Positive Energy and Thoughts

The idea now is hope and positive energy and thoughts. That's where we go now.








Silje has been doing great in the NICU. Yesterday she had a little fluid in one lung, and the breathing tube was not quite far enough in, but they corrected both of those things and her breathing and oxygen levels came back to where they need to be. This evening her blood gasses all looked great. They had a cloth over her forehead to shade her eyes to make things just a little more restful. Tomorrow afternoon (Sunday) they transport her over to the Children's Hospital where she will rest overnight in preparation for her surgery on Monday morning. It is currently scheduled for 8:00am. That's when she will need all the positive energy she can get--and her parents will be the most terrified.

Jeni's parents came down to Indianapolis from our home in Battle Ground this morning and brought Stian down to see us; the first time we've seen him since Wednesday afternoon. Don arrived from Wisconsin yesterday. Stian and his mommy had a rather tearful reunion, which of course brought mist to everyone else's eyes. (The emotions in all of this run so close to the surface.)





Jeni and her parents went to see Silje while Stian and I went to get a bagel. Then we drove around trying to find a car parts place so I could get a can of stuff to re-charge the A/C on my car. Some everyday mundane things still find their way in.

We all had lunch together and then Stian and I swam in the hotel swimming pool for a couple of hours. Another family was in the pool with us. The little boy from that family told Stian that his little sister needed to get bigger and put on weight (Apparently a preemie). Stian told that little boy that his little sister needed surgery. (The hotel we are in is associated with the hospital, so it's not so odd that we would run into another family with a child in the NICU.)

With tears and hugs, Grandma and Grandpa took Stian back home to Battle Ground, leaving us behind. Don later wrote to say that Stian was asleep five minutes into the ride and slept the whole way.

This evening at the hospital, Silje was still doing great. We talked with the doctor in the NICU and he told us how the surgeons at the Children's Hospital have done these surgeries many many times. He was very calming. Then three of the folks from their transport group stopped by to see if there was anything we needed to know about the transport over to the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) from the NICU. Turns out we saw the exact procedure they will use when they transported Silje from Lafayette to Indianapolis--this time will just be a few blocks, however.

And then we got to just sit with her for a long time and hold her foot. She was practice nursing with her mouth. One thing they told us is that she might forget how to do that and need to learn it over again once the recovery process is done. We'll be happy to teach her!





We have gotten so much support from all corners. From folks here at the hospital, from family and friends in the Lafayette area and from family and friends in Minnesota, Washington, Kansas, Texas, Oregon, California, Norway and all over the place via Facebook and the web. We appreciate it immensely. And we feel the positive energy and thoughts from all of you.