back on the floor

After many medications to get rid of the high potassium Luke left the PICU Tuesday afternoon. It took longer than expected to get his potassium to normal levels. It is still being checked frequently.

 in PICU

the girls loved that the PICU waiting room had its own playroom

playing a game of Othelo

Once Luke went up to his floor he felt so much better and was so happy. There was concern his kidneys may have had enough damage they wouldn't recover (due to all the times they have been stressed). Thankfully yesterday they showed signs of healing. 

When he came up to the floor he started oozing out fluid from his incision. Today he will have an ultrasound to make sure there is no abcess.

The Museum of Natural History was back to do their bedside program. This time they talked about Rocks and Minerals. These are great programs and they always Gove the families free tickets to the Museum.

Luke getting in some baby loving.

Luke is designing a Childrens Hospital Pittsburgh Monopoly game with all of the places he goes as properties. The girls are the decorators and are decorating the middle section.

These are the girls' snow angel prints. Kyara was so excited to go out in the snow.

 Back to walking laps. Today is 6 laps.. goal is 16 (1 mile). Each day we add at least 2 laps.

Thank you so much for all the ecards! Last night Luke was getting very frustrated about still being in the hospital. He was sad and said, "and Mom I haven't even received many ecards!" So to all you who sent them it meant so much (I may have been delinquent in putting the link up!)

Luke and Kyara doing school work. He is standing up because his belly feels bad. 

Luke will have an ultrasound at 4pm to look at his incision site. If it is fine I will leave to drive across the state to go to work tomorrow. I will drive back Saturday AM after work. Next week I will have to call out of one day of work then will head back to work Thanksgiving Day if Luke is still here.

I am so thankful for Ronald McDonald House being here. It really helps Luke's healing to have family by his side. Tonight is a full Thanksgiving meal at RMH. We are also so thankful for the families and groups that come and cook meals for all 60 families staying at RMH daily. It is truly our home away from home. 

I am even less excited about going home this time since he ended up in the PICU last Sunday. So thankful for amazing nurses that know Luke well and love him lots. If it weren't for them I would never be able to go home to work. 

Please pray Luke doesn't have any complications when I am gone. It is a tough job for my mom to take care of the little ones and be Luke's only support. 

Gregorys 13th birthday is today (wow three teenagers in the house). It is always tough on the kids when I miss their birthdays or another special moment because I am here. It is tough on everyone whether out here or at home when Luke has prolonged hospitalizations.