Saturation Scare & Cath Call

We daily check Ayden's oxygen saturations, better known as "sats." Ayden's sats are supposed to remain between 75 and 85. (Those of us with healthy hearts sat at 100%.) I usually try to check his oxygen saturations while he is sleeping so that I can get the most accurate reading. In other words, I would prefer that he not be flailing his arms or legs in a dance march. Yesterday's sleep sats were somewhat scary, 68-74. Though he looked perfectly fine (they always tell us to "look at the baby"), I woke him up anyway. Once awake, his sats were all over the place, though they were in the acceptable range. Since the low numbers were unusual for Ayden, Bryan and I conference called the clinic, and Dr. Kavanaugh requested that we frequently check his saturations; should he fall below 72, we were to take Ayden to the ER to be admitted for overnight observation. The fear of low saturations is that his shunt, the device that Dr. Bichell put in to redirect blood flow, might have clotted.

Check me out! My t-shirt rocks!

When Bryan got home from work last night, we ate dinner (thanks to Lisey!) and then checked his saturations. They were yet again low, and I began frantically wracking my brain for all of the hospital necessities Ayden might need. After Bryan tried Ayden's hand and foot, I told Bryan that I was somewhat skeptical of the sensor attached to Ayden. (Sometimes frequent use causes them to lose accuracy. We had used this one every day for almost a month.) On a whim, Bryan requested that I get another sensor...

You probably just see my tongue hanging out...
Look! My saturation sensor is attached to my right hand.

AND...

Ayden had perfect sats! We left the sensor attached to his foot, and Bryan checked him at every feed last night. Ayden never fell below 80! PHEW! (Needless to say, I will probably check his saturations neurotically today.)

Mommy & Daddy are experimenting with feeding tube tape, so I don't have an allergic reaction.
Though they have to replace this kind more often (and it takes away from my cuteness), this tape doesn't hurt my skin. Thanks, G-Daddy, for the suggestion!

I mentioned that we conference called the clinic regarding Ayden's oxygen saturations, but the purpose of the call was actually twofold. The second reason for the call was to confirm Ayden's catheterization (re)scheduling. Apparently, when Dr. Kavanaugh talked to Dr. Fish, Dr. Fish said that he would like to do an EP study at the same time that the catheterization was being done (two birds; one stone). He wants to double check that the ablation-- the one he performed on Ayden while Ayden was on ECMO-- took care of Ayden's arrhythmia issues. The original date for the catheterization was not a good time for Dr. Fish, so they rescheduled to accommodate his availability. As a result, Ayden's catheterization is NEXT WEEK! We will not have a Clinic visit on Monday; instead, we will meet with Dr. Fish and Dr. Janssen the day before the cath.

Please continue to pray for me!