The Day After

The day AFTER surgery

Well, it came in like a LION and left us like a lamb!!!

I awoke after only a few hours of sleep this morning to a sobbing child!

She was in so much pain.

Really, I could not understand with the amount of medicine that had been ordered how she  not could still have pain ----

UNTIL

I found out they had not been giving her one of the meds. because she had not asked for any!

WHAT?????

EVEN after the Dr. (and I) said to give it to her around the clock BECAUSE she WILL NOT ask.

This has ALWAYS been a problem with both girls.  

The fear in their eyes when asking about pain -- well, when they admit weakness, the fear of what USED to happen before adoption is there!

We are so thankful Dr. F and Dr. M understand this!

Dr. F called in at the end of one shift and talked about her care -- and found out that she had not had any big meds since 10 pm the night before.  Oh, my -- he laid it down what was suppose to happen.

AND

The day nurse was AWESOME!!!

We worked hard to get a good med. control and stay on top of it!!

THANKFULLY, 

This continued with the next shift as well!!!

YEAH!!!

So, once the pain was limited ---

She went to the bathroom.

She went for a ride around the floor.

She got dressed (by daddy and mommy)

She ate -- 

Just a'wheeling around!

At times today, it seemed we had our 'normal' Elizabeth 

JUST in a BIG cast.

All dressed for the day -- smiling we her daddy!

Other times I had a very subdued, withdrawn little girl.

She slept, lots!

She would NOT talk to ANYONE but me and sometimes dad.  

ALTHOUGH, most of the time she would just blink and shake her head to me to answer -- NOTHING to anyone else.

She watched a movie after lunch and slept after for over 2 1/2 hours.  

She was slow to wake-up BUT we got her going again.

I did not want her to lay and be 'down' all evening.

So, we got her in the wheelchair and went for a spin!

She perked right up!!!

Came back went to the bathroom AND then went downstairs to find some ice cream and wheel around in a 'new' environment.

Superman Ice Cream -- her favorite!  She ate about 1/2 of it -- pretty good!

 We even stopped to read the book -- "What makes you happy!"

Kisses AND presents make Elizabeth happy!

She ate ok for dinner -- not lots but ok.  She watched Polar Express -- 

She finally got to talk to her siblings.

YES, both her and the girls WANTED to talk.  Both were upset it did not work out last night.

All 4 of the kids at home wanted to talk to her!  It was the sweetest thing ever!

They were so genuinely happy for the good things that happened to her today!

She was a bit perplexed when JM said, "Did you go to the bathroom today?"

Elizabeth's response in a very sassy tone, "Umm... Why do you want to know that?  YOU ARE A BOY!!!"

Well, she could not understand why he would be praying for that!!!

She was so funny talking to them!

It was great to hear HER come out again!

After the phone call -- well, she went to sleep!

She has been very peaceful ever since.

AND

The medicine routine is going well.  We added an oral -- so the BIG ones could start to be weened.  And I'm happy to say we are just about off of the morphine!

This is one step closer to home!

The hospital has been great about making sure we have everything AND are trained with everything before we go home.   Both physical therapy and patient advocate/coordinators are working with us to have a smooth transition.

They did figure out that the wrong wheelchair was delivered to our house so, that gets changed out tomorrow along with the training for the vest/harness style car belt.   

My dear Elizabeth did ask when she could go home.

Matt and I told her the steps that had to be done before we could go.  

She was totally ok with them.

ALTHOUGH,

she informed her sisters she was probably going to be able to go home at the end of the day on Friday.

Yep, she thinks she will have all that needs to be accomplished DONE -- so she can go home.

We are praying for this!!!

As the day ends -- thankfully, the blessings outweighed the challenges. 

BLESSINGS!!!

1.  PAIN MANAGEMENT!!!!

2.  She got out of bed and into a wheelchair.

3.  She held down food!

4.  She wanted to get dressed and 'tour.'

5.  People that care for us -- not just the hospital staff!  Many texts, fb messaged, calls and a visit really helped today!

6.  Elizabeth is taking the oral medicine with NO ISSUES -- this is new to us ;)  

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Continued pain management

2.  Elizabeth is well enough to be able to go home -- ultimately being the right decision to go home!  NOT FORCED!

3.  Complete healing during this ordeal.  INCLUDING having her joyful attitude intact!

4.  She remains healthy and does not have any other 'issues.'

5.  For the other 4 kids -- just comfort.  It is hard on them when we are gone.  It is very hard on the girls being apart.  My Darling and BaJabs care about Elizabeth so much -- they want to be assured she is ok.  They really want her home so they can help take care of her!!

6.  Physical strength and health for me!  This is actually a physically demanding ordeal.  Please pray that my body holds up with the demands.

Thank-you for your prayers!  Please continue.

We are continuing to strive to CHOOSE JOY through this 'lemon' time in our life -- EVEN try to make some lemonade :)

We are reminded again -- God is GOOD -- yes, ALL of the time!