actually nothing right now is a favorite except Sprite or chicken broth. she was doing so well on Sunday---the first day she actually showed some energy--but it's been downhill since then. nothing but lethargic and wanting to snuggle.
we're day 5 post-op and we were warned that things would get a little hairy 'round about this time. days 5-8 the pain intensifies as the scabs start to release making the area raw again. earlier in the week we asked for tips on getting her to take nasty tasting medicine because we were struggling to get it in her even with the first dose. the morning after surgery i went and had it flavored (Walgreen $2.99) and it didn't help much. the flavoring didn't change the color so we had to do a fake-out and added a drop of food coloring to it so she would believe us that it was really a different (tasting) medicine. we tried masking the flavor by mixing it in broth, giving her pudding with it......everything. all that trouble we were having getting the pain medicine in her has gotten easier now that she realizes the relief it gives. last night she was up begging for it every 4 hours on the dot, nasty taste and all.
her favorite beverage of choice prior to surgery, apple juice, isn't even a contender right now. it makes it hurt very bad, she says. she isn't much a fan of any kind of eating either. she's hungry and asks for food, but usually after a bite pushes it away and says no thank you, picking up her Sprite again for a sip. on sunday though (when she was feeling good), playing with her food was way more fun than eating it. ever since the kids watched the movie Kung Fu Panda, we can't make it through a meal with spaghetti noodles without them dangling the noodles from their nose. this time she says was a kitty cat.
her recovery has gone pretty much as expected. the house is a constant trail of games and puzzles, markers and building blocks, books and blankets in every room. including the kitchen. *sigh* i'm trying my hardest to be mindful of the situation and not get too bent out of shape about things not being in their place. it's a fine dance, often on your tip-toes to get from point A to point B in our small house when things are out of place. tripping over toys is majorly annoying, so i like things in their place.
sunday they took every blanket and every pillow up to one bedroom and tried for an hour to make a fort, then gave up and pitched the tent in the middle of the livingroom where it stayed for 2 days. i just keep telling myself, one more week and i can reclaim my space.
we've played candyland enough times to keep me set for a lifetime. i don't think there is a more boring game out there. it amazes me how the same game can be fresh and new to a child every time they play. emma never tires of it. so i keep playing it.
she's also enjoying lite brite and i'm thankful the girls each have their own. ashlyn has been very needy since surgery day. she's quite jealous of her sister, always, but especially so now since she is getting lots of extra attention and snuggle time. doug has taken ashlyn out a few times to do something alone to make her feel important too---but the jealousy starts right back up the minute she gets home. sending her to daycare yesterday was a chore, but today she went willingly and without any fight smothering emma with hugs and kisses before she left. today was arts & crafts day.....that perked her up a bit. emma needs as much rest as she can get.
the balloons are still floating.......and the roses are still opening with a lovely fragrance.
my girl is so very brave! and she's been smothered with love. thank you for all your kind words, the cards, the gifts and your thoughts & prayers. i'll keep you posted over the next few days.
until then, say a little prayer that we all get some sleep tonight. please. the only unwelcomed side effect of the medicine is that it gives her insomnia. but sometimes you gotta rob peter to pay paul. the pain relief far outweighs an uninterrupted nights sleep. i just hope this sleep pattern doesn't continue beyond her recovery phase.
Prayers coming your way! I'm glad that she's taking her pain meds - hope the rest of her recovery speeds along. So so tough to see you child in pain, but it sounds like you're all handling it as best as possible. (Thumbs up on the lite brite! I loved that when I was a kid!)
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