Kara update

Kara is doing great! Sometimes I can't believe she has had open heart surgery, today is actually 3 weeks since the surgery and she is acting like nothing has happened. The only real reminder is her healing incesion site, the motrin and lasix she has to take and the fact that we still can't pick her up under her arms. Other than that there is no difference. I think she might pull up soon to standing, she is starting to try. She loves to play on the floor with her brother and sister, and they are very good at being careful with her bo-bo on her tummy!

Right now the only thing the doctor is watching is her weight gain (we finally found something she likes to drink other than breast milk, vital jr (which is like pediasure for the lactose intolerant) she will drink rice milk as well, but vital jr has twice the amount of calories. Also the doctor is keeping a close eye on any fluid retention, she does have a small pleural effusion (which is fluid accumalation around the lungs) they are not too concern with it, but they are monitoring it closely, that is why she is on the lasix to help get rid of the excess fluid.

Aidan tured 6 this week, I can't believe it, we has small party with just us and will have his big party when his maw-maw, paw-paw and cousing Hailee and Emma come to visit in July. Georgia is well Georgia, she is a little ball of attitude. She know what she wants, when she wants it and doesn't care if we think she doesn't need. It hasn't helped that has been excessively spoiled by her maw-maw Pam, then Aunt Patty and now Aunt Laurie over the past month!

Kara update (Pictures of incision site)

It is almost a week since Kara's surgery, tomorrow will be a complete week, and I can't get over how fast she is recovering. Every day she eats a little bit more, plays a little more and sleep a little bit less (during the day at least). She is already crawling again and go after her toys, she does get tired very easily, but she is laughing, crying and talking, which is all very good for her recovery.

On another note, I am sorry you received some spam from my email account, I am not sure what happened, but now I can't send any email, I may have to get a new account!

Kara update

Kara is home. She is resting in her bed, it is so great to have her home!

Kara update

Today Kara's chest tubes came out and she ate 4 ounces of rice milk. I had to bribe her by putting jar pears on the nipple of the bottle to get her to eat it, but she ate and is doing really well. We are hoping she will be able to come home tomorrow.

Today at Occupational Therapy Aidan wrote her a letter and it says "I love you Kara. Come home soon. You are a cute baby. I miss you so much. Love, Aidan"

He is so sweet and misses her so much. He asks every day to go to the hospital and see her, but they don't let kids in the PICU, well at least not as a visitor!

Kara update

Day 2 of recovery. Kara is stil doing excellent, she has moved down to the step down service, which means their is a ratio 1 nurse to 2/3 patients, so that is very good! She is not eating to great since yesterday initial bottle and jar food, she got sick after her chest xray last night from all of the moving around. She has been in some pain this morning, but they gave her some pain meds and now she is resting comfortably. I have stopped nursing, she was weaning herself before the surgery and my supply is way down. It was a hard decision, but the right one for the circumstances. Right now we are trying rice milk, but may need to put her own formulas, however this morning she hasn't wanted anything.
The on call resident said that she will probably moving services (not location) from PICU to cardiology, which is another step towards her coming home, Aidan and Georgia miss her so much, Aidan keeps asking to go see her, unfortunately they don't let people under 18 in the PICU, so he can't.
Thanks again for all of the prayers and wel wishes!

Kara update

From today.

Kara update

She is moving right along, arterial line, central line and catheter came out this morning. She took a bottle of breastmilk this morning, so far so good. She may get babyfood today as well. She has been a little fussy off and on, but is sleeping again now. I got to hold her and slept in my arms too, it was so great to hold even though she still has few tubes still hooked up to her.