Today went really smoothly until about 7:15 this evening. Joy was her happy normal self all through the afternoon and even drank 3oz twice via open cup and syringe! We are hoping to get Joy up to eating her normal 4oz but for now, a win is a win! The doctor took her off of IV fluids as a result, and we thought all was well with her pain management so Joy’s day nurse gave her a weaker dose of pain medicine than normal at 5:30, thinking she no longer needed the strong meds… but it turns out Joy had been so happy because the strong pain meds were what she was needing. At 7:15 she started screaming inconsolably and didn’t settle until a little over an hour later when the night nurse was able to give her a dose of morphine- something she hadn’t needed all day. I’m discouraged by this evening’s events and am hopeful she does well tonight so that we can still go home tomorrow, although that prospect is looking dimmer. 

Tomorrow is Isaac’s 3rd birthday. I’d love to be able to go home tomorrow so we aren’t stuck in the hospital all day on his birthday. He’s been such a trooper these past few days, and even though he doesn’t fully understand what’s happening with Joy, he knows “the doctors are helping her get all better and get big and strong!” He’s the best big brother to Joy and was really glad to be able to see her today, and she was thrilled to see Bubba too. Would you all say a prayer for him that he would still feel loved and celebrated on his big day despite so much attention needing to be turned towards Joy? ❤️

Thank you for all the prayers, as always!