Praise God!  The first 4 days were rough - lots and lots of leakage.  At times I wondered if I should be doing something more or different.  She didn't seem dehydrated though and so we just plugged along doing the best we could.

Yesterday (Tues) was the first day I could see any improvement.  Today has also been much better!  The leakage is much smaller and is contained by the pads.  Also her site is looking better.  There is a strange "black string-looking thing" coming from the site.  I haven't had the nerve to pull on it until tonight and it is definitely "stuck".  I'm not sure what it is and am hoping that maybe it will fall off.  If not, I'll call our ped.

So, the surgeon was right.  It would close on it's own - with no intervention at all.  I'm thankful for that.  I'm thankful Eliana did not have to have another surgery.  I'm so very thankful that the tube is OUT!!!  Yippee!!!  Now, I'm feeling like I can celebrate and enjoy. 

The bandages are irritating her skin.  I'm treating it with mylanta.  (Per the surgeon's instructions.)  I'm not sure how much longer we'll need to keep things bandaged.  We'll just play it by ear and do our best. 

Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragment.  I'm thankful for you dear friends that have walked with us through our ups and downs. 

This note is short.  We've had a busy day.  In between trying to do school, we had 2 therapies this morning - sensory/feeding therapy for Daniel and then feeding therapy for Eliana.  In the afternoon, physical therapy for Eliana.  So many things to remember and try to do.  It really goes against my "go with the flow" nature in terms of my days.  I'm learning though and working to get better.  Maybe in truth it's just laziness and I'm learning to be more disciplined.  That is a good thing too. 

Tomorrow we are expecting a visit from my parents.  We are all very excited to see them!  In the morning before they arrive we are scheduled to go on a field trip - flying!  It is weather dependant so we'll see if we are able to go up.

I need to get some sleep now.  Thank you again for your prayers.  I'll try to post some Easter pics soon.

Blessings,

Leslie