Janice had been admitted on Sunday, April 10, because she was bleeding. Upon arrival at Leesburg Regional, the nurses told Janice that she was having contractions every ten minutes or less. Dr. Courtney and the nurses tried everything they could to stop the contractions. They then decided to transport Janice by ambulance to Shands Children's Hospital in Gainesville, FL. They decided this because they could not handle the complications of Isabella's prematurity if she was born at LRMC. Shands has both a NICU III and NICU IV to handle extremely premature babies.

While at Shands, her physicians gave her four steroid shots to help mature the baby's lungs in case she was born early. Janice had been discharged and was getting her things ready to go home, when her water broke. Billy is especially thankful it happened at the hospital instead of on the road back home to Ocala! Janice's due date was July 21.  Janice had an emergency c-section on April 13, 2005.

She weighed in at l lb 12 ozs, and is 13 3/4 inches long. Her name is Isabella Alecea Barham. Naming Isabella took some time. Billy and Janice wanted an original name that was beautiful yet strong. The name Isabella means "directed by God" or "devoted to God." The name Alecea was established from several variations of the name Elizabeth, including Alicia. These variations had several meanings which were appropraite - "Full of life," "Beautiful Queen," "Sweet," "Happy," "Joyful," "Princess," and even "devoted to God." Billy and Janice planned on using the nickname "Bella" since Angelica is called "Angel" it seemed only appropraite that little sister have a shorten first name too!

She is progressing to the different stages quicker than the normal preemie. The only medication Isabella is on is caffeine. She was started on breast milk when she was only 3 days old, after the physicians said they would not start her on it until she was at least a week old. Janice was discharged today, and was upset to leave Isabella in the NICU but knew that it was necessary.

The doctors have been increasing her breast milk intake at least every day, and she is up to 3 mL every three hours.

She had her first head ultrasound to check for brain bleeds. Her NICU physician says that it appears to be normal, but the radiologist has the final word.

The radiologist checked the head ultrasound and confirmed the doctor's earlier report that it is normal. Her next ultrasound will be done when she is six weeks old. The lung problem seems to be her only problem right now, and hopefully she will not develop any other problems!

Isabella's hematocrit level on her blood count dropped to almost 25 so she had to have her first blood transfusion. At first we thought this was a big deal, but have found out from other preemie parents that it is a necessary evil.

Janice and Billy were told that Isabella would have a honeymoon period of about 3 days and then could have a couple of rough days. Her honeymoon period lasted for 8 days, and she has had several rough days now. Second blood transfusion, and it appears that these will happen regularly now. If her levels drop, and she begins to loss her pink color, then the doctor will order another. The doctors say these are normal "preemie" things and that Isabella still has a 75% chance of survival.

Billy worked 21 days straight until Isabella had blood pressure problems on May 7. Isabella is pretty sick right now, but the doctors believe she will fight though it.

Billy and Janice had quite a scare tonight!! Upon their arrival to visit with Isabella the doctors would not let them back. This is common during times when the doctors are working on babies. So it caused them some concern, especially when the receptionist told them the doctors would be out to speak with them. It turned out that Isabella's ventilator tube came out of her mouth in some freak occurance. Amazingly enough she never crashed! This was sooo amazing the doctors said. She kept her heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels up and breathed on her own while they bagged her. Praise GOD!!

Isabella has developed pneumonia and may have a congenital heart defect (thickening of her left ventricle). The doctors are not 100% sure about that because of Isabella's other "preemie" problems, but they do believe that could be an issue. This specific heart defect occurs regularly in premature babies whose mothers received their full dose of sterods. The doctors say that it helps the lungs, but sometimes damages their hearts. One of the necessary evils. Isabella has been tough so far, which is why the doctors are not too concerned about her prognosis.

