It looks like we might step down tomorrow! I think we could have pulled it off today, but there was a slight setback -- nothing serious, Sammy is just fine.
The key to getting out of the CICU at this point is having Samson's central line removed. This is the last IV he has that goes directly to his heart (his right atrium, to be specific), and that is the last "intensive" thing left. The line does two major things. The first one is measuring the right atrial pressure -- there is an amazing amount of physics going on in Sammy's heart and they don't want to miss a number for a formula anywhere! The second one, and the one that is most important for this conversation, is delivering Heparin. Heparin is an anticoagulant and is keeping any clots from forming in his BT shunt. Now, the hospital doesn't want to send us home on Heparin, and St. Joseph's baby aspirin works just as well. Once they get Sammy on the St. Joe's they can stop the Heparin and take out the central line.
They gave him his first dose this morning.
And, an hour later, in an unrelated incident, he threw up.
It's not a huge setback, but a delay all the same. They couldn't be sure that he had absorbed the entire dose so they lowered the Heparin and we'll try again tomorrow morning.
In other news, the paralytics have completely worn off of Sammy's bowels, and he can add "pooping like a champ" to his other accolades. He's only receiving breastmilk via NG (nasogastric) tube, and they have him on an extremely small rate of 8 cc/hr -- it takes almost 4 hours just to get an ounce! Erika was able to try breastfeeding twice today -- Samson knew he was supposed to be there, but wasn't really sure why. There will be plenty of time for that once we step down.
Stock in Baby aspirin ! LOL I never thought of it actually!
I'm so glad they're supporting Erika in breastfeeding.
Keep up the great work in loving that little man. He looks so sweet and we're all thrilled here in CT that all is going so well :)
Posted by: Tricia at March 8, 2006 08:14 AMso glad things are progressing in the right direction. Will continue to send good thoughts North!!
Posted by: Darren at March 8, 2006 10:17 AM
So glad things are going well.
Shari
Posted by: Shari at March 8, 2006 02:29 AM