It’s Day 16 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and today has been a day of progress, laughter, and a little bit of humor to brighten our spirits. I always know she’s feeling better when she starts sleeping sideways in her bed. It’s a small, familiar sign, but one that means everything. It means she’s getting stronger. Last night was a bit challenging, with a couple of moments when she woke up crying in pain. Her throat, still sore from the procedure, made it hard for her to find comfort. Despite the Tylenol, the pain didn’t ease, and so she was given Dilaudid and cold water sponges to suck on. That combination really helped, bringing her the relief she desperately needed.

This morning, I was greeted by the soft sound of her voice—quiet but so much clearer than yesterday. Hearing her speak again, even in whispers, fills me with a deep sense of relief and gratitude. I love her little voice more than anything. It’s the sound of recovery, of life returning to normal, piece by piece.

During one of our quiet moments this morning, she shared something that made my heart ache. She told me it felt like she was dying when they took the breathing tube out. I couldn’t help but reassure her, telling her, “But you didn’t! You’re here, and you’re getting stronger every day.” I tried to comfort her by explaining that it was like the moment babies are born—they have to take that first breath, and that’s why they cry when they’re born. In a way, I told her, it was like she was born again yesterday, taking her first breath of freedom after all that she’s been through. To my surprise, she smiled at that, her eyes lighting up with a sense of understanding and comfort. That smile was everything.

Today marks a big step in her journey to recovery. The doctors are planning to stop the steroids, which she’s been on for some time, and continue weaning her off other medications. This is a crucial step in the process, as it means we’re getting closer to moving her from the ICU to a regular surgery floor to finish out her recovery. It’s a sign that she’s on the right track, that the worst is behind us, and we can begin to look ahead to brighter days.

Throughout this entire journey, I’ve been reading her all of the messages of encouragement, prayers, and positive thoughts that have come our way. Every time I tell her that people are praying for her and thinking of her, she smiles. Her little face lights up, and I know that all of your love and support is giving her the strength she needs to keep fighting. Your words mean the world to us. The positivity, the hope, the kindness—every message helps more than you can imagine. We are so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you who has sent a prayer, a kind word, or even just a good thought our way.

This journey has been long, and there have been moments when it felt like the road ahead would never end. But in these moments of progress, in her smiles, her whispers, and the little signs of her strength returning, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We know that each day brings us closer to the moment when we’ll walk out of this hospital, back into the normal rhythm of our life, with our sweet girl stronger than ever.

We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer. With each step she takes forward, my heart feels a little lighter. I’ve witnessed her courage, her resilience, and her incredible will to fight. She has inspired me in ways I never thought possible. Watching her come back to life, even in small, quiet ways, has been nothing short of miraculous. She’s proving to us all that, no matter the odds, healing is possible.

As we continue this journey, I ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We still have a road ahead of us, but with all of your love and support, I know we’ll make it through. Thank you for walking alongside us during this time, for sending positive vibes, for praying with us, and for helping us keep our spirits high. Your support is everything. We’re so grateful, and we’re so proud of our little fighter.

Here’s to more smiles, more laughter, and more healing as we take each step toward recovery. 🥰🫶🏼