Recovery

Arabella is doing well.  They have turned her oxygen down from 100% to 60%.  They are just supporting her and pretty much letting her be.  Tomorrow Dr. Salazaar will close her chest. 

I learned something new today.  Surgery and steroids can be bad for your glucose levels.  Bella’s glucose was 500 during the night.  They put her on insulin and it’s down to 220 now.  Poor baby.  No, this doesn’t mean she’s diabetic, it’s a reaction to the surgery and the steroids.  Update: glucose 102, insulin stopping.

They are going to start TPN (food in a bag) soon.  She is no longer paralyzed, just sedated.

Her PIC line dressing was changed today.  This week’s princess sticker is Belle – very appropriate for our Miss Bella!  :)

Linda Mickle came and visited me today and brought me lunch.  Ladies at church are bringing in dinner.  How can I thank everyone for all of the support we have received?  We are blessed beyond measure.  I am so thankful!  I can’t express it well – Thank you everyone!  Truly!

Eavesdropping update:  I have been wondering how long we would be here in the CVICU.  A young boy had surgery at the same time as Bel and just left the CVICU, but the nurse on 15 warned me about that – that kids can turn around pretty quick.  The internet has relatively short recoveries – about a week, surgery to home with 1 to 2 days in the ICU.     Dr Dickerson prepped me that it would be longer for Bella.  I just overheard two people walking through and discussing room space – their words – this one will be here for a while.  So there you have it, a while.  Our nurse says that each kid sets their own course, there is no norm.  She would say maybe Monday to leave here.  We’ll see.  It sounds like a while.  :)