Tuesday, Feb 17

Abby had a really fantastic day, followed by a rougher evening. This morning bright and early big moves started to be made. First they took away the elephant trunk breathing machine and replaced it with the next step down, a nasal cannula that delivers oxygen into her nose the same way as the tanks we used at home - the one difference is this is set to a much higher volume and uses humidity as well. (All an effort to help Abby keep her lungs open and not collapsed).

Next, the surgeons said that she could lose her chest drainage tube - so they came by and took that out. Later in the day the doctors said there was no need for one of the lines in her leg - so that came out - and the IV they put in before surgery no longer worked - so that came out! As lines and tape came flying off - it was obvious that it had been 9 days since Abby's last bath - so Linzy and the nurse bathed her, washed her hair and put her pretty bow in. To end the early part of the day on a perfect note - Abby finally has few enough tubes that we could push a chair right next to her bed and with help from the nurse, Linzy was able to hold her!

We spent all day with the lights out trying to get the poor girl to sleep - but 24 hour party girl became 48 hour party girl, and tonight she finally feel apart. Fussy and cranky with huge puffy eyes and completely over tired - poor Abby has had enough. Also, the oxygen being delivered to her is at such a high volume that it's filling her tummy with uncomfortable gas bubbles. Throughout the night the doctors have tried a few drugs to get our party girl to sleep - to no avail. Finally (it's now midnight) we seem to have found one that works - so in case this sleep is short lived - Linzy's going to bed too - so thrilled to have reflected back to the amazing first part of the day.