One step forward, two steps back

Unfortunately, Emmie had to be transferred back to the PICU today. This morning she seemed to be doing better, but by lunch her incision looked worse again. Dr. Mello (surgeon) opened her incision to allow it to drain and hopefully get better. He is going to reevaluate the incision in the morning. If it's the same or worse, he's going to take her to the OR tomorrow morning to explore and make sure the shunt looks ok and the infection doesn't extend deeper. Hopefully, it will improve overnight and we can avoid the OR. We are trying to stay positive and we know she's in good hands. Thanks for everyone's support.

ag

To Dr. Starr's floor!

Off of oxygen and feeling better!

Come a little closer and I'll hit you with this thing!

Emmie had a good night and was transferred to the floor today. We are on Dr. Starr's service (our friend Barry- see prior blog posts) and appreciate his care. Sorry for the poor quality of photos but my iphone had to do- left the big camera at home. As you can tell by her sweet eyes, she is feeling much better today. She even managed to pitch a fit during her bath. She was weaned off of her oxygen and is doing well so far. It was a staph infection that caused the fevers so they are treating her with iv antibiotics. She'll be on IV Vancomycin until Thursday and then hopefully will be changed to oral meds. Then hopefully home soon after that!

ag

A small pothole in the road.....

Emmie was readmitted to the hospital today. She was a little (or a lot) cranky last night and her incision was slightly more erythematous. She didn't have a fever so we didn't worry too much. This morning, however, she wasn't her usual feisty self and she wasn't eating well so we called the np for the surgeon and she wanted to see us at our appt that afternoon. Emmie decided she'd be seen on her timeline so she spiked a fever of 101.6. We then took her in to see Dr. Kantrow a little earlier than scheduled. Her oxygen saturations were lower than usual because of the fever but an echo of her shunt showed that it was open and doing well. This was the best news of the day. Dr. Kantrow then rushed us to the pediatric icu (our old friends). Emmie's white blood cell count was 37,000 (way high) and her incision was infected. She's on vancomycin now and her fever has resolved for now. Hopefully, Emmie will be moved to the floor tomorrow. We will keep you posted.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers!
Amy and Liz

No more stitches!

Emmie had her stitches taken out today! She was not thrilled at the time but she's trying to look on the positive side. She is especially excited about a real bath. Sponge baths are for old folks!

I went back to work. That was less fun than I thought. Funny how this little creature can wrap her tiny fingers around your heart in such a short time. I got a little teary when I got to the office and saw all of my friends/office staff. After hugging everyone, I walked to my office and saw all of the pictures that Jackie had printed and framed of Emmie. At this point, I boohooed. Thanks to all of my fabulous office staff who are much more importantly my friends. Desiree, Vanessa, Eugenie, Jackie and Kristi- thanks for all of your support, love, food, cleaning skills, and help. I appreciate each of you and love you all very much. Thanks also to Dr. Graham and his office who covered for me and allowed me to be with our daughter. Thanks to all of you.

Love and thanks,

ag

G-Daddy, MiMi, and Dutchie

One last group picture

Dutchie, Emmie, and me

Dutchie and 2 of her great-grandchildren

Aunt Marsha, Nicolas, and Emmie

Nicolas finally decided to hold her

Mimi and Emmie

G-daddy (Amy's dad) and Emmie

Over the weekend, G-daddy, MiMi, and Dutchie came to visit. We were all so glad to see them and I think Emmie managed to charm them as well. Dutchie fried her famous catfish and cornbread- Emmie you can try this later- and they were so good! We had our first outing for dinner at Mandina's. I guess you can call it dinner. We were told by our pediatrician to avoid crowded places so we went to dinner at 4:45. I think this may be a late lunch, but either way, Mandina's was not crowded except for a few 80 year olds. I felt like Pam Pogue. Emmie did well though. She snuggled down in her Mobie wrap and noone could see her to spread their yucky germs. On Sunday, everyone left to go home to Birmingham and Dothan. We were sad to see them go but hope they will all return soon.

Doctor Day and then Aunt Marsha & Nicolas arrive

Nicolas and Marsha meet Emmie

Nicolas was a little nervous at first, but Emmie quickly won him over

I have my Aunt Marsha's temper!

Ella wishes she was the baby again

Thanks for the stationary and lasagna Erica!

Emmie, you cannnot go shopping with Nanny Lisa.

If you do, ask Uncle Tom for his credit card!

Today, Emmie had to go to her doctor's appointments. This was an all morning affair. She got a clean bill of health and they all said she was doing well, but they were concerned about her chest xray. Initially, they thought she might have some air around her lung (pneumothorax) and they wanted to see her again on Monday to make sure it was getting better. Later in the afternoon, Dr. Young called to say that the radiologist looked at the films and said it was not a pneumothorax but it was skin folds i.e. your baby is fat. We'll take fat anyday!

This afternoon, Aunt Marsha and Nicolas arrived from Birmingham. We were all so excited to see them. Nicolas was a little nervous and wanted to make sure that Liz and I still loved him. Once he was reassured of this, he quickly fell in love with little Emmie. He especially liked it when she had a big loud poo. Boys will be boys. We have a big weekend ahead. G-daddy Grace, MiMi and Dutchie arrive tomorrow. Emmie can't wait to meet everyone.

Normal

Clean but displeased after her first bath

We made it through the first night. I think Emmie missed the PICU nurses and I know we missed them. She wailed throughout much of the night and was clearly displeased with her care. Today, she's been a little angel- slept and ate. We must have done a better job of meeting her needs today. She had her first bath- at least the first one we were responsible for. She clearly let us know that the nurses in the PICU did a better job. She builds us up and then tears us down- I'm a little scared to go to bed tonight. I thought last week was tough. This may do me in! :)

Going home!!!

Home sweet home!

Barry and Kelly stopped by for a visit

Ella watching over (or ignoring) Emmie

Saying bye to the PICU- thanks everybody!

Thanks Steph and Leron!

Thumbs up

Ally comes in for one last goodbye

Anna stopped by to see us off

last minute instructions from Sherry

No oxygen or tubes!

Emmie is doing so well that she is going home today! It's been a long week but we finally get to take her home today. Thanks again to everyone from the PICU staff to our friends and family for your excellent care of all 3 of us.

Eating more!

hugs from Bobble

Nonie says goodbye (for a short time)

Getting checked out by Dr. Luty and Jess

Renee and Mary stop by for a visit and brought burgers!

Today we had a good day, except Nonie had to leave today. We're happy to say that Bobble is still here to be the grandmother. Emmie has been able to breastfeed today and has done pretty well. We're excited to be one step closer to going home! We weren't able to leave the PICU today, but that's ok since we're so comfortable with everyone here.

Hiccups

Music to our ears!

Emmie didn't like it when Ms. Kim and Ms. Emily removed her lines. We'll work on her manners. She really meant to say thank you. It's so nice to hear that little voice though!

looking good in purple!

Emmie listening intently

Bobble, Lizard and Emmie

Thanks Johanne for the shrimp and grits!

milk coma

Got milk?

Chowing down

Bobble and Emmie

Now that's more like it! MILK!

My first meal- pedialyte. What happened to all of that good food y'all promised me?

Today was all about getting back to normal. The arterial line and central line were removed. Emmie got to eat- though she thought Pedialyte was less than ideal. Her next meal was breast milk and she thought that was much better. She continues to do well. They are weaning her oxygen and we will hopefully move to the floor tomorrow barring any setbacks.