Maeve's Mama

I had a great talk with Brig tonight.

Most of our conversation focused on Maeve and the slight, ever-so-gradual improvements she's making, but every once in a while our thoughts would wander and we'd talk about our favorite desserts or boys we had crushes on in high school.

Maeve still has a long, long way to go. She weighs around 15 lbs or so and doctors want her to go potty and get rid of more fluid. She also has an infection in her throat that is potentially dangerous because it could spread and cause more problems. Maeve has fluid in her lungs and still has several drains in her chest. The baby has developed more heart problems - in fact, every single thing that could be wrong with her heart IS wrong. My sister now sounds like a cardiologist when she speaks - she rattles off acronyms and long, complicated conditions like she's explaining how to make a peanut butter sandwich.

There isn't one good thing about Maeve's heart, save for the fact it is determined to pump blood and survive this crisis.

I sent Brig and Steve an international cheese basket last week (what do you get a couple who are devastated about the ever present absence of their little girl?? Flowers? A barbershop quartet? Liquor?) because Brig and I loved calling things cheesy when we were younger. It's such a meaningless gesture but, aside from my almost daily phone message, was the only thing I could do to show my love since I can't be there to wrap my arms around her and let my sister cry on my shoulder.

Cheese. It makes everything better. Especially brie... but chevre and muenster are good, too.

Maeve also had a fever of 104 degrees this weekend, and that's really held up her ability to get better. Every day my niece makes the slightest, barely noticeable improvement, but each day that progress will add up and we are hoping for some miraculous results in a week, a month, whatever.

Today Brig saw Maeve open her eyes the biggest ever since she was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance five weeks ago. My sister says the baby still looked pretty sedated but her line of sight actually followed Brigid's movements.

I am certain a baby will recognize their mother no matter the circumstances.

We are hoping with all hope that Maeve will make it home in time for Mother's Day, or at the very least will be transferred out of the cardiac ICU and into the step-down unit, where Brig will get to sleep in the same room as Maeve every night.

My sister and brother-in-law thank you all so much for your prayers, your kind thoughts and your positive energy.