Some Attention on Sisters... And an Update on Annie

We interrupt our hospital updates to bring you Lexie and Molly.  (Keep scrolling for an update on Annie.) Molly and Lexie are superhero sisters and definitely deserve to be recognized during this challenging week.  They have been fabulous at helping at home and being awesome sisters.  I love seeing how much they love and miss Annie while she's away.  They really want to visit Annie in the hospital, but we're best to wait until she's out of ICU. I'm truly blessed with wonderful daughters!

A few weeks ago Molly came home from her routine vision screening at school with a note telling us that Molly should have her eyes checked.  Since she hasn't mentioned anything about not being able to see well, we were a little skeptical.  But I took her in, and sure enough, she needs glasses!  She picked two pairs and she was able to get them today.  She's pretty excited and says that she can't believe all that she's missed out on!  Apparently she can see much more detail in things than before. (Apologies for the blurry pictures taken on my phone, but I think she's still pretty cute.)

Today was also Lexie's birthday.  She turns 6 today and has had a super day.  We celebrated with two different parties earlier, before Annie entered the hospital.  It's hard to believe my kids are getting so old, but Lexie told me today that she is still my baby even though she's big now!  What a sweetie!

 

Now to let you all know about how Annie is doing today.... After Annie was extubated this morning, the main focus has been pain management.  They started her on morphine, as well as valium, and hycet.  She's been a bit more agitated today, but we think they've finally found a combination of meds that seem to help her relax.  She is still asleep most of the time, and we haven't seen much of her eyes.  She is still very swollen.  Earlier today they removed her arterial line and her foley.  

The orthopedist came by again this afternoon and said we'll remove the drain from her back tomorrow morning and change all her dressings over the incision down the full length of her back.  She is still bleeding through her dressings a bit, as well as out the drain, but they expect that to slow down here soon. 

The orthopedist also instructed us to get her sitting up on the side of the bed once or twice today.  They waited until her pain meds were in full force and then sat her up on the side of the bed.  She did pretty well and actually fell asleep while Justin was holding her up.  Getting her sitting and upright is important to help prevent pneumonia.

They started some pedialyte this afternoon and then started her on her regular formula at a very slow rate, so we'll see how she tolerates her feeds, and slowly start to increase her rate.  Bowel function is also becoming an issue, but they are starting to give her meds for that as well. She's also continuing to receive antibiotics to help prevent any infection from developing.

The original plan was to move to a regular floor today, but Annie will remain in the ICU again tonight and if all goes well, she'll transfer to a regular floor tomorrow.  Two nights in the ICU isn't too common, but the orthopedist says it sometimes happens and we better just play it safe.  But generally, she seems to be doing as well as can be expected--it's just going to be a long recovery.  Thank you so much for all your messages of love and support.  It's heartwarming to receive so many inquiries about her and notes letting us know that Annie is in your thoughts and prayers.  She is definitely one loved little girl!  Thank you!