Unfortunately, Kaitlin got aspiration pneumonia the week before Christmas. I took her to the ER on Dec 20 and we were sent home because x-rays showed clear lungs, even though I knew something was coming. I brought her back two days later and we were admitted to Saratoga Hospital on Dec 22. We were quickly transported to Albany Med after more blood tests and x-rays confirmed the seriousness of Kaitlin's condition. There we were admitted through the ER to the pediatric ICU. During the first few days there, we were faced with very hard choices. With Donny by my side, we stood strong by Kaitlin and fought with her. We were within 30 minutes of having to intubate her at one point, and that was the scariest thing we've had to deal with in a long time. Having Kaitlin in the hospital was hard to begin with, but then when the high flow didn't work, and then their second attempt with the CPAP didn't work, and the third attempt to assist her breathing with the BIPAP didnt work, the only other choice was to intubate her with a breathing tube. We asked for some time and that 30 minutes given to us soon turned to an hour and then two. Kaitlin was so strong and made us very proud. After she supported herself while on BIPAP for more than two days, she was brought down to the high flow and then eventually was allowed to get off assistance completely to see how she would do on her own. Again, we were made so so proud of the princess as she kicked butt. The doctors actually said that she made such an awesome recovery and they weren't prepared for it to be that easy. They had the breathing machine right outside of our room waiting for Kaitlin. She must have been listening and decided to show them just how tough she really is because the way she turned things around was truly amazing. We were allowed to come home the night of Christmas, which was truly something special for us. Donny, Kaitlin and I tried to make the best of what we could while in the pediatric ICU for those 3-4 days but we were so thankful that we could come home and spend the remainder of our Christmas together at home. Kaitlin is still struggling with the pneumonia, but is slowly getting better. She is off of her antibiotic, which gave her horrible wretching spells and massive diarreah, and we are going back in the morning for repeat x-rays to take a look at her lungs and see where we stand. I'm afraid that we might need deep suctioning to get rid of the congestion; more than what I can do at home. She is sleeping an awful lot, but is getting some smiles back a little more every day.

Santa visited Kaitlin in the hospital and gave her a whole bag full of toys! They filled her hospital bed and surrounded her. She woke right up when I told her that Santa was there to see her with presents! It was a very nice surprise.

On another note, the Post Star named an article about Kaitlin's battles as one of the most memorable of 2011 in their last issue of the year. It is nice to see that her word is getting out and people are responding to this journey that we are on. Kaitlin truly is the strongest person that I know and I am honored to be her mommy.