Watching and Waiting

Brianna reading "Nurse Nancy" to Kylie

A walk in the hall with our masks on

Taking a break sucking the fingers with blankie

It has been a very long past couple of days as doctors are continuing to watch Kylie very closely. Her x-rays are still showing a good amount of air outside of the intestine which would suggest a leak. However, her physical exams continue to look excellent--her tummy is nice and soft and there is no tenderness whatsoever. To have air outside of the intestine 6 days after surgery that has not been absorbed by the body is VERY concerning. Doctors keep expressing how abnormal this is. It is normal to have a small amount of air after an operation that is absorbed by the body soon after. They have been drawing Kylie's blood every day to check for infection. If she would have a leak, she should be showing signs of having a bad infection. However, her white blood cell count couldn't be more normal. So, at this point, doctors are very very confused. For now, they just want to continue to watch her very closely.

Today is the first day that she has felt better since about Tuesday last week. I think that part of the reason that she is feeling so much better is because her TPN has kicked in and is giving her some energy. She has lost so much weight, it is unbelievable. She is seriously so fragile--just skin and bone. It has been such a long past few days in our room since they have instituted the new H1N1 policies. However, we have a huge answer to prayer as of today. Kylie's doctors want her up and walking in hopes that it will help to move this air. So, they have given a special order for her to leave her room and walk 4th floor with a mask on. This has been SO therapeutic for her today.

Kaycee went out and visited Carson today. Carson has been doing so good with Opa and Oma. He said that after Carson's nap today, Carson showed him how he goes out and collects the eggs from the chickens. He puts them in a bucket without breaking them :) And then he showed dad how he pedals the old John Deere tractor. Carson has just recently gotten really good at pedaling from being around his cousins so much. I guess that last night they all had a bon-fire and roasted hot-dogs and marshmallows. He's having the time of his life and I'm so so thankful for all Kaycee's parents have done and continue to do for us.

I am also so incredibly thankful for my mom and Brianna who come and visit us every day. My mom has brought some wonderful meals up to us. The cafeteria food gets old really fast, so her cooking has been such a treat. Brianna is a great little nurse to Kylie. She's practicing now because her dream is to be a nurse someday :) Tonight, she helped me walk Kylie in the halls, entertain her with games and toys, and helped me give her a bath. I praise the Lord today for the blessings of family!