Day 2

Payton had a good night last night. She didn’t sleep as soundly as they had hoped. She woke up every 5-15 minutes would say something and go back to sleep. Jennifer slept in a room in the parent’s lounge from about 10:30pm-6:00am. Donald stayed with Payton until about midnight.

Her first words to Jenn and Donald were “off”, she wanted to take off the oxygen mask. Then a little while later she said “ham”, “cheese”, which is a good sign that she actually wants food. They want to have her start sitting up today at about noon and when that happens she can go on a liquid diet (apple juice, jello, etc.). She’s been sipping water and eating ice chips since about 7:00am.

The pace maker had to turn on last night and again his morning because her heart rate slowed down but that was to be expected. She also needed some plasma and blood, but again this is nothing that they weren’t expecting. They are replacing what she is losing through the chest tubes. One of the chest tubes should come out maybe tonight, but probably tomorrow.

Because she has been doing so well they decided to try turning down her oxygen from 4 liters to 2 liters, but her blood gas dropped into the 60s, to they turned it back up. Again, nothing to worry about she is recovering as expected. She doesn’t like the nasal cannula for her oxygen, but when given the choice between the mask and the cannula, she chose the cannula.

Payton is currently in a regular hospital bed but they will be changing that out for a crib so that she can move around a little more. Then Jennifer will be able to hold her while they make that change. They are keeping her on a constant pain regiment but are going to wean her off of the morphine and onto other pain killers.

Jennifer is most nervous about Payton dislodging the chest tubes, but the doctors assured her that they are securely attached and as long as Payton doesn’t step on them (which is VERY unlikely) they won’t come out. (They still make her nervous.)

Payton is sleeping right now. My Mom is there and got teary eyed when she saw how pink she was. I’m getting anxious for pictures as, I am sure, are you, so hopefully we will remedy that later today.

Payton is working her charm (and curls) on the doctors. One doctor said “We can’t take any short cuts because of her good looks.” While the other doctor said, “Awww, she’s already got me.” They are anxious to see her hair without the bed head. :)

Jennifer wanted me to share the following conversation that I had with my 3 year old son Ryan yesterday. While I was on the phone with Jennifer getting an update, Ryan was sitting on my lap. I am always at the computer during update phone calls so that I can take copious notes. So I hung up and here is the conversation that followed:

Ryan: Mommy, who are you talking to?
Me: I was talking to Aunt Jenn.
Ryan: Why did you talking to Aunt Jenn?
Me: Because I wanted to see how Payton is doing.
Ryan: What’s wrong with Payton?
Me: Well, (fighting back tears) her heart is broken and the doctors are fixing it today.
Ryan: Why is her heart broken?
Me: Because she was born that way.
Ryan: Just like baby Jesus was born.
Me: Yes, just like that. When Payton was in Aunt Jenn’s tummy her heart didn’t grow the right way, so now that she’s out of Aunt Jenn’s tummy the doctors can fix it.
Ryan: But why do they have to fix it?
Me: So, that Payton can feel better.
Ryan: Oh, but why?
Me: So Payton can play with you.
Ryan: Oh, ok, that’s good.
Me: Can you think of something we can do to make Payton feel better? (I was thinking about drawing her a picture)
Ryan: Um….can we say a prayer to make her feel better?
Me: (Here come the tears) Ryan that is a great idea, let’s say a prayer.

Thanks for checking in on our sweet little girl. Keep the prayers coming.

Aunt Melissa