Too Wet...

I only wish I was talking about the weather, but unfortunately I am refferring to my Ashley's lungs. This morning things on x-ray just don't look very good for Ash. Her weight is up a kilo and 1/2 because of extra fluid. After Monday's event they were forced to "slam" Ash with lots and lots of fluids and blood. They have not been able to pull the fluid off of her and so this is making it too difficult for her to breathe. The drain in her chest is still putting out fluid from the pericardial sack so they will leave it in until the fluid stops. I am concerned about her being down so long on the ventilator. I am praying she doesn't develop any pnuemonias or infections while she lays there. How I had hoped for her to come off during the kids visit, but this morning it does not seem likely.


She was thrilled to open her eyes and see her daddy, Blake and Allie. They made it in at some point last night. I had fallen asleep and I woke up when my Allison placed a little kiss on my forehead. I really love those forehead kisses. It is supposed to be a secret while we sleep, but sometimes they do wake us up. Ash began to kick her bunny feet (I promise to post a picture of those things today!) and wave her arms. She reached out for her daddy to hold her, but she was content enough to hold his face in her hands. She is alert and playing while on the vent, and she actually looks better to me today even though they tell me she is worse. Her little eyes can open more now and the shape of her tiny nose is coming back. Her cheeks are rosy and her smile (even with the tube down her throat) will melt your heart. They removed the bandage from her chest incision this morning and now it is being held together with butterfly strips. I can only imagine how much this is contributing to her discomfort. When I spoke with the surgeon he shared with me that although he did not have to open the breastbone(which I am so thankful for) he did have to cut through the cartilage at the base of it in order to work on her heart underneath it. I haven't actually looked at the new incision yet. I think I will save that for another day when I am not already feeling nauseated.

Our hope and prayer today is that our Ashley will be able to dry out soon so that she might begin to breathe comfortably enough to have the ventilator support removed. Sometimes it is difficult to watch her struggle so much when I look around and see so many of our transplant friends doing so well. I just try and remind myself to be grateful that we are still here because we also have many friends who did not make it. That reminder helps me to quickly dry my tears and begin to concentrate on our blessings instead.

We appreciate your prayers for our daughter. We appreciate you visiting her story day after day. I am looking forward to the days when all I have to share with you is good news, good news, good news! I know that day will come. We just have to get through some rough ones first. We are still growing, still learning, still loving this life, still pinching ourselves to see if we really are this blessed or if it is just a dream. We know He is working out His plan for our family and we are thankful you have decided to follow along. We love you guys. Have a blessed day. Trish