There's no place like home....

We are home!!!!  Monday night at 10:00 pm my over the moon daughters welcomed their baby sister. We feel so incredibly blessed and lucky.  I'll post pictures soon.  I have been so busy being a mommy at home and am so behind in so much, I haven't had time.  But, wanted to extend our appreciation and gratitude for all those that prayed and were with us throughout this journey.  Love to all!!!!

A new room

Lauren's surgery went well.  They went in the base of the shunt and shortened the catheter.  Before they finished up they tested the shunt and took x-rays.  Her head already has lost the swelling...  Her pain has been managed extremely well.  She has been sleeping away!


This morning before surgery we moved to another pod into a new room.  We still have a window, it's a little smaller, but fits us perfectly.  It gave me a chance to organize her things and my stuff.  How in the world am I going to fit everything in here and stuff from RMHouse home???

Well, let's hope this is the final leg in our stay here.  Last day of antibiotics is scheduled for Monday.  Can't wait to hear our plan.  Thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement today!

XOXO

Day 71

Well, I have not posted lately because from time to time Lauren would get a bit too sleepy for me, then be great.  So, I was afraid to report great news and then something be wrong again.  Silly, but true.

True to my instincts Lauren's sleepiness got heavier and her head circumference increased too much to be comfortable.  But to top it off she threw up last night, so I knew immediately something wasn't right with the shunt.  After x-rays, blood work and ultra sounds it was determined that her shunt isn't draining properly because the tip of the catheter in her heart is in a bit too far. 

With a VA shunt they want the tip to drain  into the right atrium, which is an area of low pressure.  However right now it is draining into a ventricle in the aorta that is pumping into the lungs, which is an area of high pressure.  So a little physics lesson-it won't work here...  

Tomorrow morning Lauren will go into surgery to have the catheter shortened.  They will not have to go into brain end of shunt, just working with the veins and/or arteries.   A surgeon that specializes with these arteries will work alongside Dr. Tulipan the neuro surgeon.

Our final day of antibiotics was scheduled for Monday, however they usually like 1 week of post op antibiotics, so it looks like next Wednesday should be her final day of the stuff.  I am really hoping for a discharge shortly after that, but we all know that we have to take it one day at a time.  Patience...

Thanks for the prayers!!!!

I'll keep you all posted on her progress.

LOVE from Lauren and Me;)

Moving Forward

Lauren has had some really fabulous days lately.  It pleases me to no end to see her so happy and alert.  She is even cracking a small smile every now and then.  She is working on her physical and occupational therapies still.

Of course, from the past I get nervous about thinking this time it really is working, but will run into problems any day... But I have to remain strong in my faith, hand over my nervousness to the Lord, and believe that it really is going to take and we will get out of here at the end of our antibiotic cycle.  If only easier done than said!  

Point is, Lauren is adorable and wonderful and I am enjoying her soooo much! 

Friday May 6th

Well, little Miss Lauren had a fabulous day.  She was up and alert and cute as pie, I could just eat her up!  She ate well too.  

Yesterday neuro tapped her shunt and injected a blood thinner into her shunt to help with swelling adn drainages.  Neuro came by again today to check her fontanel for pressure and found it to still be a little full, so they gave her another dose of the thinner in her shunt.  The ex-shunt site swelling has gone down quite a bit, but still not completely.  So, she still wears those silly net hats!  

Yesterday Erica came and spoiled me.  It was awesome cause she got to hold lauren for the first time!

 

Thanks Adrianna for the visit, it was great catching up and you got to get your baby fix snuggling!

Wednesday Recovery

Lauren is recovering very well!  Sleeping a lot, but well managed.  She is on a plan for 3 weeks of antibiotics here...