tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65260441561920232942023-11-16T06:30:04.635-05:00Bayla's BlogTova Baylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14494061982580589871noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-84192428587237823682009-02-24T07:50:00.000-05:002009-02-24T07:50:45.195-05:00Isn't She Lovely?<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BTAUqicrtvamPkRLt6i-wWErVmG6l-9RNHmJCELm1iifgxcGYx-0G5rad7qfC4UiJ635LKApxPnsqeNVslUJzIYXTMpvLkU5FS9t-9HawB0xtFf-b0hwH8Rj9IRQVhexILLjMSAoxoOf/s1600-h/IMG_5299.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BTAUqicrtvamPkRLt6i-wWErVmG6l-9RNHmJCELm1iifgxcGYx-0G5rad7qfC4UiJ635LKApxPnsqeNVslUJzIYXTMpvLkU5FS9t-9HawB0xtFf-b0hwH8Rj9IRQVhexILLjMSAoxoOf/s320/IMG_5299.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fpXaQuhY06WQJxFQoQ18OPvJ9isj8VcGJ7CPVOidSJRApYWkl6GDHy4CXWwjxhyfNuXSbOdPt3bmqfOi-VIIS5l7L4gLv6yiLSxum_stVR6cA1Dt0HapxbheBaAQD1YWDWY7W-i8W4zw/s1600-h/IMG_5317.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fpXaQuhY06WQJxFQoQ18OPvJ9isj8VcGJ7CPVOidSJRApYWkl6GDHy4CXWwjxhyfNuXSbOdPt3bmqfOi-VIIS5l7L4gLv6yiLSxum_stVR6cA1Dt0HapxbheBaAQD1YWDWY7W-i8W4zw/s320/IMG_5317.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />As Stevie Wonder so succinctly put it, "Isn't she lovely?" There are so many reasons we were given this baby. Not just any baby, but this particular baby. And through them all, I continue to think, "Isn't she lovely?"<br /><br />One. It's such a big number. And of course, it's so little. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bayla</span> turns one today. In many ways, I never thought we'd reach this day. Not that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bayla</span> wouldn't reach this day, but that psychically, we would never get here. And here we are. Time marches on, and tomorrow, we'll be one more day on the way to two.<br /><br />This is the last (or very near the last, since Abe might post as well) post for Bayla's blog. We really thank everyone for following along, for caring, for taking the time to worry with us, and for the offers of food, prayers, good wishes, etc. We used to have a baby with congenital heart disease, and now we just have a baby. Not just any baby, but this particular baby.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-1616534796103793322009-02-11T17:55:00.001-05:002009-02-11T17:56:42.509-05:00Dancing FoolWell, it might have taken the Jackson 5, but Bayla started dancing in her high chair today! So super cute I could hardly take it. She was bouncing up and down, waving her arms. Unbelieveable that we made it to this point.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-57809436198329109142009-02-03T20:54:00.000-05:002009-02-03T20:54:24.293-05:00Nearing One<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsozaU8z4bLVVnC1xo6U_QchcM3yHW1FyS31cXcDdVjuv53WSs9knhJKvkRDLsobv_J1lGN61TxbsMWhIaOJIGLmrh89Hfh2QBpkmUhDTEO_DwQWEC9dCj0TjEvRM7kWYBZy3AN2eXHK4/s1600-h/IMG_4957.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsozaU8z4bLVVnC1xo6U_QchcM3yHW1FyS31cXcDdVjuv53WSs9knhJKvkRDLsobv_J1lGN61TxbsMWhIaOJIGLmrh89Hfh2QBpkmUhDTEO_DwQWEC9dCj0TjEvRM7kWYBZy3AN2eXHK4/s320/IMG_4957.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />One. Bayla is so nearly one. It's hard to believe. This has been an incredible year, filled with so many ups and downs, it's practically impossible to count them all. At story time today, Bayla sat up with her straight little back, staring at the story lady, taking it all in. Is she like a "typical" one year old? In most ways, yes. In some profound ways, no. We will continue to love her, encourage her, make sure she thrives. <br /><br />As far as surgical recovery goes, it seems like everything is as regular as can be. In fact, it's hard to remember that we were so deep in the Cleveland Clinic so recently. There is so much to say about life in an institution, but most of it's been said before, so I'll leave off.<br /><br />In terms of re-integration, everything is pretty good, save for sleep. Bayla has been WIDE awake for 2 hours every night in the real middle of the night. It's tough on us, and we're ready to be done with it, but of course, we're mostly just so super happy to have her home with us.