Could that be?

We arrived today back from Gabrielle's daily wagon ride to have Dr. Alam, Tammy and Katie (his nurse practitioners) waiting to see us. Bart had requested to see them because we had some questions about bladder spasms. Yesterday we noticed that Gabby would cry out in pain for a about 15-30 seconds and then would be perfectly fine. We could only assume that this was the so called bladder spasms we had been warned about. When you ask Gabby if she is in pain she continually says no so all we had to go on was her actions. We gave her a couple of doses of Valium to try to help relieve them last night but never could tell if they helped or not. The class of drug that Valium is in tends to cause patients, usually adolescent and elderly, to act strangely especially at nighttime. She would constantly move in the bed all night and whine and cry out constantly and then take about 30 minute naps. While the doctor and nurse practitioners were in the room they got to see Gabrielle take a dose of medication and decided that she may have reflux, so tonight she will be starting Zantac. We are praying that it will bring her some relief to get a little more rest. We do realize the majority of the problem is the fact that she has been couped up in the bed at least 20 hours a day for the last week and half.

Could that be... the light at the hospital exit door? They started Gabrielle's NG tube feeds yesterday. I incorrectly posted how they were doing that in yesterdays post. They started her out at 20 ml/hour after 8 hours they increase her by 5 ml (one teaspoonful). They hope this will help stretch out her stomach a little more and also make her body crave more calories. Today Dr. Alam told us that they plan to take the right kidney stent and drain tube out tomorrow and that they plan to take the left kidney stent and drain tube out Thursday. Friday they plan on doing a renal ultrasound to check her bladder and kidney function. Just a neat tidbit of information, this will be the first time that Gabrielle's bladder has ever been able to have an ultrasound because it has always been outside her body. After she reaches her specified volume on tube feeding, gets both stents out, and has the renal ultrasound we may actually get to move her to outpatient. It is incredible to think that just 2 weeks ago this coming Thursday she was having a major surgery and will have recovered well enough to get out of the hospital. God is great!!!! So basically they are planning on having us at the Ronald McDonald house by sometime this weekend. Prayers that all plans go as scheduled and hoped and that Dr. Alam likes what he sees on the renal ultrasound. Bart's mom will be coming in Thursday to spend a  few days with us and to help out when possible... prayers for a safe trip for her.

Thank you so much to everyone that has prayed for Gabrielle. Bart and I are trully humbled at the support we have recieved.

Gabby and Avery having a little playtime in the hospital bed to pass time.

They love each other so much already!