Cutest Blog on the Block

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Baby steps

Last night after I made the post about the better mood, I returned to find Daddy struggling with a very, very grumpy Zach. He had all of his monitors beeping and beeping because he was so upset (heart rate up = blood pressure up = oxygen sats down = lots of beeping). Not pretty music to hear. The bad news is that Versed is not knocking him out --- its only making him a really mean drunk.

Here's a funny... one time yesterday, something started beeping and Zach slapped his hand across his forehead and said, "Oh, what now???"

At around 9:00pm we turned a corner and Zach conked out. We left to go back to "Mrs. D's Hotel" (as Zach calls it) to get some much needed sleep. We were a little apprehensive about leaving him, but apparently he slept all night. I think they finally got on top of the pain, making him much more comfortable. They also started giving him Benedryl for the itching which helped.

He woke up around 8:00am and actually smiled a couple of times! I can't tell you how much it blesses my heart to see that first post-op smile! That is good medicine for Mommy! He at a breakfast of Cheerios, bacon, fruit, and apple juice. Please pray for more smiles. I got a picture of him smiling but I have no way to download it yet. I hope to post some pictures soon.

In rounds, the doctor said that they will remove several of his tethers today and we will move to a room on the floor later. They said his lungs still look cloudy, but that will get better as he starts moving around more today and tt-ing and coughing more. So far his drainage output has been good and they will be taking out the one in the middle, which will make Zach more comfortable as this one is a very stiff tube.  His output will have to decrease a lot before they will remove the other two chest tubes.  Now that he is eating we will have to see if he will develop Chlyothorax or not, which is where the fats that he takes in cannot get drained away and collect in the chest cavity. Please pray that his body will be able to do its job on the drainage.

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement! Mom and Dad are holding up pretty well but when they put us in a room, one of us will be staying with him at night. So, pray for good rest for us as we take turns doing duty.

6 comments:

  1. Oh, Pam, we are praying for you all! I know how hard and heart-wrenching it is to watch your child struggle to understand why he's uncomfortable. I am so happy Zach's given a few smiles and is eating so well! We will pray his lungs dry up quickly so they can pull the other chest tubes. Sweet boy, we're praying for you!

    Jesse

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  2. Yay for a smile! :)

    We've been out of town and I'm catching up on all things Zach! I'm so glad things are going well, and definitely praying for NO chylothorax!!

    Hopefully right now you all are settling into a room on 7C. I hope all of you are able to get some much needed rest and that Zach has a smooth and quick recovery. Let us know if you need anything...we're not too far away!!

    Big, big heart hugs and prayers,
    Shannon

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  3. How nice to know he is smiling! I know that makes the day easier on you. of course, i never imagined that you would describe him as "one mean drunk" too funny - keep us posted and know that we continue to pray for you all and love you. btw, how's becca doing??

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  4. Hey Mom and Dad! It's nice to hear that you finally admitted that he was mean.....I've been waiting on those words since day 1! I hope and pray his lungs clear up soon! Call us later! Love, Becca

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  5. Praising the Lord things are going so well. Sounds like he has turned the corner. We will continue to pray that he continues to make small step so recovery!

    Bill and Anita

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  6. Those first smiles are priceless... Glad to hear he is heading toward recovery.. We are praying and Thanking God for his hand on your Sweet heart!!

    Love
    Rhonda :)

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