Thursday, February 26, 2015

We received word on Tuesday morning that the questionable mass on her kidney had significantly shrunk confirming that it was a hemmorhage.  We knew the ultrasound was performed that early morning and results were read right away.  I woke up every hour that night looking at the clock.  I left her that night covered in prayer, holy water, and sleeping with all her saint friends tucked into her bed. I have been so afraid to even accept this as a possiblity in her life.  When I walked away from her that night, I realized I had done everything I could humanly do.  I went to my room that night I just laid in bed and stared at the wall.  John came early that morning so we could be together when the results were delivered.  He called the hospital on his way up and they couldn't tell him anything yet.  He called back about 45 minutes later and just explained how we were truly on pins and needles and if they could tell us anything.  The nurse kindly read a bit of the report and told John that it appears the mass was indeed smaller, but the doctors wanted to talk with us to give an official report.  I was a bit shell-shocked as I was anxiously anticipating a "meeting" when they tell us everything so for John to be able to call up and get the preliminary results was such a gift as I was so anxious.  The neonatologist came in around noon and we were chatting a bit.  I was trying to read his every expression and body language to tell if he was getting ready to tell me bad news.  I finally asked him about the report and he nicely says, "Oh Yeah.  Everything looks great.  You don't need to worry about that anymore."  I wilted in my chair and just shook in relief. 

Lourdes continues to do well.  She is gaining weight everyday.  She is keeping her feedings down.  We look at each other every day and each day I notice she stares longer and longer into my eyes.  It is amazing how quickly you get to know each child.  I know that she likes being held upright right under my chin.  She tucks her arms in and will just look around contently.  She sleeps quite awhile in the morning as she has been throwing a party for the night nurses I hear.  I think she is still trying to figure out her days and nights a bit.  She is nursing so well which I am so thankful because she went several days without nursing in the very beginning. 

We are scheduled to go home in 8 more days (Friday, March 6th in the afternoon).  You learn to say that lightly around here because you just never know what will come up between now and the minute you are to go home.  It doesn't make me anxious as we are so thankful that her bacterial infection was discovered here and not at home.  So, whatever God has planned for our stay, I want to trust it is always for the best.

Some of my wonderful friends came up to Omaha on Monday.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory and then later prayed the rosary and novena prayers around Lourdes that evening.  Friendship is one of life's greatest, most wonderful blessings.  I would have to write a trilogy to thank each of our friends for all that they have done over the past weeks and months.  How do you thank them adequately?  Suggestions will be taken for the rest of my life...Thank you.

Our other children have been overly loved on and provided for to such beautiful measures.  Zellie was sick for a couple days and I realized that between John's mom, aunt and cousin (who are all nurses) she was completely well-cared for.  That was a gift.  John's parents, aunts, and cousins have traveled to be with our children.  They have sent wonderful pictures and messages to me that always make my heart happy.  They have sacrificed their own family time to help our family.  John's sisters have offered to come with their own children to be at our home so he can work and be here with me.   

My new friend, Mertyl Mae Quinn, brings me communion each day at 1:00. We sit and visit about life for about an hour.  She offered several of her days for Lourdes to heal. 

Funny that so much has happened since we first came here two weeks ago.  It feels like since other more serious issues arose since her arrival that I have forgotten why we came here in the first place.  Oh yes, that is right, she had surgery to put her insides that were on the outside back on the inside.  We pray that all continues to heal and hopefully we will all be together soon.