Meetings

I think that we have met with nearly all of the doctors in this hospital today!  We've met with the Oncology team, Radiation Oncology team, Nuero surgery team, General Surgery team, Anesthesia team, nursing staff, support staff, and about 100 others!  But, that means we are one step closer to getting this "monster" out of my baby's head!  Abby's big concern is whether or not she is getting an IV put in with every doctor that comes in.  Luckily, when they put her under for her scan this afternoon, they put in her IV for her next surgery which is HOPEFULLY tomorrow to put in the broviak tube.  This tube will be a small tube that will be put into either the jugular vein of the sub-clavicle vein and then ran through the vein to right above the heart.  The tube would then be ran under the skin to a point on the chest where it would come out and about 2inches of tubing would be exposed.  We would then have to be taught how to clean and maintain the tube to keep it from becoming infected and also how to clean the tube part as well.  We are also hoping that the feeding tube will be able to come out before we head home, but that is still not sure.  The nutritionist was wanting to do a calorie count on Abby to make sure that she is getting the proper nutrition, but since she was cleared to eat some foods last night, she went to NPO which pretty much means no food or drink orally this morning, and then could eat dinner, then she is now NPO until we find out when we get the surgery tomorrow.  That surgery is going to be a "squeeze in" so hopefully it is done early.  

We are excited and a burden has been lifted to know that we will be home with Mary-Beth for her birthday on the 19th!  We were worried about how to give Mary-Beth her party that she had been planning back home while Mom, Dad, and sisters were in St. Louis.  So thankfully we can be there with her and we have awesome parents who are taking care of our girls while we are focusing on Abby.  Maegan's parents are taking Mary-Beth in so that she can start school tomorrow (1st Grade!!!) and my parents are watching Emily for us.  Emily is going to wear Grandpa out, but he loves it!!  Now, you figure in all of the love and support that we are getting from family (notice I didn't say friends, you are all truly family!) we are truly blessed!  We defiantly thank God for our blessings and for His hands to care for Abby!

Hopefully on tomorrow's post, I will be able to tell everyone when we are coming home, and like I've said before, please come out and visit Abby!!  We have told her of the love and prayers from everyone, and I would like for her to associate faces to that love.  We are also happy to know that she will be at the benefit dinner that is being put on for her and she can see the outpouring of love for her!