At home at Dartmouth (Day 46)

I am surprised by how at home I feel back at Dartmouth. I have my old room at David's House (the Bunny Room) and Caroline has all of her former primary nurses back (plus a couple new ones who signed on as primaries today). Tonight she is playing with the lovely Nurse Nancy who gave her her first bubble bath, bought her socks at the outlet mall, and knitted her some socks while flying to FL last week. Caroline got a blood transfusion last night and another one this morning - and thank goodness as she is requiring a lot of different labwork to figure out what kind of infection she picked up. It could be bacterial or viral and depending on lab results we may never know. Our doctors have all said that they are sad to have us back but happy that they can help her get better. I am doing better here than I was at NC where I couldn't get any sleep because I felt like I had to keep my eye on the nurses at all times. Here I can leave Caroline for a little while knowing she will not only be in good hands but also loved by her doctors and nurses. And how could anyone not love this little snuggle bunny:

Happy after being extubated from the vent

She was wide awake almost all day after the vent came out!

Snuggles with daddy before he had to head home to work

Tyler wasn't feeling so hot the past couple of days. He was really worn out from weekend projects at home and felt like he was beginning to get a cold yesterday (probably didn't help that we didn't get to sleep Sunday night). He wore the face mask just to be cautious as we know many other teachers/students who have already gotten a back-to-school cold. It was sad to see Tyler go home again tonight but he will be back on Friday. 

One of my NICU friends graduated and went home yesterday. I am so happy for her and her son and am excited to visit with them tomorrow when they come back for a follow-up appointment. Another good friend is still here with her babies and while they are doing great they will probably be here a little while longer so I have someone to visit with. Of course I also have an amazing brother-in-law who I enjoy hanging out with and who just happens to work at the hospital (so convenient!)... he does a great job of looking out for us while Tyler is at home.

I am hopeful that we will get some telling test results tomorrow morning that will help explain what the heck is going on and maybe her bowels will start looking better so that she can start eating again. She has mastered sucking on her pacifier the last two days (I am sure she is hungry!) so I know that breastfeeding is going to go so much better once she can try again. 

Although it's only been two days since we've been back we've already had help or offers of help from so many friends and family again. Our biggest concern was for Fred but he is safe and happy with his friends Susie, Dennis and Brody. Susie was at our house Sunday but came right back early yesterday morning to rescue Fred from his kennel. She reported that he was already settling in nicely and it sure is wonderful not having to worry about him during all of this. Tyler can pick up and leave home at a moment's notice if need be. My Mama offered to fly up again if we need the extra help and while I'd love to see her she and Katie will both be here for their scheduled visit in early October. Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and deeds as we continue working on getting home happy and healthy!