Catch 22

Kiera is looking and feeling much better, but on the hospital ventilator at relatively high settings. So we are in a very confusing position of being happy that she is feeling better even though it is only with medical assistance that will continue to keep her in the hospital. Everyone making conversation with us at the hospital will say things like, "You must be happy she's looking so much better." It is hard to communicate to them, the difficulty of being happy when you know the very reason she is better is the exact same reason she can't come home. She is getting stronger while on the vent, so hopefully she will make a better transition to the LTV next week after more recovery. She walked with assistence 2 laps around the unit (ventilator in tow) on Friday and sat in a little chair we brought about 3 times per lap. We are waiting on some AFO's to help her ankle support. There are some positive changes. She has her mad puzzle skills back and is playing a little more creatively than before. Her spirits seem better now that she is back to doing more normal things. She is all smiles when we come in to see her and up to no good. The nurse caught her standing up in her crib the other day (a jail in order to keep her from climbing out). She had pulled the exam light down, turned it on, and was shining it out into the nurses's station. Then the nurse came in, and said sharply, "Kiera, what are you doing?" Kiera plopped down immediately. Then when the nurse turned her back, Kiera stood up, turned off the light, and then sat down again...like she was trying to cover up the evidence of her indiscretion. She is taking extreme interest in helping with her own health care, and is showing a little interest in food. I'm working on getting some feeding therapists in there to work with her.