Back in the routine

It looks as though we are back in a good routine.  Brooklyn is eating on a regular schedule and sleeps well as she recovers from all that she has gone through.  We are grateful for calmness and have hope that she is on a good path to eventually get a new shunt or alternative treatment in the next 10 days or so.  The fluid is draining mostly, if not exclusively, from the spot to the side of her brain inside the skull.  The drain appears to be slowing each day and we hope this is a sign it is almost drained and that the brain is filling in that space.  I'm not sure whether the doctors will get another MRI to see if that is the case or not, but we should know more in the coming days.  Her other vitals look good.

I'm not sure what else to report for now.  This can certainly be a roller coaster of an experience, but we have been comforted as needed, even when doubts come and go.  Thanks again for all of the prayers and support.  They do matter and they do sustain. 

I have had some thoughts about what Brooklyn might do in the coming years.  It was fun to look at her sister Nicole today, who recently turned 3, and think that in a few years it is possible Brooklyn too will be tromping around in a cute dress on a Sunday afternoon.  She might like tennis or golf or enjoy riding her bike around.  I hope she gets to do these things.  "But if not" as the Old Testament scripture goes, we'll be satisfied with whatever the Lord ultimately has in store for her.  I love these verses:

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not ^acareful to answer thee in this matter.

 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to ^adeliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not ^aserve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

 

It's been interesting to once again encounter others whose children are here at PCMC.  Each story is unique and sobering and the interesting thing is that when we hear of others' struggles, ours don't seem as daunting as they did before talking with others.  Ironically, hearing Brooklyn's story may have a similar effect on those we encounter.  I'm not sure why these discussions seem so healthy, but they do bring some measure of comfort as we see others handle difficulty with hope and acceptance and we are grateful for them.

 

Here's another picture of Brooklyn and a message Katelyn wrote for her little sister on the white board in Brooklyn's room:

 

 

Brooklyn, I love you soooooooo much and you are also soooooooo brave! I am soo lucky to be your sister!!! Love, Katelyn