The cardiologist performed another ultrasound on Arrowen's heart to see how things were looking. Apparently the Patent Ductus Arteriosus (the open channel between the aorta and pulmonary artery) that previously (before her diagnosis of Trisomy 18) he had been intending to close through medicine, is closing itself spontaneously.
The ultrasound also showed that the VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect: hole between left and right ventricles) and PVS (Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: the malformed heart valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery) still seem to be working together in harmony to minimize each other's effect.
All seems a go for her to come home with us Friday afternoon. We can't wait. The training has continued, though it appears that today and tomorrow Nicole will have to prove her competence while I will not. Our female nurses apparently assume that she will be doing all the feeding and bathing and changing of the dressing around the feeding tube and such. Nicole returned to the hospital moments ago to have the nurse watch her pour some milk into a syringe again. Tomorrow will be her big test. Can she give Arrowen a bath? If she fails will I be able to take the test? Such drama.
Yesterday we were offered the use of a 'simulated home' room in the hospital tomorrow before taking her home. The idea being is we are shut in a room and have to deal with a baby as if we were at home. Fortunately, it was not a requirement and we respectfully declined.