Friday, February 6, 2009

Unhooked!

I happen to catch a picture of this today. This is Ava's engrossed in her Wiggles video look. Sweet huh?


Hello all! Ava has been doing super. I just can't believe we are STILL here in the hospital. She is much better now than she has been in a long time. She pooped three times today!!! She only threw up 5 times and the total output was only 60ml's (3 ounces) This is AMAZING! They want to keep her until she is tolerating tube feeds through her g-tube. I on the other hand think she is well and ready to go home...probablly two days ago.

I styled her hair today. It was gorgeous. I told her Mommy's hair used to be styled this way a few years ago. She really didn't care!




We started tube feeds today. We were supposed to yesterday but I denied it. I felt she should be clamped for at least one whole day. In my mind you can't go from suctioning, to straight drain to feeding. I thought it just seemed logical to be shut off and to see if her tummy could handle being shut off. (Like us normal people, we don't have access to our guts.)

Miss Independence here moving her large IV pole.

Daddy came back up this afternoon. The girls got to sleep in their own beds last night....actually Emeline slept with her daddy. They hugged him tightly when they saw him. It has been so hard. It hurts them the most. Ava is longing for them. I went through the videos and Ava watched her sissy's. It was so cute. I called and talked to Emeline tonight. Ava was smiling ear to ear talking to Emme. You can see her love for her sister.

So Daddy was here to help us with the trike ride. Ava had fun. It was good to get out of her room. However IF you know me you will know that I wait until there is no trafic. Last time we were here Ava and I picked up a bad cold. My hands are cracked and bleeding because I wash and sanitize them so often.





Ava got unhooked tonight. She is off her pole. She is going nuts. We went up to the PICU to visit our wonderful nurses. By the way I do want to stop and thank them all. I have to rant and rave about the staff on the PICU floor. The docs are amazing and the nurses are awesome. I never felt for one second that she wasn't being care for 100%. Hats off to all the PICU staff. We love you!

Super Ava. She walked all the way from third floor to 7th floor minus the steps! She loves elevators. (Mommy doesn't!) She is unbelievable. Can someone tell her she just had major surgery? She doesn't listen to me.


So one with being unhooked. We took her for a walk and went to the gift shop for a large Minnie balloon. Can you find Ava?
All in all Ava is doing better than I ever imagined. We are all tired and ready to get back to our "normal" life.

By the way I don't want to leave our our great nurses down here on third. Laura and Megan we love you guys. Ava loves you both. You know you are doing good when you get the "Ava smile!"

Please pray for Ava. We know that God blessed our family by adding her to it! Patience is something that I obviously have to work on. I have to tell myself to take a deep breath. My fear is picking up a bad cold while here. She acts so normal it is cool! Our sweet daughter has returned and much sooner than expected!

~Terri

6 comments:

Amber said...

I am so happy to hear how well Ava is doing! She is one amazing little girl!!

I am surprised that they are making you stay in the hospital a little bit longer considering they did let you bring her home with an open stomach!?

Terri I just wanted to tell you that I think you are amazing! and Ava is lucky to have such a wonderful mommy. I admire your strength and your ability to pick up so quickly with the nursing stuff.

Take Care
Always in my prayers!
Amber

mommy to Kaden, Brody and angel Ava said...

Ava keep up the spunk girlfriend!!! You are doing awesome.

Lacey said...

I'm so glad she's doing great. She looks fantastic. Praying for going home soon.

My Three Sons said...

Ava looks so happy and your right, she doesn't look like someone who just had surgery. She is soooo strong.

Love those pictures,keep them coming!!

Katie said...

Wonderful news! I'll continue to pray for you all.

Vicki Jensen said...

Absolutely amazing! Keep it up Ava!