I am in a much better place today than I was yesterday. Undoubtedly because of the droves of prayers going up on our behalf. All of the kind words in the comments and on Nora’s FB page, texts, emails and phone calls have brought me such solace. I know I can say the same for my other family members and friends who also read them. Thank you. I’ve tried replying to each of the posts on FB while Nora was napping this morning and now I’m having a hard time keeping up. If I haven’t responded personally, please know that we are reading each of your messages and we are ever so grateful for this outpouring of love and support. I’d mentioned yesterday to a friend that it is very easy to feel singled-out and alone during these times of uncertainty. Thank you for making us feel anything but!
{I am laying in bed as I update from my phone (as I usually do). I wish I could share with you the sweet little commotion that is going on downstairs right now. Nora is squealing such sweet little trills for her nurse. She sounds like a happy little bird! My heart swells with joy to hear those precious noises! Thank you, GOD!!!}
Nora had a good day today. Her heart rate is still elevated, but it wasn’t up in the 200s at all. Her oxygen saturation levels aren’t perfect but they’re decent. She ate more mL of milkies before 8:00 this morning than she would in a typical DAY just a month ago. When William spoke with our regular cardiologist this afternoon Dr. H was very pleased to hear that Nora was still eating so well. He seemed much more optimistic about the increased Lasix than yesterday’s cardiologist, but obviously still no guarantees. To hear that was definitely a breath of fresh air!!
I had a hair appointment today that I scheduled awhile back. Since I was starting to look like a vagrant (there’s only so much the braids can do) and Nora was in the safe loving hands of her day nurse with her Daddy close by, I decided to keep the appointment. The first trio of birds I saw brought an instant sea of tears. But then they started appearing almost with every mile I traveled.
With each sighting came a renewed sense of strength and reassurance. I wish I could have taken a picture of each and every series, but since I was driving I didn’t want to wind up on the 11:00 news. As I neared my exit I had to squeeze into a lane of traffic. I wound up behind this truck:
You might have to enlarge it because it doesn’t show up so clearly in the picture. There were three crosses etched into the dirt on the gate of this truck. A depiction of the crucifixion and the promise of new and eternal life. I was just contemplating that this morning, my cheeks streaked with tears – not from sadness, but joy. No matter what happens here on this earth, we have a beautiful Forever to look forward to. I KNOW that and I’m so incredibly thankful for that.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(Mark 11:24)
iwillcarryyou 
As I’m stuck at home with a cold I have plenty of time for extra prayers. What a relief her tach is under control and that you have help at home. Love you all !!. Muuuaahh 🙂
You are such a wonderful Momma who throughout this difficult year has always found time for love and attention for your first two children. Nora has received unconditional love from your family and thru sharing her with us, thousands of strangers have reached out and fallen in love with Nora Rose and the entire Yusko family. Hope you know that we ache and hurt for you and with you. I personally would trade places or give my heart to Nora if that was possible. She has shown us so much growth and development, shown the doctors that she is a fighter, her will to live has gotten stronger each month. I pray for the miracle that has given her life for this long, to come thru and do it’s magic for an big improvement in her heart. God be with you tonight.
…I couldn’t agree more. God Bless you all.
And, thank you for Nora’s update, Aleisa. Sweet Dreams.
Very well written.
I wish I had a way with words!
We have been following you since Nora’s birth. I have shared her with my children and we pray for her and you family. You and Nora are such an inspiration. Your faith has help mine grow. Thank you for sharing you beautiful family with us.
You are my inspiration !!
Aleisa, you are one of the most patient, observant people I have ever met! I am so glad Nora and the rest of you had a better day. Many prayers and much peace to you all!! Hope today is just as wonderful!
I’m so glad you are in a better place than you were yesterday. I have been praying for peace for you along with healing for Nora’s heart.
I was happy to hear you went for your haircut. You need some time for you. It will help you feel better and stay focused.
Keep your head up. He’s got your back. 🙂
Give that sweet baby girl a kiss for me.
