A little more progress…

Adela made a bit more progress today.  While we had to jump back to 0.5 liters per minute on her oxygen flow last night, she is now down to 0.3 liter per minute.  Here’s hoping we’re able to maintain that tonight.  Her various labs continue to improve with the exception of her electrolytes (sodium and potassium specifically).  While we were in the PICU, those levels were higher than normal, however now they are lower than normal.   She received some sodium and potassium supplements in addition to a multivitamin through her g-tube…and then promptly threw up.  While this has made all of us very nervous, the nurses and doctors explained that it’s likely due to her having trouble with the increased caloric value of her formula.  Right now, she’s at 22 calories per ounce and we need to get to 30 calories per ounce before we leave.

The main IV line is still in.  After an exam and an ultrasound of her veins, the nurse decided that her veins are far too small to put in a PIC line (that would have allowed the nurses to give meds through the IV and also draw blood).  Looks like we’re just going to have to take our luck with the main line not getting infected for the next few days until she doesn’t need as many labs drawn.

Adela has been awake since this morning and, so long as Mommy is close by most of the time, in a calm mood.  Nana has been able to entertain her for a little while with reading and a toy flower (which actually brought about multiple smiles).

Unfortunately, I need to head back to work tomorrow.  It will be difficult to leave Adela (and Ali) for those hours during the day while she’s still in the hospital, however I’m hoping that by next week, she’ll be at home.  I’m planning to just leave from the hospital in the morning, swing past home for a change of clothes, head in to work, then return to the hospital for the night.  Ali will have Grandma (Cindy), Grumpa (Carlos), and Nana (Netta) to help out while I’m not there (in addition to when I am there), so that makes me feel a little better, however I know I’ll feel uneasy until Adela is home and healthy.