All the pictures seem to look the same anymore. Poor little guy.
Sorry I didn't update yesterday, but hey, now you get a report and a half :)
Yesterday, he was completely off all narcotics. He's on a patch to stave off the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, although he was a little sweaty, and yawning a lot, which are symptoms, but if those are the worst of them, we can handle that. He's on a different type of drug for pain which isn't a sedative, isn't a narcotic, and doesn't knock him out. The name escapes me but I'll ask again today when we go up.
His kidney function and all the magic numbers on the monitors were really good, and he was more "with it" even when he was asleep. I know that sounds silly, but there's definitely a difference between a narcotic stupor type of sleep, and a plain ole' regular nap. The nurse was impressed - he slept for 4 hour stretches. We had finally gotten him to the point of sleeping for as many as six some nights before he went in for surgery. We figure that is a thing of the past lol.
He was breathing really well without the piggy-back effect of him fighting it or breathing "over" it. They weaned it down a bit on the pressure, and he was more comfortable.
We were only able to be with him for a total of 30 minutes yesterday, which I hate, but I felt really good about where he was and how he was doing when we left. Some days we're there all day, and I leave feeling stressed out and worried you know?
This morning before I even woke up Scott called to check on him and we have the same nurse as yesterday, whom I LOVE and wish she was on all the time. She's dedicated to keeping him off the narcs, and is willing to work to comfort him without dosing him with morphine, which can sometimes be work. She does this thing called 'angel wings' that creates the same thing as swaddling and works really well on him.
Anyway, she told him not to be surprised if he's in a different spot, because right now he's under an a/c vent and she doesn't like it. Besides, there's been some talk about putting him in a crib because he's so big lol. OK, a new spot is good for us, a regular crib is cool...
And then she says they plan to try to extebate him today too! This is big news, and a little scary, because he had a hard time last time they took him off, but he seems so much stronger now than he was then though, so hopefully it'll be more successful and he'll do well and stay off. BUT, some children take as many as 4 or 5 tries at breathing on their own, so we'll try not to be too disappointed if he has to be put back on.
It's good news in and of itself that they're willing to try again. That means they think he's improved enough to try, and it means that there are definitely no plans to do that cath next week. Now to get him EATING! He's losing weight, and I can't get myself over the idea that he feels like he's starving.
Wow E! What great news all around! It sounds like he's making huge strides to recovery, and that thrills me. I hope that the extubation goes smoothly for him. And, as always, thanks for keeping us updated.
ReplyDeleteErin
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear about his progress. I keep meaning to ask you if he's in the Monroe Hospital or one of the Charlotte ones. I'm familiar with several and was wondering where you had to go to get such good care.
Ang~
ReplyDeleteYou know, I started out doing updates for you guys, but I've discovered that writing it down helps me understand the processes better - translating and explaining and all.
I hope the extubation is successfulthis time, so I can see his little face and he can work on getting his voice back!
Pris~
He's in Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte. They're awesome. I'm in love with the doctors and nurses there. They really get involved on a personal level, rather than that cold doctor/patient atmosphere, and the nurses are just wonderful amazing people. We've been blessed with the people that are taking care of Nova!
That's one I'm not familiar with, but I'm wondering if names have changed since the times my parents were hospitalized there. One was Presbyterian Hospital and the other was another denomination. The times concerning religion have changed since the eighties, so names may have, too. Glad you found a good place.
ReplyDeletePris~
ReplyDeleteIt used to be Charlotte Memorial Hospital. They've become HUGE as Carolina's Medical - they took over Union Memorial now too. They have the Children's Hospital on the 7th floor(including a seperate children's emergency room). They also have the Heart Institute, the Rehabilitation Center, and about anything else you could possibly need, all in one humungous place. Presby is still here, with another 'branch' in Matthews too - and then there's Mercy.