June 12: Another Hurdle for Makenna

 

I have been in awe with how well Makenna has done after her surgery last week.  They were able to keep her pain under control and on Friday, they took out the epidural.  She has not had any pain medication since Friday and seemed to be comfortable.  She was up to her full feeds by Saturday and everything seemed to be going well.  I am getting better and better with changing her trach ties and changing the trach itself.  I might have to become a nurse after all this training, hahaha....

Changing her trach:  she loves sitting up

Saturday was a great day!  Ken, my dad, and the boys came down to visit Makenna.  Garek still doesn't care too much, but Alec is getting more comfortable.  He was even excited to see "baby sister", as he calls her.  He touched her nose and then his, saying "baby Kenna loves Alec".  It was very cute!  My dad then got to have a long visit and help with care, while my mom, Ken and I played with the kids at the playground.  On Sunday, mom and I went to church in Hershey and met a lot of people offering to help in the future, as we will be bringing Makenna down often to Hershey for care.   Our Heavenly Father is truly looking out for our family.  Thank you every one for your prayers :)

Makenna with her new feeding tube, you can see it coming out of her stomach

 

Sunday, we noticed that Makenna wasn't quite herself.  She was more lethargic and less active.  Then later that night, her temperature was higher than normal.  They took blood, urine, and mucus to culture and check for infection.  They also did some x-rays.  Everything has been negative so far, though she still has a high temperature.  Our new hurdle is trying to figure out why her temperature is high.  Last night it was about 103.  Tylenol helps bring it down, but we still don't know were it is coming from.  We are hoping it might just be some inflammation from the surgery.  She did have major surgery a week ago.  That isn't that long ago.  She is on antibiotics just in case.

I have been in awe of the many blessing we have been receiving.  I am so blessed to be the mother of such a wonderful and amazing little girl.  She has taught me so much as I have watched her endure everything she has.  She doesn't cry much and yet has been through so much.  I have learned to completely trust my Father in Heaven.  Her life is truly in His hands and I know that she will be able to complete her mission on this earth.  However long it is.  She is an inspiration to me and I pray that I can help her through this.  Her fever has set us back a little more because they won't push her to get her off of the ventilator while she is not feeling well.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers and I will let you know how she does.  Thank you all and God bless!