48 Hours Post-Op

We certainly have a strong little girl on our hands. Lily is making exceptional strides. The doctors removed her arterial line this morning. The dressing for her chest was removed. It looks so sore to me. The air is supposed to help heal it and we are not supposed to put anything on it. It will heal on its own. Her pain meds were gradually taken away and she was placed on Tylenol. The nurses and doctors can tell if she is in pain by monitoring her blood pressure, other vital signs, and irritability. Her nurse Emily said that she was only cranky when she was hungry or needed a diaper change. Everything looked good and she was doing what normal newborns do- eat and sleep. I got to hold her today and it was just glorious! We both just want to snuggle with her and hold her tight. By 5:30 this evening it was decided upon that Lily was ready to move down to the Cardiac Care Unit/Step-Down Unit. We really could not believe this incredible news. It was just 50 hours ago that she was in surgery. We were not questioning the doctors' decisions but we just could not believe that Lily was ready to be moved so quickly. She does not require the one-on-one care that the cardiac intensive care unit provides. My brother-in-law John calls her Super Lily and that's a perfect way to describe her. She is such a strong and determined little thing. We just love her so much. It's amazing how much love you can feel for someone. I guess it's a right of passage into parenthood but I never could have guessed it would be such an utterly amazing feeling.

We know that there are many people praying, sending positive energy, and keeping Lily in their thoughts. Perhaps this progress is a collective effort and our miracle baby will continue to surprise all of us.

I had a follow-up visit with my obstetrician this afternoon. We are going to monitor my blood pressure daily and keep close tabs on my headaches. My blood pressure was high again yesterday and I am still getting headaches. I am just so nervous that I'll get sick again and I know that it is imperative that I take care of myself. We may just have Miss Lily coming home sooner than we had originally planned.