Yesterday marked one month post surgery for Etta. As of this weekend, Etta is feeling much better and her appetite is improving daily. At times this has seemed like the longest month of our lives. The last two weeks here at home have been especially challenging for all of us as we are short on sleep and energy and Etta requires much attention and has been physically and emotionally fragile. Solvej is also at a very needy stage in her development, so the girls are really keeping us busy! The first snow on Saturaday morning was exciting and the gilrs peeked out the window at the wite stuff. Winter seems to be on its way and that should mean fun in the snow for Etta.

We are currently waiting to be discharged from the hospital. Etta has some congestion in her right lung due to some nerve damage that has affected her diaphragm function. This is a time issue and she should regain full breathing function in  a few months, but it will probably be slow going for a while. We will have to work with her to do some respiratory therapy for a while but otherwise we don’t have to do much else, just let her get plenty of rest and good food to build up her strength again. Thanks again for all yor support and we will keep you updated on her progress.

Jesse

Etta’s recovery has taken a turn for the worse and we are heading back to Mayo for help with some respiratory problems. We may also be dealing with a allergic reaction to one of her meds. Please pray for her healing. We will post more when we know more.

We’re home. We made it. Seems like forever but we made it. Etta slept for 15 hours. She really needs the rest after being interrupted constantly in the hospital. It was kinda sad to leave the families that we had met who were just starting their journey. We look back and are thankful for God’s faithfulness thru all of this. We hope that Etta’s story can continue to be an encouragement for others going thru similar circumstances.

Dad showing Etta how to eat "super carrots" to stay healthy.

The chest tube is finally out! We got it out this afternoon along with the IV line in her neck. Her color is great and she is starting to get back to her chatty little self. She is a much happier little girl and we can’t wait to get outta here tomorrow. We will spend our last night at Ronald Mc Donald House and go home on Thursday.

Etta finally got her usual 12 hours of sleep last night and it made a big difference for her. She woke up smiling and ate a good breakfast. Then she went to play and draw with Grandpa in the activity room. We have our hopes up for getting the chest tube removed tomorrow!

Sorry we haven’t updated for a while. Yesterday we finally hit the wall of exhaustion and had to figure out our approach to the next few days here. Etta still as a drainage tube in her chest that continues to hurt her and has kept her from taking walks or getting out of bed for much more than a short wagon ride. It cannot be removed until the volume of flow decreases by 50% of the current rate, so we are just waiting and hoping that things dry up and we can get that darned tube out! She will feel so much better and we should be free to go home shortly there after. Please pray for our endurance over the weekend as we are weary and would like to continue Etta’s recovery in the comfort and routine of our own home.

Jesse

Yay! We are moving off the ICU to the main floor this afternoon.

Etta is in better spirits today. She was very hungry this morning and she walked a little bit too.She went on a long wagon ride and munched on a big apple! We hope to get the last chest tube out today and we will probably move off of the ICU floor. Once that tube is out she will want to walk more and things will speed up. Everyday sees us a little closer to going home. Thankyou for all the support and prayers.

Jesse