Post-op: Day 2

Day 2 of recovery and Arabella is doing extremely well. 

Preemies usually have a rough few days following PDA ligation, but somehow Belle's an exception. Each nurse that we spoke with today made sure to let us know just how good she's doing. 

We're so fortunate. Little Tinkerbell is obviously mightier than she looks. 

Today she had the drainage tube removed from her side and the staff ran a few more blood tests. Her potassium was on the lower side, so that was added alongside her other IV lines. 

Currently, Arabella is receiving 7 various fluids at any given time. Just take a look at her IV set-up in the picture below.

There's a lot going on there, but it's all important stuff. Every fluid is there for a reason, from medicine to a mix of vitamins. Each syringe is on an automatic timer and release setting. 

Belle hasn't been fed since the night before surgery, but at least they're giving her lipids (fats) through her IV, which gives her some of the calories she requires. By Saturday morning she'll be back to eating once again. Food is gradually introduced so that the body can slowly get accustomed to everything. Digesting food also takes a lot of energy and can sometimes impact recovery too. 

Arabella slept through most of the day, but she also had a few short bursts of alertness where she would look around and directly at us. It was comforting to see her eyes open once again. You could tell that she was acting more like her true self compared to yesterday.

We're blessed to have her doing so well. She's a tough little cookie!