Plugging Along

Elaina is continuing her turtle steps. Very slow, but generally in the right direction. The main focus right now is getting her off the high flow oxygen. She started out last Saturday at an 8 liter flow. This morning they got her down to 5 liters, with the FIO2 set at 35%. Her sats aren't that great at the moment (in the 50's and 60's), but they are watching her and hoping that she will tolerate the wean. Her nurse said that her color looks about the same. I guess they changed her bedding and put her on a purple blanket, so it's not helping her skin tone! Silly!!

The plastic surgeon came and looked at the hole in her groin. His recommendation was to pull the broviac and the hole would heal fairly quickly on its own. Grrr. We're literally between a rock and a hard place at this point. If we leave the broviac, we increase the risk of infection. If she were to get septic, it could cost Elaina her life at this point. She's just not strong enough to fight off a serious infection. But, pulling the broviac means that we have no more IV access or ability to draw blood work. She would have to be poked every time they want to check a blood gas or check lab work. She is a VERY hard stick and this is not a pleasant thought. BUT, sepsis is nowhere I want to go, so I think we'll be pulling the broviac in the next couple of days. She has an IV antibiotic that she's almost finished with at this point, so once she's done we'll begin discussing the options. Poor kiddo. We just keep having these little setbacks. We're transitioning all of her IV medications to oral medications for when we lose the broviac.

I've spent the last couple of nights with Ben down at our house in Orem. I hadn't slept in my own bed for almost 6 weeks!!! I had to do an emergency trip to the grocery store last night too. There was nothing edible in my fridge and Ben was going crazy with the lack of options for breakfast and lunch yesterday! I've got lots of work to do to get this place ready for Elaina to come home. I'll be spending more time in Orem and less at the hospital as I get ready to bring this little lady home. So much to do and so little time to do it in!

My Mom and Dad brought my Grandma to visit Elaina yesterday. It was a very nice visit. My Mom was able to hold Elaina for the first time since May! Elaina was awake and was absolutely precious. It was wonderful. I was so wrapped up in the moment that I completely forgot that I even owned a camera. What a slacker I am!!