Kenzie's Updates: Recovery Day Six!

So it's almost been one week since we came in here for Kenzie's surgery. Hmmm... one week... really?? Feels more like a month to me! ;) Regardless of the way that time moves at a snail's pace here in the hospital, Kenzie is doing wonderful and we couldn't be happier!!

On our last post we had mentioned that she had extra fluid in her right side where her chest tubes were not located and asked for prayer that that would go away so that she wouldn't have to get another one. Well praise the Lord, it has gone away and she shouldn't need an additional tube placed! We had a rough few days mid week with lots of throwing up, screaming, and just general awfulness, but thankfully she has improved greatly over the last few days.

She finally is able to drink and eat a bit which seems to have improved her greatly. Sorry if this is TMI, but she also did a ton of pooping, which is FANTASTIC as constipation is a major issue when one has been on so many pain meds. Weird as it is, we're praising the Lord for poop! ;) She is still really scared of doctors and nurses, but has at least improved somewhat in this area and actually lets some of them listen to her heart without screaming her head off at them. She has even gotten better with the horrific blood draws/labs and dressing changes that are so not-fun. What a trooper!! She still dreads her meds, but has really been doing a better job of not spitting them all out as we give them to her (still lots of screaming involved though). And as for drainage, she is still outputting a lot of fluid but at least they have seen a downward trend. They said they have no way to predict how long it will take her to finish draining, but it doesn't look like it will be anytime in the near future. Although that's a bummer, we're just beyond happy that she's eating/drinking/pooping/etc. The draining, although a nuisance, isn't supposed to be dangerous or anything.

We attempted to get her out of her little crib twice since moving to step-down, but neither time was too successful. We took her on a little wagon ride around the floor, but her heart rate sky-rocketed and her sats dropped big time, so we think she must have been in pain (although she really didn't show it too much--I'm telling you, this girl is tough)!! This morning we tried to stand her up so she could get her "sea legs," but she cried big time and we put her back in bed! Oh well! It is good for her to try to get up to help her drain, so we'll keep trying. I'm sure she'll be walking around like she owns the place in no time with chest tubes and all!

Although it's definitely not easy being in here, we are SO incredibly pleased and thankful for her progress and continued healing! It is such a joy to see this little girl smile and laugh in spite of all that she has been through/is going through. We've also been bombarded with food and presents for Kenz, which is just such an amazing blessing!! As always, we are so grateful for your continued prayers as we continue the process of recovery!! :)