8.28.2008

3rd Floor!!

We got a pretty big surprise today...We had planned on her getting her central "RA" lines out today so that we could hold her, and as soon as they told us about taking those out, they immediately moved on to saying that they'd be moving her to the floor!  

"The floor?! -Wha? Really?  You're sure?"
That was my reaction.  
They said that there really wasn't any reason to keep her in the PICU so they were sending her upstairs!  Wahoo!
So we're upstairs and Topher and I have both gotten to hold her...she is still pretty hoarse and can't make much noise, definitely still feisty as ever, but we're loving that her personality is coming back again, bit by bit.
Also, Grace met her Great Grandpa Charles today.  He was visiting from Washington and so
 Topher was able to take him as well as Curtis in to see her.  It was neat to have the three generations of male Andersens all in there with her.  Thanks for visiting her Grandpa Charles! 
When we came up here today, I met a new family whose daughter is here on the floor, waiting for a heart.  She is 15 years old.  Not only is she waiting for a heart after being diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, but she also has already had cancer and Chemotherapy treatments.  I'm going to go meet her personally tonight and talk with her.  But my heart has already broken to imagine a 15 year old having to go through so much, and still have such a long road ahead of her.  Please please PLEASE keep her in your prayers.  Her name is Meagan, and I'm sure that every prayer in her behalf would be appreciated.  
Thank you for keeping Grace in your prayers and for all the constant support.  Alli and Amy came to our house and deep cleaned Grace's room, the laundry room, the bathroom, and the vents.  It was SOOOOOO wonderful of them and we are so extremely appreciative.  Thank you! Thank you!! They sanitized everything, steam cleaned walls, ceilings, doors, did laundry.  It was wonderful.  Also, my visiting teachers brought a wonderful meal for us, and a sweet lady in my ward arranged to have meals brought to us next week as well.  Talk about an amazing family and wonderful neighbors and ward members.  We truly feel so blessed to have SO much support.  Thank you to ALL of you. 
We are tentatively being told that the end of next week would be when we come home...but we'll see.  We have already learned not to trust everything the nurses say.  So, one nurse said Tuesday, and we were just barely told, 'no no, at the earliest Friday or Saturday next week'.  haha! So we'll see what actually ends up happening.  We really don't care too much how long it takes her to get better...she can take her time.  If she needs a week, that's great, if she needs 2, that's awesome as well.  We're just so happy and grateful that she'll be going home a healthy, recovering baby girl, instead of a sick baby girl, where we are dreading what is in her near future.  We feel so blessed and are extremely grateful for how wonderful and smoothly everything has gone. :)
Please continue to pray for us.  She has a swallow study tomorrow, and how she does on that will determine if she can start to be bottle fed, or if she will need to possibly go home with a feeding tube again.  Please also pray for her other heart friends, and especially Megan as she copes and waits for her 2nd chance at a full life. 
Thanks again!  We love you all!
Love the Andersens

15 comments:

Mythreesons said...

Wow Bugs! She's doing awesome! She was obviously just waiting for her new heart to get on with life... looks like she's roaring to go. I'm so glad you guys got to hold her and that she's being moved to the floor. Sounds like everything is going so smoothly... I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. We'll keep praying and thinking of you guys. We love yoU!

Super Daysh said...

Yay for Gracey!! What a tough cookie! She is healing so well and we are just so grateful that she is getting better and so quickly too! We have good prayers. ;) Hopefully she continues to do well and we'll be able to visit her one of these days and give her lots of loves!! We love you guys and are glad that things are "calming" down. Go Grace!!!

Em said...

Whoo hoo! Whoo hoo! Whoo hoo! What amazing news-I feel like dancing! What a strong wonderful little girl! So excited to hear such wonderful news!
Heart hugs,
Emily and Mike

Canadaland said...

That is one tough cookie you've got there. Judging by how well she's done in her short life so far...I'd say she will be able to take on anything that this life passes to her. What a character! I'm so glad everything is going so smoothly.

Aimee Hardy said...

That is amazing. I am so excited for Grace and her new heart. Good luck on the swallow study! You are in our prayers.

Aimee Hardy
IHH - Jack, HLHS

Amy Finnegan {BookshopTalk.com} said...

Ahh Gracey!! It's so wonderful to see her bright eyes!! She looks so very, very fantastic!

I don't think a single one of us could have imagined Grace looking and doing SO well just one week after her transplant.

I feel so humbled, and grateful, and in awe of God's power. And I feel the same way about the talented, dedicated medical staff who have been intruments in His hands to create His miracles here on Earth.

Oh, that all heart babies could/can have this same fate . . . a full healthy life. I have faith that this is indeed what Grace will have!!

Yay, Grace, you look FABULOUS darling!! ;) Enjoy your new posh pad on The Floor (it sounds like a night club to me!)

Kelly said...

That is wonderful! Way to go Gracey! That's amazing how quickly she's healing and showing you she's herself. She is adorable!

Sara and Company said...

Happy day for everyone! I am so glad that you were able to comfort and cuddle her again and that they are pretty confident in her recovery. That is so exciting!

Katie said...

What a superstar!!! Way to go Gracey :) You are such a lil' fighter and we admire you so- I bet your mom and dad can't quit smiling!!! Keep it up pretty girl!
Love,
Katie & Maddie

Anonymous said...

You Go Girl!

Gracey, you are such a little fighter. Genetics are on your side. Keep on going. We were going to come see you Sunday and Monday, but Don is is the hospital . He has a bowel blockage.
Please give prayers for him also, that he will not have to have surgery.
Tell Meagan that our prayers will be with her also.

Love,
Grandma

princess jen said...

Gracey-lou looks so great!! So pink and wonderfully delicious! I can't wait to see her again (with permission!). I love you so much!!

Pam said...

I am so glad that you are on the floor. When Hollie came to talk to me in the surgical waiting room yesterday she told me that you had been transfered.

Gracey is AMAZING!!!

Rhett is hanging out in the PICU right now, hopefully he will get transfered today.

Give Gracey a hug from Rhett!!

Lady of the Rings said...

Totally amazing. And she is starting to look like herself again. What a relief. We were so excited when we found out yesterday. You are blessed with such a strong little angel.
I am so grateful that you have so much wonderful kind help around. Aren't people just wonderful. I wish I could hug them all for being there for you guys... Yes, I miss you terribly.
All my love, Mum

The Simmons Family said...

Gracie is AMAZING me everyday I read a new post! I can't believe that she JUST had a heart transplant and she's already moved to the floor!! What a ROCK STAR!!

I can't wait to read the post that you're home!!

Andrea

Thoughtful Runner said...

We continue to be excited about the news that she is gaining strength and making steady progress. We certainly know what a long road remains ahead, but we can't help but be optimistic. We are so grateful for what is transpiring in her life and for all of the prayers in her behalf from SOOOO many. Go Grace! We love you!