Ups And Downs

When Evie's home nurse came to see her Friday, we got some unbelievable news: she had gained 14 ounces in the three days since the nurse's previous visit! We were about to get all excited, but then Nancy (her nurse, who is awesome) told us that such a fast weight gain wasn't good; it meant she had "fluid overload." She advised us to decrease Evie's feedings from 20 ounces a day to 15 ounces, and also Evie is back on a third diuretic.

I had no idea that a rapid weight gain could be a bad thing; after all, all the nurses and doctors I have met with in the last month have continually harped on me about Evie getting more calories. Nancy also pointed out that Evie's lungs sounded "wet" and she was working harder to breathe. Evie's cardiac nurse (Julie) said she was worried about Evie having congestive heart failure and having to go back into the hospital.

That's the scary news. The good news is that yesterday (Saturday) Evie woke up and was breathing easier - her chest didn't sound raspy and rattle-y to me like before. Then today, Sunday, she is even better! Almost no coughing or spit-ups, and she is more playful and engaged than she has been since coming home from the hopspital three weeks ago. She has been dancing, scooting on her butt, waving out the window at squirrels and birds, throwing toys around, and brushing her hair:

I brought Cookie monster out again (he had been on hiatus for a few weeks) and the kids just loved him:

After Nurse Nancy left on Friday, I vacuumed the rugs. I had to use our upright Bissell because our Shark broke (after not too many uses, unfortunately). Evie was scared of the vacuum and climbed into Auntie Di's lap. Then Gavin had to do the same, so I got this cute picture of the three of them:

Francis and I ask for everyone's continued prayers for Evie to get better, and for her breathing to improve and her energy and appetite to increase!