Manic Monday

Over the past weekend, Grace was acting a little fussy. She would be really clingy one minute and just fine the next. We chalked it up to teething and went along our way. Monday morning was a different story. Grace was nearly inconsolable and had a high-pitched cry - almost like a scream. I still wanted to believe it was from teething, but I knew better. One of the signs her shunt is malfunctioning is a high-pitched scream. I called her neurosurgeon who had us come in that afternoon for a CT scan.

By the time we went to get her scan, she was her happy self again. I fully expected the doctor to confirm that it was just teething or other regular baby ailment. Instead we were told that her shunt was over draining, she had a bi-lateral bleed (her brain was bleeding on both sides), her ventricles had collapsed and that she would be admitted to the hospital. I was shocked and so thankful I listened to my gut and had called the doctor. Sally, the nurse practitioner we love, adjusted Grace's shunt to reduce the flow and we waited to be admitted. Since Grace has an adjustable shunt, all Sally has to do is hold an oblong contraption up to Grace's head, then twist a magnet near the shunt. Modern science!

Peek-A-Boo! I will not nap for you!

Twisted in two blankets and all her cords.

Jeff left work to get the older kids and be with us for a little while. Since the kids weren't allowed in the PICU, Jeff took them home and Grace and I settled in for the night. Her neurosurgeon came in to see us and told us that there was NOT a bleed (Thank the Lord!) but her ventricles had collapsed and it would take a while to resolve. He wanted Grace to stay at least one night to be sure that she didn't get sick from the adjustment in pressure in her brain. In the meantime, Grace was causing a ruckus singing, eating the cords and getting all twisted around in her bed. Around 9, I left to run home to grab some clothes and came back about two hours later to find out that Grace had thrown up all over a volunteer that was holding her. Afterwards she was completely fine and slept soundly for a few hours. About 6 AM, we went down for her second CT scan. Her neurosurgeon came in around 6:30 and said that everything looked the same, which is what was expected. He was comfortable sending her home as long as we watched her closely and called if anything changed. We made it home around 9:30 and surprised the rest of the family!

Nom. Nom. Nom.

She's thrown up a few times since being home, mostly after eating solid foods. She's very congested right now and the mucus has made her throw up in the past, so since there hasn't been any fever or  change in temperament we're holding on and keeping in close contact with her neurosurgeon for the time being. She will go back for another CT scan and check up on Tuesday. She will also be fitted for her hand brace and have a second hearing test next week. So pray for all good results and lower gas prices! :-)

So glad to be home!