Homecoming

We arrived home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. Everything has gone smoothly. Corinne was very tired, but also very happy to be home (so were Daddy & Mommy). Meredith and J were happy to have her home as well.

We learned how to use the ng tube for feedings before we left the hospital. Corinne still doesn't have a big appetite, so the tube feedings will be necessary until she consistently takes in adequate formula by mouth. We can also give her meds through the ng tube, which has worked out well since she has been gagging on them. We will be visited by the home care nurses 3 days in the coming week, and 2 days the following week. They will monitor Corinne's weight, ng tube, and make sure her incision is healing well. On Monday, we have an appointment for a chest x-ray and a visit with with the surgical nurse practitioner. Then we follow up with the surgeon in another week, and the cardiologist 4 weeks after that.

Corinne slept much better at home without the constant interruptions of the hospital routine. The doctor still wants us to feed her every 3 hours, but said it was ok to just do a tube feeding at 2am and 5am. (Corinne has slept through the night since she was about 2 weeks old and we would rather she not get into the habit of waking up.) She slept like an angel through both late-night feedings.

Grandmommy and I gave her a bath this evening (just a sponge bath, no dips in the tub allowed yet). It wasn't her favorite part of the day, but I think she felt better afterwards. She then drank a full 3 oz for the first time since the surgery.

Corinne is doing so well. It's hard to believe she had major surgery less than 1 week ago. Thank you all for your prayers and support - we couldn't have endured this without you.