Your family & little Nora are always in my thoughts. Its funny how your skills with words and inspiring faith have helped ME grow spiritually. You ARE fulfilling God’s plan. I check on little miss so often that my husband has seen her pictures and I have shared the story behind the blog. Now when ever he sees me looking at her he says, “There’s your little girl”. All who read this blog are helping to lighten your burden by lifting you up in prayer!
Blessing!
Praying for you all. God is with us always. You are such an inspiration for me. In the scariest of times you don’t let fear and worry consume you, you pray and press on knowing the truth and promise our savior has given us.
I just checked this site and saw the last 2 posts! I wish I would have checked the FB page yesterday. Nora brings so many smiles to people from far and near! She is a precious gift from God. She has so many people praying for her. Hugs to you all and and happy thoughts too,
I wish I had beautiful words to write to you. How amazing the internet is as I clicked my way onto your blog and it has consumed my life for the past two hours. You are a beautiful woman of God, a beautiful mother, and you have three beautiful children.
A precious friend asked me to photograph her birth today. She is only 17 weeks, but I have no idea what I am doing. I have a passion for photography, but I am not a professional. With all the pressure to capture such precious moments that I have experienced on my own through the birth of my daughter, I am afraid I will not give her what she wants. All that to say, I googled birth stories and came across the photographer that so adequately, humbly, beautifully, and gracefully captured such a anxious, scary, trying, beautiful moment in your family’s life. I cried as I watched the slide show over and over and over again. I felt like I was in the room with you. I felt like I just wanted to trade places with you, and if not that, just kneel beside you and cry out in a prayer with you. What precious treasures you have in those pictures.
I must admit, I was hesitant to click on to your blog as I was afraid I would read something that I didn’t want to hear nor see. But God lead me anyways, and there was your sweet Nora, in your arms, just as she was in the pictures I had been looking at on the photographers site. I begin crying even more and just saying out loud over and over again, “You are a wonderful God. Thank you God!!!”
I so hope you do not find this inappropriate as I do not know you, but I wanted to let you know that I will continue to keep your precious family in my prayers. I will keep that sweet Nora in my prayers, and I will also keep you, her strong momma, in my prayers.
God Bless You!!
I have never commented on your blog before (I don’t think…) but I’m on the Facebook page. However, I hadn’t been on FB in several days. I came back today and came to check on Nora, and saw the unsettling news. Just wanted to let you know- this past weekend, while driving around with my family, I just happened to spot three doves on a power line. This is literally the very first time, even since “knowing” Nora for many months now, that I have randomly noticed three birds. (No, I’m not very observant. lol) When I saw them, I even pointed them out to my hubby and explained their connection to you and Nora. I thought it might be a nudge from God, telling me to pray for Nora, but didn’t understand why that might be. Of course, I often think of her and send up a little prayer, but she’s been doing so amazingly well, I wondered why God would make a point of prompting me to pray for her just then in particular. And now I know. Just wanted to provide a little more affirmation that even when the road ahead looks scary, God is rallying His forces on Nora’s behalf (and yours). 🙂 Praying for and with you. And I will definitely be keeping a closer eye out for three birds from now on.
SORRY ALEISA I HAVE NOT BEEN ON HERE MUCH THE LAST FEW DAYS. I HAVE NOT BEEN FEELING REAL GOOD. STILL NOT, AND OUR SON HAS BEEN SO SICK ALL DAY. HE HAS BEEN SICK TO HIS STOMACH ABOUT 15-20 TIMES TODAY. HOPEFULLY HE WILL FEEL BETTER TOMORROW. SO HAPPY THAT NORA IS FEELING BETTER AND I HAVE TO SAY I TRULY LOVE THE TWO PICTURES OF YOU AND NORA. I HAVE BEEN SENDING UP A LOT OF EXTRA PRAYERS FOR YOU ALL. I LOVE WHEN YOU SEE THE “3 BIRDS”, IT JUST FEELS LIKE EVERYTHING IS GOING BE ALRIGHT. LOVE YOU ALL. GOD BLESS.