Over the night, all three of us got more sleep than we had in days. Sophie was up a few times to pee, which were the first times since surgery, and we all had to learn how to negotiate the bed pan. That was the hardest part since the surgery, because it was the most she'd had to move and it was pretty painful for her to be lifted up those first few times. But as we got more efficient with the movement, it got better. Adam and I spent much of the time during the evening remarking at her monitors and the vast improvement of her stats. While she was sleeping last night, her heart rate was about 85 beats per minute; before the surgery it was running about 180. Also, before the surgery she was taking about 60 breaths per minute, and last night it was around 30. Watching her while she slept was wonderful - she seemed so much more peaceful and comfortable. By morning, she was more rested than she had been in a long while.
This morning, she had a good deal more energy. She was able to sit her bed up a bit more and played old maid with us a few times. She also liked blowing bubbles, an exercise the doctors had suggested to help re-expand that right lung. She still wasn't moving a whole lot, as that caused her some pain, but she was using her arms a bit more and certainly engaging much more with us. She got a little fed up with all of the doctors and nurses coming in to check on her (it does get pretty crazy and repetitive first thing in the morning), and she got a little quiet for awhile, but she snapped out of it when things settled down again. Brianna stopped by for a quick visit, and Sophie joked with us all and was in really good spirits, which was so fantastic to see. She was also able to have the IV in her right hand taken out... it hadn't been used since surgery, but they wanted to leave it in for a day just in case they needed it again. She was very excited to have just one IV left, and her right hand totally free so she'll be able to color and use it more comfortably.
A little before lunchtime, the nurses told Sophie it was time for her to get out of bed for a bit. They wanted to move her to a chair so she could sit in a different position and get her body moving more. They moved all of her tubes and monitors and whatnot, then Adam picked her up and placed her in the chair. She found that she was actually more comfortable sitting there and stayed there for a few hours. Eventually, though, she got tired and wanted to move back to the bed where she could rest. At that point, the nurses asked her to stand and get back into bed on her own. This was way more movement than she'd done since the surgery, and I know she had been pretty nervous about that first time she'd have to get up... but she did so well. She stood up and stayed standing for about a minute while they situated all of her tubes, then stepped onto a small stool, turned around, and got her bum up onto the bed. From there, Adam picked her up and helped her move to the middle of the bed. It was really impressive to see how well she handled it.
While she was up in the chair, Sophie got a visit from Aunt Jessica and Rigel. She did a lot of talking and joking. Grandpa Ben also came by again, this time with Benjamin, too. It was so wonderful to see him! Ben was so excited to see his sister, and she wanted to explain everything to him. She was a little short with him at one point (I think overwhelmed with all the excitement), and poor Ben looked so sad. He really wanted to play with her and didn't want her to be upset with him. It was a hard moment for me, because I felt so much for both of them. He bounced right back, though, of course, and had fun playing around in the room for a bit.
After everyone left, she spent the rest of the afternoon in bed, resting. I read her a few books and Adam played another round of Old Maid with her. Nana came by for a visit around dinner time and Sophie perked up for a bit to talk about all her adventures. She started getting pretty sleepy, though, so we borrowed a movie for her from the hospital collection and she's now nodded off while that is playing. I expect she'll be out more or less for the rest of the night.
There was a little talk about the possibility of removing one of the chest tubes tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see how the fluid output goes overnight and what all of the doctors decide.
Oh - and I also wanted to mention the wonderful deliveries that we received today. Sophie got an enormous tin of popcorn from Auntie Renee and family, which Nana delivered for them. She also got a gorgeous flower basket with a stuffed animal from the wonderful group of friends I have with children the same age as Sophie (we all met online when we were pregnant together), and a beautiful bouquet and stuffed animal from one of the teachers at preschool and her family. It is amazing to see the outpouring of love Sophie is receiving - we have gotten countless messages from people sharing their thoughts and support. It is so touching, and she deserves it. She's such a precious little girl.
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