Post Op: Day 8

Day began beautifully list ening to the hopeful tunes of Michael Franti and Spearhead's latest "The Sound of Sunshine" that my man "Banjo" Dan Doyle dropped off for use last night. Seemed especially poignant for a day of sun and drying up the chest tube. Apparently Michael wrote the bulk of the album while in the hospital dealing with a scare last year. There are lots of great tunes including 'Hey Hey Hey' with lyrics "No matter how life is today, there's only one thing I got to say, I won't let another moment slip away, I hold on, I try to hold on." Also there is a beautiful tune 'Gloria' that feels like it will be Kellyn/Dad's song.

We were given a goal chest tube level of 30cc's by midnight - if she hit that we would move forward with discharge logistics. We would maybe in consideration at about 35, but with a level of 42 with a few hours to go, I think we are destined for a few more days as Kelly's heart continues to heal. Again this just occurs with some kids that it takes longer to heal. They assure us she'll get there, just will take more time. Aside from this wrestling with the chest tube, she is in tremendous spirit and is looking great. Parenting your 3 month old with a chest tube in is about as fun as cutting knee high grass with a push mower, at 5PM in August, with a three piece wool suit on.

Ruth and I, well this picture was taken of us at about 4PM.



We are a bit beat up, are really punchy, squirrely in the hospital and dying to get our girl home. Feels like we are a few days out still. Staff here has been great, especially the nurses. Our sweet nurse Gina has even taken to joining our family dances to help Kellyn take her meds.

Weekend brings a chance to see sweet Evie - and we are both jazzed about that. Our saga continues, check in with me in about 15 years - something tells me Kellyn will be the one we are waiting for as we head out the door...that is quite alright with me though...as long as it takes. Coming home will never have felt so good.