Finer Tastes

HER FIRST TASTES SINCE SURGERY! She lit up and asked for a yellow popsicle as soon as I told her, then didn't do more than a handful of licks but was all smiles (me too, that'll do). Turns out the reason she's been refusing water sips is because the water tasted bad to her.... she told me that, tipped me off to check and sure enough she has thrush from the meds! Glad we can fix it and get her whatever she wants now that's soft. Moving slowly up on the feeding pump rate; she still gags occasionally but that seems to be lessening. Tummy ache is also not so constant. All great signs! Here are a few favorite photos from yesterday.

Art therapy really turned her mood around this morning.  She was pretty withdrawn, but opened up as the therapist gave her paint and asked her questions.  Audrey started talking about her siblings and  life at home and  how much she misses them.  She pointed at the pictures on the wall in front of her and told the therapist about them.  It was like I could see the stress melting off her.  Soon after that, Brian from music therapy came in and we had another incredible experience that I''ll always treasure.  She sang with him, "Let it Go"from the Disney movie Frozen, and I watched her get more and more into it.  She admired his guitar and wished she had one like it.  The next thing I knew, the therapist had returned with a pink guitar with her favorite princesses on it, and a microphone.  Audrey now serenades anyone who has the time to listen.

Cards from her church class and friends.  What a cheerful surprise!

The view looking up from my pillow this morning.

The sunrise view out our new window on the 10th floor makes me channel my inner chimney sweep and hum that beautiful song from Mary Poppins.