Progress

Yesterday morning, one of the doctors here stopped in to check on Aubrey. Her comments were full of optimism and expectancy, and my heart burst with hope afresh. I truly and firmly believe the Lord is touching our baby.

Aubrey is up to 32cc (or ml) of breastmilk when I'm not around to feed her myself. The daytime nurse she's had the past couple days took time to order a special bottle that they have often found helpful for "cardiac kids" who get tired and quit too easily. Thanks to the nurse's and Daniel's persistence (she can take up to 45 minutes to bottle-feed), it has now been over 24 hours since Aubrey had her last gavage feeding.

Also, due to the increasing amount of breastmilk she is getting, her IV nutrients are quickly being weaned. This should mean that within a day or two, her PICC line will probably be removed and she will be fed solely by Mama and bottle.

Nobody here likes to make predictions about when we might go home, but they do drop clues about how they feel things are going. On Thursday, the nurse had Daniel and I take the infant CPR class they like all parents to take before leaving with their baby. The doctor yesterday was asking if we've been trained yet in administering Aubrey's meds. We were told that very soon Aubrey should be up to the 45cc (about 1.5oz) of breastmilk that they want her eating before sending her home. The cardiologists have said that she is looking great and is proving herself stable. I am praying that the Lord will continue to strengthen Aubrey and that it will not be altogether too many more days before our little family is reunited in our little yellow house.

Thank you so much for praying. God is hearing.