The day we've been waiting for finally came! We checked into MCG 5th floor on Saturday, May 7th to begin Ellie's bowl prep. That was 48 hours of lots of leaky bags, liquid poop, and a pulseox that wouldn't stay on her foot! :) Then it was off to surgery. Monday morning, at 7:30am, they took my baby back. They left Eric with a pager so he could get updates as the surgery progressed. At 11:30, Dr. Hatley comes to get us from the waiting room. All had gone well. She was extubated and being sent up to the NICU. When we arrived to the NICU, we had to wait for them to assess her and get her settled before we could go in to visit. After an hour, we took turns (me, Eric, Poppa, PaPa, and Grandma) going back to kiss on Ellie. They were keeping her in NICU tonight and hopefully sending her to the floor on Tuesday, if that is what I wanted. Her Monday night was a little painful, she was given some good pain medicine that helped her rest fairly peacefully. They had trouble keeping an IV in, so she went through 5 in about 24 hours. They called the PICC team to come help out. On Tuesday night, the PICC team was unable to get a PICC in, so they stopped poking, and let Ellie rest overnight. Dr. Hatley preferred that she stay "another day or so" in NICU for close monitoring. Wednesday morning, MiMi tries to visit, but the PICC team was at it again, so she had to leave. By the time Poppa and I got there at 11, Ellie had a successful PICC line in her right arm, and yet another IV in her head. PITIFUL. Dr. Bhatia let us know that he had a few concerns that would keep her in NICU for a few more days: Her belly had swollen more than expected. They started her on an additional antibiotic just to fight off an infection, if there was one. Her cough was also a little alarming, the nurses were concerned and really wanted to keep an eye on that. Her chest x-ray also showed that her right lung was "more cloudy" than the other. He suspected aspiration. Dr. Bhatia would like to do a barium study as soon as she starts her feedings back at the end of the week to watch her milk as it travels. GOOD NEWS FOR THE DAY: Ellie had her first poop. When I changed her diaper this afternoon, there was just a little bit. Later on, when her nurse changed her, there was, what she called a "pretty good-sized meconium diaper":) Dr. Hatley didn't think we'd see that until much later in the week. That is a sign that she is ready to start eating again.
It isn't looking like we are moving back to our room on the 5th floor any time soon... but one day at a time. The good news is that Ellie will make a FULL recovery, and her ostomy bag will be a thing in the DISTANT past!!
Thursday morning, I walk in to see this:
She was happy, sitting up, smiling, cooing, and getting attention from everyone that walked through the NICU. Her belly was MUCH softer, and she was having small poops much more frequently. Dr. Hatley was not willing to move her to the floor just yet. "A few more days" or so. Although I never lost hope, I did realize that the chances of her moving out to the floor over the weekend were slim to none. Friday and Saturday roll by and Ellie is improving drastically each time I see her. You could just look at her and tell she was feeling better. The nurses made a boppy for her out of blankets so she could prop up and see what was going on. Sometimes, they would even unplug her and walk around with her if she was fussy. I never once questioned whether she was getting enough attention (or love). By Sunday, they were ready to start her feedings. They gave her half an ounce of pedialyte at noon, another half ounce at three and moved to formula at six. She cried when you pulled the bottle away, wanting more. :) Tuesday night, she got her PICC line removed and was able to be discharged straight home on Wednesday, May 18. I couldn't get to the hospital soon enough that afternoon! When I got there, she was snoozing on her belly.
We unplugged her and
ran out the door waited patiently for Alan, the nurse practitioner to discharge us. It only took about 20 minutes. When we pull up at the house, we see this:
The Davis kids had made Ellie a welcome-home banner and brought some balloons (for Eve). Finally, my twins were re-united again! They had been apart for 11 days!
I love them. I love them individually, but I really love them together...can that possibly make sense?? Eve
and her afro wanted in on the "welcome-home" pictures :)
She is a dream of a big sister...eager to help mommy and GENUINELY loving the girls...God has done something amazing there...and you can bet I am going to continue to foster that "sister-bond"for the rest of their lives. I am praying against jealousy, annoyance, and being left out. I believe these girls will grow up wanting to play and share with each other. Families are one of God's greatest blessings.
Well, with all that said, my family is whole again. Everyone is home and healthy and happy. God is faithful to us.
