Out of the PICU...on the road to recovery

Last night, Riley had a blood transfusion and her heart rate was super low so it was a busy night. I slept from about 10pm until 3am then went to relieve Jaron at Riley's bedside. He was able to sleep a little bit, but I can tell he is super tired and still very stressed. The neurology team came by this morning and removed Riley's bandage (pic later). It looks a bit scary, but they said it looked good. She is able to move around as much as she can tolerate and eat and drink what she likes. She drank so much this morning that her stomach is a bit distended. Hopefully the nap she is taking now and a break from her cup will make her feel a bit better. She is loving the pacifier they gave her which is so weird because she never took one before. We are blaming it on the tumor. I think from now on, we will blame everything on that nasty tumor! :)
We were moved out of the PICU this morning and back up to 3 South. It is much more comfortable and less stressful. There are not as many beeping monitors to freak us out. We will stay up here for a few days to count her calories and if she can do it on her own without throwing up, we should be out of her by early next week. Her GI tube and fundoplication surgery is on hold for now until we see if she can manage on her own. Please pray for that! We would love if her body could just snap back to normal and she could aviod another surgery. We are still waiting on the pathology report. Hopefully in another day or two we will hear the final word.
On another note, I have been so incredibly awed by the support and outpouring of love we have received. It brings me to tears just thinking of how many people care for our family and are engrossed in her story. It is amazing to feel so cared for. Throughout this journey, adjusting to hospitilization, the fear of the unknown when hearing about the tumor, coming to grips with the reality of Riley's diagnosis, waiting and then seeing her through surgery, and starting our road to recovery, I have had my moments of fear. But overall I have felt a peace. I know who is in control and I have chosen not to fight with that. I trust in the doctor's care. All that is left for me to do is hold her hand, snuggle her up, and tell her I love her.
I have been so thankful to have friends and family who have given me breaks, provided us with food, given us items of comfort, and I am really grateful for caffeine. :) I feel good about the direction we are headed in and will face each day with optimism and a desire to get her 100% healthy. I am looking forward to hearing her laugh without coughing and gagging, screaming with joy, playing hard with her sissy and not worrying about her falling and stopping breathing... to enjoy her childhood without great fear will be a fantastic gift.