Isabella had her worst day yet. Her left lung has a large hole in it from a form of emphysema that preemies get. The air that is released caused her right lung to collapse. She had two small chest tubes put in, but they were not working fast enough. Her stats dropped dramatically, and the decision was made to remove one of the tubes and replace it with a larger tube. Her stats came up to minimal levels, but the doctors were very worried about her. The holes in the lungs are not able to heal due to the fact that Isabella has a nasty staph infection in her lungs. At 11:00 p.m. the doctors asked Janice and Billy to discuss a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, on the belief that it was time to make a decision. The doctors said Isabella's lungs are so damaged that chest compressions may not be effective.

During the morning, Isabella maintained her stats but was still having low dips about once every half hour. Janice sat with her for most of the morning and noticed that sounds were really bothering her, so at 1:45 p.m. the decision was made to close her isolette and cover it with her blanket. From then and through the night, she has kept her stats up in the higher levels. So the doctors are very happy. Hopefully this will help the hole in her lung heal. She still has the pneumonia and staph infection, but she is still fighting hard. Billy and Janice did sign the DNR order.

Isabella is sleeping peacefully tonight, and she is pink which means her oxygen is good. But she is still very sick. Isabella's chest tubes seem to be working properly, and her stats have slowly come back to normal. She got some "cuddling time" this morning, where her nurse or a volunteer pats her head and back softly. Normally she does not tolerate that too well, but today she didn't mind it. Prayers have definitely made a difference. Janice and Billy have seen several newborns not make it, and they did not have the support group Isabella has!!

Billy and Janice awoke this morning (they have stayed at the hospital since Sunday, May 15), to find that the chest tubes are no longer working properly. The doctors cannot go to a larger chest tube, and the tubes in her chest are just not removing the air fast enough. The tubes that are in her chest right now are the equivalent to two garden hoses stuck into an adult. They both noticed that Isabella is in a lot of pain, and she is not making any strides to improve. The nurses have shown Billy and Janice that Isabella is now using her respirator as a pacifier, meaning that she is in more pain that she previously has been.

This morning was a difficult morning. Billy and Janice started the morning off by questioning every doctor imaginable. By late morning, they were given percentages on if she would walk out of the hospital, what she could be faced with if she did, and the odds are just against Isabella in every way. Billy and Janice know that there is a strong possibility for a heart defect. Isabella's lungs are developing permanent holes that are leaking air constantly. The chest tubes are not working fast enough, and they are something that Isabella will have to have for her entire life. Which increases her chances for infection, and more complications.

Billy and Janice made the worse decision possible, but it was the best decision for their entire family, and they decided to let Isabella go home to Heaven. It will be extremely painful for their family, but Isabella is in a lot more pain than what her family will feel.

The doctors asked if Billy and Janice wished to hold her before the ventilator was removed. Of course they did, so the nurses dressed Isabella for the very first time and the doctors changed Isabella's ventilator to one where she could be held. Janice held Isabella first, and held her for approx. 10 minutes, before it was Billy's turn. Janice held her one more time before the ventilator was removed. The doctors unplugged Isabella's respirator at approx 3:00p.m. Both Janice and Billy had turns holding her, as well as family friend Susan Anguish and their favorite nurse CJ. Isabella passed peacefully away in her Mommy's arms at 4:50 p.m. Both Billy and Janice are amazed, as the doctors were unsure how long she would breath on her own before her lungs gave up. Isabella was held for over two and a half hours, including almost two hours off of her ventilator. She truly was a fighter!

There was a service for Isabella at Page-Theus Funeral Home in Leesburg, Florida The service was performed by Jeff Robison, minister of Maricamp Road Church of Christ. It was beautiful. The funeral home was full, with more people standing outside. A Celebration of Life gathering was held at Billy's sister, Christina's home following the service. Food was provided by church family and the preschool teachers from Community Christian School where Kyle attends.

Isabella was buried in Leesburg Florida at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetary. She is buried in "Babyland" with all the other babies. When Janice or Billy passes, then Isabella will be placed with them.

Page-Theus and Hillcrest are family owned, and provided all of their services for free. They were even nice enough to provide Billy with the granite needed for Isabella's marker. Isabella's casket was provided by Billy's Uncle Gary & Aunt Dana ~ Thanks so much!!!