Ok, again.. I forget where I left off, so sorry if I repeat things.
Everyday has a been a little better than the last. Her eyes have more life in them, her voice has more spunk, she moves a little more, and heals a little more. I have come to realize that it's going to take time. Nothing is going to happen overnight. It's really hard, but it's conforting to know that in just a couple months we will (hopefully) have the same little girl back.
This morning the neuro dr. came in and removed the drain that was coming out of her head. This was a huge step because, not only does it give her more freedom, but it means her body is absorbing the extra fluid and it's another step closer to going home!!
Now that it's out, we can move her around a little more. She doesn't like it (because she's still very sore), but she has to in order to get her body back to walking. As of right now, she cannot stand on her own, and definitely not walk. She can feed herself with her left hand, but not her right. When laying in bed, she can move herself around, but just doesn't have the strenght and cooridination to stand, walk, move her left side much. It's just like any other major brain trama you hear about... having to relearn to walk and stuff... that's where we are.
She is also only saying a few words. She will answer ya and no, and she has said mama and a couple other things, but that's it. She gets very frustrated that she cannot communicate what she wants. We just try to stay on top of things and ask her lots of questions, which she actually gets annoyed with.
It almost seems like she is a little bit depressed. I have NO idea what is going on in her little mind, but I know she must be wondering why she is there and why she hurts so bad. She misses her sister, toys, bed, just being home. I have a feeling once we get home, she will regain what she has lost a lot faster! She is a very shy little girl and I think she is holding back because of all the strangers talking to her 100 times a day.
Tomorrow morning they will remove all the wires! No more monitoring her heart, BP, pulse. They will remove the last IV and put her on only oral antibiotics and pain meds. The only thing keeping her in the hospital at that point is physical, occupational, and speech therapy. We will meet all the therapists tomorrow and they will decide how much she needs in the hospital. Most of it should be able to be done as an outpatient. We SHOULD be home Friday, but I will be ok with anytime this weekend. I kinda want her walking a little better before she comes home. I would hate for her to fall and hurt her head. : /
Also, tomorrow we will find out if there will be anymore treatment. I am praying there will not be. She will have MRIs every 3 months for 1 year, and then they will spread out a little more for the next TEN years. So, keep her in your prayers til then! LOL
So that's that! Things are going really well! The surgeon and his whole team are very happy with how she is doing. They are sure she will make a complete recovery anywhere from weeks to a few months.
Thanks again for all the T&P, and everything else you have done! ; )
Here's a pic of her bad a$$ scar. ; )

Re: Madi update... (edit pip)
I missed the update re: the cancer test results but assume they were negative...congrats on her happy prognosis and her progress so far! I bet you can't wait to get home and start easing back into "normalcy" again. Thanks for keeping us posted!
Kiwi Fruit, 10.2.06 & Ellie Bug, 4.5.09
My blog: Bear With Us
Ideas on Teaching Your Toddler/Preschooler at Home
Britt --
This sounds like a very good prognosis! She's making great progress, and the relief in the tone of your post is great to hear. Speech, occupational, and physical therapies will work wonders!
Keep us posted! Can't wait to hear updates!
Lots of love to you all.
May each day bring good things.
so glad she is getting better.
And that is one bad a$$ scar!
I've been popping over to this board to see if there are any updates. Keep up the good spirits and positive attitude...it'll get you a long way. Your precious baby girl will soon be healed up and even better than before because she won't have that tumor in her holding her back. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
HUGS!