Update and Q&A

Tricia did get to see Gwyneth yesterday on her birthday...the nurses dressed Gwyneth and wrapped her and put a bow in her hair just for her mommy to see (pics coming soon).

Her fever has been low-grade for the past few days. We haven't hear yet about the latest blood culture/lab. She has some friends and family visiting today, and that always makes for a good and tiring day. She's been sleeping incredibly well.

She has had three episodes in the past week where she coughed up a small amount of blood. This is not uncommon for her (and other CFers), but it's still not the greatest thing in the world. It probably doesn't mean anything more than her throat/lungs are irritated by all of the coughing and suctioning, and that the Heparin is doing it's job, but it's no fun.

Gwyneth is doing wonderfully. She was placed back on the vent a few days ago simply because she wore herself out on the CPAP. She's doing most excellent the past few days, and should be placed back on CPAP in the next few days.

Also, she is now weighing in at a whopping 1lb 10.5oz, which means she's gained about 7oz in the past week. This is great news. I can actually see that she's gotten bigger in the past several days. The nurses continue to fight over who gets her every day and night. :)

Agnes went home for a long weekend (which she more than deserves), and my mom is here in her stay, which is very nice (she does my laundry for me...thanks, mom!) They've both been working hard at writing and sending thank-you cards out to those who have sent gifts (which is great because Tricia just can't seem to get that done right now for some reason...).

I've been able to hang with some guy friends the past few days away from the hospital for a few hours, which has been great. It's hard to be your full-self inside the walls of a hospital.

BJ tells me today that things are about the same for Nalin. They are very thankful for your thoughts and prayers.

Q&A:

> I can touch Gwyneth whenever I want to, although I'm very careful as Tricia is still on contact isolation and I don't want to transmit something between them. I usually just touch her when I first arrive at the hospital after a shower before seeing Tricia. I am able to hold her every other day, as long as she's stable, which she wasn't the past few days going from CPAP to Vent. I should be able to hold her in just a bit.

> Tricia's diabetes has only come on with the pregnancy. CF patients are very prone to diabetes, as are transplant patients (due to the large amount of steroids). She is not a good candidate for the pancreas transplant.

> Gwyneth's face is very expressive, but I'm told that she doesn't really have conscious control over her motions. She doesn't smile yet, at least not on purpose. She does yawn.

> My sleep schedule is back to normal (thanks to Tricia's great sleep), but my days have been busy, so I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like to.

> Tricia basically just told me about her CF just like she told me about any part of the rest of her life. I didn't learn all of the details until much later, but it was something that we talked about from the beginning.

> Tricia is not a candidate for a lobe transplant from living donors. (and, she's adopted, so we know nothing about her blood relatives)

Nate

PS. If I don't answer your specific question, it's either because I don't know the answer, I don't want to answer, or I've already answered (probably several times). :)