Take that, chest tubes!

We had a rough start today.  I think it has something to do with these 5:30am Xrays.....I mean seriously, who decided that waking sick kids up at 5:30 in the morning to do Xrays was a good idea?  Its annoying.  Anyway, Ivy has thrown up a lot today.  She also had to get another new IV (ugh), and have a suppository (we tried miralax first, which did not live up to the miracle that its name implies).  Everyone is under the impression that she is throwing up because she still hasn't had a bowel movement.  Well, here we are nearly 12 hours after the suppository and still no dice.  She'll probably have another one soon.  Poor chick!

Anyway, the good news is, THE CHEST TUBES ARE GONE!!  She finally had them removed this morning at about 10am.  She was not happy when it happened, but it has been really nice to not have to deal with them getting all tangled during walks and wagon rides.  A few minutes after the tubes were pulled out, we went on a walk.  The longest walk yet, and she didn't whine the whole time!  After all the throwing up, it was decided that she needed a sedated echo, so she wouldn't be allowed anything by mouth for a while anyway.  She hasn't thrown up since, but there have been a few close calls.

 After she finished walking, but before her echo, the "fun crew" came by with some paint and a bag and she enjoyed a good 6 1/2 minutes of painting.  It didn't last long, but she smiled and that made it worth it.

She had her echo at about 1:30pm and I haven't heard the results yet, but I assume if they were really bad, they would have told me already, so I'm being optimistic.  Since the echo she has been unbelievably grumpy, but we're told its normal from the meds they sedated her with.  Its made for a very long couple of hours (she keeps yelling at me over everything!), but I'm hoping she'll perk up after a nice pooping session!

All in all, another rough day, but good things have happened, and we've finally achieved the big goal of the chest tubes.  Our goals for tomorrow include: pooping, eating without throwing up, being somewhat happy, walking out of the surgical unit (where her room is) all the way to visit the spiderman.  This goal is kind of ambitious, but I'm setting it anyway.

Thanks to everyone who has commented and kept Ivy in their prayers.  We couldn't begin to tell you how appreciated you all are.  We feel very loved.  Also, if you've called and I haven't called back, I apologize.  As previously mentioned there isn't good cell service for us here, and I'm here pretty much 24/7.  I'm not ignoring you, I swear.  It's just too hard to call everyone back.