A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

** DAY 33 POST TRANSPLANT & 40 STRAIGHT DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL**

     You guys, God has got this!  Our little Hazelnut is going to make it through!  Each day brings us closer and closer to the end of the tunnel that we can finally see the light, and it feel tremendous to be able to say so. Her bilirubin continues to stay at 4 and below, and all of her other numbers continue to drop and move in the right direction.  She has had X-rays done on her lungs every day and they keep coming back better and better.  The past few days they have looked so great that as soon as she is off the CVVH machine and some of the sedation medications, she can easily come of the ventilator.  She also had another kidney ultrasound which showed the left kidney remaining stable and the right one improving! Her weight today was 15.4 kilograms.  If you don't remember, her normal weight is 14.4kg and she was all the way up to 18.7kg (that's nine and a half pounds in gained fluid!), so we are so close to our goal. Her belly girth measured in at 53cm (down from 65cm and originally 50cm).  As soon as we get her back down to her original measurements and if her numbers remain stable, they can begin taking her off of the CVVH and breathing machines.  So please pray that this happens and that when they do begin to take her off, that it all goes smoothly!
     Although she is closer to recovery, she remains sedated and still faces many challenges every day.  It has been so taxing on all of us, and quite honestly I don't have the emotional stamina to be able to put it all into detail now, but I will soon.  Please know that this is still a daily battle and so we still need your daily prayers!  I can't wait until I can post a picture of her smiling face to show you how your prayers have reached the ears of our Father, but for now, here are a few from our stay at the ICU:

Being transferred to the ICU

This was just before she was put on the ventilator

Most of the machines that helped keep Hazel alive

This line was placed in her neck for the CVVH machine

This was taken just now...We still need prayers!