A Star is Born

Our sweet Alex was featured in Friday's Denver Post newspaper.  She was photographed while she was picking out her pumpkin at the hospital's pumpkin patch last week.   She was really excited to see her picture printed.  

Home and Well

We were discharged Thursday evening and Alex has been doing great. We are so excited to be home together. The hospital has been on visiting restrictions since the beginning of September due to the increased respiratory viruses circulating since late August so siblings and visitors under 13 years old are not allowed to visit.  Ryan is not fond of this restriction and misses her sister when she's gone. Luckily it was a short stay.  Our sweet little friends, states away always show their love and support when Alex is hospitalized.  Check out what they made for Alex.

Zoe and Lucy

Halloween fun

"I like that one"

Pumpkin Patch with Mommy

Elmo "Junior Officer"

There was a lot of Halloween excitement for the kids at the hospital yesterday. In the morning we were invited to visit a pumpkin patch outside the hospital and Alex had fun picking out her own pumpkin to take home with the help of Aurora police officers.  Spirit Halloween was providing costumes for all the patients as well.  We've spent a lot of time in the hospital over the years, including most holidays at some point, and Children's really does an amazing job of bringing the fun and excitement of the holidays to the kids.  No wonder Alex doesn't mind her visits too much!  I couldn't think of a better place for her to go for her medical care.

"I'm ready to eat and go home"

Alex is doing great.  She was up at 4:30am this morning asking the nurse for a juice box and to order her some food.  She wanted to take her bipap mask off and was ready to get the day started.  I had to explain it was still dark out and way too early to be up.  She did fall back asleep, however we were up again at 5:30 and again at 6:30 and finally up for good at 7am.  Pretty typical night when you stay in the hospital.  If you can get any block of sleep throughout the night, we consider it a good one.

When one of the surgeons came in this morning she asked him if he brought her a Barbie.  She's is definitely feeling like herself and chatting it up with anyone and everyone who walks by her door, which she insists on leaving wide open.  There's talk of her going home later today too.  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, they are much appreciated!

Recovering beautifully

Alex hit the recovery room this evening feeling good.  Her surgeons said everything went as well as it could have, so we are happy for the good news.  Because the revision is not as involved as the first surgery, her recovery time should be shorter.  We'll see how she does overnight and touch base with the medical team in the morning.  Alex has already watched the movie Frozen once and I have a feeling a Frozen marathon is about to take place =)    

Round II

Checking in for Alex's surgical revision.  She's in good spirits and will be admitted to the floor after her surgery. As always, hoping for a short stay.  Prayers appreciated for our sweet girl and a speedy recovery.    

First tooth fairy visit

Alex has been doing really well since being home.  Yesterday evening she had a scope done under anesthesia to see if they could avoid having to do a full on revision of her surgery but unfortunately they were not successful in correcting the problem.  There was too much inflammation to take her to surgery last night so she'll undergo a surgical revision in the next couple of months.  

The more exciting news of the night was Alex lost her first tooth!  She had a loose tooth that was ready to come out when we arrived for the procedure so the anesthesiologist pulled it out (so she wouldn't inadvertently swallow it or bite down on it).  Mommy wasn't prepared for this but all is well now.  The tooth fairy came to our house and as Ryan put it, "paid Alex money to grow a new tooth." 

My little girl is growing up 

"cheese"

Until next time

Headed home to enjoy a Sunday afternoon together as a family 

Moving on up

Alex has been doing well since her transfer up to the floor.  She hasn't spiked a fever today which is good and she's in great spirits.  They decided she can go home on oral antibiotics which means if everything goes well tonight and she doesn't have any more fevers, we can go home tomorrow.  She'll have to come back in a few days for her surgical revision but it will be nice to be home until then. We are so happy to see Alex smiling and healing from her infection.   

Some people are worth melting for - Olaf

Alex is still hanging out in the ICU spiking fevers but overall feeling better and back to being her cute self. We are making progress in the right direction, so much so she's transferring out of ICU to the floor today. Alex has been awake and alert watching Frozen a couple times a day and chatting it up with all the nurses and medical team. She's a "hoot" as some would say and has the funniest sense of humor.

We are not sure how long her stay will be and are waiting to hear if she'll stay on IV antibiotics or transition to oral antibiotics. She will also require a medical procedure/revision involving her bladder next week due to complications from her recent surgery.  Hoping for a speedy recovery so we can enjoy the rest of our summer before school starts back up and it's Frozen outside.  

"I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs"
Thanks for the balloon Nana

"I don't know if I'm elated or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone" - Anna of Arendale

"Let it go" - Elsa 
Lauren and Nathan - we love the Frozen balloon

     

Another PICU visit

It's been one long week for Alex and our family.  Alex was having symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) over the weekend so after an emergency department visit she was put on antibiotics and we were sent on our way. She seemed to be feeling better, until Tuesday when things went downhill fast landing her right back in the emergency room.  After a many tests, pokes and prodding (I'm not kidding, she has an IV in her neck) she was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit.  Tests came back last night showing Alex has urosepsis, a severe bacterial infection that starts in the urinary tract and spreads into the bloodstream.   She's being treated with IV antibiotics and is in the best care.

Mommy has been working many night shifts in a row and daddy had also been on nightshift duty with Alex several nights so we are two sleep deprived, slightly delirious, parents. We've been taking turns napping and of course hanging out with Ryan at home. I woke up this morning in the ICU, confused of where I was.  My brain is definitely still trying to catch up to what's happened and to the realization that Alex is in the ICU.  We certainly did not see this coming or expect to be in the hospital.  We appreciate all the prayers and love everyone has been sending...keep em coming.

Weekend Fun

We enjoyed a great weekend out and Alex continues to do well at home.  Hope you enjoy the pics!

We're Home!!

So excited to be posting we were discharged this evening and are home!  Alex is outside playing with glow sticks and living it up on this Friday night.  Thanks again for all the love and prayers sent this week.

Our front yard this evening

Getting closer to home

Our warrior princess is feeling happy and enjoyed her birthday yesterday.  The hospital even delivered her own personal birthday cake which she is now requesting to eat for breakfast this morning. She had a couple wagons rides around the hospital and enjoyed some fresh air outside. Her nana, grandma, daddy and Ryan (I mean Elsa...ha ha) brought food and gifts last night and spent time with the birthday girl.  Hard to believe she turned 6!!!  Alex continues to have good pain control and is on the fast track to recovery, as the doctors put it.  We should have her home in no time!

Birthday Girl

Alex had a great night and continues to do well.  If she keeps it up she may be able to go home this weekend.  Most important news of the day though, it's Alex's birthday!!!  

Thanks to Nana for the special balloon delivery and to Gracie the dog for the pet visit. 

Our crazy visitor

Ryan entertained us tonight with her slime show

Surgery was a success

Alex is doing great and feeling no pain.  The surgeon was happy to share that there were no complications and everything went as planned.  We are relieved and feeling thankful she's doing so well and her pain is under control.  Thanks for all the prayers and messages.  It helps us get through the stressful times and it means a lot to us to hear from everyone.  

Rockin her recovery

Throw back post - 6 years ago today

"It's been a long 9 mos and we're finally ready to meet our baby girl. Right now we're enjoying a blissful dinner at one of our favorite spots before starting the journey of parenthood. Hard to believe we're less than 15 hrs from one of the happiest moments of our life.

And just look how great Nicole still looks."

Off to see the wizard