Jill has a small left lung that now has the room it needs to grow. Her heart is slightly to the right of its desired position. The surgeon said that it should reposition itself once her lungs develop. He also said that 19 out of 20 babies that make it this far will survive, possibly more. That's great news. However, there are several health issues that can arise in the coming weeks, months, and even years.
Jill has been doing well since her surgery. She hasn't had to get back on the blood pressure medications or nitric oxide. She is still on the ventilator, probably at least for another couple of weeks. The nurse mentioned that we may be able to hold her in a week or two, something we didn't expect so soon.
I (Bryan) went back to work today. I was hoping to ease back into work, maybe at 1/2 to 3/4 time initially. But due to some sudden personnel changes today, it looks like more will be expected of me in the weeks ahead than I had hoped (with Jill in the NICU for possibly over three months). What's a little extra stress, huh?
Judy's goal is to visit Jill twice a day, once in the late morning and once in the evening after I get home from work. Our available help to watch Katelyn during the day is currently sick, so Judy couldn't make it to the hospital this morning. We visited Jill tonight. We had to visit her separately since Katelyn can't be left alone in the waiting room.
Jill had been heavily sedated since the surgery until this evening. For the first time since her birth, we were able to see her open her eyes slightly. She's beginning to move her arms and legs more. While it is great to see these things, it also breaks our hearts to think that she may be uncomfortable with the ventilator down her throat and all of the other tubes and wires attached to her.
Today was the most stressful day for Judy and I. We are now past her birth and surgery, but now we are beginning the journey to getting her home. I have the commitment to my job and supporting my family financially. Judy has the commitment to watch Katelyn 24 hours a day (tougher than my job). We think about Jillian constantly, wishing that we could speed up her recovery.
Please pray for Jill's recovery and for our sanity.
3 comments:
I made the picture of Jill the background on my desktop at work (so I can remember to pray everytime I see her) and my Kindergarteners ask me about her every day. They want her to "feel better" too! :) Praying for strength and sanity for the two of you as well!
you're awesome b-dog.
i wish we were there to watch katelyn so you guys could go see jillian whenever you want. we are praying for her to come home very soon and for peace and less stress for your family. love, the paulo's
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