Friday, September 5, 2008

Progress, progress

First and foremost...The tube is out!!! For awhile there I was a little nervous about reintubation, so I didn't want to post that she had gotten it out, only to repost an hour later saying it was back in. But it has now been out since around 5 pm last night, so it is out for good!! They were keeping a very close eye on her last night because she sounded pretty wheezy and was very agitated, but she settled down and pulled through once again! Last night we kept trying to give her her binky but she didn't want anything to do with something being in her mouth again, but today she has remembered what it is and how much she loves it. I don't think it's been out of her mouth all day. She finally got to eat again, although it's going pretty slow right now. She went without eating from yesterday morning at 6 a.m. until about 11 a.m. today.. Terrible, I know. But she was soo good about it. She is always good about everything she has to go through. She's made up of something very special.



They also took out her catheter..so now I get to change her diapers! She's come off a couple of her meds and they are coming down on the others. By tomorrow she will hopefully be able to get off most of her IV meds and switch to oral meds so that her central line can come out of her neck. Since it is a central line (close to her heart), if she were to get an infection in it it would be bad so they like to get it out as soon as possible. I'm obsessed with seeing things get taken off her....It's one step closer to holding her again! Once the breathing tube went so did two other large machines and monitors, including the one with the dumb sticker that was on her entire forehead. I was so excited to see that go! Now I can see her entire beautiful face again. She just looks wonderful today.

So now's the time that really gets busy, as if it hasn't been busy enough. It gets harder and harder to keep her happy when she is fully awake but can't get off her bed that she has already been laying on for 10 days. At least we have a TV in here and that will occupy some of her day. This is also the time that everything get's better too. They seem to improve so quickly after the tube is out and I get to have my little girl back. I'm so excited for her to be stronger and feel better I can hardly stand it! I'm so happy that she'll be able to experience life as a normal baby and stay far away from the ICU. I can't wait to get home and practice eating, grabbing, and rolling becuase she was getting sooo close! I'm just so excited for her to finally just be a baby for awhile.

She has had a great morning and is resting very comfortably, thanks to the food in her tummy now. She is getting an echo right now and she hasn't even budged for it.

My mom left today...:( Always sad for me since she is soo much help. I have the two most incredible, selfless mothers that have been constantly 'on duty' for an entire week and a half now. I could NOT have done this past 6 months without them. It always amazes me how much work my two kids are! They manage to complelety wear out 4 adults every day. One of them is a little high maintenance though... just a little. She is worth it all though..

15 comments:

Ali said...

yes! great news all around. so happy to hear all this. please call with any needs!!!

Sally Jensen Interiors said...

Oh...I can't wait for her to be able to do normal baby things...yay Bela! You guys are awesome!

Dana said...

Oh Ave - Bella looks great - I am SO happy to hear that they were able to take the tube out and that she is doing well with it out! I love reading your posts and hearing how Bella is doing and how you and Tanner are. I am sorry your mom left - I know how great your mom is!!! And I am so happy that Tanner's mom is so close and can help you so much - family is the best. We love you guys and continue to pray for you and your sweet Bela - can't wait for her to get better so I can come down and meet that precious angel. Love and hugs!!

Erin said...

Such great news Avery!!!! I know getting that tube out was a huge hurdle and once again she has come through like a trooper! Now she gets to start really healing and get on the road to coming home...somewhere I know she loves to be. I sure hope things continue to progress rapidly...keep up the work little Miss Bela!!! She is definitely worth all the effort and such a story she will have to share as she grows....I am sure there will be many who need to hear it. Take care friend and I will give you a call sometime this weekend and check in:)

lundgrenville said...

The Lord answers prayers. Its amazing the miracles that can come forth as a result of faith & prayers. She looks so good, peaceful, relaxed & full of life. Its humbling and rewarding to see her progress & blossom. What a beautiful little Angel she is. Those pictures just warm my heart.
Our prayers are endless for little Bella and your family.
Hugs

Dallas and Krista said...

YEAH!!!!! This is all so great. I am ecstatic for you all! I am just weeping in joy, this picture makes me so happy, she really looks great! Keep up the good work Bela!

S and K said...

Oh that is one great picture of Bela TUBE FREE and looking all snuggly in her cute blankets!!! I'm so happy she is doing so great, she is just great. And I think you are totally correct she is made of something special and anyone that's been around her or even read about her knows that! Keep on amazing us all Bela! Well the whole family really---you guys are all made of something special! You are such a strong and wonderful Mommy, I'm pretty sure you have the two luckiest kiddos in the world. Talk to you later! Sorry that your Mom left, at least she will be back before you know it! :) But selfishly I'm happy because now you might take me up on my offers of help MORE OFTEN!!! Emphasis on the MORE and the OFTEN!!!! --thank you in advance for being so accommodating of my wishes/demands.--- ;)

The Simmons Family said...

YEAH for exubation!! She looks so great! Every morning during rounds I would BEG them to remove something from Owen. Bela will be home before you know it!! Then the fun begins with the rolling, playing, eating... so much fun! Does she get any therapy yet??

Andrea

Jennifer said...

Avery...Such great news about Bela's progress. Once again she is showing us all what tough stuff she is made of! I wanted to let you know I got back in town yesterday...can't wait to talk to you. My only contacts with the "real world" were phone calls to my kids and your blog.

I'm sure it was hard for you to have your mom leave. Hang in there...I am sure you are exhausted. Give Bela's hand a squeeze from me and I'll talk to you soon.

Katie said...

Great job Bela!!! Keep it up and before you know it, you'll be home getting lots of lovin' and playtime! So glad she's turned the corner and is on the downhill slide of recovery. You're all in our prayers...
Love,
Katie & Maddie
http://allredbabygirl.blogspot.com

Lindsay Dean said...

WHOO HOO! NO TUBES!!!She looks just amazing! I did the same thing....tube out, check...catheder out, check....Central IV out, check..:-)
I loved to see them remove things too! That just meant she was improving and that she didn't need them anymore. I would count down the minutes until I could hold her that day. I am so happy for all of you! She is surely a fighter and for sure has a purpose to brng joy into your lives. Enjoy her being more mobile and we keep praying for more improvement every day.
Love,
Suzie

Andrea said...

Yeah! Go Bela! She continues to amaze us all. She looks great! You are pretty amazing too, Avery. We continue to pray for all of you.

The Zemp Family said...

I am so so so happy. I know it's not over, but what a step! Thanks for sharing this wonderful news it truly lifts my spirits! Aren't moms great! I know you don't know me well, but I will help with anything you need. Just let me know.

Wendy said...

I'm SOOO happy to hear she's getting better and getting off of some machines. That's awesome. Way to go Bela. She looks so sweet. I am so attached to her and I've never even met her. I love her and I love you guys. You're amazing!!!

Doreen said...

Bela looks wonderful (all things considered), and you sound so much more upbeat. What a hard week all of you have been through! Glad to hear things are looking good.