Day 2 Biliary Atresia free

Today we suddenly realise Erin no longer has (bloody) Biliary Atresia! How fantastic is that!

We are back on Ward 12, hurray! Erin had a settled night, probably the most she has ever slept in one go (aside from the 7 general anaesthetics she has had) and was very bright first thing. The morning began with an ultrasound scan while we were still in PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) to check the 'plumbing', it was our favourite Sonographer and all is looking good. I had a phone call from our Liver Specialist nurse back in Glasgow who was delighted to hear the news, she has been so supportive and has shown such genuine concern from the start, it was lovely to be able to share good news with her for once.

Erin's bloods are monitored every 6 hours and there has been nothing major to be concerned with, her Haemoglobin is higher than they'd like (to avoid blood clots) so they removed some extra blood to help. Then the lovely Katy (a nurse from ward 12) came to collect us to go back upstairs so tiddles was only in PICU a for 30 hours post transplant!

Erin was wide awake for the trip in the lift and looked very pleased to be back 'home', she even managed a 'drive by' past the fish tank to say hello to her wee finned friends. All the staff were so pleased to see her and gave us a lovely welcome back. Over the first few hours we had a steady stream of visitors as the team all trickled in to see the star attraction. I had an emotional chat with our wonderful Liver Specialist nurse Safyia, who has also been amazing and by our side throughout (along with Lynne). I have no word to express my gratitude to them but she simply says they are just doing their job.

During the day her bladder catheter became blocked so it was taken out earlier than planned : ) and the stats monitor tabs she had stuck all over her chest were removed too. So the only things she has in are the NG tube, a neck central line, her brovivac central line and a tummy drain! Slowly but surely her body is starting to be freed up again. She spent some time getting daddy cuddles which she LOVED then lay playing with some soft toys and watched TV. The grandparents popped in for visits and she amazed them all with how well she is looking, you would never know all she has been through. She is actually more relaxed and settled than she has been in months, it must be such a relief for her to be rid of that huge ascities tummy.

So far the team are very happy with the progress, the liver consultant said he'll be more relaxed after 48 hours and the transplant surgeon said he'll relax after a week, these doctors are never satisfied ha ha.  So onwards and upwards, we are still on such a high. Thanks for all the messages of support, I haven't managed to reply to many emails and texts but every one recieved has been much appreciated.

When I was talking to the surgeon earlier I was completely stuck for words, I mean how do you thank someone who has just saved your childs life? He, like Safyia, was very humble and said he was just doing his job, I will need to think about it more before I see him again.....