Movin' on up...

Have you ever wanted to just fast forward your life? I know that I have - today we sort of got a little fast forward button on our stay here in the hospital. We moved from ICU to a progressive care unit! How exciting is that? Our quoted 5-7 days changed to 24 hours! We are still in a closely monitored unit but it is certainly progress and a much less intense environment. She is off oxygen and doing well with the trach open. We haven't yet tried to cap the trach because she is still somewhat sedated and still having to be suctioned for the secretions. She has watched some tv and been in and out today. We even got a glimpse of a smile from her when we were reading her comments from the blog. It has been a great day!

Last night we took turns sitting at her bedside. It is SO crazy how your sense of time is left at the door when you walk into these walls. My sense of time isn't so good anywhere so here I sort of enjoy not being the only one who is clueless to the clock. However, I did watch the clock to be sure and make the "Midnight Madness" sale in the gift shop last night. It was from 11pm -2am, there was some cute stuff and I enjoyed a good bit of retail therapy in my outing! The sleeping situatuion was hilarious! Let me just say I love my hubby and now I have even more reason to love and appreciate him - he doesn't snore! I realized last night that not all spouses are so fortunate. I had the first shift last night at the bed side - after my shopping trip- and there is only a chair to sit in. So knowing that I didn't expect any sleep but the mom in the pod next to us I guess had a more comfortable chair, perhaps one that reclined, and she was in a deep sleep! One that caused her to snore REALLY loud as if she was getting the best nights sleep ever. I am sure she needed it and so I am happy for her but I did think perhaps I was on candid camera and they had a fake snorer just to see my reaction! When Darrell and I switched shifts early this morning I warned him but he failed to warn me about the sounds I would encounter in the family room! So the family room is private for the PICU parents at bedtime - there are recliners and they provide pillows, blankets even muffins and coffee when you wake up. You sort of have a slumber party with 20 or so other parents. As with all slumber parties you do wake up really tired from the lack of sleep. Only at this party it wasn't all the chit chat that keep me from falling asleep - it was all the snoring! There was all kinds of snoring patterns going on. I am sure that a few had sleep apnea - or a grizzly bear was snoozing among us! Tonight will be different for us but knowing that room is full every night of the week, of the month, of the year is a humbling. Not because of all the snoring you must endure during your stay but because you know how your heart hurts for your child as you realize all you can do is love them through it. You share that with every parent no matter how different you may be outside in the world or how loud they snore. Here you are just a mommy or a daddy that want there baby to be safe, healthy, happy and loved! And as it should be - for we are all created equal!