Turning the corner

Last night was the best night we've had since the Sunday we were admitted. Soph and I both slept 7 hours! We read books at 9pm, chatted about everything until about 10pm, then both went to sleep. She woke up around 11 whimpering, and the nurses gave her some Toradol for pain, and before I knew it, I woke up at 7:20 wondering if I just blacked out! Nurses confirmed that she slept the whole night!

So Soph seems to be turning the corner a bit on recovery. She's sleeping more, in more of a pleasant mood than not, and not taking as many pain meds as before. She still has her cranky moments, more b/c she's sick of this place, but physiologically, she is making good progress.

We have had some good, quality family time. Selah has been coming by from about 4-6pm every day to spend time, eat together, play, chat. It has been so nice to have all of us together, laughing, playing, eating, smiling, fighting over Soph's new toys and stuffed animals. We are thankful that Selah is our "easy" baby, that she can be with anyone, that she's friendly, easy-going, etc. She's been here downtown for exactly a week, and it seems like she's been adjusting fine.

We are still awaiting our second opinion from Mass General, and having more specific conversations with the team about the treatment phase.

Otherwise, the neuro-surgeons are targeting next Mon, 12/17 as the day they remove her EVD, put in her port, get a spinal MRI, and a lumbar puncture. All of this would be done so that she wouldn't have to have multiple sessions of sedation and surgery. Once we get all of this, we are thinking that we spend a few more days in the hospital to make sure there are no complications. We are cautiously optimistic that we might be able to go home mid-late next week!

Once we are home, we are in for physical therapy, which would most likely happen at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton (!), less than a mile from our house! Proton radiation therapy, once confirmed as the way to go with neuro-oncology, will also start pretty soon, most likely at the CDH Proton Center in Warrenville.

More to come later, as we confirm the treatment plan, and get an idea on when we can go home. In the meantime, thank you all for your prayers, visits, food (we have lots of leftovers!), hugs, emails, facebook comments, blog comments, texts, etc. Everything is so appreciated, and it helps us get through the days.