Quick Abby update:

She's the same. 

There!  That was quick.  And not true. 

She is mostly the same, still on the new formula, though we might change it this week again.  Still running at 45, still has the IV every night.  Her intestines are still very slow, her belly still puffy. 

I'm still trying to figure this out, as are the doctors.  Abby is an unusual little girl, so there is no real standard of treatment for this problem.  We have to just wait for her belly to work again.  It's been 9 weeks now.  We're still waiting.  The Dr.'s  tell me gastroparesis can last for years in children with severe neurological impairments.  Abby obviously has higher brain function, so they don't anticipate it lasting so long for her, although they didn't anticipate it lasting as long as it has. 

For her, it's not only her stomach but her entire digestive tract that's the problem.  Her swallow isn't good, her stomach doesn't empty well, her intestines bloat, and she has a very difficult time with bathroom issues.  Eventually, It'll all start working again and we'll be in business!

I do think she's made some improvement.  Her belly wasn't nearly as big today as it has been.  She's also taking small bites of yogurt everyday.  That's the only food she's interested in, but that's fine with me because she doesn't choke on it and it's easy to digest. 

I've been on a roller coaster of emotions from frustration to exasperation to quiet moments of acceptance.  The hardest times are when it's difficult to imagine her being able to recover.  She's so far from where she's spent her whole life.  No more can I imagine her being back to her normal than I could have imagined being where we are.  I am praying that God would allow something to change.  For better or worse according to His will.  This limbo is not my happy place.  I recognize that God isn't always interested in moving one to a happy place, but it's my prayer none the less. 

I know she won't go back to school this year.  Oh, this is funny.  I got a truancy notice,  I was going to have to appear before the truancy board because she isn't enrolled in the hospital/home bound program yet.  That made me laugh. We did have to enroll her in home bound, but it's taken care of.

If it weren't for our planned move this summer I wouldn't feel so much pressure for her to get better.  We do need to move though.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for all of that.  Since Jeff lost his job, I've known that God wasn't surprised and felt strongly that He was purposely moving our family.  I have to continue to trust that. 

So, I'm still here looking forward to the post where I tell you all Abby's IV is coming out.  :)