waiting

I know you have all been waiting for more information.  I really wish I had more.  Elianna is doing well, stable and gaining weight.  She is being tube fed, though we have met with Occupational Therapy and there is some hope that she will learn to breastfeed.  In the mean time I am pumping to provide her with breastmilk.  I am so grateful that my body seems to have a certain expertise when it comes to milk production (averaging about a litre a day, E is eating about 600mL).  Elianna was transferred from the NICU to Intermediate Care on Friday evening.  

Here she is getting her hair washed.  Check out those long fingers (courtesy of the Friesen family).

We are still waiting for test results.  They actually had to redraw the blood on Monday because the initial sample they sent was not enough volume.  Elianna has proven to be very difficult to draw blood from.  After trying every available spot, they shaved the sides of her head to access veins at her temples.  The results typically take 4 weeks, though they are trying to rush them (unfortunately if the test takes long because of the chemical processes involved, there's nothing much anyone can do).  

For now, we are simply waiting.  Once we have a confirmed diagnosis there will be lots of meetings and discussions to work out a plan for her care.  

Thank you to all of you for your support.  We have been surrounded and cared for in so many ways.  We are well fed, and our time has been freed up to spend with Elianna as people have stepped up to help with the most mundane of household tasks.