Day 6 and continuing to progress

This is David.  Praise God, before Grace even had her first nap today I was blessed with Kristi showing up at the hospital to have a little date with Grace and I (we were both thrilled)!  Kristi coordinated with her parents and had the kids go to church and lunch this morning, so that she could come and love on Grace and I.  I praise God for Kristi, she is such a caring wife and mother and juggles so many things when Grace and I are away at the hospital; her parenting responsibility is definitely more taxing than mine is right now, and yet, she pushes on and gets things done (probably even better than when I am home).  Thank you, Wifee, for all that you do each and everyday and for your the amount of love pouring out of you in the process of getting it done!  I love you!

In regards to Grace, she is continuing to progress in the right direction.  Yesterday, she was weaned from 15 liters of high flow oxygen down to 10 liters, and today she has been weaned another 5 liters.  Also, so far, this is the first day of Grace being in the hospital that she has not spiked a fever at some point in the day.  The doctors and nurses have commented as well that Grace looks much better than she had the past few days, which is why......Grace was moved out of the ICU today!  She has been moved to the PCU (Progressive Care Unit), which is like being on the step-down unit when we had been moved out of the CVICU in the past.  I am excited, well mainly because this demonstrates that Grace is doing better, but selfishly I am excited because I have a bed in the room with Grace again.  Last night in the ICU, I attempted to sleep in the upright chairs that are in the room with Grace, but I was not very effective in actually getting some rest.

Also, the nurses and doctors have stated to us that this is just a normal kid infection, a nasty one, but it hits all kids the same.  Kristi and I had sort of been under the impression that the reason Grace was having such a hard time getting over it was because of her heart issues, but apparently, 40% of healthy kids who get parainfluenza have to be intubated.  Therefore, praise God that Grace has been tough and not needed intubation.  

Lastly, please pray for Abigail and Andrew, as they are struggling with missing Grace.  Kristi has really tried to keep them busy this weekend, so that they would not have their mind on it too much, but the feelings are present regardless.  The kids have been dying to come visit Grace in the hospital, especially since the last time they were here is when lots of doctors and nurses were in the room and she had to be moved to the ICU, therefore, it makes me wonder what their minds are thinking after seeing that happen with Grace.  Hopefully, now that we are out of the ICU, they will be able to come by sometime this week, or even better, maybe we will be able to bust out of this joint some time this week.

Grace is already working on her breakout strategy...

The kids asked Kristi to put Grace's hair in pig tails for them...

They brought in a TV, so Grace could watch a movie.  We would never let her watch the TV this close at home, but these are special circumstances.  She's trying to figure out where Ariel went...

Abigail won this stuffed dog at school on Friday and asked that Kristi bring it to Grace because Grace LOVES dogs...

Of course, Grace also loved for us to read her books over and over throughout the day...

As Kristi always states, thank you, Village, for your prayers and support!  We are extremely grateful that you take the time to stay connected with what is going on with our family and for continuing to lift up, not just Grace, but our entire family to the Lord!  Have a great week!