The ups and downs of healing

Annabel has been home from the hospital for three days now. Her palate is healing beautifully. She gave us a peak today and we were so impressed with how it is healing up. We had a few scares including a couple of fevers and yesterday morning when she spit two large pieces of packing out of her mouth. They were stitched in and were suppose to stay there for another two weeks. I called the Surgeon and he said it was not ideal but that it happens some times. It didn't seem to cause any damage, other then creating more pain for her in that area. We took her off of the Codeine because she was so loopy with it and didn't want to eat or drink. When she did drink a little she would throw it up. Once she threw up shortly after eating a few bites of cherry jello. We were so sleep deprived at the time that we both jumped and thought it was bright red blood. When we realized what it was and after we comforted Annabel we laughed so hard at ourselves. So today I started her on straight Tylenol. It took her about 10 hours to get settled in today. I don't know if she was having withdrawals from the codeine (is that possible?) or what, but she was pretty fussy. I am sure she was just in more pain then she was yesterday on a stronger medication. Today I talked to the pediatrician a couple of times and she said it was a good idea to take her off the codeine because she hasn't had a bowl movement since Wednesday. I guess that type of medication constipates you too. I am learning so much. haha So hopefully we might get a surprise tomorrow. She has actually eaten a little bit tonight. Everyone keeps asking me if I am going nuts at home. Not at all. I am really enjoying the bonding time that this recovery is allowing Annabel and I. Of course she favors her mom still. Yeah!!!! I love that. I did however get a break yesterday for a few hours. Mark stayed home with her while I attended church and then headed out of town with a friend for a funeral of a friend of ours, Jeff, who passed away last week of a sudden heart attack. It had to be the most beautiful memorial service I have ever been to. The purpose of the service was to honor Jeff's life and his incredible love for Christ. They told funny stories about him, sang praise and worship songs and we watched a wonderful family video that his sister put together. I felt so uplifted when I left there. Please keep my friend Danielle and her children in your prayers. We were so saddened to hear of their loss. They were married 16 years and had a great love for one another. They were truly best friends. They have a strong love for the Lord and that was very obvious in everything that took place yesterday. Praise God we have Him in our lives. How would we ever make it without Him???