Post-Op, Day 1

Post-Op, Day 1 (as they call it here in the PCICU) went very well for Samuel today. They actually removed his breathing tube this morning (sooner than we were expecting - though they wouldn't let me do it) and he has been breathing on his own for the majority of the day. He does require a little O2 every now and again but his saturation remains high and his breathing rate is already half of what it was before we came down here a week ago - a good sign that fixing the heart was a necessary (and at this point successful) step.

So, with his breathing tube out & the IV they had in his neck out he looks fairly normal ... well, when the rest of him is covered with a blanket, that is. It is wonderful for us to be able to see his whole face again. The nurse this evening said she was going to give him a bath tonight and remove the cranial saturation monitor lead on his forehead, so hopefully tomorrow he'll have nothing stick to him or in him from the neck up. They've also told us that tomorrow (Fri) he is slated to have several other lines removed and he might have his chest tube removed in the next 24ish hours. The fewer the lines the better. We still can't hold him, but we are very much looking forward to the day that we can.

As Samuel continues to breath well and now that they have begun feeding him again (up to the same amount as Pre-Op) and he is tolerating that well, the next hurdles are to continue removing lines & getting him out of the PCICU and onto 7-C - which is just a regular kids floor in the Childrens' Hospital. From 7-C we hope to be discharged ... and then HOME!

There still is no real timeframe on that. It is really up to Samuel and how he recovers and takes to feeding and breathing. Hopefully his little heart (the size of a plum) will heal from its surgery and cause us no more concerns.

Sara's dad got in town today from the Washington DC area (via Amtrak nonetheless). It has been invaluable to us to have family take such good care of us these 3+ weeks now. My parents have made 2 trips from PA, Sara's mom has been here for 3 weeks and both of our brothers families are planning on taking Anna Catherine and Colin for several days each this next week. (You can pray for them & thank God for them!)

And thank you for rejoicing with us that yesterday is yesterday and is now over. We still are requiring new strength and new mercies for each new day - especially as things can change very quickly in a place like this, so please continue to pray for God's provision. And thank him that he has provided abundantly for us in many many ways!

heading to bed,
grant