Field Trip

One of the staff in the NICU commented on Silje's upcoming "field trip." That made me laugh. Not too many laughs in the last few days. A couple, here and there--we try--but it's difficult when things are coming at you so fast. ...and strange to think that things are coming at you so fast when there are hours of sitting around. We're not doing nothing, we're sitting with our girl. But time has taken on a different feel these last few days.







Some things to update on:
The person performing the surgery, Dr. Abraham, stopped by to discuss with us. He gave us some new information and confirmed a bunch of what we've already heard. One thing of note that he said is that the success rate in this type of surgery is 95%, not 80% as we'd previously understood. So, that sounded good..., well better!

The pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Abarbenell (I think that's the spelling!) also clued us in on some of the things we had questions about. You can see the doctors in this photo--Abraham on the left, Abarbenell on the right.





Surgery is scheduled for 8:00a tomorrow (Monday). It should last about three hours. Recovery from surgery will take about a week in the PICU and then move over to the NICU after that where Silje will learn to nurse and all the other things she should be learning right now.

Now, I need to mention something remarkable that happened today. We got to the hospital a little later this morning after getting ready, pumping, getting breakfast, checking out of the hotel, packing up, etc. When we arrived, I helped Jeni inside and then went out to the car to bring in a couple of bags. I was outside for two minutes max! When I got back inside, Jeni and some random woman I'd never seen before were standing there crying over a bag laying on the floor. What in the world?!



When Stian was born, Jeni met a bunch of women (a dozen or so) in an online forum and they got along so well they have kept in touch these three and a half years. (They all had kids around that time.) Well, they all got together and put together a care package and this person, Jess, brought it over from Columbus, OH--about a three and half hour drive in the mist. And when I say a care package, it is one of those big shopping bags from IKEA packed full of food, toys, feel-goods and gift cards. Jeni had never met Jess in person before and didn't recognize her at first from her online photos. And here she was, bringing the well wishes of the dozen or so from the group, and a number more.



And this evening, Jeni's mother relayed to me this:

"Don’s brother has started a prayer chain for [Silje], my cousin Carol has her whole church praying for her and has even given her name to a Christian radio station so people all over Kansas are praying for her. Brian and Enid have added her to their church prayer chain – who knows how many others. I’ve received notes of support and love from so many people. Lyle even sent a note telling us that you just have to remember the most important thing is love. I just think there is a so much love out there for you guys that you should be able to feel it."

Well, we do. We are absolutely stunned by the outpouring from all corners.

I will close off with a note about the transport team. Two of the members that transported Silje from Lafayette to Indianapolis were on the transport team that transported her this afternoon from the NICU to the PICU. A much shorter ride this time--a few blocks as opposed to 60 miles. These people are really great. And in the midst of all the wires and tubes and electronic gizmos and gadgets that need to be disconnected and reconnected on a mobile cart, they had time for kind soothing words to a little girl who hardly knows they are there.





Everyone here has been nothing but caring and kind and compassionate.