The day we have been dreading

This morning was the day that Bart and I had not been looking forward to. Today they placed Gabrielle's NG tube. We knew this was coming even as hard as we fought it. Gabby just wasn't able to eat the calories that were required to not get the tube. We are trying to remain upbeat and remind ourselves constantly that this is a temporary solution. A temporary solution to get out little girl out of that hospital bed and to our "temporary" home at Ronald McDonald house. I personally am struggling with this thought but I just keep repeating to myself that it is just temporary. The NG tube feeds are being started out a very slow rate of 20 ml (just over a tablespoonful) over an 8 hour period. Sounds like an incredibly small amount, right? Her stomach just can't handle much right now. This amount will be increased by 5 ml (1 teaspoonful) every 8 hours until we get to the final amount of 47 ml. At the same time as long as she will try we can still give her things to eat and drink by mouth. Another benefit to the NG tube is that she did have around 6 different lines coming from her PICC line to various pumps. Today it dropped down to just 1 for fluids and as her Pediasure through the NG tube increases she will be able to get off of fluids also. Bart also requested today that we have her taken off all the monitors. Thankfully urology said that would be fine. They also said they could decrease their night vital checks to 8 pm and 4 am instead of every 4 hours so hopefully now we can get a little more rest at night. She is still on an antibiotic Cefotoxin until her kidney stents are removed (maybe the end of the week). Ditropan orally and a patch for bladder cramps, this will probably be the only medication that she will actually go home with. Tylenol for what little pain she is having. This is amazing to me to be on such little medications compared to what she was on a week ago. So even though we received the dreaded NG tube it brought with it many blessings. Below are a couple of pictures from our trip to the New Orleans aquarium.





Gabby at the New Orleans aquarium.

Bart and Gabby feeding a parakeet.

Me and Gabrielle at the aquarium. She had a great time that day.

I am continuing to learn that my plan is usually not His plan for things. We did not want this tube and we fought it will all our being. Through asking questions and getting answers we were delivered acceptance.

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9