Day 130 - Tomorrow

Ava's gas was 71 this morning but she was getting blood and getting blood taken. She was in 55-60% O2, and she was satting really well. She was on a rate of 35 bpm this afternoon, and now they are at 40, and they are not sure why. They think she may be puffy and retaining fluid again. They thought it was this morning because they were bothering her.

The eye doctor came in and I believe they said that her eyes were "regressing" which means they are getting better. Praise God!

We spoke with the ENT doctor and the Physician's Assistant tonight and they went over the trach surgery. The physician's assistant was really positive and excited and hopeful for the outcome. There are risks of course, but we will always be positive. Ava will be in a bit of pain, but they are going to sedate her. The surgery will hopefully be done around 11am, possibly earlier, and it should take an hour and a half. We are hoping that she will be able to come off of the O2 and be able to breathe room air. Eventually we are hoping her left airway will grow larger and her lung will get stronger with time and being at home. If it doesn't she may be with a trach forever. Hopefully that will never be the case. They don't know that since every baby is different.

We also got the discharge nurses business card. I loved seeing taped to Ava's crib. I LOVE the word discharge. It may not happen within a month, but I love that fact that we can hear it.

I asked the Physician's assistant more about feeding, and she told me that they will first try to dip her pacifier in milk and then see if she can suck, swallow and breathe before giving her a bottle. If she can't, they will do a swallow study where they take her and see if she aspirates (food goes in her lungs) her food or if it goes to her stomach as well as if she has the gag reflex. This will be a long shot that she can feed, but we know that God has given us some great surprises like her eyes and heart.

Ava weighs 7 lbs. 14 oz. She gained over 193 grams, something must be wrong.

Tomorrow will be the first time we can see her entire beautiful face. We can't wait!

Praying for a great day tomorrow and awesome results...