update on Molly

Sorry it has taken so long to write out an update. It has been crazy since we got back from Little Rock!   Molly's surgery went better than expected.  Dr. Buckmiller did not laser Molly's entire hemangioma, which gave Nathan and I a great sense of peace.  That means we are not facing any extra risk of scarring.  Selfishly, I was also excited that she didn't have an ebony and ivory look going on for Easter!  Dr. Buckmiller only lasered the ulcer by her mouth.  She also gave Molly a steroid shot at the ulcer, which we didn't know she was going to do until about 30 minutes before her surgery.

Molly has been pretty irritable ever since we got back from Arkansas.  I'm not sure if it was the steroid shot, the round of antibiotics they put her on, or the increased dose of her propranolol that they gave her, but she has had a lot of tummy pain/ reflux.  She has also not been sleeping very deeply and wanting to nurse more frequently.  The nice 3 hour schedule I had her on prior to surgery is out the window!  She nurses every 2 hours, often for an hour or more.  It is like she is a newborn all over again.  It has been a little disheartening to make such a retreat (particularly when it comes to nighttime sleeping), but last night she went 6 hours between feedings, so I got a wonderful 4 hour stretch of sleep!  Hopefully we are turning a corner as the steroid and antibiotic work their ways out. 

On the plus side of things- the surgery clearly helped!  There is a significant amount of fresh, new skin growing inside her ulcer.  It also seems to be much more shallow the past couple of days.  We cannot wait for her ulcer to be healed, so that she can play an explore with her hands.  Right now we keep her swaddled for the vast majority of the day, which is so sad when we unswaddle her and see how much she enjoys stretching and swinging her arms around.  Inevitably though she gives her ulcer a big swipe and it starts bleeding and she screams, so we will keep on with the swaddling until she's all healed up. 

Also, the increased dose of propranolol is making a huge difference.  Her hemangioma looks better every day.  It is also bringing the swelling around her eye under control.  She has both of her big beautiful eyes open most all of the time now.  It is so wonderful to see! 

Molly with a big round belly right after eating!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  They are working!  God is faithful and merciful.