Friday, April 25, 2008

another night in ICU

Athan had a better night last night. He and dad didn’t get hours and hours of sleep, exactly, but certainly better than the night spent angry and restrained.

The ECHO this a.m. showed that the repair sites in his heart look good. The x-rays still show some junk in his lungs that needs to be cleared, so we are working with him to help get that fluid out. They are also watching his fluid intake closely, so we’ll alternate breast feeding with a bottle every other meal (every 3 hours ‘round the clock). He is still on oxygen for the moment. They tried to take it off last night, but it was just a little too soon. He is off the IV fluids, so we only have to be hooked up to IV stuff when he gets medicine. Otherwise the only cords and tubes that remain are his oxygen and monitors. We are going to stay here in ICU tonight to keep watching the fluid issue.

Morgan and the grandmas headed out this morning to go back to New Mexico. We are so thankful that Morgan will get to have this fun vacation while we focus on taking care of Athan.

Ryan has done two night shifts in a row up here, and he’s sleepy. I’ve gotten more sleep for a couple days, so I’m hoping he’ll let me take tonight and he’ll go home and get some sleep.

Once again, we have been taken care of so very well by all the staff here at UK. HUGE thank-yous to all our docs, nurses, and support staff for being so good to our boy. Selena was the nurse with the magic touch that started his first IV, and then fought with Ryan through that first hellish night post-op. Kim helped us sooth him when he was so mad he was trying to kick the moon. Kathleen has patiently helped us through our two days here, taking good care of Athan and Mom and Dad. We are so thankful to all of you who have given your knowledge and skill to our Athan.

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