scottp dot net - Scott Pilkinton

We are still at the hospital. Today is the last day of the antibiotic Hannah is getting through an IV. Tomorrow is still the projected day we are going home. The thing the doctors are looking at is her eating. She was what we would call a border line eater anyway. So, for someone who doesn’t know ‘normal’ for her is probably going to get concerned when she is only taking that much in. Hannah has been eating somewhat less that she usually does - which was expected because of the surgery. However, since she was borderline in the first place - it has caused her to go back on IV fluids. Our hope is that her intake is good today and that she continues to improve her eating.

Today has been a great day for Hannah. This morning when she woke up, we saw some of her personality for the first time since her surgery!

Yesterday was kind of tough; she was moved from the Pediatric ICU to another floor. You could tell she was in a lot of pain and she whined a good bit. We were able to keep her feeling reasonably well with the pain medication.

Right before she got moved, there was an IV in her neck that had to be taken out - Of course, I couldn’t be present when that started to take place. Cheri felt like she was going to pass out, we didn’t realize the needle was stitched to her neck so that it wouldn’t move. So it took a few minutes to get the stitches out for needle removal. The whole time Hannah had to be kept from moving - which was obviously a challenge.

Great news is that the worst should be behind us… Hannah got her chest tube removed today. Most of the fluid draining from her heart had quit, which allowed them to remove it. She does not have to use the morphine for pain anymore - it is able to be controlled using Tylenol w/Codeine.

Cheri is somewhat concerned that the doctor has already mentioned going home sometime tomorrow afternoon. Cheri’s concern is being able to care for her properly after leaving the hospital so soon.

When you have to move Hannah around in the hospital bed, she whines because she is in pain - especially when shifted around. Everyone has assured her that Hannah won’t be going home though until we are comfortable. So, hopefully the rest of the day will be good and we will have a clear understanding tomorrow on what is best for Hannah, regarding her remaining hospital stay.

Again, thank you for your continuing prayers - they certainly have been evident through the whole thing!

Today, Hannah went in for an open-heart procedure to close the ASD she had. Everything went extremely well and the recovery process is also going well. She went into the operating room at 8:00 a.m. this morning and was finished around 12:00. The surgeon came out and told us that now the hole is gone, he can already see progress in her heart size going back down to normal. An ASD will cause the heart to enlarge, which can cause other problems in the future.

We went in to see her for the first time about an hour ago. She is basically still under the remains of general anesthesia - but is expected to awake later on this evening. She has a breathing tube, several IV points that serve different purposes, a catheter, and a drain for her heart.

Mom and Dad did really well through the entire process. All the prayers were surely felt! I know that to God taking care of Hannah and this procedure takes no effort on his part - but he really showed out today! I am so thankful to have that peace which only he can provide. Knowing he is in complete control is so comforting and whatever comes our way - God will be there to help us.

Please continue to keep Hannah in your prayers as she begins this recovery process. We are praying specifically that she will not develop any infections from the procedure. She is expected to be in the hospital anywhere from 4 - 8 days. Cheri will be at the hospital with Hannah the entire time she is here.