iv in her arm when we were there so they could give her a blood transfusion later to help with her anemia and to see if that's another reason for the episodes. They did another head ultra sound and stomach. We should get those results later. She's still going to the bathroom. Still holding off on feeds til some other issues are resolved.
ShareFriday evening update
Posted Aug 5, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Please see picture with an update from Rob.
ShareFriday Update from Heather
Posted Aug 5, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Another update! Really good today 23-25 oxygen … echo cardio gram today thought they heard murmur but no results yet. Ultra sound of belly today to see if they can remove pump to start feeds tom. Done with antibiotic. Hasn’t pooped yet today but did a few last night. Over night two breathing episodes but when care was being done. Only had one today. Being very combative today. Still splitting caffeine for a few days. Want mri of head when not on so much support.
Share7/3/22
Posted Aug 3, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Good morning Facebook fam! CHOP called at 6:30am to give update. Neurology put Ronnie-Lou on a cam to see if she’s having seizures due to body ticks. Results found no seizure activity. She is also having more heart rate drop events and the medical team has increased her caffeine & oxygen. Grandma Upshaw and Great-Aunt Fay got to visit baby girl for the first time the other night since baby girl was transferred from Virtua. It was a great visit filled with happiness & laughter. We are praying for another fantastic visit tonight. No other news at this time, but I’ll be calling around noon or so to get more information. Thanks again for all of your love and support. I pray that you and your families are all well! Stay safe! *Courtney Anne You have our permission to update the Meal Train 🙏🏽
ShareSmall Update from Heather
Posted Aug 2, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Baby Ronnie-Lou should be able to have the feeding tube removed soon. She will then be receiving donor milk. Another head scan was done today to see how the brain bleed is. They also want to make sure that isn’t the reason for her constant breathing episodes. Other than that the uv lights are on and off. We are also able to see her live through an app on days we cannot make it to the hospital. Again, we cannot thank everyone enough for all the love, prayers and support. Just a small update. ❤️
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Small But Mighty
Posted Jul 28, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Small update from Heather- Hey. Just a small update.. the loop in her stomach has went down some. She’s still having episodes of not breathing on her own so they upped the level on her cpap machine. The head ultrasound should be tomorrow. Her jaundice levels are going down so they should be able to turn off the blue light therapy soon.
ShareQuick Update
Posted Jul 27, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Just a quick update to let everyone know that Ronnie was transferred to CHOP late last night and is settled in. She is currently stable and they are working on removing air from her stomach. They are not doing anything more invasive at this time. They are hoping she can start taking in food soon. Heather and Rob are up there with her tonight. Our prayers are being heard and felt. As you can imagine this is a emotionally trying time for both Heather and Rob. They truly appreciate all of the love and support being shown and cannot reach out to everyone individually. Please keep those prayers and love going! This picture was taken last night before they transferred her. Heather and Rob are so thankful for the opportunity to hold their sweet baby girl. ❤️
Emergency Prayers Update
Posted Jul 26, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Update From Heather- Friends baby Ronnie needs all the prayers she can get. She is being transferred to CHOP for bleeding in her brain and a loop that is preventing her from going to the bathroom. Heather called me asking me to get the word out for prayers and all the good thoughts they can get right now! I will update as I receive them.
ShareUpdate on Heather and Ronnie-Lou!
Posted Jul 25, 2022 by Courtney Anne
Heather was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She received information from her doctors that she will have surgery for her port in the next week or two. She has been changed from going to a clinic for hemo dialysis to pd dialysis so she can be trained to do it herself and still be able to care for Ronnie Lou and work. Heather is happy that she will be able to to these things!! Ronnie Lou is doing well! She continues to breath on her own! She has some air in her stomach but it looks better than yesterday. Her sugars are better and she is responding to the blood transfusion they gave her. She needs to start accepting food and has lost some weight which is expected. Please flood them both with well wishes and love and lots of feeding for baby!! -Courtney
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