We're Tubeless!

Alleluia! We're tube-free!

Ryan and I were pleasantly surprised yesterday when we got to Drew's room to hear that his drain tube was going to be removed later in the day. Neurosurgery came by around noon, removed the tube and added another stitch to his poor little head. They came back late last night and added more stitches because he was leaking fluid. Thankfully, he's had no additional leakage since.

In all, he has 3 incision sites...a 1-inch spot on top of his head, a 1-inch spot a little bit behind his right ear and a 4-inch incision from the base of his neck up the back of his head.

Since his drain tube was removed, he no longer has to be on IV antibiotics, so his IV's were removed last night, as well. All that's left connected to our little fighter are the leads for the monitors. Yeah!

Ryan and I got out of the hospital for a little bit yesterday and had a late lunch with our friends Brian and Kelli Dorris. Thanks so much for the basket of goodies (we've made quite a dent in it already) and for bringing our mail.

Today's big news is all about food...Drew nursed for the first time since this all transpired. He latched on right away and had no issues with breathing while eating like he had with the bottle. Also, depending on which nurse he has tonight, I may sleep in his room and nurse him through the night rather than waking up to pump like I have been doing.

Rumor has it that if he continues to do well tonight, we may be moved out of the PICU into a room in the pediatric unit as early as tomorrow.

I can hardly believe that 10 days ago, Drew had brain surgery. 10 days ago, we were taking life one day at a time, not knowing what to expect when we returned to his room each morning. What a difference 10 days can make. God's presence in Drew's room has been palpable. He is answering our prayers each day. Please continue to pray for Drew's recovery so that we can go home soon.