Update 4:30pm

Well, it looks like we might be making some progress!!! I am SO happy!!!  We are going to stay tonight for sure. But if things continue to move, tomorrow might be a different story!

We finally saw her surgeon today.  She looked at how close the cast was to her girly parts.  I can't remember if I told you about that yet or not.  But, since she's casted with her hip straight (leg is not at an angle outwards) there is very little room in that area.  In fact, it was covering up half of her stuff (literally)!  Her surgeon said it looks like she shifted a bit in the cast - because it was not like that in the OR.  So, she had them cut the cast away from that area a bit.  Just an inch or two made a huge difference.  I know she has to feel more comfortable now.  I still don't see how in the world we're going to keep it clean, but you know we'll try our best.  We bought some Saran Wrap last night, so we've got some of that wrapped around the top.  We'll see how that goes.

She is signing "potty" some, so we've been putting a bedpan under her.  So far that's worked okay.  I'm not sure how that's going to work long-term, but maybe by then I can explain to her that it's okay if she goes in a diaper.

Anyway, that's about it for now.  My hopes are high.  I think any movement at this point is AWESOME and a great sign that things might progress pretty quickly from here on out.  Hopefully my next post will be even better!!!

Woohoo!

Thanks,
Christy

A New First.

I love experiencing a new "first."  I feel that's one of the perks of having a child with Harlie's challenges.  At almost FOUR years old, I still get to be surprised at a first, and the feelings are usually indescribable.  And these "firsts" of which I speak tend to happen earlier in life (you know, like crawling, walking, talking, etc.)

So, at physical therapy last week, I was sitting on the floor and we were all talking about Harlie's stuff, when all of a sudden, Harlie walks over to me, puts her hand on my shoulder (which made me turn to face her) and she kissed me!!!

She. Kissed. Me.

That was the first time EVER that she kissed me without me asking for one.  And even when I ask her, she more often turns me down than kisses me!

And this first couldn't have been better timed!  It completely put to bed any thoughts that she was still mad at me.  That she thought I was a monster for taking her to that hospital and letting all those people do those mean things to her.  That was her way of telling me that I was forgiven and that she was totally happy.  And I felt ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!!

MY daughter - my daughter who was had 15 major surgeries - who has been under anesthesia more than 30 times - who finds walking up the stairs WORK - who can't talk - who doesn't run to the ice cream truck with joy on her face like all the other neighborhood kids - who has therapy 3 times a week - who doesn't understand or care for eating food of any kind, but has to anyway - who breathes through a tube - eats through a tube - can't jump in the pool like every other kid - who can't ask me "why" about anything...

IS A HAPPY LITTLE GIRL.

Is that not the greatest thing, EVER???

It just goes to show you that being happy is a CHOICE.  It is a choice you make every day.  If you can make the most of what you have, you will be just fine.  And lately, I'm really starting to believe that she will be just fine.  Just fine.  And that's a first for me, too!

Thanks!
Christy