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!