Thursday, October 31, 2013

A Longer stay

Day 18 -

We are still at the hospital - it has been a long draining stay. So far Callie is infection free, however her inflammation levels have been elevated and unsure why. On Monday they switched out Callie's temporary drain for another temp. Thankfully with that change her inflammation levels decreased and today they are putting back in a permanent shunt.

This marks our second year in the hospital celebrating with Gillette! They sure know how to do Halloween here so I decided we need to make this a tradition - next year we will have to plan a clinic visit just so we aren't stuck in the hospital!

Over all Callie has really been doing great. She is in very good spirits and has great staff around her. We have been very grateful for the many visitors, support and prayers! With any luck we will be home tomorrow with our family again!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

A long Stay

Day 7 and still in the hospital!

This was an unexpected trip this time around. Callie has had a fluid pocket on the side of her head for a bit now. The doctors were not concerned as long as Callie was not symptomatic and up to this point she was not. Last Sunday however we noticed some drainage from it and called the Doctors whom asked us to come in on Monday.

Upon arrival we saw the Doctors who ended up admitting her and did Surgery that day to remove her shunt and test for infection. During the surgery they put in a temporary external shunt as well. Thankfully to date no infection has surfaced, however we are not sure if she needs a shunt or not. The doctors continue to monitor her daily and are trying to figure things out. They need to wait at least 10 days before they feel she is infection free. Currently they are adjusting the settings on the shunt to determine if it is even needed. Unfortunately that means probably another week in the hospital. Tomorrow when the surgeons are in we should get a little bit better plan, but for now we just wait.

This has been our longest stay in hospital since Callie was born. I think that is the hardest thing. Typically we have a planned stay and know roughly how long she will be in for. This time was a bit different. We are grateful for the wonderful staff and doctors while we are here along with all of our wonderful visitors even though we are so far away from home - Chris's Parents, Dan and Kathy and cousin Angie have made the way from home along with one of the kids nurses Kue. My Mom and brother are close so they have come too along with my best friend Heidi and her kids and my college coach Jean and her daughter. It is so nice to have the company to help pass the day.

Thank you to everyone for all of you support and prayers!