Elena Update: Thur, 10.29.09, 11:30pm (bedside...as most, if not all the updates are!)

Elena Update: Thur, 10.29.09, 11:30pm (bedside...as most, if not all the updates are!)

From Dr. Sanchez (Elena's Pediatric doc) & Dr. Bryant (Elena's surgeon) earlier today:

1.) Wednesday's x-rays were significantly improved from Tues x-rays. (Thank God!)

A.) Today's x-rays were a little improved from yesterday's. (I'll take any improvement!)

2.) Her WBC (White Blood Cell) count has been consistently normal since her thorocotomy.

3.) All her blood & fluid cultures are negative. That's the final report from the cultures b/c they go out to 72 hrs since her surgery. (Thank God.)

4.) Her drainage is slowing down from her 2 chest tubes. (Thank God.)

5.) They've had to suction her a few times in the last couple days to continue to help clear out the krap that's still in that R lung.

A.) And they reposition her every 2-3 hours--side, back, side. And they change her when she has a poopy diaper. (Sorry, but I'm glad it's not ME!) :-) It's about once a day or once every other day. They've got her on a feeding tube also...I asked if I could spice it up w/a little salsa, but for some reason, they weren't real down with it. Evidently they haven't come up with a "Latin Pediasure" alternative...too easy...just stick some enchiladas in a blender & she'd be good-to-go in record time!!

6.) The new med, Pentobarbitol, seems to be working a little better than the Versed was. It keeps her knocked out longer periods of time.

7.) They dropped her PEEP down one notch to "7". Her O2% is still at 35%, down from 40%. (Those are both good b/c they're gradually weening her off the ventilator. YIPEE!! We cannot WAIT to see her little brown eyes pop open for the first time in over a WEEK...which feels like an eternity!! They expect her to be off the vent by Sunday. It cannot come soon enough!)

8.) Kath & I have been reading lots of Bible verses to her all day/night & singing her a bunch of great Christian tunes--Kath's in English & mine in Spanish. Elena pretty much thinks she's getting a personal concert/seranade from Enrique Iglesias when I start belting out the ballads. I know, I know...it's tough being modest, but someone has to ROCK the Unavision Sabor Latino!! :-)

•It especially gets a little roudy in the PICU when I start busting out my mad "Dancing w/the Stars" skills! The nurses aren't really quite sure what to make of it. I just let 'em know that's just how Elena & Big Papi roll!

9.) We had great nurses today & we've got great nurses again tonight, too: Alicia & Kimberly. Alicia is primarily taking care of Daylen & Kimberly is taking care of Elena. Per attached photo. Kimberly goes to Manna. Barbara is the Respiratory nurse tonight. She's cool too...another "breath of fresh air!" :-) There I go again w/my sense of humor! (The day shift we had Janice. She's good people.)

10.) Continue to pray for Daylen too--that both his lungs continue to clear up quickly & that all his vitals remain normal. Continue to also pray for his parents, Billy & Dawn, for continued strength & faith (& pray the same for Kath & me, too!) Billy & Dawn are an amazing couple & we have been blessed to go through & grow through these challenges side-by-side.

Again, thank you all SO much for your continued support & prayers (& emails, texts & Fb messages)! We absolutely can't convey how truly appreciative we are of you all!!

"Don't doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light."

"If God calls you to be in the midst of a storm, that's the safest place to be." --me

"You will never outgrow warfare, you must simply learn to fight." --Mike Murdock

2 Timothy 4:17-18
"But the Lord stood at my side & gave me strength...& I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack & will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom."
2 Timothy 4:17-18