Message from Mama Manda

Ok... Kinley updates.  There are SO many!  She's very interested in getting home soon... I'm glad we're on the same page :)

She was taken off of her sedative on Thursday night.  She was given morphine for the pain, and it was to be administered every four hours or as needed.  Well she's a tough one and didn't need that strong of drugs, so after one dose they dropped her down to Tylenol.  Because she did so well off of her drugs they were able to take the ventilator out and she's breathing on her own.  And breathing really well might I add!  Her O2 levels are consistently between 98-100.  They've taken out her catheter and she had her first bowel movements yesterday which means that she could start recieving breast milk.  They removed the long tube that was draining her stomach fluids and replaced it with a short "button".  Through her "button" she's gotten 3 feedings of breast milk so far!  And she loves it :)  She definitely goes under a food coma after... She's moving more frequently and opening her eyes when the billy light is not one her.  Her bilirubin levels are dropping consistently and she should be able to go without the light by tomorrow morning.  

And the biggest most anticipated update... I'll get to hold her FOR SURE tomorrow after they remove her side drain.  The doctor came in today and told me that he'll do that for sure tomorrow morning.  Besides being able to hold my baby girl for the first time since her birthday is that I can put a little breast milk on my pinky and let her suck on it.  That way she has a better chance to make a positive connection between a full tummy, a warm chest, something sweet in her mouth and sucking.  All very important things she needs to avoid getting mouth aversions, and a challenging rehab process after she's released from the hospital.

Prayer requests.... that my insurance company will pay for her transportation back to SLO for the waiting time before her next surgery.  That the lord will heal her quickly and that her upper esophagus will grow faster than they planned.  If it does, she can have her second surgery sooner and come home sooner.  Pray that she won't develop mouth aversions, and that she will be able to keep her sucking reflex and hopefully her swallowing reflex too.  

Praise... for all the amazing support.  This situation has been so inspiring and humbling.  I really am amazed at the amount of people that have shown love to us during this time.  Can't even tell you how much it has helped me get through the days so far.  For the provision of a place to stay through the weekend at the hospital cottages.  The manager Mike has been more than gracious with us.  For the nursing staff and physicians.  Such an amazing group of intelligent people with huge hearts.  I feel 100% comfortable leaving Kinley with them.
-Amanda