Lines, chubs, and the best Papa ever

When I walked in this morning Cora was smiling and kicking, and all-in-all very happy. I figured such a lovely day deserved a pink frilly outfit. Of course all of her doctors commented on her posh attire and she seemed very happy about it as well.

I keep bracing myself for another turnaround in the wrong direction, but yesterday's echocardiogram confirmed the positive trajectory she seems to be on. At least for the time being our course has completely changed.

On morning rounds today they talked about sending Cora to the step-down unit -- meaning out of ICU -- within the next few days, provided she keeps on this path. It feels very surreal, but of course I'll take it. In all the nights and days I've sat in a hospital room and contemplated the future, I never dreamed there would be a scenario wherein we would leave Stanford with a healthier little girl who never received a transplant. Now I am allowing a little of that hope to settle in.

Cora got off her last IV infusion, and her femoral line was removed today. This just leaves the newer subclavian broviac she got last week. Always a good sign when lines are coming out.

At this point she is still receiving intravenous lipids (pure fat) in addition to her milk that she gets continuously through her NJ tube. The concoction seems to be working because as of this morning she weighed the most ever -- 3.61kg, or 7 pounds, 15 ounces. She is getting to be such a fatty! I treasure every little roll of chub on her. She works so hard for each one and it seems like there are more turning up every day.

Grammie and Papa (Jason's parents) came for a visit today to the hospital and later to the Old McDonald House. Cora lit up when Papa was playing with her. It warmed my heart beyond words to see her connect with him in the same way that Dominic and Cosette both have since they were tiny babies. For those that don't know, Papa has watched Dom and Cosie since they were each four months old when I went back to work. He now has Grammie's help even though he probably doesn't need it since he can take care of two kids like it's nothing. No one quite compares to Papa, as everyone who knows him can confirm, and I could see that Cora really became part of their magic little club today.

Dom and Cosie are here sleeping now, and Jason is back at the hospital with Cora. At least we're in the same town, if not under the same roof. There is a lot, a lot, a lot to be grateful for.