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-61690475503337445502009-02-02T09:18:00.001-05:002009-02-02T09:19:55.895-05:00Yes Sir, That's My BabyWow. I can't beleive what shape Bayla is in. Last night, she sat in her high chair, eating dinner like a big girl, grinning and goofing off at the same time. <br /><br />Today, Savta ("grandma" in Hebrew) comes to visit. Thanks to Grandpa for letting her go!Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-41173876386910960712009-01-30T16:22:00.003-05:002009-05-21T22:50:05.315-04:00Get out of Jail Free<a href="http://freefirezone.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/getoutofjailcc2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 433px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://freefirezone.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/getoutofjailcc2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://msp140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/futurefaith17/get_out_of_jail_free.jpg"></a> Today, it feels like we were handed a "get out jail free" card. We took Bayla for a follow up visit to Dr. Rosenthal, and amazingly, he said to come back in THREE MONTHS! Over the last year, we have had at least 15 visits to the cardiologist, and to not have to come back for three whole months feels like a tremendous triumph. Besides answering all our questions (No, captapril does not have to be given in the middle of the night, 3x a day will do), Dr. Rosenthal spent a large chunk of time explaining heart function to us. Aided by a large wall chart, we were given an extensive tour of the heart, arteries, ventricles, etc. etc. I certainly know more than I ever thought I would. Regardless, it feels great to be free...shabbat shalom.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-37391916261033365502009-01-27T16:12:00.000-05:002009-01-27T16:12:22.006-05:00Birding Help<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPDKu_z24VQOfEMX3y78tDituHsjboymlfgPjlFlS-iwg5cir7GBGHrxjaIEExuNtnmGrV1ETqK-Ak1pQTP4VUF2XN2nGlmABm3-BLNPCEV0kj_2VLi1mzonUEOZq3r4VQ1_68nGDXIU5/s1600-h/IMG_4936.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPDKu_z24VQOfEMX3y78tDituHsjboymlfgPjlFlS-iwg5cir7GBGHrxjaIEExuNtnmGrV1ETqK-Ak1pQTP4VUF2XN2nGlmABm3-BLNPCEV0kj_2VLi1mzonUEOZq3r4VQ1_68nGDXIU5/s160/IMG_4936.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Anyone out there know what this is? He appeared on our lawn this afternoon, stalked around a bit, scared off the little birds, and then flew away.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-71824426631717270602009-01-27T16:10:00.000-05:002009-01-27T16:10:18.446-05:00Yes Sir, That's My Baby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHUxBQ9-lymb_ZgUp-VYa_1d4TRYbqNQ5oyEyIZ3YUNZjhLPGEJ5OhWRarVJ-gogRo1HxbX78QmXp1ZNmTN5gKDh4UJnDfN8xocLdOneeCQTtS7bmpYc6DNjJyxy42ApwR2JizKOb3Ga_/s1600-h/IMG_4950.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHUxBQ9-lymb_ZgUp-VYa_1d4TRYbqNQ5oyEyIZ3YUNZjhLPGEJ5OhWRarVJ-gogRo1HxbX78QmXp1ZNmTN5gKDh4UJnDfN8xocLdOneeCQTtS7bmpYc6DNjJyxy42ApwR2JizKOb3Ga_/s160/IMG_4950.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wow. It seems like Bayla is recovering by the hour. I figured that she would lay down for story time, and instead, she sat up straight as can be for the whole thing. She especially liked the bubbles at the end, which were blown around by a small fan. <br /><br />Recovery is a funny thing, and it really hit home today when I was looking for something, and Abe remarked, "I haven't lived at home for the last two weeks either." Right. We weren't living at home. That really hit me. That's partly why it feels SO good to be home. I'm rediscovering the things I like about being here, and remembering the harsh side too (laundry!). Mostly, normal never felt so good.