Day 4 going in the wrong direction...

Today was not a good day in Gracie's world :-(.  

I took the day off of work today so that I could spend quality time with Abigail and Andrew.  The last thing we want is for them to feel shuffled around, so we pray hard about how to protect them from feeling left out, or forgotten about and instead help to provide them with security and peace during these uncertain times.  Therefore, I picked Abby up early from school and surprised her and Andrew with the news that we were going to visit Gracie in the hospital.  Abby was especially excited because she hasn't seen her in 3 days and has really been missing her.  When we walked into Grace's room, she was super cranky (as she has been for the past 3 days), and I quickly realized that she had been switched to high flow oxygen because she was working hard to breath and they are working diligently to prevent her from developing pneumonia (she sounds super junkie because there is mucous just sitting in her lungs that could easily begin growing bacteria).  I asked our nurse if I could talk to the attending just to better understand the plan and ask some questions.  It wasn't long before I was talking to the attending, fellow and resident, after observing Grace's breathing for just a second (her head was bobbing as she would breath, demonstrating that she was now working even harder to breath despite being on high flow oxygen), we agreed that Grace going to the PICU to potentially be put on cpap and worst case scenario (but still very likely) intubated to give her body a break would be the best/safest thing for her.  They explained that the only way they can transfer a child to the PICU from the step down CV unit is to call the RRT (rapid response team) to assess her.  Que the flashbacks to when the RRT was called when Grace crashed on the same unit just a few doors down last October! Needless to say, I sat there holding Abby and Andrew as 20 people quickly swarmed Grace's room making plans to transfer her immediately to the PICU.  They began packing all of our personal items up for a speedy transfer and we had just a few minutes to say our goodbye's and pray over her.  Abigail was in tears because she was so worried about Grace and I was trying not to cry because I was feeling so scared and heartbroken that on day 6 of this terrible virus Grace is getting worse, not better (and this scene looked all too familiar).  After they rolled Grace out of the room and down the hall, the kids and I were left in the dimly lit, empty room wondering what the heck just happened.  The nursing staff kindly closed the door as I sat on the couch in the empty room and attempted to explain to the kids what was going on, why we couldn't follow right behind Grace and David (to her new room) and who we were going to give our fears and sadness to (the only person that can do anything about it, GOD!).  The kids and I got dinner as we waited for them to get Grace settled in.  The rules in the PICU are such that no kids under 12 years old are allowed in the room, but they made an exception considering the circumstances and allowed the kids to go back and say one last goodbye to Grace and sing her a couple of songs.  David then went to get some dinner while I read books to Grace and tried to keep this miserable angel happy (or less angry).  Here is a picture of Miss. Cranky Pants (just to give you an idea of how rough she is doing today)...

...and here she is looking a little more content after reading a ton of books, looking at pictures and then luckily she found this bright orange band aid on her finger fascinating...

The good news is that Grace is still on high flow oxygen (they doubled the support on high flow oxygen though), not yet intubated or on cpap, however I wouldn't be surprised if I get a text in the middle of the night that they had to intubate her.  Will you please, please, please pray against pneumonia setting in and that we can start on the road to recovery (not the other direction).

Hanging on to this verse...

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

(Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV)

Thanks, (((HUGS))) and love to you, sweet Village!