Chasing Ayden & Chasing Tails

The nurses chased Ayden's agitation all night long. They gave him nine extra doses (PRN's) of sedation, pain medication, anxiety meds, etc. They kept bumping his Precedex, but that seemed to do nothing more than decrease his heart rate and blood pressure. (That scenario, of course, freaks Bryan and me out because of the last time we experienced medication lowering his heart rate.) The doctors have taken the Precedex off, increased his Methadone and Ativan, and provided the nurses with PRN's of Delaudid, Methadone, and Ativan in the event that they should need them. Ayden seems far more calm during the day shift. He is currently on a CPAP trial, and he is slumbering (and breathing) appropriately.

The original plan was to extubate Ayden early morning, but his chest x-ray showed increased wetness. While that initially sounded discouraging to Bryan and me, they assured us that wetness can be expected after a surgery. They are diuresing him as usual. He does have a chest tube in on that right side, and that appears to be ridding his body of a decent amount of fluid as well. If the numbers reveal that Ayden has gotten rid of enough fluid, they may extubate tonight. We are not holding our breath... Ayden does enough of that for both of us.

They got more sputum and blood to check for infections. The sputum one has already been positive, so we are certain that will remain the same. The last blood culture showed nothing growing, and we are praying that also remains the same. Ayden is currently on contact isolation; all nurses and doctors must wear gowns and gloves before entering Ayden's room.

I'll admit that Ayden appears sad and that Bryan and I are... okay. The plication appears to have taken care of Ayden's lung inflation difficulty, so that's progress. We are just hoping that the doctors aren't chasing their tails.

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified;

do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1: 9 NIV