Settling In

Well day three at the hospital is complete, as is our first week away from home.  We feel a little more settled and familiar with our surroundings.  Gracie has transitioned so smoothly -- an absolute blessing.  She is sleeping soundly while Dean and I catch up on emails and read a bit.  Having internet is great because we can keep in touch with family and friends -- but also means we feel the need to keep up with other things (like loose ends at work) and our evenings seem to slip away quickly.

The hospital remains busy, busy, busy.  Every day is a new adventure, and honestly, we never quite know what to expect.

Yesterday, Dianna spent the morning helping calculate and administer chemo to the little boy diagnosed with ALL (common form of childhood leukemia with fair prognosis if treated).  Although it is sad to see such a little guy have an IV and lumbar puncture (one of the chemo drugs has to be given "intrathecally" -- in the spinal fluid), it is a blessing that the hospital has access to the medications he needs (treatment includes 3 chemo drugs plus other meds to help keep side effects at bay).

Dean helped in surgery again -- hernia repair and saw a large ovarian mass be removed.  In the clinic he saw a baby born without a tongue -- they came up with a special bottle/nipple to help the mom get the child nutrition (since tongue needed to suck/nurse normally).  He also ate lunch at the local food stand in front of the hospital -- rice and herb sauce with a few bits of beef and fish parts (large bowl for 25 cents) -- yum!  Dianna stuck with peanut butter (also locally made) and bread : )

Today, we are happy to report the little premie who had problems urinating has improved.  On closer inspection he seems to have normal external anatomy and a regular foley catheter was placed allowing regular drainage of his bladder.  The mystery remains, however; he still does not void spontaneously (perhaps severe posterior urethral valves?).  But we were thankful to not send this small baby to surgery.

Several other interesting cases we have seen in the last two days:

- Large ovarian mass removed (dermoid cyst) -- over 30 lbs!!
- Baby born with an omphalocele (intestines outside the belly -- in his case small bowel and part of liver)
- Chest tube placement on lady with bilateral pleural effusions (fluid in the lung cavity) -- not sure if heart failure (she had a baby 1 month ago) -- she has improved with removal of some fluid
- Extracting a metal ball bearing (from a "moto") from a young boy's ear

With all this (and more), how can we not be excited to return tomorrow and see what's next?

Until then-
DD&G