Cataleya Updates

Cataleya:

•  has been fever free for 5 days. This is the longest stretch since May 28th!
•  is no longer on any sedatives or pain meds and has done very well without them.
• 's Mom is getting pretty comfortable with the ventilator and has been handling her and getting her out of bed like a pro.
• gets monster diaper rash and oral thrush the minute any antibiotic comes near her. The diaper rash you just have to wait out. It goes away the day after she stops taking them. The thrush is resistant to Nystatin (topical) and Diflucan (oral), but the Doctors assured me this time those things would work. So after 10 days on Nystatin and 5 on Diflucan, they finally prescribed Gentian Violet- which I told them is her miracle cure. It is deep purple and stains everyone/thing, but 3 days later- no thrush. And it's all natural. I love that because we pump so many pharmaceuticals into her, it's nice to have an alternative sometimes.

• has taken a liking to 2 security lovey blankets. She now looks for pooh and piglet when she's upset or sleepy. It's really cute, but I'm already dreading weaning her off them as a toddler.

• is now allowed to eat by mouth. So far water off an oral sponge is the only thing she really likes, but she'll tolerate licking a spoon of bananas or apples. Veggies are a no-go. She is very opinionated already.
• will find out if heart surgery is now or in April on Tuesday.
• can absolutely make noises and talk even with her trach cuff up. The Doctors told me she wouldn't, but I believe she knew how hard that would have been on us. She is blowing raspberriess and yelling at the nurses as loud as she was before. It makes all of this more bearable.