Fundoplication! Say it with me!

I figured I had better post an update sooner or later.  I apologize.  I can't remember what day it is, much less when I told what to whom.  It's so confusing! 

Short story:  Layla is home!  YAY!  She was released straight from the PICU on Friday afternoon, two weeks to the day of being admitted there as she was quickly slipping away.  I think per the last post, she had been put back on the regular ventilator.  As she began to wake up, she was none to pleased to have a tube down her throat, which was a good sign.  I can't even remember what day she was completely taken off the ventilator (see first paragraph of this entry for the reasons why).  All I remember is that she was and she did great.  She was, and still is, on supplemental oxygen, but only between 1-2 liters, which is pretty much what she had been on at home. 

The only minor setback, which ended up being a blessing in disguise, was that after she was taken off the ventilator, she began throwing up.  She has a very strong gag reflex and so even some strong coughing (which she needed to do) would make her vomit.  A procedure we've been contemplating for a while is a Nissen fundoplication (pronounced: fun-dough-pli-ca-tion).  Sounds fun, huh?  Try saying somewhere in public and I guarantee people will look at you like you just said a really ugly word.    Anyway, the "fundo" is a procedure where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophogus.  This prevents things from coming back up, which will hopefully do away with any threat for aspiration (see previous post).  Needless to say, we were a little worried with her having surgery, which was done laproscopically, so soon after being so very sick.  However, we knew that we did not want her to end up again in the state that she had been in.  So she was operated on this past Wednesday (26 May, I think?) and came through with flying colors.  In fact, once Dr. Gilbert (awesome pediatric surgeon extrodinaire!) came to see us before he got started, John and I figured we had some time so we went to the main hospital to get something to eat.  By the time we got back, the people at the information desk were able to tell us that the surgery was done and was very successful.  I later asked Dr. Gilbert if he could tie his shoes that quickly!  She did come back to the PICU on the ventilator, which we were expecting.  And again, she was none too happy.  We could only imagine what her little body was thinking:  ok, first I couldn't breathe and you guys weren't paying much attention, then you stuck this tube down my throat so I didn't have to breathe, then you took the tube out to make me breathe and then you put it back in again.....make up your minds, people!!! 

She's such a little trooper.  All she needed was some help, and the entire staff of the PICU and respiratory threapy at Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children are responsible for her getting better, along with all of the love and prayers that were sent her way.  Layla is back to the bright-eyed, beautiful sweet little girl that she was before becoming so very ill.  (Note:  If you are ever looking for a place to make a donation, please consider the awesome PICU at HH Women's and Children's.  They completely deserve all the love and support they can get.)

Sean's summer break officially started yesterday.  He's been up at about 7 am every day (much to my dismay).  But it's so very nice to be able to kick off the summer at home, the way it's supposed to be. 

Homeward bound!

(28 May 10)