18 day update

So we have been here 18 days already - what?  I have said this before but it seems like one long day or the day that never ends.  Wait no like the movie 50 first dates - it just keeps repeating itself - over and over.  I think everyone gets the idea :)  Yesterday Mallie's upper gi showed that emptying in the small intestine from the stomach was normal.  Gut motility is what I wanted to have them check which would have meant a follow thru the entire small intestine.  After getting that figured out - they decided to try an xray but we were not sure if too much time had passed or because she did not drink much barium if it would show anything.  I never did hear anything back on it so I think it did not show much.  They may do a follow thru today - meaning mallie will have to be force fed more barium - YUCK.  I should know after rounds this morning which is usually around 10.  Oh and the first blood culture came back negative - YAY!  WE still have the one today as the final.  What is amazing is yesterday afternoon Mallie was totally different - then when she was a sick girl.  You would have not even know she was fighting something.  so at this point they don't know if stress caused her vitals to go crazy or if she had some quick viral thing.  Still trying to get her to eat MORE!  I met with one of the develop pedatricians late afternoon.  We have an appt to see them in October.  She has seen about a handful of RSS kids so it was nice to talk with someone somewhat familiar.  She answered alot of my questions pertaining to diet, weight and sugar.  Those are the main issues we will face once again once we get out of here.  Mallie needs about 540 calories a day to gain weight.  Which is alot for her little self.  IF we can get her on Straight pediasure - that would do it if she ate 16-18 ounces a day.  So a big goal - for her.  Plus foods - lets hope so.  They will be creating a plan for us to head home soon I think.  Mallie just needs to eat more and we need to check her sugars once she gets off the iv fluids again.  so a break from pokes at least for today.  I will be back later with any new news.