Day +13

So today Gracie had an excellent day! She spent much of the day awake and smiled and played a lot. She's also much less mucusy and congested and only has kind of a hacking cough and runny nose leftover. Hopefully that means the worst is behind us. It seems to still hurt her a bit to cough like that, but for the most part, she is doing much better. I am hoping to try and get a decrease of her pain meds a little tomorrow.

Even more great news to report- Gracie's white blood cells jumped up to .7 today! Excellent and exciting progress. We got the differential back and her Neutrophil count is at .5 which normally would qualify Gracie for a trip around the Unit hallway with a mask on, but luckily at Gracie's age, its not really necessary to do that. She's pretty content in her little room and definately safer when it comes to germy things so we've decided to forgo the hallway adventures. Gracie said I could go for a walk in the hallway instead. This kid is all heart, let me tell you. :)

Sad news... our Daddy had to go back home today. We miss him so much already and wish he could stay here with us the whole time. Of course, someone has to bring home the bacon and especially the insurance to pay for our extended stay here in the lovely metropolis of Minneapolis, so he will be working away for a few weeks before returning here to check on his girls. We're definately counting the days.

Spring has sprung here in Minneapolis and it is truly beautiful. Everything is bright green and flowering. The scent of the sweet dogwoods linger in the cool breeze and you can't help but breathe deeply and enjoy the non-recirculated-HEPA-filtered-extra-dry-transplant-unit air. Little puffs of dandelions seem to always be floating around these days and everywhere you look, tulips are wide open and basking in the sun. There are even a few bunnies running around and enjoying this beautiful Spring weather. And as much as I wish my heart could be as light and floating as the dandelion puffs, it still stays a bit heavy with the knowledge that my Peanut is not enjoying the sweet air, warm sun, and beautiful colors this Spring has brought. She's stuck in a tiny room, and hooked up to more machines than any little baby should ever have to deal with. However, I try to remember how many more Springs she'll be able to enjoy as a result of this confinement and I hold tightly to the feeling of hope I get.

Much love and dandelion puffs to you all.