Tuesday, August 31, 2010

She's back!

Josie is the ultimate comeback kid!  She continues to impress us with her daily progress...
...although we're getting a little irritated with the disgruntled attitude.
Apparently she didn't get the memo about how the PICU isn't the most fun and enjoyable place on earth.  What can I say?  The kid blooms where she's planted.  And the charming demeanor and excessive smiling doesn't exactly leave her starved for attention.  We're pretty sure her stay in the PICU has been extended due to the simple fact that the PICU staff doesn't really want to part with her. 

While no one can provide a definitive answer as to what caused her "lung disease" nor why it suddenly cleared up, the bottom line is that she's doing remarkably better. Testing is still underway to try and validate the aspiration/reflux theory.  Yesterday she had a swallow study which did not provide conclusive evidence of aspiration. 
Tomorrow she will have another bronchoscopy and an upper GI study.  Regardless, she will be the proud owner of a shiny new G tube on Friday.  Not only will a feeding tube reduce the risk of aspiration, it will also provide supplementary feedings containing much needed calories to maximize Josie's growth and development.  Josie is 5 months old and barely over 10 pounds and that is not adequate growth, according to the physicians.

In other exciting news, Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne rolled into town to ensure Josie was receiving adequate spoiling during her hospital stay. 
Last week she got a hearty helping of love and attention from Travis' side of the family (including an extra special and much appreciated surprise visit from Uncle Bruce and Aunt Cathy) and this week she gets to enjoy the unceasingly entertaining company of Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne.
 
When Leanne wasn't too busy hitting on, Nick, the Respiratory Therapist ("you're cute!"...  "you're my favorite!"..."Do you want to sing to the baby with me?"), she was showering 'Catfish with Ketchup' with affection.  Did I mention that Leanne also bestowed a food nickname on Nick?  Yes, he now also goes by "Black Olives" in some chromosomally enhanced circles.

Perhaps the best part of our day was receiving the results of Josie's echocardiogram.
Her pulmonary hypertension has once again, disappeared.  With that, Nurse Juliana removed Josie's cannula and we watched as she breathed easily without the supplementary oxygen.
One less thing in her nose!

That's not a half bad oxygen saturation for a kid who couldn't breathe without the aid of a ventilator just over a week ago.  Way to go, Josie!  You are an inspiration!

21 comments:

  1. You'll rock that toobie, L'il Josie-O. No doubt about it. They're ALL the rage this season.

    Keep up the good work! We'll be cheering for you!

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  2. Praise God! Prayer work's and she is the proof. No matter what she is in God's hand's, and I am so happy to see how well she is doing. She is just soooo precious!

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  3. So happy for you that little Josie is doing better. :)

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  4. What a beautiful report! Can't wait to see Josie soon! Love Jonnikka and Grayson

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  5. Aubrey didn't hit 10 lbs until almost 9 months old! We still struggle to keep weight on, but she is a great eater and just has a high metabolism! (wish we all did) She'll be 2 next week and is just over 18lbs. We have a nutritionist that comes twice a month to keep tabs on our little miss.

    So glad Josie is bouncing back. Happy to see that smile!

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  6. way to go! that is such wonderful news!:)

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  7. Love to see her cute, smiling face!

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  8. God is so good. We are so happy to hear that Josie is doing so well.

    Cracking up at Leanne and her black olives guy.

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  9. WoW! Praise God for little Josie girl! I am so elated and overjoyed about this update! What a beauty you have! She is a blessing!

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  10. YAY! Josie looks wonderful! I LOVE Leanne's nicknames for everyone. Jimmy does that too, except it is usually not food....until last night. He told me to put the "chicken nuggets" in the tub! He was refering to his little brothers!:) Made me laugh and think of Leanne.:) So happy your little catfish with ketchup is doing better!
    Amy

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  11. Mine had a G-Button for her first 2+ years. Please (and I mean it) let me know if you have any questions or need any help at all.

    I felt daunted by it for the first week or so, but it becomes second nature. I used to do tube-feedings where ever we were (WalMart, MacDonalds... you name it). My daughter actually went through a time when she had to eat every 30 minutes to 1 hour, and there simply wasn't a way to plan activities around it. While that is very rare, the g-tube becomes very easy to manage where ever you are and what ever you are doing :)

    So happy Josie is doing so much better!

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  12. YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! What an awesome thing to read!! Praise the Lord!!! You'll be home soon Josie!

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  13. What a beautiful smile!! What beautiful love surrounding Josie. She feels it, embraces it, and she is the ultimate comeback kid!!!!

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  14. She looks great!! Welcome to the G-kids club. We're fans of the g-button in our house...it's been wonderful. And I understand the little tiny bean issues... Braska was barely 15 lbs at 1 year, 19 at 2, 21 at 3, and at almost 4 she's just hit 23. Clearly, weight gain isn't automatic with a g-tube, but it sure helps. :o)

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  15. I am so happy for you guys, I could cry. Josie is amazing, and she is just so beautiful! I am curious about why the dr is concerned about her weight...Lily is 7 and 1/2 months and only 11 pounds 5 oz...and her physician isn't concerned at all. But maybe because Lily started out so tiny? Anyway, way to go, Josie!

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  16. Loved the smiles!! Looks like she is in wonderful hands.

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  17. That is great. Isabella was barely 10lbs at 5 months old! Some babies are just on the small side :)
    So glad to hear that things are going better. She is a little miracle in so many ways!

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  18. OH MY! She is doing beautifully! Blooming where she is planted indeedie! So glad to read the good word. She is a doll!

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