Day +55

We still are inching forward toward discharge. Tomorrow's ultrasound will tell us more, but there is a question as to what is going on with Zoe's gall bladder. Her liver enzymes keep spiking, so tomorrow they will see if any improvement has been made.

In the grand scheme of things it's not really a huge thing, but it is part of what's keeping her from being discharged.

The other issue holding her back is getting her GI tract to handle appropriate feed levels for her size. She's still on a fair amount of IV nutrition as her gut doesn't seem to like having too much food in it. It could all be related to the gall bladder issue--again, tomorrow's ultrasound will (hopefully) tell us more.

Aside from these two sticking points, Zoe is just a little spunky chunk of fun--and mischievousness.

I am having to learn the lesson every parent eventually learns: Do Not Laugh at Behavior You Don't Want Repeated!

Oy.

She started pulling off her diaper tab (you know, the one that keeps it shut), and I thought she was so funny and brilliant for her dexterity and skill--and perhaps reacted in a not entirely appropriate way (or at least not in a way that had future vision).

Consequently she now has this horribly magnificent way of unlatching her diaper directly before she poops and has a kicking frenzy.

I'm loving the endless laundry service now, but when we go home this new talent of hers will be a problem.
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Jeff got his turn at being the patient today: he had to have a root canal this morning. Poor guy! I just have to tell myself that if it had to happen during this process, it's a very good thing it didn't need to happen a month ago. Always something to be grateful for!

And speaking of gratitude, here's an email I just got today from Diana, the organizer of Sunday night's fundraiser, sent out after the event:

Greetings everyone -

I wanted very badly to express much more tonight than I was able and thought that maybe I could finish off in an after party email.

First, I am so very grateful to Deborah Music and Joe Whinney from Theo Chocolate for all of the amazing effort that they put into tonight's benefit. They provided the venue, the tours and the chocolate samples at no cost so that more of our money raised could directly benefit Jeff, Kellie and Zoe.

Kelly and Manny Loya (representing Altered State of Wine) donated wine for the occasion.

Tony Stevens and Trevor Larkin donated their time and talent so that we could listen to live music.

Kal Austin provided the food and drink.

Henry, Skiah and Manny made posters and helped to organize and clean.

Countless other people brought wine, printed pictures, collected the donations and spread the word and without this concerted effort the benefit would not have been such a great success.

Many of the people attending tonight have never met Jeff and Kellie before. This is a perfect reminder that we need not know everyone to be a community of people helping one another. I am quite overwhelmed at the generosity displayed here tonight.

Between us all we raised over $2500...

For those who attended, for those who did not and still donated and for those who have sent well wishes - I thank you all deeply.

- Diana.

And how!

Blessings have a way of persisting in this process. We are deeply grateful.