<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-41727413272076815332009-01-26T21:05:00.002-05:002009-01-26T21:08:20.631-05:00And on Being Back at the ClinicWe went back to the Clinic today for post-op follow up. Everything was going along well, until we laid Bayla down on the exam table. Man, did she put up a fuss! You would have thought we were going to operate all over again. We were so proud of her for expressing her displeasure. Happy to say that so far, everything looks really good. She's almost up to her pre-operation weight, her blood is fully oxygenated, and funny thing, her voice is much louder than it ever has been. Go figure. Tomorrow, if she's up to it, we're going to try out a baby class at the library. I've never been so excited by story time in my life. It feels like such a miracle...Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-23847685715594045192009-01-25T21:07:00.002-05:002009-01-25T21:22:24.460-05:00On Being HomeThe doctors and nurses at the Cleveland Clinic often commented on Bayla's sweet personality. How little she complained, for instance, while they poked her over and over again last Sunday and Monday, searching for a a vein. But the truth is that from the moment she woke up from the surgery last Shabbos until she was discharged, she never babble-talked and showed, at most, the occasional hint of a smile. So it has felt like a miracle to hear Bayla talking and to see her smile again this weekend.Tova Baylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14494061982580589871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-5170677178117675742009-01-25T11:56:00.001-05:002009-01-25T21:05:59.059-05:00Getting Better All the Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTdx3-4XMzPqsJRNGsTWmm_tetR3ITnORVqe3fbS_RcucBWjlbYF33BH5HgrmV2F6BZweP8bWE-M0jozsj4NnFg6UncMPlG8HFl2d76EIi8hYaYB9PbRHlJJP6BGs-TgRwQb21GgBILnr/s1600-h/IMG_4920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTdx3-4XMzPqsJRNGsTWmm_tetR3ITnORVqe3fbS_RcucBWjlbYF33BH5HgrmV2F6BZweP8bWE-M0jozsj4NnFg6UncMPlG8HFl2d76EIi8hYaYB9PbRHlJJP6BGs-TgRwQb21GgBILnr/s160/IMG_4920.JPG" border="0" /></a> Happy to report that Bayla is making a smooth transition to home. She's wearing an adorable outfit, courtesy of my manager, and let me tell you, it feels GOOD to be out of the hospital, and IN clothes. For those of you who remember Bayla's sweet little voice, it's funny, but she has a much louder one now. After all the worry about her vocal chords, maybe she just needed more oxygen? maybe the one vocal chord was un-paralyzed during surgery? Hard to figure. Either way, she was up babbling from 2-4 this morning, which while irritating on one hand, was great to hear on another. Bayla is still a bit pale, but over all she's doing really well.<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-66247889209141225282009-01-23T16:25:00.002-05:002009-01-23T16:30:06.565-05:00A Good ShabbosHere we are--it's hard to believe it--at home! I can truly say I've never been so happy to see a house. Our kids are amazing--we came home to mushroom barley soup and homemade bread, both courtesy of Naomi. She also had challah rising, and things generally in control. Dalia and Smantha helped us get packed and out of the hospital, Dani had shoveled the walk, Coby showed us his home improvement projects (eat your heart out HGTV). Back to the hospital for follow-up on Monday. And just remeber, "You gotta have heart, all you really need is heart" and thank G-d, Bayla's got a GOOD ONE!<br /><br />Shabbat Shalom from Cleveland.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-15981076920901922672009-01-23T08:34:00.002-05:002009-01-23T08:43:18.369-05:00Channeling Tony Orlando and DawnWe're coming home! We've certainly done our time (if the narrator had "done his time," wasn't he a convict? Explain to me why we now use yellow ribbons for people who are heroes). <br /><br />Auntie Gina predicted that after this was all over we would feel like a black cloud had lifted from our lives. In most ways, she's right. After recovery, it's time to move on and enjoy our little girl.<br /><br />Bayla and I (and the rest of our family too) just need some quiet time at home to recover from the surgery, the extreme lack of sleep, beeing poked, prodded, and examined. We are DEFINITELY looking forward to this Shabbat.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-71350236650175633272009-01-22T14:44:00.003-05:002009-01-22T14:49:56.227-05:00Mother and Child; Unhooked and Reunited<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTZ_ydHHerV1Mi0vk1t9aBBq7zK4rJQD1ol7Eg9L6A5WooqhyphenhyphenKCxHn0DABV8nA-_NOyGismLujbwJiaMGPeVoEpvt7s6xhrysCI7x4jLE15-s7UUOQm8EpHWGzbqmUH6FcshHX3prNec/s1600-h/madonna&child.