I know its time to update when I am getting lots of texts! Ethan is doing much better than I expected. He is following a great post-operative course. The great news is he got extubated a few hours after surgery(breathing tube out). He is breathing well on his own. We thought it would take a few days because he had his trache removed only two and a half weeks ago. This surgery creates a lot of swelling of the head and neck, so we thought the extra inflammation from the trache area would make it worse. So far so good! Of course, it is still a balancing act. His blood pressure has been low from blood loss, thus he has had a few transfusions. The inside of his lungs are wet (also typical from surgery and bypass) so he is breathing a bit hard, but NO EFFUSSIONS yet. . .
The hardest part is he is having a lot of pain and aggitation. As mentioned before the new circulation creates swelling in the head and neck for a few weeks. Thus Ethan is experiencing migraine like headaches mixed with irritation from coming off the anasthesia, mixed with the fact he had his chest split open less than 24 hours ago. And they have to keep his pain meds a little on the lighter side so he will continue to breathe well. So today we are trying to keep it quiet, comfortable, and start increasing his diuretics to help decreasing swelling and fluid on his lungs. They are also going to start feeding him. . .So hopefully the chylous effusions don't come back in the next week!!!
Much love-
Heidi
PS: Greg took the camera home so I will post pics later
3 comments:
Oh, the thought of him experiencing that pain makes me want to cry, for him and for you. There is nothing worse than watching your child suffer. But I am so glad that he is doing so well overall. What a little angel. Thank heaven for modern medicine.
Thats great that he is extubated. That is always big step forward. I have heard of babies going home from the glenn in under a week before. So I will keep my fingers cross that Ethat makes leaps and bounds in his recovery so you will be in the comfort of your own home again here soon.
He is a strong little boy, our prayers are with him
Jenna and Lilyana
So wonderful, this is the strongest little boy, what a fighter! It amazes me everything this little boy has gone through and is to able to put out a smile. Our prayers continue for you all.
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