Good stuff

After a good talking to by her Momma, the surgical team has started to prepare for Annelise's discharge!  Matt and I took the NG tube class last night.  The NG tube is the naso-gastric tube, it goes through her nostril into her stomach.  Whatever she doesn't eat by mouth, we put through there.  We had to learn how to insert and feed Annelise through the naso-gastric tube. 

Annelise is now eating every other meal by bottle.  She takes 50 ml of fortified breast milk (calories added) each feeding.  Whatever she doesn't finish of the bottle goes into the feeding tube.  She's been averaging about 30 ml (1 oz) each feeding through the bottle.  The other meals also go through her NG tube.  She will most likely come home with the feeding tube.  We're blessed that's all she may come home hooked up to!  Many CDH babies are released on oxygen and feeding tubes. 

Annelise had some baseline tests this week also - MRI of her brain, EKG and a hearing test.  This is all so that when we follow up (probably a week after discharge), the doctors have something to compare to.

After her MRI last night, the nurse said that since the doctors were scheduling all of this stuff, Annelise would probably be home within 2 weeks!  Yikes.....we have to get those car seats ready!

Matt went back to work today.  He was sad to leave his girls this morning.  He will most likely be tired after work each day, so hopefully Annelise will be home shortly.  Then Daddy can come home to hang out with her.  I am grateful for the time he was able to spend with us this summer.  We couldn't have planned that pregnancy/delivery timing better if we had tried!  As for me, I'm unsure yet when I'll be going back.  Right now I'm just trying to get my baby girl home! 

Unfortunately, we haven't seen the last of CHOP.  (Even though I ADORE the nurses and doctors here.....everyone has been phenomenally nice and attentive.)  We'll be back for appointments probably once a week for some time.  Then every other week.  Then once a month.  CDH babies have the highest chance for reherniation within the first year.  50% have a 2nd surgery to repair the patch over their diaphragm.  We are praying that Annelise is in the other 50%, but we will see.  We will be followed closely by the doctors for awhile, so I know that nothing will slip by.