12.10.2008

Time and Hazel Both March On

I wanted to let everyone who has been following her story with such interest, kindness and generosity of spirit, that Hazel continues to make big strides. This is Jamie posting again, because Amanda is spending her first night at home since November 25th -- and (hopefully) her first full night of sleep there since November 17th -- the night Hazel caught a flu bug that she got over just in time to get ahold of the battery. I spent the last two nights at home, first for me since the 23rd, I think both of us could only go home now at all because the deafening silence there isn't permanent, and we will be bringing Hazel home in a few days. (Yes Hazel is recovering from this way faster than we are.)

Anyway, Hazel has been more and more like herself the last few days -- and then some (see below) -- she is off of her morphine now (only methadone and Ativan left to go), she pulled out her NG tube herself Monday night (which is ok because she's been drinking from a bottle just fine), and she ate her first solid (pureed) food this afternoon with Gusto. She has been charming everybody around here, nurses are coming by to take her around the floor with them all the time, and I half-suspect one or more is claiming her for their own :)

Something that I guess I should have expected, since this has been going on for over 6% of her young life (sorry can't help myself from constantly making calculations) but that still has taken me a little bit by surprise, is that Hazel has continued to grow and grow up even in the few weeks this has gone on -- she looks older, acts older, has hair that is getting curlier all the time (I think they're permanent -- her hair still has its curls even after we finally were able to wash her up), she's starting to understand words and what is going on around her, she is starting to get more "jokes" and is starting to display her first bit of empathy (offering up to one of us whatever she is enjoying chewing on) and she has a new gasp of surprise/delight/excitement that I want to see over and over again. I guess some of these changes were happening even while she was sedated and intubated, but it was hard to notice with all the tubes, sedation and swelling.

Although Hazel seems to really like all the medical personnel giving her attention (stranger anxiety? what stranger anxiety? we'll see if it persists beyond her Ativan regimen), I think she is starting to get impatient with the whole hospital thing, and I can't wait to take her home.

Look out World, because Hazel is back, and she's coming out strong!

12 comments:

E. Phantzi said...

Yay!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is such wonderful news. I wrote a letter to my ER thanking them for such excellent treatment of my baby for Croup (I think you and I were comparing symptoms when they both were wheezing.) recently. My ER did an Xray so I thanked them for this and asked them to make it a regular procedure b/c of your story. I gave them a link to this blog too.
Hope it can help another kiddo.

Tanya said...

Hazel is absolutely amazing! Good for you Hazel!! You go get 'em girlie! So glad you are on the up and up!

Jaymee said...

Hazel, I am so proud of your progress.

Jamie, You need to write here more. Not that I don't love reading Amanda's posts.

I am so happy for all of you.

Magoon Family said...

Glad to hear it! I have been keeping her in my prayers. This truly will be an amazing Christmas for the whole family. You have so much to be thankful for. Thanks for the update and sharing your story with us.

AlePancha said...

Oh wow! So, so happy to hear these news. How amazing that life/growing continues even under such adverse circumstances, huh?
How awesome to have dear Hazel, amaze everyone aroun her... if I was there I would probably wanna claim her for me too...
Wishing you guys well and some rest.
Hugs!!

Unknown said...

That is wonderful news! I am so very glad to hear she is recovering well. And what a Christmas miracle! Wishing you all well and good thoughts.

VK said...

Thank God! I'm so happy to hear that Hazel is doing well.

Anonymous said...

I've been addicted to this blog day & night. I am so relieved for the both of you that sweet lil Hazel has come through this experience. Best wishes to all of you. Hope to see you all soon.

~Kelli said...

Glad she is getting better!

The post below is about the saddest think I have ever read. I pray for both your little girl and the one in the neighboring ICU room.

amber24 said...

i am so happy she will get to come home. and that she is better god bless and merry christmas

Anonymous said...

I am so glad your daughter is doing well and will be home with you all soon.
I just wanted to offer my well wishes, our family went through a similar situation in the summer (although with a medical condition rather than swallowing something) . Our 3 year old was taken to hospital unable to breath and ended up on a ventilator and needed surgery. It was the worst few weeks of my life and i know exactly what you all have been going through these few days.
Not knowing if your own child will make it is something no one should ever go through.
Im sure getting her home will be an amazing experience, it made us appreciate everything about our angel and i imagine you feel the same way.