Wednesday Night Progress

After a few days of incremental progress, Kerri made super strides today. This report will be the most fun yet. Kerri is feeling much better, is cleared for a general room when one opens up close to the NICU. The meal menu has been upgraded to a full liquid diet and Kerri loved her first taste of milk. Tonight, ICU nurses packed her up in a wheelchair and rolled into the NICU, where Kerri and Cody visited Ansel. Kerri and Ansel did their first ‘Roo’ (kangaroo care, see link on right). Early tomorrow morning, Kerri and her nurse are plotting a return to the NICU around 4am! Hope they don’t get caught. Tomorrow’s plans include starting Kerri walking again, along with trips to the NICU. Dialysis was done again today, as the kidneys haven’t awakened. With everything else perking up, we hope the kidneys won't stay asleep much longer. Your prayers and wishes have made a big difference. The change in Kerri’s condition from last week is truly miraculous.

Ansel continues to progress. The nurses are pleased with his growth. The vital signs are good and strong. Tests don’t indicate any intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain – common with low weight babies). There is no sign of infection yet, but nurses caution that one is inevitable, and they are ready to handle it. Ansel is tolerating eating well. Ansel’s nurse describes him as having ‘an attitude’ - that is music to our ears.

Notes:

Tuesday night, Aunt Rachel and Grandma Jeanne made their way to the outside window to watch Ansel. Maneuvering for a better view between the blinds, Grandma accidentally smashed her nose hard against the window, announcing their presence. Warning to future peepers – beware of nose print on glass.

Kerri was smiling and chatty when we read today's comments. She remembers each student that left a message, and told us all about each relative and friend.

It seemed all the nurses in the ICU close to Kerri’s room stopped to ask about Ansel. They truly love and care for Kerri, and go out of their way for her.