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTZ_ydHHerV1Mi0vk1t9aBBq7zK4rJQD1ol7Eg9L6A5WooqhyphenhyphenKCxHn0DABV8nA-_NOyGismLujbwJiaMGPeVoEpvt7s6xhrysCI7x4jLE15-s7UUOQm8EpHWGzbqmUH6FcshHX3prNec/s320/madonna&child.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294206692558993554" border="0" /></a><br />Shoshana and Bayla, unencumbered and off for an electrocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).Tova Baylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14494061982580589871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-6648781600660497622009-01-22T13:46:00.004-05:002009-01-22T14:36:04.992-05:00Show Me the Way to Go HomeAs Tennessee Ernie Ford, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and most importantly my father used to sing:<br /><br />Show me the way to go home<br />I'm tired and I want to go to bed<br />I had a little drink about an hour ago<br />And it went right to my head<br /><br />Well we wish we had had a drink, but for some reason the Clinic doesn't have a bar. Bayla has been fever-free for over 24 hours, her last drainage tube from her chest was removed a while ago, and they're about to remove her pace wires (never needed, thank G-d, but there just in case). This afternoon, we'll have an echocardiogram, and then another round of waiting. It's hard how time moves here--both too fast and too slow.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-52555233162714782322009-01-22T08:34:00.001-05:002009-01-22T10:41:51.745-05:00Let's Go! Home Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYaMvPXptblUXNWvw0bigUlst5J1Dz5nHhUCmd9yVWEXhyDSXOXIw8uIAsshurCpJgAR1iATqH7RYY09eNcHxAxiGqUT3976ItVe5F5bwxUxyASAKYLI2rX6CQARm3W-wDGtjxUWULBRJ/s1600-h/IMG_4876.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYaMvPXptblUXNWvw0bigUlst5J1Dz5nHhUCmd9yVWEXhyDSXOXIw8uIAsshurCpJgAR1iATqH7RYY09eNcHxAxiGqUT3976ItVe5F5bwxUxyASAKYLI2rX6CQARm3W-wDGtjxUWULBRJ/s160/IMG_4876.JPG" border="0" /></a> Getting There: Automobile is preferred, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RTA</span> will do in a pinch.<br /><br />Accommodations: Wonderful beds, topped with homey covers, squishy pillows.<br /><br />Dining: Meals to taste, including scrambled eggs, buttered homemade toast, tea upon request, and the occasional chocolate for desert. Be sure to ask for the house special of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">harisa</span> on top of anything and everything. Dani's fried potatoes are the highlight of the dining experience.<br /><br />Getting Friendly With the Locals: Be sure to check out the icicles, present everywhere. Touch the snow, ponder the fact that Eskimos have 50 different words for it. Transport yourself back to the time you found out that that information is actually false. Wonder at the cold, and how the animals and natives survived.<br /><br />Entertainment: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bayla's</span> antics.<br /><br />Sites to See: Pay homage to G-d in the living room, make a stop in the sun-filled family room for a beautiful view of the back yard.<br /><br />Kids/Pets Friendly: Definitely.<br /><br />Reservations: Make yours now, we've reserved the near future.<br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-54659178391454219022009-01-21T20:40:00.004-05:002009-01-23T16:25:41.467-05:00The Key<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXOHQs-2nP5tNuPh-io25AO3S3b_6gxtwrCNJDlAkmQKp1u2ei1xp0JEWuNbsuFQ97jTkOJ-K6U6o1CNVxI5f-xx-hRCpwG_ff_LME75FkclE2M5Cj9RKdR1q-diQpNKyk3rhEzBDFKg/s1600-h/key.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXOHQs-2nP5tNuPh-io25AO3S3b_6gxtwrCNJDlAkmQKp1u2ei1xp0JEWuNbsuFQ97jTkOJ-K6U6o1CNVxI5f-xx-hRCpwG_ff_LME75FkclE2M5Cj9RKdR1q-diQpNKyk3rhEzBDFKg/s320/key.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294199611633641490" border="0" /></a>As it turns out the key to Coby's Honda was in my (Abe's) inside jacket pocket. Since this is Cleveland, and not LA or NY, it still cost only $16 to get out of the lot.