Moving on up...

We have moved!!! Kamalee was moved to her own room this morning about 10. YAY! It is actually very nice compared to the PICU. We have a private room, bathroom and shower. We weren't supposed to but somehow we got lucky. She had a great night last night. Was only up once about 3 and wanted to eat. Today nearly everything was removed. She has her central line in the neck, which is used to give a diahhretic 3x a day. She isn't hooked though, it is given manually. The only thing actually hooked to something is her 02 monitor. That is even portable so we could leave the room and walk the floor but we didn't bring the stroller. Her surgeon came in today and removed her dressing. So now she looks wonderful. He estimated that we may get to go home Monday. SO HAPPY!!! Here are some pictures of her stay so far.

Becky again...Amy left me a message at 8:05 AM. She said they took her chest tubes out about 1/2 an hour ago. In the next hour they will be taking Kami off the medicine that is making her sleepy so she can wake up and take out the breathing tube. She should be able to start eating on her own this afternoon. Way to go little trooper!!

The Extended Version

This is the 3 of us right before they took her back. Love the 'throw-back' pajamas!! Our little princess after surgery and in the PICU.

Thank you Aunt Becky and crew for the singing caterpillar and bear blankie! They slept with me all day and night.

I first want to thank, everyone, for their good wishes and prayers! I think we had 4 prayer chains, a MOPS group and so many friends and family we couldn't count! Thank you God for ALL of the wonderful people you have sent to us and blessed us with knowing and loving.

Right now, Kamalee is pretty sedated and sleepy. Yesterday, after surgery, they let her start to wake up. She would squeeze our fingers and move a little and then another round of medicine would be injected. She would slowly and quietly drift back to her beautiful dreams. We decided to leave the hospital about 6 last night and try to actually get some sleep. I got a few hours anyway. I am headed back up there in a little bit to start the day. The surgery went really well. The doctor said "she had some tough tissue that I didn't like and expected some leakage right away. BUT, there wasn't any. I would say she did, better than average. Which is the best we could ask." YAY!!! My super girl rises again. Currently she is on a breathing machine,etc. As you can see in the pictures, there is a mess of cords. The doctor will be around between 7 and 8 AM today to make a plan. Last night, the plan was to remove the breathing tube (which by the way is there to let her rest and not make her heart work yet, normal) and her to little tubes coming from her belly. They were allowing fluids around the heart to leave and that is dried up so they should come out as well. We should be able to hold her some time today and start feeding her regularly again. If all continues to go well, hopefully she will get her own room (out of PICU) on Saturday some time.

I will update more again, when I can.

Thank you LORD for the blessings you have given us! Our beautiful daughter, our family, friends and love between ALL of us! YOU are our saviour. Please continue to bless us and be with us. Bless all that we love and keep our beautiful baby in your arms, forever. AMEN!

(Mariana: Now Jesus is in Kamalee's heart forever!!)

The phone number to Kamalee's room is (612) 874-4910.

Kami is out and the doctor said she is doing great! They should get to see her in about 15 minutes.

Becky again...Kami is out of surgery!! She is going into OR to recovery. They haven't talked to the doctor yet, but should be able to see Kamalee in about an hour. Yeah!!

This is Becky blogging for Amy. I received a text at 9:23 AM from Amy that the surgery was underway and she tolerated everything well so far.

Pre-Op

Well, we are here...in Minneapolis!
Kamalee had a pre-op appointment today and we toured the part of the hospital that she will be in. On the way she played with a new toy she got. She really enjoyed it and did awesome on the way here!

At the clinic, we met with the cardiologist assigned to her and she had another EKG and x-rays. She was a good sport! She really liked the fish in the waiting room...hmm, maybe she needs a pet? (Don't tell Dad :)

Asleep after the EKG.

Then we headed to the hospital and visted with an anethesiologist, took the tour and had blood drawn. Needless to say, she didn't care for that much. But, she is doing great now in the motel.

Up early tomorrow and we are to be at the hospital at 6:30. We just want to thank everyone that has sent good wishes and prayers. Please continue!!!!!

Surgery

Kamalee's surgery is scheduled. We will be headed to Minneapolis on the 25th for pre-op and surgery will be the morning of the 26th.

Wow! When I got the call so many emotions flew through me. Relief, that it is scheduled and hopefully will be done soon. Sadness, to think of what my baby will go through. Fear...well for obvious reasons.

We have heard good things of her surgeon, so that provides a little comfort. If it is possible to get any comfort of knowing your 5 month old is going to have open-heart surgery!

We will keep you updated with more news as it comes. Please keep Kamalee in your thoughts and prayers!

Love, Justin Amy and Kamalee

Puppy Tales V

Here is Kamalee's 5 month picture with her puppy! I can't believe how big she is getting. She is rolling every now again..if we are playing. But if she is on the floor alone, she seems to be content just chewing on her fingers! We had another synagis shot last week and she was up to 13lbs and 6oz. No news on surgery yet, but hopefully we hear soon!!! Other than playing with her tongue, her knewest thing is holding her arm up. When she is laying in the middle of the floor I wonder if she has a question?!!? :) Here it looks like she is telling me to get that camera outta here!

Logo!

I forgot to mention...

My very talented sister in law created and designed my logo. Check it out, on my website.

www.designergenesphotography.com

Also, look at some of Jodi's beautiful creations. http://enduringarts.blogspot.com

she also has an etsy shop to view more things (you can find the link on her blog). check her out...her work is amazing!

a few fun ones from last sessions

A new beginning...

Thank you for reading!

I am glad to have a new blog for my family info...more importantly, to update you all on Kamalee. Sorry it took so long to get this going, but here we go...again! :)