Day 3: More Good News

Our little Viv is continuing to impress and amaze. She has remained stable and is being weaned off of medications and oxygen. Her ventilator settings have also been reduced. I was present during morning rounds and was amazed to hear the doctors mention that they wanted to move her to the conventional ventilator within the next few days. I was also able to view her chest X-ray and was blown away to see the difference in her left and right lungs. Her right lung seems to be a pretty decent size, but her left lung is so tiny. If her right lung is a big plump grape, then her left lung is a shriveled up raisin. This isn't surprising of course, but it's encouraging to see how well she is coping with so little lung tissue.

The best news of the day came from the surgeon. She is very pleased with Viv's progress and wants to tentatively schedule the repair surgery for March 30. The surgeon also said that barring a major set-back like an infection, it is extremely unlikely that our sweet baby girl will need to go on ECMO. I couldn't help but shed a few happy tears as I digested this news. We are trying to stay level-headed and grounded in reality, but Viv is making it difficult by being so damn awesome. She's still very sick and the situation can deterioate at any time, but so far everything has fallen into "best case scenario" territory.  

So, now we continue to look forward and hope for uneventful days with slow and steady progress. We were discharged from the hospital today and are back at the Ronald McDonald House. It's difficult being away from Viv, but our new routine of commuting to and from the NICU begins tomorrow. 

And now for today's milestones and a few pictures!

-Her ventilator was weaned down several times.

-She is using minimal oxygen support.
-Her blood gases are perfect.

-Her heart rate is steady.

-Her Dopamine levels have been reduced to 9mg.

-Her catheter has been removed and she is producing urine.

One of the nurse technicians made Vivienne this beautiful name plate.

Just chillin'. 

My sweet gift basket from the Special Delivery Unit.