It's really the little things

[caption id="attachment_2423" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Ellie checking her "watch", is it really that early?"][/caption]

5:30 am--Ellie's final bandage was removed by neurosurgery.  Apparently early early morning is the best time for neurosurgery to do these kinds of items.  They accidentally left a few staples so I assume they will be back for those.  Otherwise how will she get through airport security next time we travel? 



Yesterday Ellie was saying that Oscar the Grouch would really enjoy the way she was looking, after 2 brain surgeries and almost 2 weeks of no hair washing.  I had to agree that she did look a bit like she'd been living in a trash can. 

Ellie seemed to have jumped over all the ups and downs of the salt wasting, then suddenly she overshot normal again.  All night she was at 140 (normal 135-145), which is excellent, then this morning, she dumped a bunch of water (diabetes insipidus) and her salt went to 150.  Certainly no 170, but enough to need adjustment.  She is keeping everyone around here on their toes, that's for sure. 

[caption id="attachment_2424" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Our neighbor, Chris, talks with Ellie."][/caption]

A giant thank you to our wonderful neighbors, Chris & Kathy for not only watching Ben for a few hours yesterday so Thom could get some much needed sleep, but making us a yummy lasagna for dinner.  And that was on top of transporting Thom & Ben to the hospital when the red engine light went on in the car (and for those of you keeping up with all of this car scarfuffle, this is not the car that died at the traffic light a couple of weeks ago, they are apparently taking turns needing our attention).  Red engine light did not go on yesterday when Thom started the car so we are hopeful that it was a false alarm.  It's funny how when faced with the PICU it is the little things that can push me over the edge--having a roommate, getting kicked off my Pandora account because I've used all my time playing classical music for Ellie's brain, the car breaking down.  That's when I want to throw my hands up and say, "ENOUGH!!! Can I please have a break here??"  It kinda makes me laugh at how ludicrous that last straw can be.