3 Weeks

Hope is three weeks old today and  what a miracle and blessing she has been in such a short amount of time.  She looks so good that it is hard to believe she has been through so much.  She was awake for a little while today, but the doctors wanted her a little more sedated...so out she went.  They removed the other drainage tube and her foley catheter (this is the normal catheter that they put in everyone who has surgery).  They also lowered some of her medicine...mostly the blood pressure medicine and the medicine that helps her heart beat.  They want to see how well her heart handles her blood pressure and heart beat on its own.  They also lowered the the settings on the ventilator and will continuing lowering them until they are pretty sure she will be able to handle breathing on her own.  They will probably try and remove the breathing tube by the end of the week.

Jerry went back to work today, so I am relying on my mom and sister to help with the boys.  It is going to get even harder when my mom goes back to work because she has been great about coming over and helping out almost every day.  Marilyn has been great too, but she has her own family and kids and I know it is hard on her and I don't want to take advantage all the time.  I appreciate everything everyone has done.  I know it has been hard on everyone and Hope has changed a lot of lives.  Please know that Jerry and I are extremely grateful for all of the help and the time that everyone has given up to support our family through everything.