Two updates in one~!

06.25.09 Update from VCH #5423 I guess I can start by saying that I am exhausted. I think everybody here is. I stayed home last night and Shannon stayed at the hospital with Emme. It was bittersweet to leave because I knew I would get some time with my Mom, but wasn’t quite sure if I was ready to be away from Emme.

There were many triumphs today. First, the doctors removed the drain tube that was inside Emme’s head. To some this may not seem like a big deal, but to us it was huge. Once the drain tube was removed, we knew we would be able to hold Emme. I went first because Shannon was out of the room. When he returned he held her for quite awhile, then we handed her over to my Mom- Emme’s Nonna. Shannon and I went on a mission to find our friend Makenzie (a young lady I teach at Stoner Creek) and her Mom Kathleen (Makenzie was here today doing blood work because she has stupid cancer) while my Mom was holding Emme. When we returned back to the room, the area where Emme’s drain tube was removed was oozing blood and fluid. It was a little scary, so we decided that we would limit holding her today.

Emme also opened her left eye partially. This was shocking to us because we didn’t anticipate her eyes to open until at least Saturday. She has been very agitated today, so they finally decided to give her some medicine to calm her down. This is normal because babies (or anyone really) would be very frustrated not to be able to open their eyes and not know why.

06.26.09 Morning update from VCH #5423

Sorry I didn’t get to post last night, I got to writing and was so tired that I couldn’t finish. Yesterday we also got to see Kathleen and Makenzie which was great for me. Kathleen thought of so many “little” things that I didn’t think of to help Emme feel comfortable. Makenzie looked GREAT! This morning, I feel well rested and am ready to tackle the day. We are hoping that Emme opens her eyes more today than yesterday. I can tell you that her little face is starting to look like my sweet girl again. I was relieved to wake up and see some of her features back.

Shannon has a doctor’s appointment today for pain management. He has waited on this appointment for nearly 6 months and I told him not to cancel it. His Dystonia has really pushed him to the limit in the last several months so I hope that this appointment really helps. He hopes to get some steroid injections to hold him through until his next round of Botox. With all of that being said, he probably won’t be to the hospital until this afternoon. He plans to stay tonight and I plan to go home.

 The doctor just came by and said that Emme’s looking really good. She only has one I.V. in her hand and they will probably take that out today and start giving her oral antibiotics. If Emme opens both eyes today, they will move her to a regular room and out of the ICU. This is bittersweet because when she goes to a regular room, she won’t have as much attention from the nurses. I’ve really enjoyed the nurses here and all of the attention they have paid Emme.

 Emme also is eating solid foods again. Well, by solid I mean applesauce, peas, squash, sweet potatoes….All the typical baby foods. She still refuses her milk, and is still loving the apple pedialyte. What will we do with this child? That’s about it for now, I will try to update later.