Zoe's graduating!!

Ms. Zoe had an excellent day today! She is really recovering like a champ from her Norwood operation.

Zoe continues to be weaned from her oxygen, she is down to 50% oxygen and with that level her oxygen saturation is even better than what the cardiologist wanted. She is also doing better with her feedings. They are trying bottle feedings first, then what she doesn't finish from the bottle, she gets through her NG tube. She is doing well with the bottle feeding, so well one of the nurses suggested the NG tube may come out soon. Also, Stacey was able to breastfeed Zoe for the first time today and Zoe performed like a natural!

All in all, we couldn't ask for a better recovery. The professionals agree, that's why Zoe will be transferred to the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) tomorrow morning, which is considered the step-down unit from the intensive care. Once in the CCU she won't get the nursing attention she received in the intensive care unit, but she also doesn't need it. The step down unit is where we will start to receive hands-on training on HLHS related issues, things we will need to know once we get Zoe home.

Today, we spent a long time hanging out with Zoe. Stacey held her for awhile and I held her for two and a half hours straight! She only cried for about 5 minutes of that time. Not bad dad.





Zoe and her pod mates were also entertained by musician Woody Wolfe. Once a week he tours the cardiac intensive care unit and plays his guitar and sings for the kids. Zoe seemed to like the music.



In other firsts, Zoe graced us with her first smile today. Granted, I think the smile was prompted by an episode of gas.





We will update tomorrow from our new digs in the CCU.