Phoebe... Day 18!

This week has been a big week for the Kingsley-Smith Family... Julia (Paul's sister) got engaged to James last weekend, which we are HUGELY excited about. I (Paul) started work at LEFC on Tuesday, Phoebe had her first MRI scan (brain) on Wednesday, I played squash on Thursday (and my buttocks are killing as a result!) and today, Gracie met Phoebe for the first time. 

Phoebe isn't doing as well as we'd expected this week; While she's putting on weight like an American at McDonalds (she now weighs 1135g (2lbs 8oz)) she is still really struggling with her breathing. She is still being supported by her C-PAP, and she is having Apnia episodes quite regularly which isn't good. 

They don't feel she is in a position to come off C-PAP which is a real shame. They have her on a maximum caffeine dose which usually sorts this problem out, but in Phoebe's case it isn't, so they are all a bit confused about it although they think she may have some minor lung disease. 

We really need prayer that she can get the strength in her lungs to fully breathe on her own... at present she wouldn't survive without the C-PAP even though she showed such promising signs over the last couple of weeks. 

We are waiting to speak with the doctor in charge of the brain injury study, but his initial write up of Phoebe's scan indicates that there are no brain injuries although there are a couple of minor hemorrhages; Apparently there is nothing to be concerned about which is good news though. 

We're exhausted by driving to and from Vancouver but slowly feel like we are developing a routine that might work for us. We're really praying that she will become more stable (and be able to breathe without C-PAP) so that she could be transfered to a more local hospital (30 Minutes away) so please pray with us. As ever, here are some photos. 

Gracie and Laura washing up ready for Gracie to see Phoebe for the first time

'Rounds'; This is where the doctors and nurses discuss Phoebe's progress each morning

Our first family photo