Look Ma...No Breathing Tube

OK, so we were hopeful for the removal of her breathing tube ("extubate" for the med-types), but delayed pending the results of Ella's belly scan. Thursday early afternoon she rolled downstairs in her $60K super-bed with an entourage of doctors, nurses, mom and dad, for her Upper GI study, which involved injecting a dye into her intestine and doing a series of X-ray scans. We anxiously await results, but the surgical team is busy with surgeries and are unable to give us an immediate report. Rumors are good tho - the dye coursed through her entire small intestine with no blockage or leaks.

Thursday Evening - daddy gets his first grips on DaughterT. She likes it. So does he.


Friday, still awaiting full news on her belly. It is still a bit puffed up, but some good goo and liquid coming out, which is a good sign.


In the afternoon, daddy snuck out to play some pickup ultimate frisbee at a nearby park - good muddy fun.


Friday PM - mommy's first try for "Kangaroo Care" where Ella gets to snuggle into mom's bosom. They keep each other nice and warm, and Ella can hear mommy's hearbeat, just like old times... At one point, her breathing monitor just barely blipping and we called the nurse over in concern, but in fact Ella was just in super-relax deep sleep mode. The nurses finally kicked mom and dad out at midnight.

Saturday AM - to our delight, Ella has been extubated! No more ventillator!!! She is breathing easier and looks much more comfortable with an air supply that blows into her nostrils. This is a very good positive step, and could possibly start feeding her soon.

Ella had a good visit from Uncle Jeff and Cousin Luis, and squeezed fingers. With her tube out, she can now cry and gave us a tiny-t wail, but cant compete in volume yet with the neighbor kids... We all went out for lunch - picked up Jeff D, stopped for a visit to Jill's gourmet food market, and then went to Park Street for an awesome streetside lunch. Great food, great company, and refreshing to get out.


Saturday PM - mom gets another night of Kangaroo. puts Ella fully out.

Good stuff over the last couple of days. Tomorrow, Ella is looking forward to a visit from Tonya and Marcia. And dad will escape the girl stuff for a while (maybe frisbee and a visit to Lowes?).


G-night. Love - Bill Denise Ella T