Feeling Better

Please don't think Internet silence means things aren't going well. We are having a harder time updating the blog now that we have a toddler in the hospital, instead of an infant. Plus, I'm commuting back and forth with Brogan, so things feel very busy and exhausting.

I have a lot of good news actually. No, Ayden has not moved out of the PCCU, but he certainly is jumping some major hurdles. The morning chest x-ray showed that Ayden still had right lung collapse, but the doctors felt convicted that he didn't have effusion issues of any kind... not even chylous! They did a quick ultrasound this afternoon to feel peace of mind, and they didn't see any major fluid concerns. In addition, Ayden's chest tube output has diminished significantly. The surgeon decided it was time to remove BOTH chest tubes! Removing the chest tubes will certainly help make Ayden feel more comfortable, and the procedure could help open up that lung.

They also turned Ayden's external pacemaker down to 75 heartbeats, instead of 125. He has been keeping his heart at 109, which is an improvement of approximately 20 beats from yesterday. It appears as though his heart is figuring things out and that his sinus node (and the area surrounding it), in particular, is healing from surgery. They will keep his pacemaker on as backup until they feel sure he can maintain an appropriate heartbeat without assistance.

Ayden is still on Vapotherm, but maybe after his chest tube pull, more HIT, and some rest, he will be able to take deep enough breaths to pop open his lung and improve his oxygen saturations. Full breaths will be needed to wean the Vapotherm.

He got his bedding changed, his mouth cleaned, and his shirt changed. By the end of the day, he should feel a bit better and a lot worn out. I got him to smile some this morning. I was acting like a total lunatic, but he liked it. Of course, the smiles didn't last too long. He insisted on showing me that he is still grumpy about the situation. I would be too.