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-35773337520925655052009-01-21T20:31:00.000-05:002009-01-21T20:31:10.436-05:00The Next American Idol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim93X96Xt9GmCBSIHgs7_ElRtIZLop3P6q3Yr2tRw-RjX8RQE4u_T13nCY6C64jkWiD6ntlV9muD5Pumah_3r75hTEmfhdg624GhPKJVt8ZEGfdgVIBtD3G4zlsrMpqEp9eqJ-kVXZWZlU/s1600-h/IMG_4889.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim93X96Xt9GmCBSIHgs7_ElRtIZLop3P6q3Yr2tRw-RjX8RQE4u_T13nCY6C64jkWiD6ntlV9muD5Pumah_3r75hTEmfhdg624GhPKJVt8ZEGfdgVIBtD3G4zlsrMpqEp9eqJ-kVXZWZlU/s160/IMG_4889.JPG" border="0" /></a> Look who's ready to play, ready to sing, ready to sing out the fact that she is SO much better...Bayla has not had a fever since early this morning, which is really a big step towards going home. As of late this afternoon, she and we had been moved to the step-down unit, and then to a private room in the step-down unit. <br /><br />The private room is really only because they think she might still be infectious. We think it's a bonus because there is a bathroom, and an extra bed. Don't tell the nurses that we're going to actually USE the extra bed. Coby dropped off Naomi and Dalia on his way to wrestling practice. Abe took Dalia and himself home, and Naomi is staying for a sleep-over/sewathon. Let's hope for a quiet night, no more fever and mention of the "H" word (HOME).<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-65879803796012623472009-01-21T08:46:00.002-05:002009-01-21T08:49:57.451-05:00Do You Know the Way to San Jose?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/istock_000006406667xsmall-san-jose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 424px; height: 283px;" src="http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/istock_000006406667xsmall-san-jose.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />You might, and I certainly might, but I can't get there without the CAR KEYS that I've lost somewhere in the hospital. Coby, I hope you don't mind your car being snowed in at the Cleveland Clinic long term, as I search and search and search for the key...if anyone out there knows where the spare is, let me know.<br /><br />Much more pressingly, Bayla's fever is down to 99! And it turns out that Dr. Mumtaz "didn't know" that you're not allowed to sleep in bed with a child under the age of two. Whoops. Really, in the end, I didn't sleep anyway, more just laid awake with her all night...Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-26892825023354083472009-01-21T06:30:00.002-05:002009-01-21T06:36:52.399-05:00Good Morning SunshineWell, things are a bit better--Bayla is down to 101.1, a manageable fever. We spent a restless night curled up in bed together, so at least that part was nice. I really wish this fever would break, she deserves to just heal from the surgery. Oddly enough, no one even mentions her heart any more. The results of the surgery have been fabulous, which of course is so exciting. Now, if we can just get past the fever, past the chyle, I think we'll be headed home. Not holding my breath though, since we're still in the PICU.<br /><br />Yesterday, Coby drove Anna to the Akron airport (2 hours round trip), and then came to the hospital on the way to wrestling on the West Side. Frustratingly, his coach got a business call and had to leave almost right away. Instead, he drove to the JCC and worked out there, but got stuck in traffic on the way. Anna went back to college, and got to NYC in time to hop in a cab and make it to work. Naomi took Dalia to get braces. She just has braces and wires on her front two teeth at this point, but we anticipate more later. Dani was back and forth to the hospital, and I think caught the inauguration at Gramma and Grampas house.<br /><br />Let's hope for more improvements today.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-31023195948471011642009-01-20T22:56:00.003-05:002009-01-20T23:11:15.447-05:00Bayla Improves<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrxI5FqBd6ySleGYhn0LcPTLa1bW9qfQhqBs96MGD98ntl6r-miNqTeq3Nax_i6QCwBy__C8FQaeoNnJQQD5nfjH6nKJLW5gK7F_I70DC_V7iAx9pAACbjm6nwpwRnrZDs66CP9SN2v8/s1600-h/MomDani&B.