Happy Friday the 13th!  And they are good days, for one, I was born on a friday the 13th, and secondly, the news I have for you in regards to Lauren.

Unfortunately, I had to work 12hrs today, and wasn't able to be at the hospital today, but Rita called me at work to let me know that Lauren has been weaned off the morphine, and is OFF THE VENTILATOR!!  Her resperations dropped immediately, until my smart little girl realized that she now had to do the work of breathing, and promptly brought her breathing up to where it should be.  WAY TO GO LAUREN!!

I'm sorry I haven't been able to update, but I haven't been able to access the net for some reason.  Here's a brief breakdown of the operation day:

Lauren got prepped to go down around 12:30pm on Wednesday, after Rita and I got the call on Tuesday letting us know that they had a spot available!  Again, no time really to digest the idea, but sometimes that's for the best.  Lauren was brought down to the OR around 1pm, at which point there were some strong emotions flying around, and thankfully both grandmothers were around to lend a shoulder (and maybe a kleenex or two).  While Lauren was getting set up with her trach, Grandma Judy, Grandma Debbie, Rita and I had a nice little lunch of turkey sandwiches, and then played some cribbage.  Because I'm such a wonderful man, I let Rita and Judy win, because I didn't want to bring any more tears than were already present!  Maybe one day I'll stop letting them win.

Within an hour and half, Dr. Fitzgerald (the dr who inserted the g-tube), called Rita and myself out of the waiting room to let us know that everything went very well.  Relief set in, and tears of joy burst like a sprinkler from my eyes (how's that for imagery)!  As Lauren was getting brought back up to the NICU, we were able to see her without all the tubes and stuff on her face.  I maintain...what a beautiful baby!  She was able to come through this because of her strength that she picked up off her parents, and all the support you all have shared with us.  There are no words to extend our thanks through this tumultuous time. 

We had to wait to go see Lauren after they brought her back up, so the transport team could set Lauren up in yet another bed, she's now inside a Giraffe.  No, I don't mean the one's you might see at African Lion Safari, but a type of incubator where the lid raises.  It's quite high tech!  Back on track...

As the team were setting Lauren up, of all things, the FIRE ALARM WENT OFF!!!  Rita had gone to pump, Judy went to get some air, and my mom stayed with me and we had to wait inside a clinical room until we got the all clear.  My mom and I got tired of seeing people in the halls when we were told to stay inside, so being the rebellious people we are, headed to the NICU family lounge, where we met up with Rita.  Judy was still out.  She finally rejoined us, and I grabbed a few winks in the lounge.  We were told we would only have to wait about 20-30 mins before we could go in, and it was over an hour before Rita and I went up and asked if we could go in.  At this point, the grandmothers, feeling their tasks were fulfilled (and they dutifully were, and appreciated as well), they took their leave knowing t was time for Rita and Will time, along with Lauren.  I snapped a a few pictures, and they will be posted right after I'm done my entry.

I only have a couple of pictures to post, but I will do that now.  I've been getting death threats, saying if I don't put some up soon...

So that is where we stand.  Lauren took a huge step towards coming home.  The journey is not nearly over, but we just passed a huge road block.

Thank you for your love, support, thoughts and prayers.