The Hopester is doing great. She is such a trooper. She is back up to 5 lbs 1.5 oz. She is ready to go for surgery tomorrow at noon. I was happy to hear that they won't intubate her until she gets down to the O.R., so she'll be awake and happy when I get there tomorrow morning. Well, her last feeding will be at 3 am, so maybe not too happy. But she won't be doped up and hooked up when I get there. Please pray her through this surgery. I'm excited to have her put back together, but hate to put her through another surgery. Please ask God to be merciful and let her have a minimum of discomfort.

Also, Mike and the boys were supposed to be coming up tomorrow evening to join Mary and me. They are not feeling well. They all just had flu shots, so we're hoping it's just a reaction to that and not another illness. O Lord, please, please, please keep germs away!

Mary is up here spending some time with me doing girl stuff. We went shopping and she did my hair this evening. She went in to see Hope this afternoon but didn't seem excited like I'd expected. I think she felt uncomfortable in the new hospital, but I also wonder if she was scared because of Hope's ostomy bag. She also didn't like wearing a mask, which we both did because we don't know what's going on with the guys. She finally loosened up a little and tried playing peek-a-boo with Hope (who is not quite getting it yet). That was pretty cute.

I will try to post tomorrow afternoon as soon as I get home from the hospital. Surgery should take about 2 hours, so don't expect news until mid-to-late afternoon. Thanks so much for all your prayers.