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrxI5FqBd6ySleGYhn0LcPTLa1bW9qfQhqBs96MGD98ntl6r-miNqTeq3Nax_i6QCwBy__C8FQaeoNnJQQD5nfjH6nKJLW5gK7F_I70DC_V7iAx9pAACbjm6nwpwRnrZDs66CP9SN2v8/s320/MomDani&B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293591415336637682" border="0" /></a>Bayla really is improving, as Dani and Shoshana's smiles suggest. Yesterday's high fevers were frightening (you feel your life's concerns suddenly shrink to just one), but the worst of this episode, G-d willing, seems to have passed. This morning I watched the inauguration with her in my arms, though it was hard to concentrate on the civic moment. Bayla seemed to perk up for Aretha. Good taste.Tova Baylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14494061982580589871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-70152835448639480492009-01-20T19:42:00.002-05:002009-01-20T19:45:29.795-05:00ReunitedHappy to report for the evening:<br /><br />1) Dr. Mumtaz pointed out that since Bayla's chest tube drainage is still milky-white, we are not 100% meeting our goal through de-fatted breastmilk. Instead, he says, just nurse her, sleep with her (phew), and we'll wait it out, checking w/daily chest x-rays for a resolution. Yippee!<br />2) Bayla's fever is trending downward, and she hasn't gone over 102 all day long.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-84877090283738039062009-01-20T10:51:00.005-05:002009-01-20T11:27:00.762-05:00Answer of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRd1KnUqW20uivxcv0JrUB2E3uocqdJx5dEuvLMJHWWScGhrCo3VzzBMkhwken0zkyD56C9vqjvZ80pHIOwC7hZ0qFKxsPS_WhBozjIS0TGSzb6cKLR6zvt4Ua5wprY9CORd9U5VPCT-Q/s1600-h/IMG_4881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRd1KnUqW20uivxcv0JrUB2E3uocqdJx5dEuvLMJHWWScGhrCo3VzzBMkhwken0zkyD56C9vqjvZ80pHIOwC7hZ0qFKxsPS_WhBozjIS0TGSzb6cKLR6zvt4Ua5wprY9CORd9U5VPCT-Q/s200/IMG_4881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293406405824776322" border="0" /></a><br />Evidently, the answer (see previous post) of the day is a resounding YES. By the time I arrived at the hospital, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bayla</span> had woken up with a small smile for Abe, and the CT scan had been cancelled (not enough information for the amount of distress for the child). Bayla, as you can see, has always been a great kisser. She's also guzzling her milk, which is gratifying given what we've had to go through to get it ready for her.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-35465319730063536902009-01-20T07:38:00.006-05:002009-01-20T07:45:50.290-05:00Question of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59oLtaWVwwynUsFYaUblXJcpCzkLl1WlfozAGVAPcGVocrRLaI35G_hLdVQAtmBj8a5spQFbuZUYefxcZn9ALiSni79R6lUl20lp3jiDKb3QJdukNa4ziMsaQyESuX3zhhS-HmMRCp9b/s1600-h/IMG_4864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59oLtaWVwwynUsFYaUblXJcpCzkLl1WlfozAGVAPcGVocrRLaI35G_hLdVQAtmBj8a5spQFbuZUYefxcZn9ALiSni79R6lUl20lp3jiDKb3QJdukNa4ziMsaQyESuX3zhhS-HmMRCp9b/s400/IMG_4864.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293354836623135618" border="0" /></a>Got Hope? That's the question of the day. Bayla seems to have stablilized a bit in terms of her fever (106.7 is SCARY), and her chyle is mostly done. Yesterday, she had one drainage tube from her chest removed, leaving just one more. Today, she's scheduled for a CT scan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computed_tomography) to rule out anything to do with her fever, specifically something going on in her lungs. The scan requires six hours of not eating, which I highly doubt she'll be happy about. (I wouldn't!) Loads and loads of snow out there, more expected today. <br /><br />On the family front, Anna goes back to college today, and Dalia gets braces. Coby and Dani are going to clean their room (right?), and Naomi will shuttle back and forth. Off to the hospital.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-81162639450768605042009-01-19T23:14:00.003-05:002009-01-20T07:28:19.019-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmOdf1Wb67AxrrhzMQeu-k2E4oMRk2bPzTs_8Vm3yzD6sjT2OG4vsjAsdAIQEcGNw7GgsAboxcRQYED3XLWeUacrepT6DPfum3ElhjA_GJNGZ-NIpYBLhfXF3rHRbWEu01Se9LhtdQSQ/s1600-h/IMG_4870.