Started Feedings

Brida started drinking again from a bottle today.  She didn't drink much.  They started her on 10 ml and they are increasing each feeding by 3 ml every 3 hours.  She drank 8 ml in the first feeding, 1 ml in the second, and 1 ml in the third. What she doesn't drink, they are giving her through a feeding tube (g-tube) which was placed this morning.  She seems to have the sucking down, but  she hasn't perfected the swallowing part.  They plan to have a speech therapist, who, as strange as it sounds, has the skills to help, work with Brida tomorrow on drinking.

Her swelling continues to get better.  Tonight they are stopping the morphine and switching over to oxycodone now that she is feeding.  Oxy is better in that it lasts longer with less side-effects, but it needs to be given with food since it can damage empty stomachs.  She is awake more often for longer durations each time (see video below).

They also took off the cerebral and renal oximeters today. If the feedings continue and she starts eating regularly, they hope to take the RA/PICC lines out tomorrow and then she can be held.

Sunday Summary:
We went to church this morning, had lunch, then we all (mom, dad, sisters, and grandparents) drove up to the hospital (in two separate cars).  Maggie fell asleep in the car, so Erin stayed with Maggie while Sam brought Rosemary and Mairead to see Brida.  The girls enjoyed their time with their sister (see video below).  They asked lots of questions and seemed to be good with the answers Sam was providing.  They also gave some interesting responses to questions Sam asked them (you have to see it in the video).

Sam then brought Rosemary, Mairead, and Maggie upstairs to play in the play room while Erin visited Brida with the grandparents.

Quote of the Day:
Dad: "Mairead, what do you think of Brida?  Do you like her?"
Mairead: "I like to touch her ear."
Dad: "Oh yeah? What do you like about her ear?"
Mairead: "It's a little bit feel moist."