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmOdf1Wb67AxrrhzMQeu-k2E4oMRk2bPzTs_8Vm3yzD6sjT2OG4vsjAsdAIQEcGNw7GgsAboxcRQYED3XLWeUacrepT6DPfum3ElhjA_GJNGZ-NIpYBLhfXF3rHRbWEu01Se9LhtdQSQ/s320/IMG_4870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293231221903343730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today was a nice one for visiting. As you can see from the blurriness of the picture, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bayla</span> was pretty active. She was up to all her tricks, flailing, doing crazy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crunches</span> to try to get upright, and rolling over. We aren't allowed to let her roll onto her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">stomach</span> for fear of hurting her scar, but we could hold her on our laps in an upright position, which she seemed to enjoy. Being able to hold her was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">terrific</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bayla</span> continues to be feverish, though it now seems to be dropping, her temp hasn't gotten below 102F in a while. Because of this, the doctors decided to put an IV in her. Keep <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bayla</span> hydrated and start the antibiotics, that's the plan. Our anesthesiologist is great, and she managed to get her just sedated enough to tolerate the needle without it being so much that she would need to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">intubated</span>. It also let her nap a bit, though she has yet to get even a solid 60 minutes of sleep.<br /><br />Happily, we have gotten the OK to feed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bayla</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">breastmilk</span> again, provided it is skimmed. We're trying all sorts of shenanigans to skim the fat off the top, and saving it until she is digesting well enough to need it again. The formula we were giving her smelled, and not in an appetizing way. She is loving the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">breastmilk</span>, and eating much more enthusiastically now.<br /><br />The day was capped off by a great dinner over at Grandma and Grandpa's, and we all --except Dad, who is staying the night-- came home to collapse into bed.<br /><br />-NaomiShoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526044156192023294.post-28883734865989744612009-01-19T13:10:00.003-05:002009-01-19T13:45:23.169-05:00Girls Just Wanna Have Fun or in which Big Bad John Takes More Bloood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGlYtyS1SirAipNxnx1fJzL3Fitl0wf1kL3xSe_Du9g6XwYBJ72OjXy8FjLM64s6SQPp7XrLKTvSBu4E3paVtXay-4fZh-NUjH8hGZ89zrU2CpsjVXY7qGqbs7v1neIgDJrVKah9OrNtx/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGlYtyS1SirAipNxnx1fJzL3Fitl0wf1kL3xSe_Du9g6XwYBJ72OjXy8FjLM64s6SQPp7XrLKTvSBu4E3paVtXay-4fZh-NUjH8hGZ89zrU2CpsjVXY7qGqbs7v1neIgDJrVKah9OrNtx/s320/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293072128673587026" border="0" /></a>Another day of waiting. Bayla is up, fidgety, in our arms (or Naomi's arms, Anna's arms, or Dad's arms), and quite feverish. She's hovering between 102-105 + which is just too hot for comfort. Right now, they're culturing everything in sight--nose, blood, urine, chest tube gunk, etc. Maybe something will turn up (RSV?) maybe not, we'll see. Of course, since Bayla's a fighter, it took John, (the huge human) a baby vein specialist to find her vein. Still waiting on results.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the chest tube drainage looks a bit better, and she's on special short-chain-fat formula which should help improve the situation. The only part that's truly hard is that it looks like we're in for the long haul. It's so disorienting being in the hospital for so long--is it day or night? Warm? Cold? We could be in Tahiti, or we could be in Cleveland, it's hard to tell because we're so continually inside (although, I'm pretty sure it's NOT Tahiti). I'm loving these kids wherever we are.Shoshana Socherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02379653193879096732noreply@blogger.com4